Russian SU-34 bomber enters service...

www.aerospaceweb.org ^

[1stFreedom]

Based on the impressive Su-27 fighter, the Su-34 is a new tactical low-level bomber designed to replace the Su-24. The first Su-34 prototype was a modified Su-30 tandem two-seat trainer (itself a variant of the Su-27) reconfigured with two side-by-side seats in a widened fuselage.

The widened nose also contains a terrain-following radar and terrain-avoidance system needed for low-level flight. Furthermore, the revised nose shape is a flat, sharp, chined configuration similar to that on the SR-71 Blackbird to reduce the radar cross-section of the aircraft. Like the Su-27, the Su-34 also features a rearward facing radar between the engines to track and fire upon targets behind the aircraft.

Improvements over the Su-27 include more sophisticated avionics, addition of canards like those of the Su-33, better maneuverability, greater range, and improved low-level flight performance. The Su-34, originally known as the Su-27IB, is expected to replace the Su-24 bomber by about 2010. A further variant of the Su-34 is the Su-32FN optimized for maritime attack and reconnaissance duties. Some reports also suggest a navalized version of the Su-34 (possibly confused with the Su-33UB) equipped with more powerful engines and thrust vectoring to reduce the takeoff distance, but this variant is doubtful now that the Russian Navy no longer operates any vessels capable of carrying such an aircraft.

[1stFreedom]

Rear facing radar with a missile that fires behind the aircraft is waaayy cool. Areodymacially, this plane is old, but the Russians have been doing good with maxing out older technology.

[Orangedog]

I'm sure it's safe to say that the Chinese will be buying many of these.

[RusIvan]

This indian source decribes that capability of thier SU30MKI.
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Aircraft/Specs/Su-30.html

[Centurion2000]

Rear facing radar with a missile that fires behind the aircraft is waaayy cool. Areodymacially, this plane is old, but the Russians have been doing good with maxing out older technology.

FireFox comes off the big screen.

[LasVegasMac]

FireFox comes off the big screen.

Yea, but they will never get Clint!

LVM

[Seselj]

Areodymacially, this plane is old

How do you figure? The Su-27, which this Su-34 is based on, entered service only in the mid-80's. The American equivalent to the Su-34 would be the F-15E Strike Eagle, but the F-15 airframe is about 10 years older than the Su-27/30/34 airframe.

Also, the Su-34 has something that no other strike fighter in the world has: a toilet in the cockpit. This makes it suitable for very long missions.

[Poohbah]

Rear facing radar with a missile that fires behind the aircraft is waaayy cool.

Until someone has the bright idea of programming an AIM-120's "home on jam" feature to recognize the radar as a jammer.

[LuigiBasco]

"Also, the Su-34 has something that no other strike fighter in the world has: a toilet in the cockpit."

Pisser!

[Poohbah]

I'm sure it's safe to say that the Chinese will be buying many of these.

Sure. Will they be giving the aircrews enough time to be proficient?

Hardware is cool. Meatware is king.

[1stFreedom]

>>How do you figure? The Su-27, which this Su-34 is based on, entered service only in the mid-80's.

Exactly. Look at American aircraft design, like the F22, F117, B2, and you'll get the pic. A country shouldn't be fielding an 80's era aircraft as "new"

[Mr_Slippery]

I'm sure it's safe to say that the Chinese will be buying many of these.

I'm very naive regarding global economics, but it bothers me to see the connection between Americans buying tons of toys and consumer products from China, and the dollars the Communist regime then uses to increase its military.
It worries me that one result of our Yankee nature to buy the lowest cost products would be the funding of a future-hostile nation.
It's one reason I prefer to buy American products first, then Japanese, then European, then Taiwanese. I buy PROC products last. Unfortunately, price is an insiduous thing...
--Slip

[IGOTMINE]

Do those canards really help?

[Pukin Dog]

Until someone has the bright idea of programming an AIM-120's

Hush.

[Pukin Dog]

From the location, I would argue that those are vortex generators, which would help provide lift throughout the entire flight envelope. Placing those along the wing root would do a lot to increase pitch authority and also provide better control in high alpha conditions.

[JosephW]

Now that is a pretty plane

[ChadGore]

What do they run for engines in this ? Does it have anything to compete with "super cruise" ?

[ChadGore]

Hey! Right now! Flip your mouse over. What's it say ?

Made in . . . ?

[Soviet]

This aircraft was around since the late 80's. After the fall of communism, Russia could not afford to produce large numbers of them. Only now Russia has enough money to officially put it to service. This aircraft is nothing new.

[fourdeuce82d]

This aircraft was around since the late 80's. After the fall of communism, Russia could not afford to produce large numbers of them. Only now Russia has enough money to officially put it to service. This aircraft is nothing new.

I don't think (based on my perspicacity & expertise as an ex-mortar maggot!) that this plane is a quantum leap forward- no stealth, focus on in close dog fighting maneuverability, etc.- but I do think the russkies are pretty slick in the way they take a proven design, and upgrade it through multiple iterations.

My $.02. Anybody who be's a flyboy want to add anything?

Please?

[Leroy S. Mort]

Also, the Su-34 has something that no other strike fighter in the world has: a toilet in the cockpit. This makes it suitable for very long missions

Combined with that rear-facing radar, this could really give us the sh*ts. Hope we have windshield wipers.