Posted on 12/22/2009 12:13:14 AM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Pentagon officials are keeping an eye on a delivery by the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association in Russia of three new Su-34 “Fullback”, two-seat, fighter bombers last week. It is part of an effort to create an operational force of 24 aircraft by the end of 2010. Future goals are a complete air regiment of 44 aircraft by 2010 and a total force of 200 Su-34s by 2020. Borts 04 and 05 went to Lipetsk AB combat training center – Russia’s “Top Gun” school – which is 270 mi. southeast of Moscow. Their arrival was the subject of a Russian television film clip).
A third aircraft went to Akhtubinsk State Flight Testing Center about 180 mi. north of Astrakan in southeast Russia. The new fighter bombers can carry 18,000 lb. of ordnance on 12 pylons. It also has forward and rear facing radars and a 2,400-mi. unrefueled range. The two aircraft were flown by Col. Gritsaenko and Lt. Col. Maiorov and the navigator/weapons officers were Lt. Col. Uvarov and Lt. Col. Molchanov. They were met by the Center’s commander, Maj. Gen. Aleksandr Kharchevskii.
(Excerpt) Read more at aviationweek.com ...
The ‘34’s a good bird, from what I’ve read. Essentially they took the already excellent Su-27 platform and reworked it into the equivalent of a next-generation F-111. I figure it will eventually replace the older Su-24, if the Russians can find the budget for it.
I agree, it seems to be a fine aircraft. What about the engines? Are they similar to what the Indians have been getting on their Su-30 mks?
As far as I know, all the planes using the Flanker body also use some version of the AL-3x-F engine. (AL-31F, AL-37F, etc.)
Plasma Stealth capabilities?
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