Posted on 12/24/2009 7:59:22 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Three years after deciding to start production, the Russian Air Force received the first two production models of the Su-34 fighter-bomber. The original plan was to put 24 aircraft into service by 2010. It was hoped that they would eventually be able to buy a hundred. Apparently one goal of undertaking serial production was to encourage foreign purchases. No luck there yet. The 45 ton Su-34 is a replacement for the 43 ton Su-24 bomber, which is beginning to show its age (over twenty years). There are 300 Su-24s on the books, but most of these are not fit for service. The Su-34 is most similar to the U.S. F-15E (a two seat fighter bomber version of the 31 ton F-15C.), and is yet another variant of the 33 ton Su-27. The Su-34 has a full set of defensive and offensive sensors (radars, targeting cameras, laser designators) and electronic warfare gear, and can carry eight tons of missiles and smart bombs. The aircraft can be refueled in the air.
By 2013, Russia now plans to have 32 Su-34s in service, at a cost of $36 million each (less than half the cost of an F-15E). Meanwhile, some of the more recently built Su-24s are being upgraded as the Su-24M2. Most of the 1,400 Su-24s built are over 25 years old, and many have been grounded several times recently because of age related problems. Prototypes of the Su-34 has been in the air for several years, and earlier versions of two seater Su-27 bombers were known as the Su-32.
(Excerpt) Read more at strategypage.com ...
My guess is that Sukhoi is probably going to produce over 150 Su-34’s, because you know that plane will be certified to carry the Russian equivalent of the B61 and B83 nuclear bombs. Given the huge internal fuel load, the Su-34 is almost a plane in the F-111 class in terms of striking power.
If you can spare $5 million, you can have your own SU-27.
I’m not allowed to read the Controller without non-pilot adult supervision.
I almost hit the floor when I saw this headline. At first glance I thought this administration finally went over the edge and was selling Russia F15s, our F-15s. New Years Resolution Number 1: Get these old eyes checked.
Iran and N. Korea will be doing some Christmas shopping soon.
It looks like it
45 tons in weight. Is that loaded with ordinance and fuel?
That’s a pretty heavy platform to maneuver, when you’ve got f-16’s and f-22’s scooting around like barn swallows.
The Su-34 has a galley, head, and bunks aft of the cockpit.
45 tons in weight. Is that loaded with ordinance and fuel?
That’s a pretty heavy platform to maneuver, when you’ve got f-16’s and f-22’s scooting around like barn swallows.
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Wikipedia sez:
F16 Loaded weight: 26,500 lb (13.25 tons)
45 vs. 13.25 tons is a MAJOR difference!
Except you're comparing max takeoff weight with clean takeoff weight.
Take it back to basics
F-16 has one 13 tonne thrust engine pushing 8.5 tonnes aircraft plus whatever they put in the tanks and hang underneath
Su-34 has two 13.3 tonne (14.5 tonnes under development) thrust engines pushing c.20 tonnes aircraft plus whatever they put in the tanks and hang underneath
The plane has a room behind the pilots chair.
And don't forget, the cup holders designed to fit vodka bottles!
The maximum takeoff weight of new F-16 variants serving with the UAE and Israel is close to 25 tonnes.
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