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Sukhoi Su-34 (Fullback)

2014 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of Sukhoi Su-34 (Defender)

The Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting designation "Defender") is a fourth-generation dedicated two-seat fighter-bomber/strike platform force based on the Russian Air Force's successful Su-27 "Flanker" air superiority fighter family. Born in the Sukhoi Design Bureau in the 1970s, the Flanker family of aircraft entered service in December 1984 and has since spawned a number of capable combat roles, including the Su-33 ("Flanker-D") naval multinational-role variant and the Su-35 long-range air superiority/strike series ("Flanker-E").

While the Su-34 is largely based on the previous Su-27 design (exported around the world as the "Su-30") and retains some of its key characteristics, it is considered an entirely new, independent aircraft design , has been heavily modified and designed to be designated as the primary strike role, with air superiority being a secondary design quality.

The Su-34 was launched under the Sukhoi "T-10V" product designation, sparked by a Soviet Air Force requirement in the 1980s for a new long-range high-speed tactical bomber to replace the outgoing Sukhoisu should replace the series -24 "Fencers" of the same character. Sukhoi Focus sees its new Su-27 airframe as a possible starting point, the aircraft now starting to build itself up in useful numbers in the Soviet air supply. The airframe was exceptionally practical and flexible enough to meet the requirements, as evidenced by the two-seat T-10KM-2 naval trainer that was once reserved for the Soviet Navy, although it was eventually abandoned. Sukhoi engineers were comfortable keeping most of the Su-27's layout, adding only a new forward fuselage. Since the Su-27 family of aircraft is based on a single-seat configuration, the fuselage was allowed to adopt a beautiful cylindrical design shape.

For the new fighter-bomber company, however, this will be modified with a new approach, adding two pilots side-by-side in the enlarged cockpit. To this end, engineers subsequently installed front wing canards in front of the main wing panels to improve stability and increase maneuverability.

The Su-27's Lyulka series turbofan engines have been upgraded to gain more power in the new Sukhoi initiative. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop a competent combat platform while retaining the outstanding combat qualities (handling and performance) of the Su-27 family. The Sukhoi program eventually produced the first T-10V-1 prototype (born from the existing Su-27UB), which flew for the first time on April 13, 1990. The name of the T-10V was subsequently changed to "Su-27IB" to indicate a new fighter-bomber role for the type ("Istrebeetel'-bombardirovschchik"). It took off on 18 December 1993.

At that time the series received the official NATO designation of the Russian Air Force "Su-34" and the further designation "Defender".

The original Su-27IB prototype was revealed several times over a decade, in various camouflages and project names. The program was pushed forward as funding allowed, although the collapse of the Soviet Empire in 1991 threatened its future existence as a viable military product - which explains the type's maiden flight in 1990 and entry into service in 2014 s reason. Progress was made when funding was available, as did the Su-34 program.

Today (2013) about 32 aircraft have been completed - five at Lipetsk Air Base, twenty at Voronezh Marchevo, while the remaining seven have been identified as project prototypes.

For the Russian Air Force, the Su-34 Defender is intended as a direct successor to the hundreds of Cold War-era Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer aircraft still in service. Fortunately, modernization programs have kept the venerable aircraft operating into the new century, despite its Cold War legacy that cannot be ignored. Su-24s will remain stationed until Su-34s are fully operational and available in required quantities. It is estimated that the Russian Air Force will procure about 200 Su-34s as part of the initial production run.

The Su-34s may have been in service as early as the 2008 South Ossetian war, and they are believed to be equipped with anti-radar systems designed to suppress Georgia's air defense network.

At the time of writing, the Su-34 is still an important part of the ongoing (2013) Russian rearmament program. The Russian military intends to regain its dominance at the height of the Cold War.

Huge military commitments billions of dollars will see brand new air, navy and army facilities join the modernization effort overseen by President Putin.