The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has received the second batch of Su-34 frontline bombers from Sukhoi.
Sukhoi will supply a total of 92 Su-34 frontline bombers to the Russian Air and Space Forces until 2020.
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The state contract was signed as part of the State Armament programme for 2011-2020.
Russia aims to replace the existing Su-24 frontline bomber fleet currently in service with the airforce.
The aircraft were delivered from the company’s VPChkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant’s airfield.
Su-34s currently operate successfully in the military and demonstrate high performance.
The Su-34 is a 4+ generation aircraft in terms of operational capabilities and can engage land-based, sea and airborne targets in all weather conditions and any visibility levels using a range of airborne munitions, including high-precision types.
The aircraft’s design retains the basic layout and construction of the Su-27 airframe, while it has the same conventional high-wing configuration and onboard equipment.
It has a two-seat rather than a single-seat cockpit and the capacity of the internal fuel tanks has been improved to increase the take-off weight.
The Su-34 is armed with a 30mm GSh-301 gun and 180 rounds of ammunition. The gun has a maximum rate of fire of 1,500 rounds a minute and the muzzle velocity is 860m/s.
The aircraft has ten hardpoints for weapon payloads and is able to carry a range of missiles, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles, guided and unguided bombs, as well as rockets.
Image: A Su-34 frontline bomber in flight. Photo: courtesy of Sukhoi Company (JSC).
