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Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer | Interdiction and attack aircraft

Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer
Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer

Militarymedia.net | The Su-24 remains a powerful, low-level long-range attack aircraft with real all-weather precision strike capability. With its variable geometry swing wing and side-by-side cockpit, the Su-24 is unavoidable in comparison to the US General Dynamics F-111. The aircraft was never intended or used as a strategic bomber, however, the facts are obscured by those comparisons. The Su-24 is more broadly equivalent to the Anglo-German-Italian Tornado.

The Fencer is designed to replace the Yak-28 in the all-weather low-lever attack and tactical strike role. The aircraft can carry up to 8,000 kg of ordnance, but its normal capacity is around 4,000 kg. It is intended to carry the TN-1000 and TN-1200 free-fall nuclear bombs, and a variety of conventional free-fall bombs, rockets and air-to-surface missiles to strike fixed and moving targets with pinpoint accuracy. While optimized as a supersonic bomber, it was also intended to have a secondary photographic reconnaissance role, and to replace the Brewer in the electronic warfare role.

Design of what became the Sukhoi Su-24 began in the early 1960s. Sukhoi, however, abandoned its original design (an enlarged twin-engine aircraft based on the Su-7 configuration, but with a tandem cockpit) in favor of the Delta T6 complex. It featured a fuselage-mounted lift jet to enhance STOL performance. However, the lift jets were heavy and bulky, and the T6 was redesigned six months later.

The resulting T-6-21G prototype did not have a lift jet (leaving more room for fuel and weapons) but had a VG swing wing. This was added to improve takeoff and landing performance. The aircraft made its maiden flight during May 1970 and was ordered to be produced as the Su-24 in late 1970.

The production Su-24 entered front-line service in 1973. The Su-24 was deployed with the Soviet Troops Group in Germany in 1979, and in Poland. From 1984 the Su-24 saw active service during the War in Afghanistan.

The original Su-24 underwent a slight change in configuration during production, and this led to the ASCC NATO assigning three reporting names (Fencer-A to -C). The aircraft was fast and stable at low levels, and could carry an impressive war payload (though only at the expense of range) but its avionics were underdeveloped and unreliable. The aircraft was thus never capable of such a Western attack aircraft.

Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer
Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer

The upgraded Su-24M (Fencer-D) was a much improved aircraft, and entered service in 1986. The Su-24M introduced improved avionics, with the Orion-A forward-looking attack and radar-following Relief terrain. It also has a laser vision system and a Kaira 24 TV which provides PGM compatibility. The Fencer-D has a retractable refueling probe above the nose, and can carry a friend's refueling shop in the center line.

The Su-24MR (Fencer-E) is a special tactical reconnaissance variant. It entered service in 1983. It has no attack radar, gun and attack avionics, supports panoramic cameras, side-view aerial radar and infrared reconnaissance systems. It also carries other sensor pods. Data from the cold sensor will be forwarded in real-time to the ground station. This reconnaissance aircraft can carry two R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) air-to-air missiles for self-defense. Production of the Su-24MR ceased in 1993. At least one hundred of these tactical reconnaissance aircraft were built.

The Su-25MP (Fencer-F) is a special ELINT variant. It was developed alongside the Su-24MR. The Fencer-F entered service in 1983. It has additional intelligence gathering sensors. Various SIGINT and ECM pods can be carried. It is armed with cannons and has provision for up to four R-60 air-to-air missiles. Only 10 - 20 of these aircraft were built.

At least 670 Su-24s must have been built. The overall total may be between 900 - 1,200. Fencer-Bs, -Cs, -Ds and -Es remain in widespread use on the front lines in Russia, and various ex-Soviet countries. The downgraded export non-nuclear Su-24MK has been delivered to Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Syria.

Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer
Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer

The replacement for the aging Su-24 is the new Su-34 long-range interdictor, which is a derivative of the Su-27 air superiority fighter. It has been adopted by the Russian Air Force. The upgrade program continues for the surviving Russian Su-24s to extend their service life. The recently upgraded aircraft is referred to as the Su-24M2.

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