Sukhoi Su-34
The Sukhoi Su-34 (Russian: Сухой Су-34; NATO reporting name: Fullback) is a Soviet-origin Russian twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber/strike aircraft. It first flew in 1990, intended for the Soviet Air Forces, and it entered service in 2014 with the Russian Air Force.
| Su-34 / Su-32 | |
|---|---|
| A Russian Aerospace Forces Su-34 performing at the 2015 MAKS air show | |
| Role | Fighter-bomber, strike fighter |
| National origin | USSR/Russia |
| Manufacturer | Sukhoi, Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO) |
| First flight | 13 April 1990 |
| Introduction | 20 March 2014 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Russian Aerospace Forces |
| Produced | 2006–present |
| Number built | 155+ (7 test and 148+ serial aircraft) |
| Developed from | Sukhoi Su-27 |
Based on the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker air superiority fighter, the Su-34 has an armoured cockpit with side-by-side seating for its two pilots. The Su-34 was designed primarily for tactical deployment against ground and naval targets (tactical bombing/attack/interdiction roles, including against small and mobile targets) on solo and group missions in daytime and at night, under favourable and adverse weather conditions and in a hostile environment with counter-fire and electronic warfare (EW) counter-measures deployed, as well as for aerial reconnaissance. The Su-34 is planned to eventually replace the Su-24 tactical strike fighter and the Tu-22M long-distance bomber.