Breaking news
Sukhoi hands over new batch of Su-34 strike fighters to Russian Air Force.
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World Aviation Defense & Security Industry News - Sukhoi
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Sukhoi hands over new batch of Su-34 strike fighters to Russian Air Force
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The Sukhoi Company, part of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), has delivered the first batch of Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting name: Fullback) frontline bombers to the Defense Ministry as part of the 2017 state defense order, the company’s press office said. "The planes took off from the airfield of the Chkalov Aircraft Plant in Novosibirsk [in West Siberia] and headed for their home station," the press office said.
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 A RusAF Su-34 strike fighter(Credit: UAC) |
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The plant is currently operating to full capacity, the press office added.
A source in the Russian Armed Forces said that a batch delivered to the Aerospace Force comprised four advanced frontline bombers designed for Eastern Military District air units. It was reported in 2016 that the main deliveries of advanced aircraft to the Western Military District had been completed and the delivery of Su-34 planes to Far Eastern units would follow. A squadron of Su-34 frontline bombers was formed in 2016 within an Eastern Military District air regiment based in the Khabarovsk Territory in the Far East. Earlier, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said that the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant was expected to deliver 14 Su-34 planes annually in accordance with the program. However, the work at the plant is ahead of schedule and the Aerospace Force has received two helicopters more annually for three years. In 2017, the Russian Aerospace Force will receive 16 Su-34 frontline bombers. The current contract envisages the delivery of 92 planes of the type. "It [the frontline bomber] has proved its effectiveness in the operation in Syria, has great upgrade potential and represents virtually a new-generation plane," the deputy defense minister said. In all, the Aerospace Force is expected to receive 150-200 Su-34 frontline bombers. The first contract for 32 planes of the type was signed in 2008. A new deal on the delivery of 92 more frontline bombers was signed in 2012. The current state defense contract for the delivery of Su-34 planes to the Aerospace Force through 2020 ensures the plant’s stable workload and determines long-term development prospects. According to Borisov, the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant will start upgrading the Su-34 plane in 2018. A number of R&D works designed to adapt new air-launched weapons to the plane are nearing completion. The Su-34 frontline bomber performed its first flight in 1990 and entered service in 2014. It has a maximum speed of 1,900 km/h (1,181 mph) and a ferry range of 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The aircraft is equipped with an in-flight refueling system. The Su-34 frontline bomber is powered by two AL-31F turbojet engines with afterburning thrust of 12,500 kgf each. The aircraft’s crew totals two. |
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