Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer' - Russian Strike Fighter Bomber

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

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

The design of what became the Sukhoi Su-24 began in the early 1960s. Sukhoi, however, abandoned its initial design (an enlarged, twin-engined aircraft based loosely on the Su-7 configuration, but with a tandem cockpit) in favor of the compound Delta T6. This featured fuselage-mounted lift jets for enhanced STOL performance. The lift jets were heavy and bulky, however, and the T6 was redesigned six months later.

The resulting T-6-21G prototype had no lift jets (leaving increased space for fuel and weapons) but did feature a VG swing wing. This was added to improve take-off and landing performance. The aircraft made its maiden flight during May 1970 and was ordered into production as the Su-24 in late 1970.

The production Su-24 entered frontline service in 1973. The Su-24 was deployed with the Group of Soviet Forces 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 slight changes in configuration during production, and this led NATO's ASCC to assign three reporting names (Fencer-A through to -C). The aircraft was fast and stable at low level, and could carry an impressive warload (though only at the expense of range) but its avionics were backward and unreliable. The aircraft was thus never as capable as Western attack aircraft.

The improved Su-24M (Fencer-D) was a much better aircraft, and entered service in 1986. The Su-24M introduced upgraded avionics, with separate Orion-A forward-looking attack and Relief terrain following radars. It also had a Kaira 24 laser and TV sighting system which gave PGM compatibility. The Fencer-D had a retractable refuelling probe above the nose, and could carry a buddy refuelling store on the center-line. A replacement for the ageing Su-24s is a 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. Upgrade programmes continue for surviving Russian Su-24s to extend their service lives. Recently upgraded aircraft are referred as Su-24M2.

Hope you enjoy!!

💰 Want to support my channel? Check out my Patreon Donation page!

Matt’s DREAM

👕 Check out my Merch

📬Wanna send me something? My PO Box: Matthew James 210A - 12A Street N Suite

#135 Lethbridge Alberta Canada T1H2J

📘 Facebook

⛔️ (DISCLAIMER: This video is for informative and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinion come from personal experience and not that of others or other organizations. This content and information is there to provide information from public accessible sources.)