More
    HomeMilitaryThe Vulnerability of Russia's Su-34 Fighter-Bombers in Ukraine's Airspace

    The Vulnerability of Russia’s Su-34 Fighter-Bombers in Ukraine’s Airspace

    Published on

    spot_img

    Amidst the tumultuous airspace over Ukraine, the Russian Aerospace Forces encounter a formidable obstacle in safeguarding their esteemed fighter-bomber, the Su-34 Fullback.

    Since the commencement of hostilities in February 2022, Russia’s aviation fleet, comprising roughly 330 aircraft, has suffered attrition, with emerging accounts suggesting the advanced Su-34 hasn’t eluded this fate.

    Renowned for its unique design, an evolutionary step from the Su-27 Flanker, the Su-34 boasts distinctive features such as its platypus-like nose and side-by-side cockpit configuration, offering advanced functionalities and a remarkable payload capacity.

    While the Su-34 took its maiden flight before the collapse of the USSR, evolving requirements imposed by the Russian Aerospace Forces pushed back the fighter’s official introduction to service until 2014.

    The Fullback’s sophisticated design is intended to provide all-weather, supersonic capabilities with a top speed of Mach 1.8 and a ceiling of around 56,000 feet.

    With over 17,000 pounds of weapons across a dozen hardpoints, the Su-34 is armed for various missions ranging from precision strikes to anti-air warfare, equipped with a suite of air-to-ground munitions and air-to-air missiles like the Vympel R-27, Vympel R-73, and NPO-R-77.

    The Su-34FN is the maritime strike fighter version of the Fullback, equipped with anti-submarine warfare systems, a Sea Snake radar, a radio sonobuoy system, and other unique attributes.

    Despite its impressive credentials, the Fullback’s combat performance in Ukraine has been questioned.

    “Our experience suggests that after Russian planes are downed and destroyed, the occupiers do not dare come closer – this is the case across the northern, southern, and eastern fronts,” stated Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat, underscoring the vulnerability of Russian aircraft to Ukrainian defenses bolstered by Western-supplied systems such as the U.S.-delivered Patriot missile batteries.

    These losses are reportedly evidenced by numerous videos depicting the destruction of Russian aircraft, including Su-34s.

    The continuation of the conflict could lead to further depletion of Russia’s Fullback inventory, a sobering prospect for Moscow as it continues to engage in a protracted struggle against a determined Ukrainian resistance.

    Related image you might interested:

    Relevant articles:
    Russia’s Su-34 Fullback Nightmare Is Now Getting Worse , National Intererst, 06/04/2024

    Latest articles

    F-15 Eagle’s Dominance: The Untold Story of Its First Combat Triumph

    In the annals of military aviation history, few aircraft have earned a reputation quite...

    Uncovering WWII Bombs: Germany’s Continuing Battle with Hidden Threats

    Every year, German land produces a chilling crop: roughly 2,000 tons of unexploded World...

    Clacton Spear Discovery Reshapes Early Hominid Hunting and Cognition Understanding

    The recent focus on the Clacton Spear, an old wooden object discovered in Clacton-on-Sea,...

    FN Five-seveN MRD: A New Era in Precision Handguns

    The FN Five-seveN has stood out in the modern firearms landscape for years, known...

    More like this

    F-15 Eagle’s Dominance: The Untold Story of Its First Combat Triumph

    In the annals of military aviation history, few aircraft have earned a reputation quite...

    Uncovering WWII Bombs: Germany’s Continuing Battle with Hidden Threats

    Every year, German land produces a chilling crop: roughly 2,000 tons of unexploded World...

    Clacton Spear Discovery Reshapes Early Hominid Hunting and Cognition Understanding

    The recent focus on the Clacton Spear, an old wooden object discovered in Clacton-on-Sea,...