Su-24 Fencer, Sukhoi

Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer

A variable geometry strike/attack aircraft, obviously inspired by the U.S. F-111, but more optimised for the low-level tactical strike role, and with a generally lower performance. There also are reconnaissance versions.

Type: Su-24MK
Function: attack
Year: 1974
Crew: 2
Engines: 2 * 110 kN Lyulka AL-21F3A
Wing Span: 17.63m--10.36 m
Length: 24.53 m
Height: 6.19 m
Wing Area: 55.16 m2
Empty Weight: 22320 kg
Max.Weight: 39700 kg
Speed: Mach 1.35 at low, Mach 2.18 at high altitude
Ceiling: 17500 m
Range: 2850 km
Armament: 1*g30 mm

The wings are high-mounted, variable, swept-back, and tapered. There are twin turbofan engines. The air intakes are tapered away from the body, rectangular-shaped, and mounted on the body forward of the wings' leading edges. There are twin exhausts. The fuselage is long, slender, with pointed, solid nose, and rectangular-shaped body from the air intakes to the exhausts. There are two belly fins and four pylons. There is a bubble canopy. The dorsal spine extends from the cockpit to the tail. The tail fin is swept-back and tapered with square tip. The flats are high-mounted on the fuselage, swept-back, and tapered with angular tips.

Variants

Later production marks may have different engines, POS R-29Bs rated at 11500 Kg.

Fencer A is initial production variant w/ squared off aft fuselage.
Su-24B has rounded fuselage.
Su-24C has changes in EW equipment.
Su-24D can be inflight refuelled and has longer nose.
Su-24E is recon variant for navy; can also carry anti ship weapons.
Fencer F possible version; perhaps EW variant.

Specification: Su-24M 'Fencer'

The Su-24 is an all-weather supersonic low-level bomber able to deliver conventional and nuclear warloads with great precision. Quite large in size, it features a wide, slab-sided fuselage that houses two turbojets and a side-by-side cockpit with seating for two. The high variable-geometry wings feature large full-span slats to enhance handling. In the large nose radome are two radar scanners: one for navigation, attack, and terrain following, and another for airborne ranging.
The main bomber variant today is the Su-24M, which was introduced in 1983. It features extended wing roots to accommodate two extra external weapons pylons, a shorter nose radome which houses an improved TFR system and a forward-looking attack radar. Near the nose-wheel door is a Kaira-24 laser/designator to be used with laser guided weapons, while up to two AAMs can be used for self defence. A combat capable reconnaissance variant also exists.
The Fencer has an extremely high fuel capacity, enabling it to penetrate deep into enemy territory. Comparable to the similar Tornado strike aircraft, the Su-24 is approximately 50% more powerful. It has been exported to Iran, Iraq, Libya, and Syria.

Prime contractor: Sukhoi Design Bureau
Nation of origin: Soviet Union

Function: Attack
Crew: 2
Year: 1974
In-service year: 1983

Engine: Two Lyulka AL-21F-3A afterburning turbojets, 24,690 lb thrust each

Dimensions
Wing span: Fully swept: 10.36 m (34 ff); fully spread: 17.64 m (57 ft 11 in)
Length: 24.59 m / 80 ft 8 in
Height: 6.19 m / 20 ft 4 in

Weight: 41,885 lb empty / 87,520 lb max. take off
Ceiling: 57,400 ft
Speed:@ high altitude: 2,317 km/h (1,440 mph); @ sea level: 1,320 km/h (820 mph)

Armament: One GSh-6-23 23 mm six-barrel cannon, plus 17,637 lb including AAMs, laser-guided bombs, TV-guided bombs, gun pods, nuclear weapons, rockets, and four drop tanks carried on nine external points.