Su-24M2 airplane: description, technical characteristics and history

The Su-24M2 is a new modernized version, the prototype of which was the Su-24, a front-line bomber. It has only 2 crew members, large compartments in the fuselage for armament and voluminous fuel tanks. Also there is a built-in refueling and pumping system, that is, such an aircraft can both receive and transfer additional fuel in the air.

A front bomber is an opportunity to strike bombs on and behind the front line, in the enemy's rear. "Su-24M2" is a relatively new model. The Russian Air Force received the first modernized aircraft in 2007. For today the park of cars makes more than 200 units, among which both prototypes, and the improved versions.

History

Speaking of "Su-24M2", we can not fail to mention the "Su-24", on the basis of which it is assembled. "T-6" ("Su-24") in February 1976 was launched into mass production. The aircraft was produced at the aviation plant in Novosibirsk until 1993. This year, the release of all modifications, the main feature of which is the wing of variable sweep, which allows to make flights at subsonic and supersonic speeds, was completed. It is noteworthy that the heavy Tu-16 missile carrier was also originally designed in the Sukhoi Design Bureau based on the T-4 model.

In this case, the wings (on the front consoles) can take 4 positions: takeoff and landing - 16 degrees; Subsonic flights are performed at 36 degrees; Supersonic - 69 degrees. Also there is a position of 45 degrees, designed for better maneuvering in combat.

Design

Like the prototype, in the "Su-24M2" cab is designed for two people. To the left is the FAC, to the right sits the navigator, the control is doubled. In the lantern of the car there is nothing remarkable, it, like other aircraft of similar type, smoothly passes into the flowing elements of the fuselage, covering all the control wiring.

Two engines are located on the sides of the body, pressed against it, thereby freeing the wings from extra weight. The layout of the chassis is designed for three support points, in flight they can be removed. The front pillar is folded back on the run, the rear is reversed. Two lateral supports are located almost under the fuselage, as, in addition to all control systems, there are main fuel tanks, radio electronics units and other equipment. Wings, in addition to the main purpose, are used to attach pylons that hold weapons. Brake shields are also located here, also being the front doors of the niches in which the side chassis is hiding in flight. When landing, they deviate to 62 degrees perpendicular to the direction of flight. The engines have a thrust of 7800 kg, afterburner produced up to 11,500 each.

A distinctive feature of the "Su-24M2" can be called the presence of large monolithic milled panels. Their use significantly reduced the cost of production. At the same time, this reduces the number of joints in the sealed parts of the cabin and the fuel tanks, which in turn improves flight safety. Most of the construction is based on alloys of titanium, magnesium, aluminum. Engine parts that operate at high temperatures are made of stainless steel.

Other Modifications

It should be noted that "M2" is by no means the only modification of the prototype. So appeared "Su-24MR" - an aircraft that had on board a set of reconnaissance equipment. For example, the possibilities of television and infrared reconnaissance, panoramic and perspective aerial cameras (both are located in the bow under the cabin). Equipment for laser retrieval is attached under the fuselage of the ship, a pylon under the right wing is installed a radiation system, and under the left - radio intelligence. All collected data can be sent to the ground quickly via broadband or narrowband communication channels. There are no weapon systems.

Another version of the Su-24MP is an airplane for interfering with radio frequencies. The refueling system allows you to stay in the air for a long time.

The model "MK" ("Su-24MK") began to be supplied to countries friendly to the Soviet Union. "K" in the name meant commercial. The Air Force has no differences from its own vehicles, except for state recognition systems.

Also it is necessary to note the "Su-24M" model. Despite the similar name with other versions, this was planned as a separate one. Here, the navigation system was improved, and an all-track thermal direction-finder was installed. Also changed the position of the antennas of the warning station: they went into the influxes, smoothly turning into the center wing.

Features of plumage

Among the modifications can be called and "Su-24M2". Its characteristics will be considered in detail, since practically all the other models described have the same capabilities. And "M2" can also be called a prototype of any of them.

Because of the large capacities developed by the engines of the military aircraft, Su received a pair of air intakes located in front of the engines, which during the life time received several changes. As a result, we came to the simplest solution - the adjustment of the air flow is included only at the moments of take-off and landing. Control is performed by flaps.

The wing has three sections of flaps, four sections of slats. The area of the flaps is about 10 sq. Km. Meters, in later versions of the aircraft flaps two and three combined, resulting in these versions have 2 sections. The angle of their extension reaches 35 degrees. Slats have an area of 3 square meters. Meter and an extension angle of 27 degrees. In later versions, they decreased by one section. Since the aircraft has a variable wing geometry, the pylons are equipped with a position synchronization system relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

The vertical tail is 9 meters in area, the keel sweep angle is 55 degrees. At the top of the tail (under the cap) is a radio communication antenna. During the life of the bomber, brake parachutes moved from the fuselage.

Flight figures

The maximum speed of the aircraft with a flight at an altitude of 17,000 km / h, with flights at sea level can reach 14,000 km / h. The range is 390 km, the ceiling is 11000 km. The range of flight without refueling - 4000 km. The height of the aircraft is 7 meters, the length is 25 meters, the wing span is 17 meters at the maximum angle.

Armament

The "Su-24M2" armament is based on the Puma sighting and navigation system. The radar, on the basis of which it operates, can allocate even subtle objects on the water or on land. According to her testimony, you can hit targets with all free falling bombs on board. In addition, there is a passive radar system of the third generation "Filin-N", covering 6 ranges of operation of enemy detection stations. Theoretically, according to her information, it was possible to amaze such objects, but subsequently refused this.

Modernization

The modern cost of military aviation has grown significantly, as a result of which it is necessary to revise the possibilities for improving old models. "Su-24M2-Hephaestus", which was modernized at the eponymous plant, proved to be very successful. And most military pilots agree that in a good fight they will only go on the planes that visited this enterprise.

Possibilities of bombing with conventional bombs of the plane that visited "Hephaestus" became comparable with the results of using the newest CABs (air bombs).

Conclusion

If the very first front-line bomber SU-24 survived to the present day, he would be 40 years old. But the development of electronics, new systems of tracking, warning, navigation would not leave him a greater chance of fighting in the modern world. And he would quietly go to the dustbin of history. But its modernization of the Su-24M2 provided the Russian Air Force with the possibility to use it even today. And although there are new developments now, this plane still rises in the air at first request.