Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback Fighter-Bomber: Russia's Best Warplane?
The Sukhoi Su-34, known to NATO as the “Fullback,” first flew in 1990 – yet did not join the Russian Air Force for nearly a quarter of a century, until 2014, and has since become one of Russia’s staple aircraft.
Summary: The Sukhoi Su-34 "Fullback," a derivative of the Su-27 Flanker, is a twin-engine, all-weather, supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber that entered Russian service in 2014 after a prolonged development period starting in 1990. Designed for tactical bombing, attack, and interdiction roles, the Su-34 has replaced aging Soviet-era aircraft like the Su-24 and Tu-22M, with over 155 units produced. Featuring side-by-side seating for its crew, canards for improved performance, and Saturn AL-31FM1 turbofan engines, the Su-34 has seen significant action in the Russo-Ukraine War, though it has suffered notable losses, highlighting its mixed effectiveness in modern conflict.
Su-34, Explained
The Sukhoi Su-34, known to NATO as the “Fullback,” first flew in 1990 – yet did not join the Russian Air Force for nearly a quarter of a century, until 2014, and has since become one of Russia’s staple aircraft.
Su-34: Twenty-Five Years in the Making
The Su-34 first flew in 1990. George H. W. Bush was in the White House. Ghost was number one at the box office (followed by Pretty Woman and Home Alone). Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks, and Whitney Houston were at the top of the charts. Joe Montana guided his 49ers to a blowout Super Bowl win over John Elway’s Broncos. And the Soviet Union still existed, with Mikhail Gorbachev at the helm.
Yet, the Su-34, a twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber/strike aircraft wouldn’t enter service until 2014, when Barack Obama was in the White House. Sequels dominate the box office, with Guardians of the Galaxy, The Hunger Games, and Captain America in the lead. Katy Perry, Iggy Azalea, and Jason Derulo are at the top of the charts. Russell Wilson’s Seahawks destroyed Peyton Manning’s Broncos. And the Soviet Union has long since crumbled into Russia, which Vladimir Putin presides over.
A lot changed in the time it took for the Su-34 to make it into service.
A Familiar Origin
The Su-34 was based upon the Su-27 Flanker air superiority fighter and, accordingly, featured an armored cockpit with side-by-side seating for its two-person crew.
Primarily, the Su-34 was designed for tactical deployments against ground and naval targets, meaning the jet would undertake tactical bomber, attack, and interdiction roles, which could be performed against a variety of targets, at day or night.
And in any weather conditions. Basically, the Su-34 was designed to be a workhorse that could do most things at just about any time. The Russians are hoping to phase out their aging Su-24 strike fighter and Tu-22M long-distance bomber with the Su-34 – which is why, to date, over 155 Su-34s have been produced.
For the Su-34 design, the Sukhoi incorporated familiar elements from its existing aircraft; The Su-34 shares the majority of its wing structure, tail, and engine nacelles with the Su-27 and Su-30, and most of its canard structure with the Su-30MKI, Su-33, and Su-27. The canards were added to increase static instability and to reduce trim drag.
For power, the Su-34 relies upon two Saturn AL-31FM1 turbofan engines (also used on the Su-27SM), which allows the jet to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 or more. And while the Su-34 is slower than the Su-27, the Su-34 can handle high G-loads (up to +9Gs) and aerobatic maneuvers. The jet has a range of 2,500 miles.
The Su-34 in the News
The Su-34 has been relied upon heavily during the Russo-Ukraine War – with mixed results. Last December, four Su-34s were shot down in just here days, “ weekly rate of loss that’s one of the worst so far for the Russian air force,” according to Forbes.
“The Ukrainian air forces swatted those three Su-34s around noon on Friday just south of the Dnipro River in southern Kherson Oblast,” Forbes reported. “The Sukhois reportedly were flying at high altitude, lining up to lob satellite-guided glide-bombs at the Ukrainian bridgehead in Krynky.”
It’s unclear how the Ukrainians shot down the Su-34s.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
