military@cbnews (01/14/91)
From: ihlpm!jfb (Joseph F Baugher +1 708 713 4548) Number 31 in the series--the Su-24 Fencer, which has reportedly shown up in the inventory of the Iraqi Air Force. Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer Engines: Two Tumansky R-29B turbojets. 17,675 lb. st. dry and 25,350 lb. st. with afterburner (Fencer C) Performance: Maximum speed: Mach 2.18 (1440 mph) above 36,000 feet (no external stores). Maximum speed: Mach 1.2 (915 mph) at sea level (no external stores). Tactical radius: 930 miles (hi-lo-lo-hi mission, two drop tanks, 6600-pound warload) Tactical radius: 1100 miles (hi-lo-lo-hi mission, two drop tanks, 4400-pound warload) Tactical radius: 345 miles (lo-lo-lo mission, two drop tanks, 4400-pound warload) Service ceiling: 54,100 feet. Weights: Empty weight: 41,890 pounds Maximum takeoff weight: 90,000 pounds Armament: One 30-mm rotary cannon in fairing on the right side of the lower fuselage. An identical fairing on the left side of the lower fuselage probably carries either ammunition or a flare/ chaff dispenser. Four hardpoints under wing (two swiveling on outer panels and two on fixed glove) Four hardpoints under the fuselage (two side by side and two in tandem) Two of the underfuselage pylons and the two wing glove pylons are "plumbed" to accommodate external fuel tanks. Up to 13,000 pounds of ordinance can be carried. Electronics: Large pulse-Doppler navigation and attack radar with a 50-inch scanner dish. Separate terrain-avoidance radar is fitted. Fencer D is equipped with an electrooptical gyro-stabilized sensor system similar to the "Pave Tack" system carried by the F-111. An infrared video camera is used to search for the target, and an active laser is used to determine target range and to designate the target for laser-guided bombs or missiles. Remarks: Two-seat deep penetration interdictor and strike reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft. Designed as a replacement for the Yak-28 Brewer and Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle in the tactical bombing, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare roles. Crew of two (pilot and weapons officer) seated side-by-side. Has four wing sweep angle settings (16, 45, 55 and 68 degrees). Prototype first flown 1969-70. Initial operational status with Soviet Air Force achieved in 1974. Over 800 currently in service with Soviet Air Force. No concessions made to providing any kind of fighter capability. However, it can carry two AA-8 Aphid air to air missiles on the outer underwing pylons for self-defense. It is not known whether the Fencer is capable of automatic terrain-avoidance flight. The tactical radius of the Fencer is considerably greater than that of the F-111, with a similar load. Fencer A was initial production version. Squared-off rear fuselage box enclosing afterburning boxes. Small braking parachute fairing at base of vertical fin. Probably only built in relatively small numbers. Fencer B was the initial production strike variant. Larger braking parachute fairing. Rear fuselage "dished" between between jet pipes, possibly indicating a powerplant change. Fencer C embodied equipment changes and different engines from those which powered the Fencers A and B. Fitted with small triangular fairings on the fin and wing root gloves. These may contain an active ECM system. Additional sensors under the nose and the simple nose probe was replaced by a complex multiple fitting. Fitted with a pair of long, shallow ventral fins. Fencer D differs from Fencer C in having a longer nose, a conventional probe, and large aerodynamic fences above the inboard wing glove weapons pylons. Fitted with inflight refueling probe. The chord of the lower tailfin is increased, giving kinked leading edge. Electrooptic sensor in fairing behind nose landing gear bay. Fencer E is a reconnaissance version operated by the Soviet Navy. Comprehensive internal sensor fit including side-looking radar, infrared scanners, and optical cameras. Can carry antiship missiles underwing. Fencer F is a dedicated electronic warfare version. There are reports that Iraq has some Fencers in service. I had always believed that the Soviets had never exported any Fencers, even to their erstwhile Warsaw Pact allies. To find out that the Fencer has turned up in Iraqi service is extremely disturbing. The Fencer is a very capable long-range strike aircraft which can accurately deliver an impressive variety of weapons over very long ranges. Sources: Various issues of Aviation Week Various issues of Defense Electronics The Observer's Book of Aircraft, William Green. The World's Great Attack Aircraft, Gallery Books Modern Air Combat, Bill Gunston, Mike Spick The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Armament, Bill Gunston Joe Baugher ************************************** AT&T Bell Laboratories * "Book him, Dano!!! Murder-One! * 200 Park Plaza ************************************** Naperville, Illinois 60566-7050 (708) 713 4548 ihlpm!jfb jfb200@cbnewsd.att.com Who, me? Speak for AT&T? Surely you jest!