NATO reporting name: Fullback
Export designation: Su-32
Design bureau designation: Su-27IB

TYPE: Attack fighter.

PROGRAMME: Side-by-side two-seat long-range fighter-bomber (istrebitel bombardirovshchik) Su-27 variant intended as tactical strike/attack replacement for Su-24 and Su-25; project designation T10V; redesignated Su-34 by Sukhoi (“to stress father-and-son relationship” to Su-24), but Russian Air Forces retained Su-27IB until late 2003, when Su-34 adopted, with Su-32 reserved for export. Su-32FN/Su-32MF assigned to proposed export versions but, in 2000, all Su-34s were redesignated Su-32.
Conceptual design ordered 21 January 1983, production authorised 19 June 1986. Designed under the direction of Rollan Martirosov. Prototype (T10V-1 ‘42’) built in Sukhoi’s own workshops and first flown 13 April 1990; first seen in Tass photograph showing this aircraft approaching (but not landing on) the carrier Admiral of the Fleet Kuznetsov, described as deck landing trainer, but no wing folding or deck arrester hook; although with foreplanes and twin nosewheels like Su-27K. Designation Su-27KU quoted, though dedicated side-by-side carrier trainer then officially known as T10KM-2 or Su-27KM-2 for which the new side-by-side cockpit had been designed. Russian unofficial name ‘Platypus’; exhibited to Russian Federation and Associated States (CIS) leaders at Machulishche airfield, Minsk, February 1992, with simulated attack armament on 10 external stores pylons (under each intake duct, on each wingtip, three under each wing): Kh-31A/P (AS-17 ‘Krypton’) ASMs under ducts, R-73A (AA-11 ‘Archer’) AAMs on wingtips; a 500 kg laser-guided bomb inboard. TV/laser-guided Kh-29 (AS-14 ‘Kedge’) ASM on central pylon and RVV-AE (R-77; AA-12 ‘Adder’) AAM outboard under each wing.
Production originally planned for Irkutsk, but eventually located at Novosibirsk. First series production aircraft flew 28 December 1994, although apparently second airframe, first having been delayed for equipment installation. Four were in assembly at Novosibirsk by early 1997. Twelve were once scheduled for delivery by 1998; intention was to replace all Su-24s by 2005; reconnaissance and electronic warfare versions reportedly under development. In September 2000, following increase in funding. Russian Air Forces C-in-C predicted first Su-32 deliveries in 2004, although by early 2002 this had slipped further to “after 2005”. Statement of August 2003 indicated delivery between 2006 and 2010 of “a batch” of aircraft to Russian Air Forces, perhaps numbering “several dozen”, although first receipts in 2005 or 2006, intended to be 10 aircraft of which half to go to bomber regiment in Chita region of Siberia (possibly 48th Division of 14th Air Force). In April 2005, Novosibirsk plant confirmed first production batch of five to be in hand. Senior officials, speaking in April 2006, predicted arrival of first two production aircraft before end of that year and completion of first regiment of 24 by 2010. Delivery of initial order for 18 contracted as two in 2006, six in 2007 and 10 in 2008; further orders intended to follow at 10 per year, giving fleet of 58 before 2015.
In mid-2001, Sukhoi predicted completion of State testing of Su-32 by end of 2001, using five aircraft based at Akhtubinsk and Zhukovsky. Trials tempo intensified in 2002, work including tests of Shl41 mission avionics suite as replacement for earlier systems found to have been unsatisfactory. However, first phase of State Tests not completed until mid-2003, when second phase begun; this involved three aircraft at Akhtubinsk test centre and four at Zhukovsky. Precision weapon trials, 2004, including bombing with use of Platran E-O system.
Side-by-side cockpit to form basis of proposed Su-30-2 long-range interceptor and Su-33UB (Su-27KUB) carrier trainer.
First production Su-34 rolled out at Novosibirsk on 6 July 2006; this and second earmarked for Chkalov flight test centre at Lipetsk. On 15 June 2006 Air Forces’ C-in-C announced selection of AL-31F-M1 engine for production Su-34s.

CURRENT VERSIONS (specific): T10V-1 ‘42’: First flying prototype; detailed above. Converted from Su-27UB airframe by Sukhoi OKB workshops, with new nose built at Novosibirsk, and reportedly fitted with Su-33 main landing gear.
T10V-2 ‘43’: Flown 18 December 1993; first aircraft to be built at Novosibirsk; introduced twin mainwheel bogies. Sometimes described as first production Su-34, in that it had Su-35-type four-hardpoint wing panels and larger internal fuel cells, reinforced wing centre-section, new main landing gear and fixed-geometry engine air intakes. However, Sukhoi now identifies this aircraft as Su-32 prototype, designed to meet Russian Air Forces requirement of 1998.
T10V-3: Static test airframe.
T10V-4 ‘44’: First flown late 1996. Reported at Leninets radar plant, Pushkino, early 1997; first with full avionics and weapons systems, except EW package. Exhibited at Paris Air Show, June 1997. Also became known as Su-32.
T10V-5 ‘45’: First Su-27IB with full Leninets mission avionics fit. Sometimes described as first series-produced T10V. First flew 28 December 1994.
T10V-6 ‘46’: First flown January 1998. Being upgraded in 2005 to full production standard, matching T10V-8.
T10V-7 ‘47’: First flown 22 December 2000. Shown at Moscow in August 2003. Being upgraded in 2005 to full production standard, matching T10V-8.
T10V-8 ‘48’: “First flight” 20 December 2003, but may have flown shortly before. Confirmed as fifth built at Novosibirsk. Full range of avionics and sensors. Shown at Moscow Salon, August 2005.

CURRENT VERSIONS (general): Su-27R: Proposed version to replace Su-24MR and MiG-25RB in tactical reconnaissance roles. BKR (bortovoi kompleks razvedki: onboard reconnaissance complex) suite expected to include nose-mounted Pika SLAR and ESM, electro-optical, laser and IRLS reconnaissance equipment.
Su-27IBP: Proposed tactical jammer to replace Yak-28PP and Su-24MP.
‘Su-27IB Interceptor’: Proposed ultra-long endurance combat air patrol variant. OKB’s internal designation not known. May be confused reference to Su-33UB-based Su-30K-2 project.
Su-32: Export version. Clearance for marketing was expected in 2006.
Su-32FN/MF: Preseries Su-32FN (T10V-4 ‘45’) first flown 28 December 1994, exhibited at 1995 Paris Air Show; then incorrectly stated to be in production to replace Su-24s of Russian Naval Aviation; programme reportedly suspended early 1997 before a fully equipped true prototype could fly. Su-32MF designation first appeared in 1999 to describe a ‘multifunction’. export version. Both Su-32FN and Su-32MF being offered for export from 2006 onwards.
Su-32FN designed to attack hostile submarines and surface vessels by day and night in all weathers, although official drawing shows slightly different shape to nose compared with land attack version; was intended for parallel manufacture at Novosibirsk. Probably common to both types are Su-32MF's active artificial intelligence system to support pilot in critical situations; active gust alleviation smooth-flight system to damp turbulence in low-level flight at high speeds; liquid-crystal EFIS with seven CRTs; and Sorbtsya active ECM jamming pods on wingtips. Planned specialised equipment includes Leninets Sea Dragon avionics suite, with ‘Sea Snake’ coherent maritime search radar, a ventral sonobuoy pod containing 72 buoys of various types, MAD, IIR, IRTV system and laser range-finder. By early 2002, NIIP offering Osa electronically scanned radar for rear protection and precision weapon targeting because of reported development delays with Leninets suite.
Su-32 ‘Escort Jammer’: Proposed in 2001 by Knirti Institute; four podded jammers (including two at wingtips) and two anti-radiation missiles.
Su-34: Russian Air Forces version.

Details generally as for single-/tandem-seat Su-27, except those below.

CUSTOMERS: Initial production batch of 18 due for delivery between 2006 and 2008.

COSTS: RUR850 million each (2006).

DESIGN FEATURES: One third heavier empty weight, with 50 per cent increase in MTOW, 30 per cent increase in internal capacity, 10 per cent increase in mid-section. Completely new and wider front fuselage built as titanium armoured tub, 17 mm (¹¹/₁₆ in) thick; armour adds 1,480 kg (3,262 lb); new EFIS cockpit containing two seats side by side; side-by-side arrangement avoids some duplication of controls and instruments, while promoting better crew co-operation. New avionics suite integrated by Ramenskoye Instrument-making Design Bureau; wing extensions taken forward as chines to blend with dielectric nose housing nav/attack and terrain-following/avoidance radar; deep fairing behind wide humped canopy; small foreplanes; louvres on engine air intake ducts reconfigured; new landing gear; broader chord and thicker tailfins, containing fuel; no ventral fins; and a longer, larger diameter tailcone. This has been raised and now extends as a spine above the rear fuselage to blend into the rear of the cockpit fairing. It houses at its tip a rearward-facing radar to detect aircraft approaching from the rear.

LANDING GEAR: Retractable tricycle type; strengthened twin nosewheel unit with KN-27 wheels, tyre size 680x260, farther forward than on Su-27 and retracting rearward; main units have small tandem KT-206 wheels with tyres size 950x400, carried on links fore and aft of oleo. New down-lock fairings. Twin cruciform brake-chutes repositioned in spine to rear of spine/fairing juncture.

POWER PLANT: Two Salyut-built AL-31F-M1 turbofans, each 132.4 kN (29,760 lb st) in production version. Prototypes had two Saturn/Lyulka AL-31F turbofans; each 74.5 kN (16,755 lb st) dry and 122.6 kN (27,557 lb st) with afterburning. Additional fuel in tailfins and increased capacity No.1 tank raising total to 12,100 kg (26,676 lb) plus provision for three external tanks totalling 7,200 kg (15,873 lb). Retractable flight refuelling probe beneath port windscreen.

ACCOMMODATION: Two crew side by side on modified K-36DM zero/zero ejection seats with built-in massage function. Access to cockpit via built-in extending ladder to door in nosewheel bay; area protected with 17 mm (⅔ in) thick titanium armour; lavatory and galley with air-stove inside deep fuselage section aft of cockpit.

AVIONICS: Radar: Leninets B004 multifunction phased-array radar with high resolution; rearward-facing radar in tailcone.
Instrumentation: Colour CRT, multifunction displays and helmet-mounted sight for pilot and navigator.
Mission: Built-in UOMZ EO IRST sighting system with TV and laser channels, optimised for air-to-ground use. Separate Geofizika podded thermal imaging system planned. New Argon main computer. Sorbtsya active ECM jamming pods under test on Su-27IB prototype 1995.
Self-defence: TsNIRTI electronic warfare system.

ARMAMENT: One 30 mm GSh-301 gun with 150 rounds. Twelve pylons for high-precision self-homing and guided ASMs, comprising Kh-59ME Ovod, Kh-31P/Kh-31A(P) (AS-17 ‘Krypton’), Kh-29T/TE/L (AS-14 ‘Kedge’) and Kh-41/3M80 Moskit; and KAB-500 and KAB-1500 laser-guided bombs with ranges of 0 to 135 n miles (250 km; 155 miles); R-27 (AA-10 ‘Alamo’), R-73 (AA-11 ‘Archer’) and RVV-AE (R-77; AA-12 ‘Adder’) AAMs.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:

• Wing span: 14.70 m (48 ft 2¾ in)
• Wing aspect ratio: 3.5
• Foreplane span: 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in)
• Length (without probe): 23.335 m (76 ft 6¾ in)
• Height overall: 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in)
• Wheel track: 4.40 m (14 ft 5¼ in)
• Wheelbase: 6.60 m (21 ft 7¾ in)

AREAS:

• Wings, gross: 62.00 m² (667.4 sq ft)

WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS (Su-32):

• Max external stores: 8,000 kg (17,637 lb)
• T-O weight: normal: 38,240 kg (84,304 lb)
• max: 44.350 kg (97,774 lb)

PERFORMANCE:

• Max speed:
• at height: M1.8 (1,025 kt; 1,900 km/h; 1,180 mph)
• at S/L: M1.14 (756 kt; 1,400 km/h; 870 mph)
• Service ceiling: 15,000 m (49,220 ft)
• Combat radius (internal fuel):
• hi-hi-hi: 594 n miles (1,100 km; 683 miles)
• lo-lo-lo: 324 n miles (600 km; 372 mules)
• Range with max internal fuel: 2.159 n miles (4,000 km; 2,485 miles)