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# zhopa028 Sukhoi SU-32FN

Scale 1/200 miniature detailed model of Sukhoi-32FN (also known as Su-34).

The Su32FN is a completely different aircraft to the Su27 and in many ways owes little to it except for the wing and the basic configutarion (ie two engines, two vertical fins and a humped nose!). The Su32FN began life as the Su27IB and then was modified extensively and redesignated the Su34. It was further modified to the extent that it warrented another designation and was changed finally to the Su32FN. Due to these changes there has been some confusion amoung western aviation journalists about this strain of the Flanker family's designations and status. It has been reported a number of times that the Su34 is going to the the theater bomber replacing Mig27s, Su17s and some Su24s while the Su32FN is going to be a coastal based strike version replacing naval Su24s and Su17s. The Su32FN is actually the most advanced of the prototypes and is slated as the aircraft which will go into production to fill both of these roles. While in the past two different dedicated aircraft might have been produced the Su32FN is a very capable multirole aircraft that can perform both of those missions and air to air engagements (in the one flight if nessicary) negating the need for different aircraft and hence multiple production lines.

Su32FN Flanker

The Su32FN has the same aerodynamic layout of the Su33 and Su35 of the three control surfaces with the addition of foreward candards. Besides that it is a different aircraft. The whole fueslarge from nose to sting has been completely redesigned. The cockpit is a side by side configuration similar to the Su24 and F111. The nose cone is slightly flattened and has been described in having the apperance of a 'platypus' duckbill. The larger cockpit has a humbed appearance and was continued to a smothered dorsal spine and to a lengthened and enlargened sting. The enlargement was done to maintain the center of balance with the incresaed weight of the enlargened cockpit. The cockpit is protected by almost half a ton of titaniumn armour and atttention has been paid to crew comport on long flights with features such as a toilet. The cockpit is also quite modern with a wide angle HUD for flight navigation and final attack information with head down information being displayed on a number of Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) - Multi Function Displays (MFDs). With the massive increase in internal space not only has the avionics been able to be expanded but there is a total of 3 600 kg more fuel and the sting has enough space for a Mig 21 sized rearward facing warning and fire and control radar.

At the moment the Su32 is powered by the AL-31F engine of the Su27 but it is planned that it will be upgraded to take the more powerful AL-35 from the Su35. Since the development of the thrust vectoring Su37 it has been proposed that the Su32FN will be retrofitted with the AL-37FU. This is not to increase the manouverability, it is intended to improve handleing at lower altitudes and speeds and also to improve ground hugging. Another modification from the Su27 is the deletion of the venteral fins as the Su32FN does not need to operate at high Angels Of Attack (AOA).

The landing gear has been streangthened for the heavier weights and has also been increased in length to facilitate the carriage of larger weapons such as the Kh-41 MOSKIT supersonic anit-ship missile which weighe 4 500kg and is 9.4 m in length. The avalible range of weapons that can be carried has been increased and using 'smart' weapons targets can be attacked from standoff distances as much as 250km. The Su32FN can also carry defensive AAMs, but they are not just the usual short range self defence R-73E but medium and long range R-77 fire and forget missiles massively increasing the Su32FN's effectiveness. The Su32FN is also expected to carry the rearward firing R-73 missile.

The spohisticated nav-attack system is expected to include a multi-mode radar with all-weather low-level navigation and terrain-following/terrain-avoidance, target aquisition and targeting features. In adition to this a TV and laser guidance system is expected to be fitted. While much of the program remain classified it is expected to be fully backed by the Russian Airforce and has aparently entered production. It also has been offered for export at the price of $36 million


 # zhopa028 Sukhoi SU-32FN 1
 # zhopa028 Sukhoi SU-32FN 2
 # zhopa028 Sukhoi SU-32FN 3
 # zhopa028 Sukhoi SU-32FN 4
 # zhopa028 Sukhoi SU-32FN 5

This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 11 April, 2007.