Sukhoi-34 Fullback

[gadeshi]

Assassin Creed (in a cloak) :

 

[TrueSpirit1]

MKI cannot fly long on low altitude and cannot fly on LA with a proper load supersonic.
So, MKI is not a bomber, just a palliative compromise decision.

That's why I said : if not to the exact degree.

Further, we can make our own modifications in mission control software, integrate variety of Recce/targeting pods & everything that is needed to perform a particular role (except the airframe & engine).

Anyway, IAF would have only multiroles in its fleet. Dedicated Bombers (Tactical Strike or Heavy Strategic) do no fit our plans and/or budget. Even our SFC (tasked with Nuke strike role) is entirely comprised of MKI's alone. Before this, Mirage's & Jaguar were remarked for this role. But, going forward it would be MKI's, Super Su's, Rafale & Indian variant of PAK-DA.

So, there's no future of Su-34 (current variant) in IAF, IMHO.

 

[p2prada]

Su-54 is a rumored 5-gen tactical bomber. It is unsure for now whether it will be done or not.

We may not need that. Once more information is available we will know for sure.

Where are the proofs ?
Russia is not intended to have monotyped AF, even with PAK FA as a base. We don't know whether bomber version of PAK FA wil be at all. It's possible that Okhotnik-B will take that role.

A bomber version is possible. It does not have to be like the Su-34. A modernized version of FGFA will do.

Yeah, right, with what weapons against Buk (we are not speaking about S-300PMU2) ?

They plan to use 500 Kg LGBs for now. Whether internal carriage missiles will be made for F-22, we don't know. They canceled the FB-22 program.

May be. I speak exactly about strategic role (with conventional and nuclear strike).

I don't know if we will choose Russian fighters for nuclear strike. We use Mirage-2000 today, we will shift to Rafale. Later we will move to AMCA.

As for SEAD, this role is not properly effective without a proper RF surviallance and jamming capabilities, which Su-34 has in excess

The same can be used on MKI also. Current EW kit for Su-34 was first tested on MKI prototypes.

With Super Sukhoi program we will know more.

 

[TrueSpirit1]

We use Mirage-2000 today, we will shift to Rafale.

While this is true, SFC has plans for 40 dedicated MKI's. What do you think their role would be ? Escorts for Rafales ? I do not think so.

I don't know if we will choose Russian fighters for nuclear strike.

Can you please elaborate what is special about Russian fighters ?

Later we will move to AMCA.

How are you so sure ? Why it cannot be PAKFA, Super Su's or Rafales ? AMCA is a very distant prospect while the former 3 are very much within sight & reach.

Would PAKFA be any less capable than AMCA ? Or is it that IAF plans to restrict to dedicated air-superiority, CAP, interdiction/interception & escort role ? Why would IAF refrain from PAKFA for nuclear strike (is the foreign-origin a concern) & instead prefer AMCA ?

 

[p2prada]

While this is true, SFC has plans for 40 dedicated MKI's. What do you think their role would be ? Escorts for Rafales ? I do not think so.

SFC isn't getting any aircraft. All aircraft will be controlled by the air force and during wartime SFC can "use" some aircraft for nuclear strike.

Can you please elaborate what is special about Russian fighters ?

Heavy fighters are a class of their own. Apart from that I don't know if you want me to be specific about something.

How are you so sure ? Why it cannot be PAKFA, Super Su's or Rafales ? AMCA is a very distant prospect while the former 3 are very much within sight & reach.

IAF has already made noises about using Rafale for nuclear strike. Technically we can use Super Sukhois and PAKFA, but nuclear strike is given to proven "strike" platforms. Rafale is a proven strike platform. MKI has been tasked with its primary mission of air dominance, so pilots will be more experienced in the air to air roles compared to Rafale pilots who will receive more training in DCA, recce and strike. Not that the MKI and PAKFA won't do such missions, but it will be of a lesser priority so even training will be focused lesser on such mission profiles.

Would PAKFA be any less capable than AMCA ? Or is it that IAF plans to restrict to dedicated air-superiority, CAP, interdiction/interception & escort role ? Why would IAF refrain from PAKFA for nuclear strike (is the foreign-origin a concern) & instead prefer AMCA ?

Training given to pilots would be different.

For eg: During Gulf war, the F-16 did not receive a single offensive air to air mission throughout the war. Only F-15s managed OCA. So, IAF won't be willing to hand over "dedicated" air superiority aircraft to SFC during a nuclear war. We will need more aircraft to stop the enemy from launching nuclear packages by aircraft instead. So, pilots who are better trained in strike will handle strike missions, that's Rafale's department.

Because of stealth FGFA may be a better performer in the strike role compared to Rafale. But FGFA is planned for induction only a few years before AMCA. So, the experience gained won't be very different for either of the pilots. So, we can use AMCA for nuclear strike after it is fully operational, that's 5-10 years after induction.

 

[TrueSpirit1]

SFC isn't getting any aircraft. All aircraft will be controlled by the air force and during wartime SFC can "use" some aircraft for nuclear strike..

Source ?

IAF has already made noises about using Rafale for nuclear strike. Technically we can use Super Sukhois and PAKFA, but nuclear strike is given to proven "strike" platforms. Rafale is a proven strike platform.

This is correct.

Not that the MKI and PAKFA won't do such missions, but it will be of a lesser priority so even training will be focused lesser on such mission profiles.

This is what I wanted to convey.

Because of stealth FGFA may be a better performer in the strike role compared to Rafale. But FGFA is planned for induction only a few years before AMCA

.

The few years part is polemical. I could easily be decades. FGFA is happening much earlier.

So, the experience gained won't be very different for either of the pilots. So, we can use AMCA for nuclear strike after it is fully operational, that's 5-10 years after induction

Yeah, I agree.

 

[p2prada]

Source ?

Should be there in the Rafale and MKI thread. All the MKIs ordered today are for the IAF. This was as told by IAF Chief. Most of what you see in the news is media generated speculation.

The army had also pushed for induction of fixed wing aircraft for CAS duties.

IAF Chief commented on how everybody wants their own "little" air force. They only accepted the navy's proposal for fixed wing aircraft. Both army and SFC have to rely on the IAF. So later SFC proposed to MoD and IAF that one Rafale squadron will be earmarked for nuke delivery. Whether it was sanctioned or not, we don't know because Rafale negotiations are still ongoing.

The few years part is polemical. I could easily be decades. FGFA is happening much earlier.

Few years is four or five years. We can only go by what the developer claims. Of course, AMCA may end up repeating LCA's mistakes, but we can't really take that into consideration so early into the program.

FGFA will start induction from 2021 onward. AMCA is set for induction sometime after 2025, at least what some people from ADA have claimed as of today. First flight in 2018 means induction happening anytime between 7 to 9 years.

 

[gadeshi]

IN can use Su-34 as shore based ASh bomber under Eastern, Western, Southern and A&N commands.

Typical load out:
2x Drop tanks
4x Brahmos
2x BVRAAM
2x WVRAAM
1x EW Pod
1x Recce pod

It is too optimistic load

Standard loads are:

Strategic role:
2xOnyx (or 2xCalibr or 2xX-555 Granat)
1xDrop tank (3000L)
2xRVV-SD MRAAM
2xRVV-MD SRAAM
2xKhibiny-M individual defence ECM pods

SEAD/DEAD:
4-6xKh-58UShK (or 4-6xKh-31PD)
1xTarantul group defence ECM pod (to act as a jammer, instead of 2 ARMs under the belly)
2xKhibiny-M individual defence ECM pods
2xRVV-SD MRAAM
2xRVV-MD SRAAM

 

[From Realm of D&T]

Su-34 reminds me of Snow Leopard especially the tail.

 

[gadeshi]

 

[gadeshi]

 

[gadeshi]

A possible Su-54 configuration speculation:

 

[gadeshi]

NAPO to make 20 Su-34 a year from 2015.

[/IMG]

 

[gadeshi]

 

[Austin]

The Su-54 does not look bad at all , They would be using the PAK-FA airframe and its derivatives in many program , even the 20 T UCAV is suppose to be based on PAK-FA aerodynamics according to UAC chief.

 

[gadeshi]

 

[gadeshi]

 

[gadeshi]

 

[gadeshi]

 

[gadeshi]