MOSCOW. June 22 (Interfax-AVN) - The Su-34 (Su-27IB) future fighter/bomber, designed by the Sukhoi Aircraft Holding Company, is completing the first round of state tests.
"The Su-34 has almost completed the first round of state flight tests, envisioning armament tests. It has to carry out several missile launches," a source in the Russian defense industry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
According to him, the Su-34 is expected to complete the first round of state tests in September.
He pointed out that the first round of tests was aimed at checking both the combat efficiency of weapons employed, and the operation of the entire aircraft, including avionics.
The second round of state tests will last about three years," he said.
According to him, the Su-34 has been fitted with three different avionics suites since it was developed. The radar mounted on the Su-34 is designed by the St. Petersburg-based Leninets Enterprise. The radar is based on an electronic beam guidance. It features a high resolution at great ranges, enabling it to detect small-size targets. The electronic beam guidance allows the radar to carry out simultaneously air and ground surveillance.
"The Su-34's main combat mode is a terrain-hugging low-level flight. The fighter/bomber is equipped with an automated oscillations suppressor during low-level flights. Only the U.S. Rockwell B-1B is fitted with a similar system," the source said.