MOSCOW. April 2 (Interfax-AVN) - Another batch of tactical Su-24M bombers has come to the Novosibirsk aircraft association (NAPO), which is an aircraft producing division of Sukhoi, company's press service says in a press release, received by Interfax-AVN on Wednesday.
The aircraft, which have come to the plant from the Far East military district, will receive new satellite navigation equipment, as well as some other systems and parts. "As soon as the work is completed in the framework of the NAPO's 2008 state defense order, the bombers will be returned to their bases," reads the press release.
Sukhoi upheld its commitments under the 2007 state defense order, its plants in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Novosibirsk having performed all what had been planned in terms of Su-24M repair and upgrade, Su-27SM production and repair, and Su-34 production.
The company is also involved into supplies of spares and accessories for other military aircraft in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry. Furthermore, it produces complete sets of equipment for training facilities and simulators, reads the press release.
The Su-24M is designed to destroy surface targets in all weather conditions day and night in tactical depth of the enemy. The aircraft features a variable-shape wing. It is propelled by two AL-21F3 engines, developing 11,200 of thrust each.
The aircraft accommodates two-man crew. Its normal takeoff weight is 35,910 kg and the max takeoff weight is 38,700 kg. The SU-24M can carry a normal combat payload of 3 tonnes, with the maximum one of 8 tonnes. It has a combat radius of 570 km, max airspeed of 1.35 Mach, and service ceiling of 11,000 meters.
The weapons suite of the aircraft includes a broad range of air launched weapons, including Kh-23, Kh-28, Kh-58 and R-60 missiles. The upgraded version's air-launched weapons will also include Kh-25, Kh-29L, Kh-31P, Kh-59 missiles and KAB-1500L smart bombs.