Rarely a plane subjected to more extensive design changes in the design process than the Su-24.The characteristics of this front-line bomber customer (the Ministry of Defence of the USSR) is constantly required ever higher, and aircraft had to repeatedly revise not only private technical solutions, but also the overall conceptual framework.The result exceeded expectations: the machine has turned out a success and, having gone through his life, was in demand even in the third millennium.
on pure enthusiasm
In the fifties, the whole world was in the grip of "hysteria missile."Military theorists thought that as the aircraft striking power, if not completely obsolete, then certainly, at least, have lost their decisive importance in modern warfare.In these conclusions fully focused and attack aircraft.However, this is very courageous point of view not shared by all, and the development of ground attack aircraft still continued.As part of the budget savings Sukhoi Design Bureau was engaged in a very successful adaptation of the Su-7 to give it the ability to accomplish combat missions in support of ground troops in adverse weather conditions.In fact, under the guise of work on the modification of the staff really created quite a new car, and the improvement of the old version was invented for party officials to impose "techies" a general line.We considered various options for layout, taking into account the possibility of placing complex electronics, without which modern attack could not have been a formidable force.
creative search
result of creative torment became first Su-15, equipped with all-weather navigation system "Orion".But the demands of war grew harsher, they now had to attack aircraft could take off from a dirt strip, and short.Optimizing continued in the construction of additional engines were added, raising the aircraft about to take off.But it was not that.OS Samoilovich, Project Manager, puzzled over the resolution of the rebus.A clue came, oddly enough, by a potential enemy.
It was in 1964, Khrushchev was removed recently, and the new leadership of the country's thoughts are not so romantic, but pragmatic.Design warplanes again received full funding.Designer Samoylovich flew to Paris on the aerospace exhibition.He saw there something interesting.
American in Paris
They look very similar - American F-111 and our Su-24.Photos, characteristics and combat capabilities, and most importantly, the purpose of these two planes are very close.In a sense, Samoylovich made direct borrowing of general layout scheme, however, is quite justified.The company "General Dynamics" proudly put their offspring at the international show in Le Bourget.See aircraft could everyone, but the chief designer hesitated to come close to it.Then he took his "FED" and at that moment realized what the Su-24.Photos of the aircraft F-111 in Moscow considered very carefully, engineers admired the skill and commented on what they saw rivals.
course, that the construction of the "stolen" from the Americans, and there can be no.Secrets of the company "General Dynamics" can be stored, and if the Soviets had access to them, it happened much later.And while OS Samoilovich enough and appearance.As in such cases, wrote in his drawings, ancient Romans, "pretty clever."
general scheme
additional lift engines that reduce run-off in the car, were found the wrong solution.They work only in the first few seconds, and the aircraft must carry them all the time.Another thing - a variable sweep wing, its benefits can be used during combat missions, translating attack in different speed modes.
However, there were some difficulties with the arms that had to carry on the external load of the Su-24.Bomber automatically sends missiles and bombs pylons parallel to the vector of the course - it required special approval electromechanical system.Large compartment for two radar antennas will place a strong BREA, which had no previous models of aircraft to support frontline Sukhoi.But the main difficulty was to come.
grazing flight
Appointment of tactical bomber is to inflict damage on the enemy in a wide (up to 800 km) front line.To realize this task, you need to have the technical ability to overcome the barrier of air defense, in which case it will be predictable exercise maximum resistance.In the sixties the radars were not as perfect as it is today, and the purpose of low-level "seen" is not always the case.The same applies to airborne radars that could not distinguish objects on the background of the Earth.American F-111 was flying at extremely low altitude, skirting relief.The same task set for the designers of the Su-24.Features high speed is not decreased, required certain "supersonic" even during the grazing flight.
system maintain a safe obstacle rounding operates in two modes - manual and automatic.Given the element base 60 (preferably headlight) can only marvel at this achievement.
fuel consumption and combat radius
In those early years, the issue of fuel economy was sorely.However, consumption of kerosene affected the very important indicator - the range.To increase it, it required a revolutionary solution - transition to efficient bypass engines.In the afterburner, they developed less traction than conventional Turbojet, but, as experience shows, tactical bomber possibility of a sharp increase in speed is almost not needed.Designing of special design bureau took over engine cradles and Tumansky ("Saturn").They are intended solely for the Su-24.Combat aircraft range increased significantly - it has exceeded five hundred kilometers.
We sit side by side ...
Nearly all tactical bombers and attack aircraft from the Second World War and subsequent years were a tandem layout of the crew.Plant a pilot, navigator or weapons systems operator successive constructors moved by the desire to reduce the cross-section of the fuselage.So reduced aerodynamic drag.In addition, I had the value and size of the target, in terms of anti-aircraft artillery, with a frontal attack.The real revelation was the placement of the two crew members next to each other in the American F-111.This scheme OS Samoilovich, and decided to apply for the Su-24.Photo shows the cockpit tiller and co-driver, though it is somewhat less than the pilot's.Security reasons dictate a particular screen, separating the chair at ejection, but later it turned out that the risk of injury pilot remained in the aircraft, is minimal.The exchange of information between the pilot and the navigator significantly eased, there was "a feeling of comradeship."
Engine and titanium fires
on specifications of the Su-24 greatly influenced the choice of engine.The first copies were completed "product number 85", ie jet turbine AL-21F, which is used in the compressor titanium parts.This material is very durable and easy, but the design of the engine designers have not considered some of its features.The heating of the turbine blades leads to their elongation, and then touch their peripheral edges of the housing.This phenomenon, called "titanium fire" caused almost instantaneous combustion of the entire aircraft, and find out the cause was not immediately apparent.
Eventually, after several attempts to adapt other production engine, KB has decided to fine-tuning of the AL-21F, which is currently in use.
ordeals
The first flight of the prototype, T6-1 get the index in 1967 raised test pilot BC Ilyushin, son of the famous aircraft designer.The test was successful, but in the course of improvements become apparent serious structural defects.The tests were long and hard, for a period of ten cars crashed (7 of them - due to errors developers engines).Only for one day in 1973 (28 August), CB has lost two prototypes.Perhaps if the project is less important for the defense of the country, it would be shut down after so many failures.But OS Samoilovich believed the plane Su-24, the characteristics of which promises to be excellent.And testing continued as working to address identified structural failures.
Shock bomb power
bomb bay, as opposed to the American F-111, the aircraft is not equipped with all kinds of weapons are located in eight pylons, four of which - ventral.Two powerful engines provide an opportunity to carry conventional and special (nuclear or chemical) ammunition, including high power.Thus, the suspension on the fixed part of the wing are designed for bombs weighing half a ton.Diverse nature of the arms of the Su-24.Combat load weighing up to eight tons may consist of unmanaged or corrected bombs (including laser-guided), blocks NAR, containers or cassettes.To keep such a wide range, the pylons are equipped with adapters and additional beams.Not only bombs can strike Su-24 bomber that can be called a missile.
Rockets
task of suppressing the air defense potential enemy is inextricably linked with the detection and destruction of radar stations in the first place - the antennas emitters receivers.In America, for this purpose it has been developed anti-radar missiles "Shpayk" (1963), the guidance system which focuses on the intense high-frequency radar radiation.A similar missile X-28 was designed in the Soviet Union - for the acquisition of their weapons systems of the Su-24.Combat capabilities of ammunition most commonly disclosed in the departure of the two pairs of bombers, the first of which is "zasekal" locators system "Owl" and the second is applied directly hit, already knowing the parameters of carrier frequency emitters.Guided missiles X-23 induced way radio command.
There are many choices of weapons missiles Su-24.Photos of the aircraft equipped with cassettes Nursi or R-60 ("air-air"), proving the versatility of the possible use of the bomber, including against air targets.Full interceptor it, of course, can not be named, but helpless in the sky, too, can not be considered.
Do not forget about the designers and artillery weapons.The Su-24 is equipped with a 23 mm cannon GSH sextuple-6-23M (built-in).It is possible to promptly increase the firepower by installing a suspended rapid-gun mounts (three more) on external sites pendants.
product «44»
Any successful machine is destined for a long life, accompanied by attempts to improve its structure.It happened with the Su-24.Features him, from the standpoint of the leaders of the Ministry of Defense, in need of correction.Particularly relevant is the problem of improving avionics and the ability to increase the weight of the payload.The new modification, which at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant in 1979 called "product 44" in 1981 started to arrive in military units under the symbol Su-24M.Officially, the sample was put into service in 1983.It is heavier than the prototype, but against the background of a reduction of flight data retained tremendous agility typical of a "pure" Su-24.Features allow you to perform even aerobatics that Sukhoi property is rare.
important innovation and the ability to refuel in-flight.To her pilots had to get used to the early eighties, having worked technique soft approach to the cone refueling hose, but the results justify the effort.Radius combat employment now cover the whole of Europe (with take-off from airfields WGF) and large parts of Asia.
Su-24 and the new century
And at the beginning of the third millennium, nothing indicates that soon will go to "well-deserved rest," Su-24.Features it such that it can combat tasks confidently perform for many years.He had a chance to do some fighting in several conflicts that arose after the collapse of the Soviet Union.The aircraft has a rugged airframe, powerful engines and broad arsenal.At an altitude of 200 meters, he can fly at speeds up to 1400 km / h.The Su-24 is equipped with a unique means of saving the crew.He will still have to serve his native country.
