Novosibirsk acft factory sets about making Su-34 bomber

[Webmaster]

Novosibirsk acft factory sets about making Su-34 bomber

31.03.2005, 09.42
 
 
NOVOSIBIRSK, March 31 (Itar-Tass) - The Novosibirsk-based aircraft manufacturing association (NAPO) named after Valery Chkalov has set about filling a State-placed order for the Russian Air Force -- to build the first batch-produced frontline tactical-strike bomber Su-34, NAPO General Director Alexander Bobryshev told Itar-Tass here on Thursday.

Bobryshev said, "Judging by the standard of radioelectronic equipment, the Su-34 can be reckoned among fifth-generation aircraft". The onboard equipment and armament enables the Su-34 to destroy pinpoint guarded targets in any weather, in the daytime or at night. "This multifunctional aircraft is capable of delivering missile strikes at ground targets. It is effective in aerial combat as well," Bobryshev pointed out.

The NAPO General Director said five such frontline attack aircraft systems would be built within the next two years. The Su-34 prototypes that stood State tests successfully had also been made at the NAPO. The takeoff weight of the aircraft is 44.3 tonnes, its bomb load is up to eight tonnes, maximum range of flight is 4,000 kilometres, and, with refuelling, 7,000 km.

The NAPO is part of the Sukhoi aircraft production holding.
 

Source: ITAR-TASS http://itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1886372&PageNum=0

Finally, if all goes according to NAPO's plan, the Su-34 will enter production, unfortunately at a rate of 5 per 2 years  :'( I would love to see this aircraft in service, it is perhaps the best designed multirole fighterbomber yet.

[Zeke]

2.5 aircraft per year!...damn they'd better slow down or they'll burn themselves out!...

That aircraft is something special alright and I wonder if we'll get to see any of them at the airshows like Paris or Farnborough? Now that would be cool!...

[ohadbx]

It is normal that a new aircraft is being slowly manufactured (AKA Low Rate Initial Production- LRIP) in order to take care of any problems that occur. If the Russian Air Force/ Naval Air Arm will indeed decide to purchase it  in large numbers than it will probably go into full rate production.

[Webmaster]

True, although in this case I would call it pre-production series, not initial production.

In my opinion, LRIP, apart from being a US term, is more from a buyer's viewpoint, so it can test the system, it is basically a small initial order. The Su-34 has already passed the state acceptance tests, but hasn't been ordered yet. It seems that these 5 aircraft will be produced as a continuation of development towards a production standard, testing all components from a manufacturer's viewpoint. Which doesn't mean that they ultimately won't be delivered, they will probably be reworked to one standard and delivered as part of a "LRIP"-kind of contract.

[ohadbx]

We must remember that budget is another concern. The VVS might not have the budget to place a large order at once, but must place several small orders, as budget allows.

[Webmaster]

Looking at the Su-30 and Su-35 introduction to service, that can be a very slow process. In both cases, the air force has its predecessor (Su-27 and Su-24) in large numbers in service. Although outdated and mostly analogue systems, an upgrade is more economical than replacing them. Full rate production of the Su-34 will probably not start until after 2010, when the Su-24 airframes are starting to show their age. Some sources report the five aircraft as being an order from the Air Force, I am not sure, it wouldn't be the first time production started without orders in place. The air force staff is convinced of the Su-34 as its future tactical bomber, it is probably very wise move of NAPO to keep the development moving, to keep it in the light, also for export/marketing purposes.

The Chinese president visited Novosibirsk for economic/trade talks with the region, on the trip he visited NAPO factory, partly because Mao Zedong was there 55 years ago, but also to look at the Su-34, though he was more interested in the An-38 assembled there.

[Webmaster]

Little update

Russian Air Force to get new Su-34 bomber in 2006

The Russian Air Force will receive new Su-34 bombers in 2006, Air Force
Commander Vladimir Mikhailov said Monday.

He said the 2006 state defense order for the new plane would amount to a
20-fold increase of the 2005 defense order, which was worth 100 million
rubles ($3.5 million).

Mikhailov said he was visiting the Chkalov Aircraft Production Association
in Novosibirsk to discuss all the problems and plans for the future.

"The plant is facing serious tasks," he said referring to the Su-34
production.

The designing of the new Su-34 bomber began in the late 1980s to replace the
outdated Su-24 bomber.

According to experts, the new bomber has the potential to be the best plane
in its class for years to come.

By Maxim Koshmarchuk - RIA Novosti (17th October, 2005)
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20051017/41804985.html