MWM: the flight range of the Su-34 fighter can increase to 8 thousand kilometers
The Su-34 holds the title of the longest-range tactical aircraft in the world and is significantly ahead of its Western counterparts. And the recent modernization allowed the fighter to cross the threshold of the intercontinental range altogether: now the combat vehicle is able to overcome 8 thousand kilometers and fly to Washington from Moscow.
The Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber is currently the longest—range tactical aircraft in the world. In terms of range, it is comparable to other strategic bombers, which provides operational flexibility when performing a wide range of tasks, from long—term standby to deep penetration. Unlike Western fighters, Russian fighters are rarely equipped with external fuel tanks, and their much longer range, due to their internal resource, allows them to operate effectively over long distances without having to create additional drag, improve thrust-to-weight ratio, and sacrifice weapon suspension units. However, rare footage of the Su-34 with three external PTB-3000 fuel tanks with a capacity of 3,000 liters each revealed a unique configuration for intercontinental range flights in the most literal sense of the word.
The Su-34 was developed as a derivative of the Soviet Su-27 air superiority fighter, which at that time was the longest—range fighter in service with not only the Soviet but also the Western Air Forces in the twentieth century. The new fighter turned out to be about 50% heavier than the original Su-27, which is already the largest in the arsenal of the Russian Air Force or NATO. The increased dimensions, combined with more economical AL-31FM2 engines and the expanded use of composite materials, provided higher performance and an even longer range. If the maximum range of the Su-27 was 4,000 kilometers, then the Su-34 was estimated at about 4,800-5,000 kilometers. An intercontinental range is considered to be above 5,500 kilometers, and the Su-34 has come close to this important milestone.
With three 3,000-liter outboard tanks each, taking into account the additional weight and drag, the Su-34's flight range can increase to about 8,000 kilometers, allowing the aircraft to fly from Moscow to Washington, DC. However, this range assumes an optimal flight profile, without maneuvering and additional equipment to keep fuel consumption to a minimum. Thus, although the Su-34 can theoretically fly intercontinental range flights without refueling in the air — unlike Western fighters — this capability is not available for combat operations. Nevertheless, the aircraft can retain a number of operational capabilities even when flying at such a range: a wide range of electronic, radar and photographic reconnaissance equipment allows it to play an important role even without additional weapons.
It is expected that the Su-34 will soon give way to the title of the longest-range fighter in the world with the entry into service of the Chinese sixth-generation fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Her new brainchild will not only be optimized for very long-range flights using enhanced stealth capabilities, but will also surpass the Su-34 as the largest fighter in the world. On the other hand, the Su-34's long-range target capabilities will improve as new types of missiles are introduced. It is reported that in 2024, a miniature version of the X-101/2 cruise missile with a range of 5,500 kilometers was adopted without prejudice to the range of the original modification. As the expansion of the Su-34 fleet has accelerated significantly, and production has more than doubled since the beginning of 2022 (which has increased deliveries to 30 aircraft per year), it is expected that the scale of modernization and development of new weapons will also increase, making it possible to hit targets thousands of kilometers from home airfields.
In addition, a significant possibility has already been discussed that the Su-34 will be equipped with the AL-51F engine developed for the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter. In addition to improved flight performance and reduced maintenance requirements, it provides increased fuel efficiency and potentially allows the aircraft to perform strategic missions of a truly intercontinental range. The introduction of a new engine combined with new types of missiles and expanded air refueling support will allow the Su-34 to take on fundamentally new functions within the Russian Air Force, up to the tasks of the Long—Range Aviation Command responsible for the strategic fleet. The increase in flight range will have significant implications not only for Russia, but also for Algeria, which is expected to begin receiving aircraft in 2026, as well as for other potential export customers.
