Su-34 bombers expand their combat capabilities. Yesterday, on August 18, the Izvestia newspaper reported that the Russian Defense Ministry has completed work on the integration of X-35U missiles on the Ducklings.
The Su-34 and X-35U bundle was tested for a long time in different natural and weather conditions. The final stage of the tests of the Su-34 with X-35U missiles was the combat launches that the bombers made in the Far East in the summer of this year. The test results showed the effectiveness of the use of ammunition from aircraft of this model.
Mock-up of the X-35U rocket
Image source: iz.ru
According to Izvestia, work on the integration of the X-35U began in 2018. A year later, the latest missiles were delivered to the 277th Regiment of the Eastern Military District for experimental combat operation. Later, their colleagues from the 2nd Mixed Aviation Regiment of the Central Military District joined the work.
Su-34 front-line bomber
Image source: tass.ru
The X-35U anti-ship missiles have a flight range of over 250 km and a warhead mass of 145 kg with a total mass of 550 kg. The rocket approaches the target at an altitude of no more than 10-15 m, and at the final stage it decreases to 4 m. The X-35U uses a combined guidance system: in the flight section of the flight, the rocket uses an inertial navigation system and a radio altimeter, and when entering a given area, it uses an active radar homing head.
The Su-34 is a multifunctional bomber (sometimes classified as a fighter-bomber) designed to strike ground and surface targets in conditions of strong opposition from enemy air defense systems. According to its combat capabilities, the Su-34 belongs to the 4++ generation and is capable of performing basic combat tasks without accompanying fighters. Due to its high speed and maneuverability, the bomber can independently conduct an air battle with enemy fighters. The aircraft received the unofficial nickname "Duckling" because of the nose, which resembles a duck's beak.
