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Su-24MR Fencer-E Reconnaissance

By 2021 Russia had only one type of reconnaissance aircraft - the Su-24MR. They were created on the basis of a front-line bomber, which was put into service in 1975. These aircraft are equipped with two turbojet engines and a wing with variable geometry in flight. The crew consists of two people. Despite the considerable age of the aircraft, the military department was in no hurry to write it off. Several years ago, the machines that had time to show themselves well in Syria were modernized and remain in service. There were about 12-15 Su-24MRs in the naval aviation, and another 60-70 were serving in parts of the Aerospace Forces.

In 1978, the Design Bureau started the modification of the Su-24M in specialized tactical reconnaissance Su-24MR. Su-24MR reconnaissance is designed for the benefit of Army Command and tactical aviation, and maritime sectors - navy. The aircraft provides a comprehensive aerial surveillance day and night in all weather conditions, at a depth of up to 400 kilometers from the front line with the strong opposition of the enemy air defense systems.

Equipped with on-board intelligence complex BCR-1, provides a high probability of detection and recognition of military facilities, including masked and false. The system includes a means of radar, infrared, television, laser, radio and radiation reconnaissance, photographic panorama and perspective for shooting. Management of these funds can be carried out automatically or manually. Su-24MR is unique among foreign tactical intelligence produced by the intelligence complex.

The nose of the aircraft under a radome mounted side-looking radar "bayonet". At the bottom of the fuselage with windows for panoramic AFA AP-402M (in the bow), prospective AFA A-100 (for the cockpit) and IR system (in the central part of the fuselage). A number of additional antennas support special equipment.

Laser equipment, electronic and radiation reconnaissance Su-24MR carries pods. Depending on the flight mission can be mounted under the fuselage container laser razvedapparaturoy "Spire-2M" or container with electronic intelligence equipment "Pitch" under the right wing - small container with radiation detection equipment "Ether-1M". At the same time on the pylon under the left console mounted two missiles homing air-to-air "melee P-60 or P-60M. Processing and analysis of intelligence on board the Su-24MR is not carried out. Manifested photographic material is discharged from the aircraft, and other intelligence quickly transmitted to the ground deciphering complex broadband and narrowband radio channels.

The main reconnaissance complex of the aircraft is the BKR-1 basic reconnaissance complex developed by the Vega Research Institute. The first small-sized infrared station "Zima" developed by the All-Union Power Engineering Institute named after V.I. Lenin (chief designer of the station I.L. Lobanev). Laser system with line scanning "Mars-N" tested in 1967-1968. formed the basis of the Shpil serial station installed on the Su-24MR. The aircraft was equipped with a side-looking radar M-101 "Bayonet", a panoramic aerial camera AP-402P with a resolution of 0.3 m and a TV camera "Aist-M" capable of detecting objects larger than 0.5 m. The equipment is installed on swinging suspensions and works through several windows with maximum viewing angles. In addition, an A-100 camera is installed with the ability to reset the captured photographic film. Under the fuselage of the aircraft, there is a suspension of a container with general electronic reconnaissance equipment SRS-14 "Tangage", designed to detect, determine the coordinates, type and mode of operation of the enemy radar. Instead of it, you can install a device for laser reconnaissance "Shpil-2M".

The Efir-1M radiation reconnaissance station is located under the right console, and the aircraft's only defensive armament - two R-60 missiles (the cannon has been dismantled) - is located under the left console. The aircraft can carry two outboard fuel tanks with a capacity of 2000 or 3000 liters. designed to detect, determine the coordinates, type and mode of operation of the enemy radar. Instead of it, you can install a device for laser reconnaissance "Shpil-2M". The Efir-1M radiation reconnaissance station is located under the right console, and the aircraft's only defensive armament - two R-60 missiles (the cannon has been dismantled) - is located under the left console. The aircraft can carry two outboard fuel tanks with a capacity of 2000 or 3000 liters. designed to detect, determine the coordinates, type and mode of operation of the enemy radar. Instead of it, you can install a device for laser reconnaissance "Shpil-2M". The Efir-1M radiation reconnaissance station is located under the right console, and the aircraft's only defensive armament - two R-60 missiles (the cannon has been dismantled) - is located under the left console. The aircraft can carry two outboard fuel tanks with a capacity of 2000 or 3000 liters.

In connection with the installation of various intelligence systems dismantled weapons control equipment, so the role of attack aircraft Su-24MR is not available. Outside sub-plumb intelligence apparatus limited and maximum flight speed of up to 1200 km / h (at an altitude of 200 m). The aircraft replaced in the army tactical reconnaissance IL-28R, 27R-Yak, Yak-28P and MiG-21R. Currently, the Su-24MR, along with various modifications of the MiG-25RR, is the main tactical reconnaissance Ukrainian and Russian Air Force.

The first prototypes were built scout based bombers T6M T6M-26 and-34 (after revisions -T6MR-26 and T6MR-34) and transferred to the test in 1980. The first series Su-24MR was flight tested in Novosibirsk one week later on 13th April 1983 by commander V.T. Vylomov and navigator V.S. Shkuratov. Since 1983, serial production of the aircraft began at the Novosibirsk Aviation Production Association named after V.I. Chkalov under the designation Su-24MR. A total of 130 aircraft were built.

The aeroplane was produced from 1983 to 1993, the machines assigned to separate reconnaissance aviation regiments (SRAR) under army (district) command. The Air Forces' first Su-24MRs were service tested by pilots of the 4th APCT&TTC in summer 1983, with the first Su-24MRs to be assigned to combat units for tactical employment received by the 47th SGRAR of MMD of Air Forces (Shatalovo), where the new plane was successfully service tested in 1987-88.

In May this year, the Odessa-based Dumskaya publication announced the cessation of funding for the development of a modernized version of the Su-24MR. The reason for this was called the unavailability of production for the full implementation of work. Currently, the enterprise is putting in order the design documentation for the aircraft, after which allegedly funding will resume and work will continue.

As stated at the Odessa aircraft plant itself, a total of several modernization options were developed, suggesting that the “new” Su-24MR would be able to detect ground targets from a greater distance and quickly receive and transmit intelligence information. In addition, it was assumed that navigation, communications and landing means would lead to the standards of NATO and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), as well as to increase control of on-board systems.

In May 2020, the Odessa-based Dumskaya publication announced the cessation of funding for the development of a modernized version of the Su-24MR. The reason for this was called the unavailability of production for the full implementation of work. Currently, the enterprise is putting in order the design documentation for the aircraft, after which allegedly funding will resume and work will continue.

The equipment installed on the Soviet-built Su-24MR no longer meets modern requirements. The introduction of drones in their reconnaissance and strike versions makes it possible to change the situation. The next step is a rather versatile device "Altius", which has an even longer flight duration and range. In addition, it can be equipped with reconnaissance equipment both in the optical-electronic spectrum and in the radar. The Su-24MR did not have radar reconnaissance equipment, so the planned replacement is the main route for Russian aviation, which will expand its reconnaissance capabilities.