Su-32FN
The Su-32FN is a shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft primarily used to search for and destroy enemy surface ships and submarines at a distance from the territorial waters. The Su-32FN can effectively protect coastal areas not only in all weather conditions but also under conditions of enemy electronic interference. In addition, the Su-32FN equipped with advanced radio-electronic equipment and weapons can counter strikes by enemy combat aircraft coming from the sea. The chief designer of the Su-32FN is Mikhail Simonov, and the lead designer is Roland Martirosov.
The Su-32FN is an export version of the Su-34 fighter, with a three-surface layout similar to that of the Su-34. The aircraft has a flat duckbill nose and features a pair of canards. The Su-32FN has undergone some changes in its onboard radio-electronic equipment and armament compared to the Su-34, aimed at enhancing its reconnaissance and attack capabilities against sea targets. The aircraft is equipped with an adaptive wing that automatically monitors the angle of attack and g-load according to commands from the fly-by-wire control system.
The Su-32FN's mission to conduct reconnaissance and attack missions against sea targets determined that the aircraft would have some design differences from other combat aircraft. Firstly, the Su-32FN's fuselage and landing gear were changed. The most noticeable change was that the Su-32FN's cockpit adopted a side-by-side twin-seat configuration, allowing the pilot and radar navigator to sit together in tandem, enabling better coordination during combat. After long flights, the pilot and radar navigator could also stand up straight in the cockpit to rest and consume hot meals. The Su-32FN's onboard protective survival equipment allowed the cockpit to maintain normal air pressure at an altitude of 10,000 meters, ensuring that the crew could perform combat missions without wearing oxygen masks. The Su-32FN was equipped with K-36DM ejection seats, which enabled the crew to quickly escape from the aircraft in any flight condition. The Su-32FN was powered by two AL-31FM engines, each producing a thrust of 12,800 kgf to 14,000 kgf. The Su-32FN had a length of 23.3 meters and a wingspan of 14.7 meters; its normal takeoff weight was 42,000 kg, with a maximum takeoff weight of 44,360 kg; its maximum speed at sea level was 1,400 km/h.
Hours; range (without external tanks and without aerial refueling) is 4,000 km; with three aerial refuelings, the maximum range can reach 14,000 km, equivalent to that of a long-range strategic bomber.
The Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft uses the "Sea Snake" airborne radio electronic equipment, mainly used for searching surface ships, underwater submarines, and sea mines. The "Sea Snake" airborne radio electronic equipment adopts a modular structure design. This design ensures that even if some modules fail, it can still complete combat tasks. In addition, due to its modular structure, the "Sea Snake" airborne radio electronic equipment can also replace certain modules according to the combat mission and characteristics.
The "Sea Snake" airborne radio electronic equipment is controlled by a central computer system. The central computer system not only controls the "Sea Snake" airborne radio electronic equipment but also exchanges information and can independently complete combat tasks. When performing maritime patrol missions, the Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft searches for target information in the search area, such as enemy radar targets; at the same time, it can discover distant weak light and visible light targets.
The "Sea Snake" airborne radio electronic equipment can also monitor coastlines and ports. The Su-32FN uses the "Sea Snake" phased array radar to detect and identify 150-200 km sea-air targets (small targets). The "Sea Snake" phased array radar can be used for search and rescue missions at sea and monitoring ocean environments.
The "Sea Snake" phased array radar, electronic reconnaissance equipment, and infrared television system ensure that the Su-32FN completes maritime patrol tasks. Due to the installation of the "Sea Snake" airborne radio electronic equipment, the Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft can perform combat missions in areas beyond the enemy's surface-to-air missile detection range and effectively implement active and passive interference against the enemy.
The airborne electronic equipment used by the Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft can be designed according to customer requirements and is compatible with Western-made electronic equipment.
The Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft has 10 external hardpoints, located on the fuselage, engine nacelles and under the wings. The Su-32FN can carry up to 8,000 kg of weapons, including ASM-MSS and ASM-MS anti-ship missiles with a range of 250 km, ASM-M anti-ship missiles with a range of 70 km, ASM-M2 anti-ship missiles with a range of 180 km, as well as AGM-TVC TV-guided anti-ship missiles. In addition, the Su-32FN can also be equipped with a GSh-301 30mm cannon under the wing, as well as anti-submarine torpedoes, sonobuoys, air-to-air missiles and various aerial bombs.
Due to the installation of the "Sea Snake" airborne radio electronic equipment, the Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft can independently complete the tasks of searching, identifying, tracking and attacking submarines. The onboard computer system can provide multiple combat plans to the crew under conditions where the radar navigator does not directly intervene, ensuring that the crew completes combat missions continuously. At this time, the main responsibility of the Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft's radar navigator is to monitor the onboard computer system until the task is completed. In order to facilitate the effective monitoring by the radar navigator of various information processed by the onboard computer system, a large rectangular cathode ray tube display and a large rectangular liquid crystal display are installed in front of the radar navigator.
In addition, the Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft is also equipped with various airborne devices for detecting enemy submarines: 1. Onboard radar providing services for sonobuoys (passive sonobuoys operating in infrasound and sound frequencies, active sonobuoys). In terms of technical performance, the sonobuoys used by the Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft far exceed those developed by the United States, such as the SSQ-53B, SSQ-77A, and SSQ-75 sonobuoys. 2. Onboard radar for detecting small targets (such as submarine periscopes and snorkels) and monitoring sonobuoys. This radar outperforms those developed by the United States, such as the AN/APS-147.
APS-137 radar. Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft airborne sonobuoy monitoring system compatible, can be used with British-made sonobuoys. 3. Can detect changes in the magnetic field caused by submarines on board magnetometer. The performance of this magnetometer exceeds that of US-made AN
ASQ-502 Magnetic Anomaly Detector. To improve the efficiency of detecting and tracking submarines, the MAD can be used in conjunction with sonobuoys. 4. Equipped with an airborne infrared detection system with visible light and microwaves. The system can detect thermal radiation in seawater according to weather and day-night conditions to discover enemy submarines. 5. Airborne electronic reconnaissance equipment. This equipment can conduct reconnaissance and identification of submarine radar.
The Su-32FN shore-based reconnaissance and strike aircraft was exhibited at the French Aviation and Space Exhibition in 1995 and 1997, attracting high attention from aviation experts around the world. Foreign experts believe that the Su-32FN is a new type of aircraft with both attack and defense capabilities. In addition, the combat performance of the Su-32FN is not limited to the above range, it can be adjusted and improved according to customer requirements. The chief designer of the Su-32FN, Simonov, believes that due to its ability to search, identify, track and attack surface ships and submarines, as well as engage in air-to-air combat, the Su-32FN has great export potential for countries with long coastlines and offshore oil reserves. Currently, some customers have started negotiating with Russia on the purchase of the Su-32FN.
