Su-24M: A “Suitcase” Full of Surprises

The long-awaited Su-24M frontline bomber will be joining the top ranks of the Soviet Union's aircraft tree in the next major update!

Su-24M: A Strike Aircraft for the USSR at Rank VII

At a glance:

  • Very large payload capacity with a huge variety of ordnance.
  • High speed, much faster than the Su-25.
  • New KAB-1500L guided bombs.
  • 600 rounds per second? Yes, that’s real.
  • Variable-sweep wing.
Vehicle History

Almost immediately after the Su-24 entered service, work began on its modernization. The main goal was to improve target accuracy using the latest weaponry, advanced navigation systems, and an upgraded targeting suite. A new generation of missiles with semi-active laser guidance (Kh-25, Kh-29L) and precision-guided bombs (KAB-500L, KAB-1500L) formed the core of the strike power of the updated Su-24M. For defense, the aircraft was fitted with new jamming equipment, and for air combat, could carry up to four R-60M air-to-air missiles. The modernized Su-24M was delivered 1981, with serial production ending in 1993.

Introducing the Su-24M!

The Dance of Dragons major update is a real treat for jet strike aircraft pilots, as we recently covered the F-111 for the British and American air trees, and today we’re happy to showcase the long-awaited Su-24M for the Soviet research tree. So, let’s take a closer look at this new top bomber!

All-in-all, the Su-24M embodies all of the aircraft design trends of its era — variable-sweep wings, advanced angular air intakes, and a dual-engine powerplant. Its two afterburning AL-21F-3 turbojet engines provide almost fighter-like thrust, capable of pushing this aircraft to a top speed of around 1,800 km/h. Thanks to this engine, the Su-24M boasts impressive climb rates even by rank VII standards, and maintains excellent roll speed at high altitudes. Onboard, there’s also electronics and equipment that are needed in top-tier battles for effective gameplay: a targeting pod, advanced radar, missile launch warning system, and large-caliber chaff and flares for missile defense. It’s got it all!

Download Wallpaper:

Did you know? In some units of the Soviet Air Force, the Su-24 series of aircraft earned the nickname “Suitcase” due to its boxy fuselage, enhanced by the air intakes. In NATO classification, this strike fighter was named “Fencer”, supposedly due to the distinctive antenna on its nose, although it’s likely just following the standard nomenclature of using words that begin with “F” to classify fighters.

Now on to its guns. The Su-24M’s armament is focused on suppressing ground targets, although it can also defend itself in air combat. Let's break it down! The core weapon of choice for any loadout will be the built-in six-barrel GSh-6-23M cannon, an outstanding weapon with an unheard-of rate of fire of up to 9,000 rounds per minute. Under the fuselage and wings, the Su-24M has eight hardpoints, capable of carrying up to 8000 kg of ordnance. For example, it can carry three additional GSh-6-23M cannons in pods — that’s 600 rounds and over 100 kg of burst mass per second. As for air-to-air missile combat, the Su-24M is equipped with familiar short-range R-60M missiles, known for their high sensitivity to countermeasures but still quite effective and maneuverable.

One of the Su-24M’s stand-out features is its ability to carry an excellent range of air-to-ground weapons. You’ll have access to the familiar Kh-23, Kh-25, and Kh-29 missile families (including the laser-guided Kh-29L and TV-guided Kh-29TE) and guided bombs like the KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr, new to the game KAB-500S, along with the laser-guided KAB-500L and the new huge KAB-1500L. This arsenal is complemented by conventional bombs ranging from 500 to 1500 kg, as well as unguided rockets, including small S-8, medium S-13, and the large S-24 and S-25. The latter will be available in several modifications, with the S-25L specifically being laser guided!

That’s it for this blog! The brand-new Su-24M will be available to research in the upcoming Dance of Dragons major update. Stay tuned to our website for other vehicles that we’ll be announcing. Until then, happy battles ahead!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

You can greatly speed up the research of the Su-24M with this pack:

Su-39 Pack

The Kit Includes:
  • Su-39 (USSR, Rank VII)
  • Premium account for 20 days
  • 2500 Golden Eagles

69.99
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9 Likes

I’d hope so 😂

That thing got some big ass engines

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Let’s hope they’ll change the BR before pushing it out, it’s funny how it’s lower than the Tornado IDS versions

9 Likes

It’s because the AIM-9L’s are incredibly useful against Pantsirs and Ka-50’s.

3 Likes

It should be lower in air RB.
Only R-60Ms, worse maneuverability, slower, and same bomb load as Tornado IDS.
Same ground BR as the guided weapons ones probably since they’re both GBU buses, and it is the same BR in ground currently @FlyingOstridge

4 Likes

Will we have anti-radiation missiles like the KH28, KH25MR or KH58U in the future?

You couldn’t even make an external model without mistakes

We always knew it would be. Im surprised its not 10.7

Gunship is gonna be funny to do low supersonic flyby’s and absolutely shred things like ADATS and FlaRakRad’s. That aside, the massive TV-Bombs are gonna be funny too.

(gaijin please make it to where close pass supersonic shockwaves absolutely shred light armored vehicles (like that one time a US fighter pilot shredded a Winnebago))

The SU-24M cannot carry GLONASS bombs. Only the M2 can.

Can’t see people using this plane over the much better armed SU-25T/SU-39.

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Ah yeah, can’t see people using a Taylor made supersonic precision strike aircraft over a slow, lumbering, easy target like a Su-25…

3 Likes

So, is this the plane that was teased at the end of the F-111 devblog or can we actually expect some even bigger bombers in the future?

I’d rather a slow plane with IRCM, 200+ CM and R73s over a large, hot plane, with useless defense ordnance and more limited gimbal angles.

This thing really does not offer much over the Mig-27K. More payload, but even less agile.

2 Likes

The SU-24M might not be slow, but its definitely lumbering. The Su-25 can get reasonably nimble once its dropped its weapons. Not so much with the heavy Su-24.

Though, the biggest reason to choose the Su-25T/39 in grb over the Su-24M is the RWR, the SPO-15’s limited frequency bands make it blind to a lot of the anti-air it will see.

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Yup, forgot about the RWR too.

I play a lot of RU CAS. Wont touch this thing outside of grinding it to keep the tree complete. DOA IMO.

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Vulcan, Tu-160, B-1 and B-52 when

2 Likes

I have a question. Why are you announcing a Soviet plane in the Soviet tech tree, but all the previews show it with “Russian Air Force” decals?

I mean, it is the USSR tech tree still and the plane was developed while the USSR still existed

1 Like

It’s either move slow and turn fast or move fast and turn slow with jets, it’s always been that way, this this can sustain though with its engines and swing wings.

It has three separate RQR’s, so that should be no issue. The SU-25 doesn’t have MAWS or a ground radar (other than the Kopyo on the 39) and it’s got plenty of large caliber flares, just don’t use afterburner when you get a MAWS warning, like in any plane, you cut engine throttle when you know a missiles been launched, this is no different.

Main point of the SU-24M is, stay low, move fast, and strike first, or so be used as a strategic bomber (in air RB) to drop payload and leave.

The USSR build the first two or three models before the fall of the Soviet Union, but the M and M2 variants were Russian upgraded or produced, after the fall of the USSR.

1 Like