- Yes
- No
Overview
The Su-24 is a Soviet all-weather attack aircraft entering service in 1975. It shares many design similarities with its contemporary the F-111, though its role was more akin to the Tornado IDS. The Su-24M is an improved model compatible with a wide array of TV, IR, and laser-guided munitions, greatly increasing strike capabilities. It entered service in 1983 with the export Su-24MK following in 1988, the two aircraft serving in the Soviet-Afghan War, Lebanese Civil War, Afghan Civil War, Tajik Civil War, Chechen Wars, Libyan Civil War, Syrian Civil War, Saudi Intervention in Yemen, Russo-Georgian War, and Russo-Ukrainian War. The Su-24M2 is still in service with Russia today, with the Su-24M/MK being in service with Algeria (alongside some Su-24M2s), Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine.
History
Expand
Initial Development
Development of the Su-24 began with the Su-7. During 1960-1961, the Su-7B proved to be a capable fighter-bomber. However, it lacked all-weather capabilities. The Su-7B was accepted into service in January 1961 under the condition that Sukhoi would begin immediate development of an all-weather strike and attack aircraft to supplement or supplant the Su-7B.This resulted in the creation of the T-6, a strike aircraft initially based on the Su-15 interceptor. Over the course of its development, the T-6 would undergo dramatic changes, losing all commonality with the Su-15 and evolving from a conventional aircraft to an STOL with lift-jets and finally into a swing-wing strike aircraft inspired by the F-111.
The Su-24 Into Service
4 prototypes and 13 pre-production Su-24s were produced between January 1970 and July 1974. The aircraft would be officially accepted into service and classified as the Su-24 in 1972, being given the name Fencer-A by NATO. These aircraft all featured small, incremental changes as the Su-24’s teething issues were worked out. Combat certification was delayed until 1975 due to some reliability issues of the aircraft, with the Fencer-A never seeing combat. From 1974, the new standardized Su-24 model, based on the improvements of the previous 17 aircraft, entered production. The Soviets made no distinction between these aircraft and the previous pre-production run, both simply being called the Su-24. NATO reported the new model as the Fencer-B. This was followed by the definitive Su-24 sans suffix model, the Fencer-C with improved avionics and countermeasure systems. Again, no distinction was made between this model and previous ones. This model entered production in early 1975.
The Su-24 entered service in February 1975, quickly replacing the obsolete IL-28 and Yak-28 bombers, as well as MiG-27s and Su-17s in some cases. However, the Su-24 would not see combat for many years. Its combat debut would come in April 1984 with Operation Big Panjshir, attempting to root out Mujahideen forces from the Panjshir Valley. Even then, the Su-24 saw limited service as the Su-17 and Su-25 were better suited for precision strikes. Nonetheless, the Su-24 was the only aircraft equipped with the massive FAB-1500 bombs, which were used to great success against dug-in forces. This would be the last major use of the Su-24 sans suffix, as by the time the Su-24s returned to Afghanistan in 1988, they had been largely replaced by the Su-24M.
Getting an Upgrade: the Su-24M Fencer-D
Development of an improved version of the Su-24 began in 1975 based on experience with the Fencer-a and B. One major issue with the existing Su-24 models was that while they were effective at tactical bombing in all weather conditions, the same could not be said about precision strike. To rectify this, the 21st airframe, T6-22, was fitted with the Kayra FLIR/Laser-designator/TV sight from the MiG-27, replacing the older Chaika sight. This aircraft was completed in 1976 and used as an avionics testbed. It was followed in 1977 by a similar conversion of T6-8 with a modified Kayra-24M as the first true prototype of the Su-24M. Acceptance trials started later that year. Over the next few years, several other improvements were introduced to the T6-8M prototype, these including the PNS-24M navigation and weapons control system, Tigr-NS terrain-following system, faster-firing GSh-6-23M, SPO-15L RWR, LO-2 MAWS, and finally both a probe and drogue for in-flight-refueling, including buddy-buddy fueling. The Su-24M was officially accepted into service in June 1983, with production from 1979 to 1983 concurrently with the Su-24 to keep production numbers up. Over 400 Su-24Ms were produced during this time, with the first deliveries in 1981.
The Su-24M would first see combat in 1984 alongside base Su-24s during Big Panjshir. Both aircraft would return in 1988 to support the Soviet withdrawal from the country, suppressing and harassing hostile forces to allow friendlies to retreat uncontested. During these operations, no aircraft were ever shot down but many were lost to accidents. The high altitude meant landing was especially hazardous, resulting in several lost aircraft, though only a single death. One interesting anecdote occurred on the night of 13th December 1988, when an Su-24 loaded with maximum fuel and a full bomb load attempted to take off- unbeknownst to the pilot, with wings still at full sweep. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway and through the perimeter fence but managed to get into the air while pulling a 27-degree angle of attack- double the safe limit. The aircraft even managed to complete its mission and land safely despite the flap controls being disabled by the aforementioned fence collision.
Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Su-24s were divided amongst the various successor states. Russia received the majority of the aircraft, followed by Ukraine and Belarus, and finally in much smaller numbers, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Post-Soviet Fencers
Su-24Ms would again see combat in late 1994 in the first Chechen War, striking infrastructure and airfields ahead of the Russian offensive, for the first time making use of guided weapons. The Su-24M continued to see use throughout the war. It was likely an Su-24M that killed Dzhohar Dudayev, the Chechen president, on 21st April 1996. When conflict flared up again in 1999 for the second Chechen War, the Su-24M was again the primary strike aircraft used by the RuAF. It saw even higher usage than in the previous conflict, as Russian doctrine turned away from artillery in favour of precision bombing. When Chechen forces retreated to the mountainous southern regions, the Su-24Ms were used very similarly to in Afghanistan to root them out. However, this time the FAB-1500s were replaced by KAB-1500L laser-guided bombs, making them much more effective.
The Su-24M participated in a similar role during the South Ossetia War of 2008, though the shorter scale of the war means that there is less to note about their combat usage.
The most significant usage of the Su-24s come from the Russo-Ukrainian war, with both countries operating the vehicle. Two Ukrainian Su-24Ms were destroyed in 2014 during the Donbass War, and the aircraft has seen a prominent role in the more recent 2022 invasion. By that point, most if not all Russian Su-24s had been upgraded to M2 standard, while Ukraine has a similar upgrade program, so I won’t go into more detail in this topic.
Export Fencers
The original Su-24 was never exported. Its Orion-A radar was too advanced to risk capture, and the AL-21 was secretly a reverse-engineered copy of the American J79. However, by 1979 these secrets were not as pressing, and the Su-24 showed great promise in the export market. To this end, the Su-24MK began development in 1979. It differed little from the Su-24M- nuclear capability was removed, the IFF system was changed, provisions for a few additional OFAB-100s were made, and the APP-50As were wing-mounted instead of fuselage-mounted. The first flight of the Su-24MK occurred in 1987. The first customer was Iraq in 1988, followed by Libya and Syria in 1989, Iran in 1990 (Iran additionally acquired Iraqi Su-24s in 1991), Algeria in 1992, and Sudan in 2013 (these aircraft were former Belarusian Su-24Ms, partially retrofitted to MK standard). The Russian Air Force may have taken some Su-24MKs into service, likely refitting them to M standard. These aircraft saw service in the Lebanese Civil War, Syrian Civil War, Libyan Civil War, and Yemen Intervention. I believe the Su-24MK is a clear-cut premium counterpart to its tech tree Su-24M brother.
Further Improvements
The last attack Su-24 variant is the Su-24M2. Originally called the Su-24bis, this upgrade was developed in 1999, first flying in 2003. It features an avionic overhaul to accommodate the most modern Russian AGMs, ARMs, and AShMs as well as cruise missiles. Self-defense was upgraded through improved ECM as well as integration of R-73s and a HMD. Finally, all airframes with this upgrade would be overhauled to extend lifespan by 2400 hours. This variant entered service with the Russian Air Force in 2004 and the Algerian Air Force in 2003 (Algerian Su-24M2s are sometimes designated Su-24M2Ks, since they are based on the Su-24MK).
Additionally, there are some specialized Su-24 variants. The Su-24MR is a reconnaissance/ELINT variant based on the Su-24M. Some have additionally been upgraded to Su-24M2R standard with the upgrades of the Su-24M2. The export variant is the Su-24MRK, which similar to the Su-24MK only differs in IFF. The Su-24MP is a dedicated ECM/SEAD aircraft, and was never exported.
Specifications
Spoiler
Airframe
Length: 22.6m
Wingspan, unswept: 17.6 m
Wingspan, swept: 10.4 m
Wing area, unswept: 55.2 m^2
Wing area, swept: 51.2 m^2
Height: 6.2 m
Empty weight: 22,300 kg
Loaded weight: 36,000 kg
MTOW: 39,700 kg
Propulsion
2x AL-21F-3
Max thrust, dry: 7.2 kN each
Max thrust, wet: 13.2 kN each
Max total thrust, WEP: 26.4 kN
Max TWR: 1.18
Internal fuel capacity: 10,860 L
External fuel capacity: 2x 3000L, 1x 2000L
Avionics
Orion-A PD radar
Detects and tracks moving or stationary ground vehicles
TP-23E IRST
(same IRST as MiG-23ML(A/D))
Kayra FLIR/TV sight/LD
Terrain-following radar
Advanced autopilot systems
SPO-15LM RWR
LO-2 MAW
2x APP-50 (12x large countermeasures each)
2x APP-50A (48x large countermeasures each)
Flight Performance
Max speed, sea level: 1,400 km/h (Mach 1.13)
Max speed, 17km: 2,120 km/h (Mach 2.0)*
*some sources say Mach 1.35 is maximum, this is a safety limit programmed into the autopilot that could be overridden in an emergency
Max climb rate: 150m/s
Max g-load: 6g (safety limit, no ordinance on wings)
Armament
Built-in:
GSh-6-23M
In the Su-24 and MiG-31 suggestions, I claimed the GSh-6-23 is the fastest-firing cannon ever produced. That is wrong. The GSh-6-23M has 25% faster firing rate over the original model, at 10,000RPM. It is chambered in 23x115mm and has the same muzzle velocity as the GSh-23L of around 700m/s.
6-barrel 23x115mm rotary cannon
500 rounds
Fire rate: 10,000 RPM
Muzzle velocity: 700m/s
Suspended:
Up to 8,000kg of payload across 4 under-wing and 4 under-fuselage hardpoints. Carriage limits on the port and starboard are identical, so I will only be listing 5 hardpoints. Note weapons types not in War Thunder, such as cluster bombs, ARMs, and nuclear bombs are not included in the following list.
Front center pylon:
SPPU-6
Gunpod containing GSh-6-23 (not 23M) and 400 rounds. Steerable 45deg downwards and outwards by the pilot. However, this functionality isn’t modelled in War Thunder on for example the SPPU-2 found on numerous Soviet aircraft, so unlikely to be modelled for the SPPU-6.
6-barrel 23x115mm rotary cannon
400 rounds
Fire rate: 8,000 RPM
Muzzle velocity: 700m/s
4x FAB-100
1x FAB-250M54
4x FAB-250M62
1x FAB-500
1x FAB-1500
1x Kh-29L
1x Kh-29T
1x KAB-500KR
1x KAB-500L
1x KAB-1500KR
1x KAB-1500L
Rear center pylon:
1x PTB-2000 (2000L fuel)
Side fuselage pylons:
5x FAB-100
3x FAB-250M54
5x FAB-250M62
2x FAB-500
1x KAB-500KR
1x KAB-500L
Wing root pylons:
1x SPPU-6
1x Kh-23
1x Kh-25MR
Radio-guided (MCLOS) variant of the Kh-25 with 140kg warhead
1x Kh-25
1x Kh-25ML
1x Kh-29L
1x Kh-29T
1x Kh-31A
ARH anti-ship missile. Seems somewhat comparable to AS.34 but I don’t know much about either.
1x Kh-35
More advanced ARH anti-ship missile. Seems probably too advanced for the game currently.
1x or 2x S-25
1x or 2x S-25L
1x S-24
2x B-13 (5x S-13 each)
2x B-8M (20x S-8 each)
2x UB-32 (32x S-5 each)
6x FAB-100
3x FAB-250M54
6x FAB-250M62
3x FAB-500
1x FAB-1500
1x PTB-3000 (3000L fuel)
Wing pylons:
1x Kh-23
1x Kh-25MR
Radio-guided (MCLOS) variant of the Kh-25 with 140kg warhead
1x Kh-25
1x Kh-25ML
1x or 2x R-60
1x or 2x R-60M
1x S-25
1x S-25L
1x S-24
1x B-13 (5x S-13)
1x B-8M (20x S-8)
1x UB-32 (32x S-5)
6x FAB-100
2x FAB-250
1x FAB-500
Note due to space limitations, fuselage pylons cannot necessarily all carry full loads
The Su-24M in game
Expand
The Su-24M would be an excellent strike aircraft for around BR 11.3-11.7 for ARB and 11.7-12.0 for GRB. It would be very similar to the Su-17/22M4 and Tornado IDS, though with heavier payloads. While the Su-24 doesn’t have quite the same payload capacity as the F-111A, its payload is superior, more similar to the F-111E. Additionally, the Su-24 can carry its full load without interfering with the wing sweep. The maximum payload of the F-111A and Su-24 at full sweep are much closer. The essentially identical Su-24MK would make an excellent premium counterpart.
Pros:
- GSh-6-23M is the fastest-firing gun ever built. With one built-in and 3 GSh-6-23 gunpods, the Su-24M can output a whopping 34,000RPM for 102kg/s downrange, over double the previous record for War Thunder
- Heavy bomb load
- Great top speed
- Swing-wing design gives surprising maneuverability for the aircraft’s weight
- Surprisingly good acceleration and climb rate with no external ordinance
- Huge number and variety of weapons, including
-conventional bombs and rockets
-powerful Kh-25ML, Kh-29L, and Kh-29T AGMs
-enormous KAB-1500L and KAB-1500KR guided bombs
-additional KAB-500 guided bombs
-Kh-31A and Kh-35 AShMs? - Built-in FLIR
- R-60Ms decently effective for self-defense
- Advanced RWR and MAW
- Orion radar can detect stationary or moving ground targets
- IRST to help queue R-60Ms
- 120 large-calibre countermeasures
- WSO acts as second pilot due to duplicate flight controls- may slightly increase survivability
Cons:
- GSh-6-23s run out of ammo quickly- 500 and 400 rounds provide 3 seconds firing time
- GSh-6-23 have low velocity, making them difficult to aim especially for an unmaneuverable aircraft such as the Su-24
- Max payload lower than F-111 or Tornado IDS
- Very heavy aircraft with poor acceleration and maneuverability
- Orion radar (as far as I can find) not capable of detecting airborne targets
The Su-24 would likely be played very similarly to the Su-17/22 or Tornado IDS, being a high-speed bomber for ARB. It may be able to surprise enemies in a head-on, delivering the heaviest burst in the game with gun pods equipped or firing off an R-60M. Where it would excel is in GRB as a CAS aircraft, carrying up to 5 rather effective AGMS, or several guided bombs including the massive KAB-1500, or a mixture of both.
Gallery
Expand
Development
Early drawing of the T6
First flight of the T6-1
The T6-1 now sits at the Central Air Force Museum near Moscow
Fencer-A with UB-32 rocket pods
Fencer-C at minimum and maximum sweep. The small triangular protrusions just behind the intakes are the antennae for the SPO-15 RWR
The T6-22 and T6-8M prototypes of the Su-24M
The Su-24MK prototype. Note the wing fences
Systems
Orion-A attack radar (top) and RPS-24 terrain-following radar (bottom). These were intended for use on the Su-7B, but were far too large, even for an underfuselage pod.
The Chaika electro-optical sight of the Su-24, and the much improved Kayra-24M sight/laser-designator of the Su-24M
The cockpit
GSh-6-23, the fairing rotates out of the way when the cannon is fired
Su-24M with APP-50A countermeasures with 48 per pod
Su-24MKs had APP-50s in the wing fences, for a total of 132 countermeasures
The SPPU-6 can angle down and to the side, though this functionality will likely not be present in-game since it isn’t present on the similar SPPU-2
Su-24M armament spread
The Kh-31A AShM, one of the larger missiles the Su-24M could carry
General
Models of Su-24 and F-111 showing just how similar they are in appearance. Hopefully this doesn’t cause confusion in sim…
Just some views of Su-24s
An Su-24 refuels another Su-24
Sources
Expand
“Sukhoi Su 24 Fencer Soviet Swing Wing Bomber”- Yefim Gordon
Sukhoi Su-24 Avionics | Secret Projects Forum
Sukhoi Company (JSC) - Airplanes - Military Aircraft - Su-24МК - Historical background
