Sukhoi Su-24
Sukhoi · Soviet Union · first flew 1967 · fighter
A Soviet supersonic, all-weather tactical strike aircraft with variable-sweep wings and side-by-side seating, broadly analogous to the F-111.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Boxy twin-engine fuselage with rectangular intakes |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Variable-sweep wings with a wide fixed glove at the root
- Side-by-side two-seat cockpit in a broad flat-sided nose
- Boxy twin-engine fuselage with rectangular intakes
Identify it by the variable-sweep wings on a broad fixed glove, the flat-sided side-by-side cockpit, and the heavy boxy twin-engine rear fuselage.
Specifications
- The Sukhoi Su-24 has a length of 24.6 m (81 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.6 m (58 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1700 km/h (1056 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1967, the Su-24 gave the Soviet air forces a dedicated low-level interdiction bomber able to deliver ordnance accurately in any weather using terrain-following radar. Its swing wings let it operate from shorter strips and fly fast at low level toward NATO targets.
Variants
The strike line ran from the early Fencer through the definitive Su-24M with upgraded attack systems, alongside the Su-24MR reconnaissance and Su-24MP electronic-warfare versions.
Where you'll see it
A Soviet and Russian front-line strike type, also widely exported, that was never based in Britain and has not been seen in UK skies; spotters encounter it only abroad.
Related aircraft
- Sukhoi Su-22
- Sukhoi T-58VD
- Sukhoi Su-7U
- Sukhoi Su-17M
- Aermacchi / CAC MB-326H
- BAC Jet Provost T.5
- BAC Strikemaster
- Dassault Mirage 5
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