What Is The Su-34 Fullback?
The Su-34 Fullback. Armored tactical strike bomber featuring a spacious cockpit layout and long-range anti-ship missile capability.
Russia
Origin
Strike fighter
Role
Mach 1.8
Top speed
17,000 m
Service ceiling
Su-34 Fullback Specifications
The Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback is an armoured twin-engine tactical strike fighter featuring a side-by-side cockpit layout. Designed for deep interdiction bombing, it carries 17,600 lbs of precision munitions, equipped with Leninets radar and internal ECM suites for all-weather missions.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 1.8 (1,180 mph)
Service ceiling
56,000 ft (17,000 m)
Combat radius
600 nmi (1,100 km)
Rate of climb
38,000 ft/min (193 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
2 (Side-by-side)
Length
76 ft 7 in (23.34 m)
Wingspan
48 ft 3 in (14.70 m)
Empty weight
49,604 lbs (22,500 kg)
Engine
2x Saturn AL-31FM1 afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
13 April 1990
Unit cost
$40 million
Operators
Russia (Russian Aerospace Forces)
What Weapons Does The Su-34 Fullback Carry?
The Su-34 Fullback is fitted with a 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon and 12 hardpoints carrying 17,600 lbs of weaponry, including Kh-29/Kh-59 precision air-to-surface missiles, KAB-500 guided bombs, and R-77 air-to-air defence missiles.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
GSh-30-1
Category
30 mm Autocannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (180 rounds)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
Kh-59 Ovod
Category
Air-to-Surface Missile
Loadout
Up to 3 missiles
Range
115 km (71 miles)
Kh-31P
Category
Anti-Radiation Missile
Loadout
Up to 6 missiles
Range
110 km (68 miles)
R-77 (AA-12 Adder)
Category
Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 8 missiles
Range
80 km (50 miles)
R-73 (AA-11 Archer)
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 6 missiles
Range
30 km (18.6 miles)
KAB-500L
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (Laser)
Loadout
Up to 8 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The Su-34 Fullback?
The Su-34 reaches Mach 1.8, roughly 1,180 mph or 1,900 km/h, at altitude, dropping to around Mach 1.2 at sea level. That is slower than the Su-27 it derives from, a deliberate trade for a heavier airframe carrying armour, fuel and a far larger weapons load. Its strength is range rather than pace: with internal fuel alone it covers a combat radius of over 1,100 km, and in-flight refuelling extends that considerably.
How Was The Su-34 Fullback Developed?
Development began in the late 1980s as the T-10V, a strike variant of the Su-27 intended to replace the Su-24 Fencer. Sukhoi widened the forward fuselage to seat two crew side by side, added a titanium armoured capsule around the cockpit and strengthened the undercarriage for heavier take-off weights. The prototype first flew on 13 April 1990, but the collapse of the Soviet Union delayed the programme, and the type did not formally enter Russian service until 2014.
Has The Su-34 Fullback Seen Combat?
The Su-34 first saw combat in the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and was used extensively in Syria from 2015 in strike and reconnaissance roles. It has been employed heavily in the war in Ukraine from 2022, where several airframes have been lost to ground-based air defences. It remains Russia's principal tactical strike aircraft.
Who Operates The Su-34 Fullback?
The Russian Aerospace Forces are the primary operator, with well over 100 airframes delivered. Algeria has taken deliveries of an export variant. Production continues at Novosibirsk, making the Su-34 one of the few Russian combat aircraft still being manufactured in meaningful numbers.
Su-34 Fullback FAQs
Common questions about the Su-34 Fullback, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the Su-34 Fullback as a civilian?
No, the Su-34 Fullback is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the Su-34 Fullback?
No, you cannot take the controls of the Su-34 Fullback, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the Su-34 Fullback cost?
The Su-34 Fullback is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the Su-34 Fullback?
The Su-34 Fullback is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the Su-34 Fullback?
The Su-34 Fullback is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the Su-34 Fullback?
The Su-34 Fullback is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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