Su-24M upgrades

Comparison of the MAKS 2001 and MAKS 2003 upgraded FENCER.

Su-24M2 (MAKS 2001).

In March 2001 the first modernized Su-24M flew. It is designated Su-24M2.

The program’s objective was not to exceed 10% of the cost of a new Su-24M. With this objective in mind, the SVP-24 weapons management system was developed. This new system features a MIL-STD-1553b equivalent databus and SV-24 mission computer. The mission computer controls the new Obzor-RVB-T radar signal-processing unit, allowing greater precision in target acquisition and at a greater distance. Due to the new avionics, bombing accuracy is significantly increased with dumb bombs, while the navigation and targeting accuracy has been fine-tuned to approximately 30m due to a new satellite-navigation system using GPS (either NAVSTAR or GLONASS).

In the cockpit, the old monochrome CRT has been replaced with a new model, the OR4-TM. It allows the display of better-quality SAR imagery and facilitates target identification, and is used for cartography, radar and tactical information display. The navigator is now able to mix the radar image with the digital navigation map provided by the new navigation system. There is also a new HUD, the KAI-24. The replacement of the old avionics has resulted in weight savings of 270kg. The upgrade also includes a ground based automated mission preparation and control unit, reducing the time necessary for flight preparation and debriefing.
The Su-24M2 can carry the latest Russian weaponry and export models can employ foreign munitions. For self-defense, it can be armed with the R-73 AAM in place of the older R-60.
The Su-24M2 can be upgraded by VVS technical personnel ‘on base’ (no need for return to a factory) and no particular pilot conversion training is necessary. The modernization sees the airframe life of the aircraft extended to 2,400 hours, nearly 30 years of use.

“AVPK Sukhoy Upgrading Su-24 and Su-25 Airplanes

The Sukhoy Aviation Military Industrial Complex (AVPK) is realizing a program of deep upgrade of Su-24 tactical bombers and Su-25 attack aircraft, which are in the Russian Federation’s air force inventory.

In particular, the upgrade of the Su-24M and Su-25 tactical aviation airplanes will allow adding to these aviation complexes multirole properties, provide all-weather and around-the-clock use of aviation weapons systems (ASP), and increase the precision of the destruction of ground and air targets, it says in an AVPK Sukhoy press service report, which arrived at Interfax-AVN on Thursday.

The upgraded Su-25K [sic] single-seat armored subsonic attack aircraft is intended for direct aerial support of ground forces over the battle field by day and night with visual sighting of a target and also objectives with established coordinates around-the-clock in any weather conditions. In particular, owing to the upgrade a two to three times increase in effectiveness is achieved of the destruction of ground objects by conventional and guided munitions, and the maximum combat usage altitude is increased to 7,000 meters. The effectiveness of the destruction of aerial targets is increased by 2 – 2.5 times.

At the present time, Su-25 attack aircraft are in the air force inventory of 17 countries of the world.

The Su-24MK (upgraded) tactical bomber is intended for carrying out missile and bomb strikes in good and poor weather conditions, by day and night, including at low altitudes with targeted destruction of ground and surface targets.

In its upgrade, being installed in addition, in particular, are strap-on cockpit fuel tank armor, new avionics, additional computer equipment and the GPS-Glonass [sic] satellite navigation system. A direct display device also is being installed on the windscreen which increases the capabilities of providing information to the airman in the resolution of navigation and combat application tasks.

As a result of the Su-24MK upgrade, with the installation of the new equipment the coefficient of combat potential in operations against ground (naval) targets is increased by 25 percent, the area of combat applications is expanded and the combat survivability is increased by 30 – 40 percent.

Su-24MK airplanes are in the air force inventory of 11 countries of the world.

Source: 31.07.03, Interfax-AVN”

The upgrades appear to be the same, except for the point about “strap-on” cockpit fuel tank armor. Eh?