Project Description
SU-24 attack aircraft TECHNICAL DETAILS
The Su-24 is equipped with a shoulder-mounted variable geometry wing, outside a relatively small fixed-wing glove, with an inclination of 69°. The wing has four sweep settings: 16° for take-off and landing, 35° and 45° for cruising at different altitudes, and 69° to minimise aspect ratio and wing area in low-altitude manoeuvres. The variable geometry wing provides excellent STOL performance, allowing a landing speed of 230 kilometres per hour (140 mph), even lower than that of the Sukhoi Su-17 despite its significantly higher take-off weight. The high wing loading ensures stable low-altitude handling and minimal response to gusts.
The Su-24’s fixed armament consists of a single GSh-6-23 fast-firing 500-round gun mounted in the lower part of the fuselage. The gun is covered by an eyelid shutter when not in use. The armament includes several nuclear weapons. Two or four R-60 infrared missiles (NATO AA-8 ‘Aphid’) are usually carried for self-defence by the Su-24M/24MK.
