Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer'[]
The Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO reporting name: Fencer) is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union. This variable-sweep wing, twin-engined two-seater carried the USSR's first integrated digital navigation/attack system. It remains in service with former Soviet air forces and various air forces to which it was exported.
Su-24M 'Fencer-D'[]
Upgraded Su-24, whose development started in 1971, and included the addition of inflight refueling and expansion of attack capabilities with even more payload options. Su-24M has a longer fuselage section forward of the cockpit, adding a retractable refueling probe, and a reshaped, shorter radome for the attack radar. It can be identified by the single nose probe in place of the three-part probe of earlier aircraft. A new PNS-24M inertial navigation system and digital computer were also added. It also featured an upgraded digital weapons suite with better guiding ability. The new systems led to a reduction in internal fuel amounting to 85 l (22.4 US gal).
- Tech Level: 5
- Damage Base: 24
- Min./Max. Airspeed: 3/17
- Maneuver (Loaded): 5 (6)
- Aerobatic (Loaded): -1 (-1)
- Defence (Loaded): 13 (12)
- Climb Rate (Loaded): 1 (0.7)
- Shallow/Steep/Power/Vertical Dives: 2/4/6/8
- Operational Ceiling: 10
- Stores External/Pylon/Internal: 8/2/0
- Guns: 1 x 23mmm (6 Barrel)
- Cost: 1300
- Maintenance Cost: 130
- (Unofficial stats, FS:Congo Only)
Sukhoi Su-24MR 'Fencer-E'[]
The Su-24MR ('Fencer-E') is a dedicated tactical reconnaissance variant. It first entered service in 1983. Su-24MR retains much of the Su-24M's navigation suite, including the terrain-following radar, but deletes the Orion-A attack radar, the laser/TV system, and the cannon in favor of two panoramic camera installations, 'Aist-M' ('Stork') TV camera, RDS-BO 'Shtik' ('Bayonet') side-looking airborne radar (SLAR), and 'Zima' ('Winter') infrared reconnaissance system. Other sensors are carried in pod form.