The first Western public appearance by the side-by-side 'Flanker' was made by 'Bort 45' (T10V-5), which was displayed statically at Paris for the 1995 Air Salon at Le Bourget. The Su-27IB aerodynamic prototype had previously been shown at successive Mosaero show exhibitions at Zhukhovskii. The Su-32FN designation (applied to a turboprop-powered, tricycle-undercarriaged, tandem-seat military trainer derived from the Su-26/-29 family) was revealed at the June 1995 Paris Air Salon. The designation was obviously new to many of the Sukhoi delegation at Paris, who confirmed that as far as they were concerned the aircraft had merely been one of the Su-34 prototypes until a day or two before they left for Paris.
It is unclear whether the Su-32FN designation has supplanted the Su-34 designation, or whether it applies only to the dedicated maritime strike version of the Su-27IB (Su-34). Most analysts believe that the Su-34 designation remains current within the OKB, and is applicable to the overland strike version under development for the Russian air forces as an Su-24 replacement, and which the Russian air forces still refer to as the Su-27IB.
Certainly, Sukhoi has emphasised the maritime role when describing the Su-32FN, whose stated avionics fit is optimised for maritime reconnaissance and maritime strike duties, and whose camouflage appears more suited to overwater operations than to overland duties, The aircraft is described as being suitable for maritime all-weather, round-the-clock operations against waterborne and submarine targets, which it can detect, classify, track and attack if necessary.
The Sea Dragon avionics complex integrated a Sea Snake coherent radar (claimed to be superior to the AN/APS-137 by a factor of between 25 and 30 per cent) with a MAD, a two-channel IR TV system, and a Hydrolocator. The aircraft used an Argon digital onboard computer and had a new display and control system compatible with the 72 sonobuoys which can be carried in an optional centreline pod. The buoys include passive and active, directional and non-directional buoys which are claimed to be superior to the American SSQ-53B, SSQ-75 and SSQ-77A buoys.
The Su-32FN has 12 hardpoints, as do the Su-27K, Su-30M, Su-34 and Su-27M, and can carry a wide range of air-to-surface weapons including various anti-ship missiles. The aircraft can carry a single ASM-MSS (Kh-41) under the centreline, or two of these massive 4500-kg (9,920-lb) missiles on the centre underwing hardpoints, although development of the Kh-41 is reportedly under suspension.
The aircraft can carry up to three of the newer 250-km (155-mile), 1500-kg (3,300-lb) ASM-MS missiles under the centreline and under the central underwing pylons. These seldom-photographed weapons can be identified by the broad flat rectangular ventral intake immediately aft of the wing, in the pinched-in waist of the missile. Other weapons suitable for use in the maritime role include the Kh-25, the Kh-29 or the Kh-31 (six of which may be carried, on the inboard pair of underwing pylons and under the engine nacelles). Alternatively, three Kh-59M (AS-18 'Kazoo') ASMs can be carried, on the centreline and central underwing pylons, with the necessary ARK-9 datalink pod carried on the rear centreline hardpoint.
A preliminary purchase agreement for 12 Su-32FNs has been signed (according to the OKB) at a unit price of $36 million The identity of the 'unnamed country' which signed this agreement has not been revealed. Speculation that a carrier-capable variant of the Su-32 might be developed seems unlikely, since the aircraft is too heavy to operate from Russia's tiny carriers.
Specification Su-32FN
Dimensions: fuselage length including probe 24 8 m (81 ft 4 in); length without probe 23.3 nn (76 ft 5 in) * canard span 6.4 m (21 ft) overall height 6.5 m (21 ft in); wheel track 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in); wheelbase 6.6 m (21 ft 7 in)
Powerplant: two AL-31F afterburning turbofans each rated at 74.53 kN (16,700 lb st) dry and 122.59 kN (27,500 lb st) with afterburning (production Su-32FN/Su-34 will have AL-31FM or AL-35 with augmented thrust rating of between 125.53 and 137.3 kN/28,200 and 30,860 lb)
Weights: normal take-off weight 42000 kg (92,600 lb); maximum take-off weight 44630 kg (98.000 lb) Load: normal weapon load up to 8000 kg (17,600 lb)
g limits: +7 at basic design gross weight
Performance: maximum level speed I clean' at sea level 702 kt (1300 km/h; 808 mph); maximum level speed 'clean'at altitude 972 kt (1800 km/h; 1,118 mph) limiting Mach No. 1.8; (estimated) service ceiling 15000 m (49,200 ft); range 2,160 nm (4000 km; 2,485 miles), or 3,777 nm (7000 km, 4,350 miles) with inflight-refuelling"
(source: World Air Power Journal, v. 29 Summer 1997, p 131)
