Sukhoi Su-24 modernization projects

[hesham]

Hi,


here is a two projects for Sukhoi Su-24,the Su-24BM and su-24m2,as I heard the
later have been built.


Фронтовой бомбардировщик Су-24

 

[hesham]

In my files a surprise,

there was a Project for Su-24 with additional air intake mounted over the fuselage,
and of course behind the cockpit,does anyone know it or has a drawing to it ?.

 

[starviking]

In my files a surprise,

there was a Project for Su-24 with additional air intake mounted over the fuselage,
and of course behind the cockpit,does anyone know it or has a drawing to it ?.

I've never heard about it. Something like the 3-engined Vigilante interceptor proposed by NAR?

 

[hesham]

In my files a surprise,

there was a Project for Su-24 with additional air intake mounted over the fuselage,
and of course behind the cockpit,does anyone know it or has a drawing to it ?.

I've never heard about it. Something like the 3-engined Vigilante interceptor proposed by NAR?

Yes my dear Starviking,

and I am sure about it,but there was also a Project for Su-24,looks like to be carrying an
AWACS radar on it,but need to confirm on this later one.

 

[hesham]

In my files a surprise,

there was a Project for Su-24 with additional air intake mounted over the fuselage,
and of course behind the cockpit,does anyone know it or has a drawing to it ?.

By the way,it had only two engines and not three,the additional air intake was
for increased thrust and propulsion.

 

[flateric]

there was a Project for Su-24 with additional air intake mounted over the fuselage,
and of course behind the cockpit,does anyone know it or has a drawing to it ?.

It never existed. Su-24BM2 that was transition from Su-24BM to T-60S, had TWO intakes on top of the fuselage though.

 

[hesham]

It never existed.

My dear Flateric,

that's not right,I am sure from source and description,

http://airwar.ru/enc/bomber/su24m.html

The Su-24MM project ("minor modification") assumed the installation of the latest REO and associated high-precision weapons, as well as more powerful (and simultaneously more economical and less "noticeable" in the infrared range) two-loop AL-31F engines from the Su-27 , which were then still in abundance.

But the AL-31F was characterized by a much higher air flow through the compressor, and for them it was necessary to make a third air intake over the fuselage, which looked rather unusual. For this, Su-24MM in the company received the nickname "stillborn monster", which turned out to be prophetic - and soon this program was discontinued. This time in favor of percussion modifications of one of the most successful OKB aircraft - the Su-27. By the way, at the turn of the eighties, the Americans tried to radically upgrade their F-111s. Taking advantage of the delay in launching the heavy strategic bomber Rockwell B-1B, General Dynamics proposed a much cheaper FB-111H project. But its capabilities turned out to be incomparably lower than those expected from the machine of a fundamentally new development, and they refused it.

 

[flateric]

Su-24MM had two small additional inlets on top for feeding AL-31Fs.

 

[hesham]

Su-24MM had two small additional inlets on top for feeding AL-31Fs.

OK,and what are they taking about in this site ?.

 

[flateric]

I don't give a f*ck of what they are talking at this site.
I just've asked a people from Sukhoi.
MM never was a finalised project with established configuration per se, to start with.
Second thing is do you really think that single inlet feeding two ducts simultaneously is a cheap and smart decision for a 'minimum modernisation'?
I advise you to check up with any Fencer cutaway then.

 

[hesham]

OK,I agree with you,

but certainly they had a source for that,or maybe some of possibility option.

 

[fightingirish]

Hi folks, I double checked with the mods before, if I was allowed to upload these pictures.
I wouldn't be surprised, if Russian members like @flateric, @QuadroFX or @paralay will post a better summary and better pictures sometime soon.

The Su-24BM was a project from the 1970s aimed at significantly modernizing the Su-24 aircraft. The goal was to enhance its flight range and combat load. Engineers were initially tasked with maximizing the use of existing Su-24 components, although they had more freedom later on.

Key modifications included:

• Increased size of the airframe to accommodate more equipment and fuel.
• A redesigned landing gear and engine arrangement.
• An internal weapons bay for freefall bombs.
• Space between the engine nozzles to install a gun mount to protect the rear hemisphere
• New engines (AL-31F instead of AL-21F-3) for better performance and range.

The design phase saw wind tunnel tests, approval of a new radar system with a phased array antenna, and a transition to a twin-tail design for improved stability.
The internal weapons bay was deleted as it developed more into a missile-carrying bomber.
Despite substantial progress and even approval from the military, the project was eventually cancelled in favour of a different aircraft design influenced by the T-4MS model.

Source: Russian publication "Sukhoi Design Bureau - 85th anniversary", only for distribution among Sukhoi employees and in some Russian libraries. Pages 622-624 and page 925

Edit: Better pictures.

 

[fightingirish]

The project Su-24MM, also known as T-6MM (Su-24MM), was developed in 1984-1988 by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was an attempt to carry out a minor modification of the Su-24M aircraft. The main changes included replacing the AL-21F-3 engines with AL-31F engines, improving aerodynamics, and modernizing the armament. Please notice the additional air intakes on the top fuselage and two fixed conformal tanks on the side surface of the fuselage.

The first iteration of this work was carried out in 1984 and included various proposals to refine the equipment composition and expand the range of weapons. The second iteration was completed in 1987-88 and involved more serious work on replacing engines, increasing the internal fuel supply, and installing new onboard equipment systems. However, these proposals did not interest the customer, and the project was not implemented.

Please don’t mix-up the Su-24MM with the Su-24M2.

Source: Russian publication "Sukhoi Design Bureau - 85th anniversary", only for distribution among Sukhoi employees and in some Russian libraries. Page 626

Edit: Better pictures.

 

[Pioneer]

Wow fightingirish you're on fire with delivery the Sukhoi information of late.
The Su-24MB study seems very reminiscent of the FB-111H in a lot of ways.....

Regards
Pioneer

 

[jajeczko]

Have they made any changes to the Su-24M2 besides the navigation system?

 

[Schwerter_105]

The project Su-24MM, also known as T-6MM (Su-24MM), was developed in 1984-1988 by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was an attempt to carry out a minor modification of the Su-24M aircraft. The main changes included replacing the AL-21F-3 engines with AL-31F engines, improving aerodynamics, and modernizing the armament. Please notice the additional air intakes on the top fuselage and two fixed conformal tanks on the side surface of the fuselage.

Apologies for replying after so long, I can't quite make out the top intake from the pictures so I drew what i think may be its position and shape on the mockup photo, would you be able to confirm if its correct?

Red is a very vague silhouette of the conformal tank, and blue is what I think may have been the top intake. It looks relatively small and recessed, possibly similar to a NACA inlet and used for cooling?

 

[sersem]

Su-24MM

 

[fightingirish]

[...]
Red is a very vague silhouette of the conformal tank, and blue is what I think may have been the top intake. It looks relatively small and recessed, possibly similar to a NACA inlet and used for cooling?

Hey @Schwerter_105 and folks, check out this better pic of the Su-24MM. Looks like it has CFTs on the sides and a square cooling inlet on top.
Source (X fka twitter) :

https://twitter.com/x/status/2082568207466914152

View: https://x.com/i/status/2082568207466914152

 

[sersem]

Су-24BM в музее

 

[Avimimus]

That is very interesting - it almost looks like there was overlap between the Su-24 modernisation program and the T-60 studies?