Russia considering one-seat Su-34-based aircraft to replace Su-25 fighter jet

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World Defense & Security News - Russia
 
 
Russia considering one-seat Su-34-based aircraft to replace Su-25 fighter jet
 
Russia may develop a one-seat attack plane on the basis of the Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting name: Fullback) frontline bomber, Aerospace Force Former Commander-in-Chief and Chairman of the Federation Council’s Defense and Security Committee Viktor Bondarev told TASS.
     
Russia considering one seat Su 34 ased aircraft to replace Su 25 fighter jet 640 001A RusAF Su-34 fighter jet
(Credit: Sukhoi)
     
"I believe that a new attack plane should be made on the basis of the Su-34 aircraft. This is a wonderful plane. It is maneuverable and has eight tons of bomb load, compared to four tons carried by the Su-25 [Frogfoot] plane. It has excellent accuracy," Bondarev said.

"I believe that it is easier to make a cockpit for one pilot and leave the rest as it is," he added.
The new attack plane will have virtually the same engines as the Su-34 has.

"An attack plane will always be needed. The Su-25 plane has been upgraded to the Su-25SM3 version. It has a very reliable airframe and significant upgrade and repair potential," Bondarev said.

"I believe that it will be in service for another 10-15 years. Naturally, we will have to replace it and various options are being considered now," he added.

As a source in Russia’s defense and industrial sector told TASS earlier, work to develop the attack plane on the basis of the Su-34 bomber is expected to begin in 2018.
     
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