The new Russian fourth-generation Su-34M fighters have gained new revolutionary capabilities. The fighters are equipped with universal reconnaissance pods (UKR) "Sych" in three variants — for radar, electronic, or optical surveillance.
Journalists noted that the pod is located outside the fuselage, which, although allowing the Su-34M to be configured for any type of reconnaissance, also adds slight drag to the aircraft and increases the effective scattering area.
The small size of the pods allows fighters to collect reconnaissance information in real-time while retaining weapons for strike operations.
The Su-34M also has the longest flight range among tactical combat aircraft in the world.
The reconnaissance configuration of the Su-34 will fundamentally change the tactical reconnaissance capabilities in the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and will allow the aircraft to be used in a completely new way in various theaters of military operations — from the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic to the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Earlier www1.ru reported that ODK to sharply increase production of aircraft engines.
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