The Daily Journalist.
In addition to a fleet of transport aircraft for logistical tasks, Russia has deployed a panoply of planes and helicopters capable of carrying out bombing missions at the base of Latakia, located in Syrian territory. It has resorted to veteran and other more modern models.
Among the planes, a classic, the Sukhoi (Sukhoi) Su-24 (Fencer, according to the NATO designation) and a much younger brand, the Su-34 (Fullback for NATO). The first, though much improved with updates throughout years of service, dates to the second half of the 60 scheduled to the withdraw in 2010, but it was extended life because of their still remarkable capacity.
Russian fighter Sukhoi Su-24
Russian fighter Su-25
It is practically a copy of the US F-111, a retired USAF contemporary in (famous to the general public for their attack on Libya in April 1986), which took the look and concept with its stylish fuselage and wings of variable geometry.
Used in Afghanistan, although more used was the Su-25 (also deployed in Latakia), and Chechnya, was sold in different versions for export to friendly countries. Including Iran, Iraq, Libya and Syria itself.
It is doomed to be completely replaced by some other younger and “sophisticated” members of the large and versatile family Sukhoi: the Su-30 (present and equally active in Latakia) and, above all, the Su-34, derived both from impressive Su-27 and, designed primarily as an air superiority fighter. However, the potential of its design and technological possibilities led base to expand their tasks.
The Su-34, actually the last jewel of Russian aviation intended to remain in the Russian inventory until well into this century, is a 24 meters long two-seater with a maximum take off weight of 45,000 kilos. It can fly at a speed, high altitude of 2,200 kilometers per hour and as low at 1,900.
Its range without external tanks, is 1,100 kilometers and a service ceiling of 15,000 meters . It can set out, in 12 anchor points, 8,000 kilos of weapons of various kinds, starting with missiles and conventional dumb bombs.
But its qualities and technology make it particularly suitable for laser-guided and satellite (GPS). And, respectively, the KAB-500L (also present in the improved Su-24) and KAB-500S. Also the air-ground anti-radiation missiles K-31 and K-Russian 35.
These heavy used crafts carry smart bombs ‘KAB’ that stands for “Korrektiruyemaya Aviabomba” or Trajectory Corrected Air Pump. The Su-34 could be using some of the variants of the KAB-1500, soaring long-range electro-optical guidance (TV) or able to change their career by radio run to operator bombs.
The helicopter deployed in Latakia is the Mi-24 (Hind to NATO) carries a monster attack, big and heavy rotary-wing of the Soviet Union and now Russia, which operates about 400 copies to date (have manufactured 2,500 in fifteen versions for the domestic market and exports).
Mi-24 Russian helicopter “Devils Car”
Their pilots call this helicopter the “flying tank” because of their camouflage colors and lizard like appearance. Others call it, “the crocodile”. During the Afghan-Russian war The ‘mujaheddin’ in Afghanistan, nicknamed the helicopter “the devil’s car”.
