[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/6a9cd19a8e88f205e86d77c64b85ad41dbd7da6f.jpg[/img] The highly advanced Su-34 is coming to War Thunder as the top ranking strike aircraft for the USSR/Russian tree in the Firebirds major update! [h2][b]Su-34: [/b]A Strike Aircraft for the USSR at Rank VIII[/h2] At a glance: [list] [*] Advanced air-to-surface weaponry. [*] Decent flight performance. [*] A wide variety of air-to-air missiles. [*] Large-caliber countermeasures. [/list]   [b]Vehicle History[/b] [expand type=details] This 4th generation strike aircraft is a further development of the Su-27 family, with the first prototype taking to the skies in 1990. After several upgrades and the installation of cutting-edge electronics, rigorous flight tests of the pre-production model began in 1993. Following this however, development of the pre-production batch was delayed until 2005. In 2008, The Russian Ministry of Defense signed its first large contract for the Su-34. As serial production continued, the aircraft itself improved significantly in tandem, with improvements to its onboard systems and even its engines. [/expand] [h2]Meet the Su-34![/h2] Introducing the Su-34 — one of the most modern strike aircraft in the world is coming to War Thunder. Originally developed as a platform for high-precision air-to-surface weaponry, the Su-34 will become the most advanced aircraft of its class in the USSR/Russian aviation tree. Let’s take a closer look! [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/30e2bcad2c5ff4ba06b4550bb5a6af62c8082992.jpg[/img] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/3c002a3b07bff13218b21a20d7a0991dbb93bff4.jpg[/img] Since the primary role of strike aircraft in the game is to destroy ground targets, in addition to its impressive overall payload capacity (over 7 tons!), the Su-34 has one of the richest arsenals of precision weaponry in War Thunder. Most interestingly, it can equip a new weapon type coming to the game, the “Grom-2” — a satellite-guided glide bomb, which can even be targeted at enemies behind where the Su-34 is facing! [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/7126ea98d351a519f65490c4385142664feb28b6.jpg[/img] The Su-34 can equip fan-favorite guided missiles and bombs, such as the Kh-38ML and Kh-38MT missiles with internal guidance systems, satellite guided KAB-500S bombs, and the new UPAB-1500B. Also included are a large array of laser-guided weapons, including the huge KAB-1500LG with a gyro-stabilized semi-active laser seeker, as well as various TV guided examples. For air battle modes, the wide variety of standard and incendiary bombs will be useful for bases and larger targets, while rockets from the small S-8 type to the large S-25 type as well as retarded bombs can be used for more precise strikes. In addition to ground threats, the Su-34 is well prepared for air combat. Besides its trusty R-73 missiles for closer range dogfights, this aircraft can also use the R-27 family of missiles (including all-aspect variants) and even long-range R-77 missiles with active radar guidance. If required, the Su-34 is more than capable of filling the fighter role — its advanced radar, RWR, “Rita” voice warning system and large caliber flares and chaff will help detect and evade missile threats with relative ease. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/711af185d2c9986a42049f56a2404e582cf3c6db.jpg[/img] [b]Fun fact:[/b] Due to the distinctive shape of the nose, the Su-34 has affectionately earned the nickname “Duckling” from pilots. While the Su-34 is hardly impressive regarding speed and climb rate — falling behind most top tier rank VIII aircraft regarding speed — it handles exceptionally well at effectively all speeds and altitudes making it highly maneuverable across the board, a vital asset especially for air battles. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/8bba00c049e80eadbfda9358ed743863e5293bc0.jpg[/img] That’s it for this blog! The Su-34 will be available for research with the release of the Firebirds major update! Make sure to check in soon for more news, until then, clear skies! [i]Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.[/i]