http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071225/94062064.html
Russian Air Force receives 4 modernized tactical bombers
MOSCOW, December 25 (RIA Novosti) - Aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi has completed
the delivery of four upgraded Su-24M2 Fencer tactical bombers to an Air Force
regiment based in Russia's Far East, the company said in a statement on
Tuesday.
The aircraft have been modernized at a Novosibirsk-based aircraft-manufacturing
plant, a subsidiary of the Sukhoi Aircraft Holding. Another six Su-24s are
currently being modernized at the same plant.
"Four Su-24M2 frontline bombers have flown from the Novosibirsk-based Chkalov
aircraft-manufacturing association to an airbase in Russia's Far East, where
they will be deployed as part of an air regiment," the Sukhoi statement said.
Another two modernized aircraft were deployed earlier in December with the
Lipetsk pilot combat training center in central Russia.
The Su-24 is a two-seat, twin-engine tactical bomber similar to NATO's Tornado
and Mirage 2000 planes.
The plane has been in service with the Russian Air Force since the mid-1970s,
and in recent years Russia has gradually been phasing out the planes, which
have a patchy safety record.
Su-24M2 is an upgrade of the baseline Su-24M model and is equipped with
improved cockpit with multi-function displays, helmet-mounted sights, a new
advanced SVP-24 computer and latest software, which improves navigational
accuracy and non-guided weapon delivery precision.
According to the Defense Ministry, the Su-24 will be gradually replaced with
new Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft, which has the potential to become the top
plane in its class for years to come.
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