Sukhoi Su-24

The Sukhoi Su-24, NATO reporting name Fencer, is a Soviet variable-sweep-wing tactical bomber developed for low-level penetration and all-weather strike. It entered service as a major step beyond earlier Soviet fighter-bombers by pairing terrain-following/attack avionics with a two-seat cockpit and substantial payload. The aircraft became a key Soviet and later Russian strike platform, with export operators and post-Soviet users continuing to fly variants long after newer designs appeared.

The Su-24 uses a side-by-side two-crew cockpit, twin engines, variable-geometry wings, and avionics intended for fast low-altitude attack in poor weather. Its weapons options include unguided bombs, rockets, guided weapons on later variants, and reconnaissance or electronic-warfare adaptations. The swing wing lets the aircraft balance takeoff/landing performance with high-speed penetration. Its complexity and maintenance burden are higher than simpler fighter-bombers, but the design gave Soviet aviation a dedicated deep-strike aircraft.

Su-24s have been used for battlefield strike, interdiction, reconnaissance, and maritime attack missions across Russian, Soviet, and export service. In modern high-threat airspace, the aircraft is vulnerable without electronic warfare, standoff weapons, and careful mission planning, but it remains useful where payload, range, and available crews matter more than stealth. The Fencer's continued combat use reflects both the durability of the design and the difficulty of replacing a large tactical bomber fleet quickly.