Reconsidering Sych: Reconnaissance on the Su-34 and its Global Context

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In 2016, the reconnaissance complex “Sych,” mounted on the Su-34 bomber, was acknowledged again for the first time. An analogue existed in the MRK-411 radio-technical side-scan complex, yet it was designed for long-range reconnaissance aircraft such as Tu-214R and earlier air platforms like Il-20 (based on the passenger Il-18), along with An-30B and Tu-154M LK-1.

“Reconnaissance aircraft are classified assets, and their true capabilities are rarely disclosed,” stated a military expert, Reserve Colonel of the Air Force Alexander Drobyshevsky. He noted that the Tu-214Rs are equipped with the MRK-411 multi-frequency radio engineering complex, featuring active phased side antenna arrays and several radar stations offering full 360-degree visibility in both active and passive modes. He added that these aircraft also incorporate the Fraction system.

“Developed by TPK Linkos near Moscow, this system enables broad-area scanning and presents a processed, synthesized image on operator and ground-headquarters displays. The reconnaissance drone can even detect camouflaged objects. As a result, it can reveal targets at distances of 200–300 km,” the expert explained.

Colonel Drobyshevsky suggested that such equipment forms the core of the Sych complex installed on the Su-34 fighter-bomber, albeit in a compact variant. This interpretation aligns with the existence of three hanging containers containing reconnaissance gear.

At the same time, the aircraft’s missile and bomb load remains largely intact, capable of using munitions autonomously once targets are identified.

“Employing the Su-34 as a versatile platform with strong combat potential to deploy Sych reconnaissance gear enhances the reliability and safety of operating these systems,” noted military analyst Yuri Gavrilov. (Citation: defense analysis sources, 2024)

The Su-34 fighter-bomber, NATO reporting name Fullback, and nicknamed “Duckling” by the Russian Air Force due to its distinctive nose profile, stands out as a unique air asset for long-range strikes on ground targets. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) highlights that the Su-34 can perform core combat missions without escort, thanks to high autonomous maneuverability. (Source: UAC overview, 2023)

Russia’s Aerospace Forces operate more than 130 Su-34 aircraft. They are stationed in the Voronezh region near the former Baltimore airport, as well as in the Khabarovsk Territory, Rostov, and Chelyabinsk regions. Some units are part of Lipetsk’s aviation personnel training center and testing facilities. (Operational rollout records, 2022–2024)

In Ukrainian operational contexts, these aircraft can perform surveillance without entering the Ukrainian air defense zone. The Su-34, when upgraded with the Sych complex under the NVO program, has evolved into a flexible hub for aerial reconnaissance. The system facilitates real-time transmission of intelligence on enemy facilities through automated communication channels, while the aircraft maintains its intrinsic navigation and combat capabilities. Although classed as a 4++ generation fighter, Sych integration elevates perceived capabilities toward sixth-generation expectations. (Policy analysis reports, 2023–2024)

“From the American perspective, a sixth-generation fighter is envisioned as a control and intelligence center for other systems. Sych enables the Su-34 to fulfill these roles,” observed Air Force Major General Vladimir Popov. He noted that the Pentagon’s sixth-generation concept emphasizes integrated control networks, a role that Sych helps fulfill for the Su-34. (Defense commentary, 2024)

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