# Sukhoi Su-58 Platypus-E

Known as the Utkonos (YTKHÓC in Cyrillic) in Russian.

Source: Watson's Military Page

  Originally developed as a carrierborne training plane, the beginnings of the Su-34 "Platypus" (or Su-32FN) were somewhat murky. Instead of the usual dual stepped cockpit, the prototype featured a side-by-side arrangement. However, the Russian military at the time was facing severe cutbacks in funding, so the Sukhoi OKB decided not to scrap an otherwise usable design. Thus they developed it into the now known Su-34, a strike version ot the Su-27 Flanker family (Su-27/30/30MK/32FN/33/34/35/37). It eventually replaced the old and aging Su- 24 "Fencer" an F-111 clone. The Su-34 proved to be reliable and effective, as was demonstrated in later versions in the Euro-Wars, with it being able to mount a diverse amount of weaponry to fulfill any tactical need. It's key was the airframe it was built on, the Su-35. Incorporating the forward canards of the Su-35, allowed the Platypus exceptional maneuverability despite a heavy load.
  The Su-34 continued to soldier on after the Euro-Wars, since most of Russia's military was unable to buy new aircraft for itself. So the Sukhoi OKB (Design Beurau) decided to upgrade their best designs, the Su-35 and the venerable Su-34, renaming them the Su-56 SuperManeuverability Flanker-D and Su-58 Platypus-G respectively. The Su-58 mounts pylons on the intakes for AGMs, or AAMs if the need arises, as well as mouniting points on the underbelly of the aircraft. The wingtip pylons are reserved for self-defence AAMs, or electronics pods. It can carry up to 9,000 kg of weaponry distributed among 14 hardpoints. Also, mounted on the starboard side is a Gsh-50 cannon, for self defense and ground attack. Physically the Platypus-G is larger than the Su-27, as is the Su-56, which share the same main fuselage, allowing easy mainenance in the field do to the commonality of parts.
  One of the most obvious features of the plane is the duck billed nose which gave it’s name. This incorporates a N058 terrain following radar with Doppler beam sharpening. This can keep the aircraft 50 meters off the ground while cruising at 600+ km/h speed. This radar can also track air targets, with it capable of tracking 20 targets, and engaging six. It has a maximum range of 200 kilometers against bomber size targets, and 130 km when detecting fighter sized targets. This can guide any range of air to air missiles in service. The Su-58, like the Su-56, mounts a tail mounted radar, far superior to the one mounted on the Su-56. It can track up to ten targets, and engage up to five targets and maintains a 90 degree cone, with a range of 40 kilometers. Mounted near the nosewheel is an electronics bay that mounts both a microwave designator and a laser designator. This allows the Su-58 to self designate it’s own attacks for precision strikes. Other features include the use of Saturn Layuka ALF-65F afterburning engines with supercruise capability. This allows the Su-58 to quickly reach a target, then quickly leave. This however features only two dimensional thrust vectoring, allowing it to still perform quick snap shots on a ground attack mission. The use of composites, and application of radar absorbing materials and the use of sculpting give the Su-58 a smaller RCS than most aircraft of it’s class. Included in the package is both passive thermal and aural masking.
  The "hump" of the aircraft allows a spacious cockpit, easily the size of any civilian transport plane. This allows the crew, on long flights, to relax, with one pilot piloting and the other one relaxing. There is enough space between the seats to allow an average human lie down comfortably. Other features include a small refrigerator for food, as well as a small toilet for those really long missions. The crew access this and the cockpit enter through the nosewheel bay. A small step ladder that folds down is standard. Both pilots sit in a Ksh-33 zero-zero ejection seat, and have a good view from the cockpit windows. Both pilots have an HMS system, and can use weapons at the same time, if it is required. This also has the ability to display AWACS and other information to both crewman, allowing them to make quick decisions on the fly. Both have their own HUD’s, and should the pilot or copilot get injured during combat, integrated controls are standard. Full rigger controls are standard.
  Along the "spine" of the plane is the SPO-58 Radar Warning System (RWS) and Missile Launch Warning System (MLWS). This projects the launch of a missile to the pilot, which is displayed on his helmet, and allows the pilot to make better counter maneuvers to it. In addition to the SPO-58 system, the SuperManeuverability Flanker II mounts an APP-56 chaff/flare dispenser mounted near the rear of the body. It holds 32 flare and 32 chaff cartridges. The system can fire "bursts" of 4 chaff/flares should the pilot decide to do so. However, it must be stressed that evasive maneuvering should be included to further fool the missile. The SPO-58 has sensors mounted around the plane to achieve the best coverage possible.

  Handling: | Speed | Body | Armor | Signature | Autopilot | Cost
  2 | 675/1250* | 6 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 45M¥

  Watson's Military Page

  Seating: 2 bucket seats
  Access: 1 canopy
  Economy: 2 km per liter
  Cargo: 2 + 2 underseat + 5 storage
  Fuel: 2,750 liters
  Sensors: Military II (7)
  ECM/ECCM: Military I (4)/Military I (4)
  Additional Features: One hardpoint mounted Victory rotary cannon with a 500 round belt. Available is one inner wing hardpoint with 12 CF capacity, two outer wing hardpoints with 6 CF capacity, and four fuselage hardpoints with 5 CF storage each, and wingtip hardpoints have 2 CF capacity. Also mounted facing the rear is one hardpoint that can hold up to 4 CF. A fly-by- wire system is installed. See below for more information .
  *Increase max speed to 1,900kph on afterburner, and Economy is 6 liters per kilometer.
  The development of the Su-58 was as simple as the development of the Su-34. The Su- 58 incorporates the same canards as the Su-56, just forward of the main wing add to more stablility to the aircraft, allowing tighter turning and generally making the Platypus II an agile bomber. For game rules, give a -2 modifier for any piloting Tests necessary. The ALF-65F 2D engines add an additional -1 to any tests when used. Also added is a rigger control system, giving pilots extra edge in combat. When using the 58-Sh IRST, the pilot gets an additional -1 modifier to his/her attacks. Also, the pilot gets an additional +2 to their Reaction due to the data presented from the SPO-58 and other sensors. This can be applicable even while rigged. The SPO-58 system contains sensors that detect the launch of missiles, and warns the pilot of the impending attack. Give the pilot an added + 2 to reaction when faced with a missile threat, GM’s discretion of course.
  All flight systems are redundant (treat as integrated controls, RBB), and the tires are designed to operate in rough ground (for game rules it simply means it can operate off of a forward airfield provided it still has enough road length or whatever is needed) and has special anti-FOD (Foreign Object Damage) systems as well. Provisions are made for upgradable systems, or any special necessities needed. The two seat cockpit seats the pilot and WSO (Weapon Systems Operator) side by side. Another interesting feature of the Su-34 was the pilot/copilot area. The size and room of the fuselage allowed them to install a toilet and a small area for food preparation. A space in between the two seats permitted one of the pilots to lie down during a long flight.
  The Su-58s weapon loadout is large, usually it carries AGMs for the ground attack role, as well as AAMs for self defence, with a mix of rockets and other nastiness as well as rear firing missiles from an internal bay (4 CF capacity). The system uses a small charge of gas to eject the missile, which it's head is exposed to track targets. The bay usually carries two AA-105 "Assern" IR seeking missiles (be warned). The Su-58 carries a fuselage mounted Laser Designator, as well as a radar designator. Also, the Su-58 can carry two "Sorbitsya" pods, with one carrying an ECM jammer and the other the ECCM electronics, these have a total rating of Military III(6)/Military III(6). Note that the wing hardpoints cannot use any weapons on these points. And one more thing as well: the Platypus can do Pugachev's Cobra, so don't think it's that easy to bring down.
  Can you think of a codename for the real Su-34?, try here
  An interesting piece on the Su-34.
  As well as some information here.
  Russian Aviation Page.
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  Fresh Productions, 1996, 97.