Full-rate production of the Russian Air Force’s new Su-34 fighter-bomber is underway at the Sukhoi production facility in Siberia, a company spokesman said this week, reports the Russian News & Information Agency. The facility will be able to crank out 20 aircraft simultaneously. The two-seat Su-34 Fullback is slated to replace the Su-24 Fencer, which Sukhoi has been upgrading to extend the service life. RIA reports that Russia plans to field 58 Fullbacks by 2015.
While the Pentagon has signaled its intent to scale technology, field new systems faster, and work more with nontraditional vendors, a new report identifies persistent manufacturing capacity, resourcing, workforce, and modernization challenges that could hinder its ability to deliver on those goals.