A Russian Air Force Su-34 fighter-bomber successfully landed without deploying its landing gear at an undisclosed airfield on 22 March 2025. Footage shared on social media shows the twin-engine Su-34 approaching the runway with its wheels retracted, making a fuselage landing, and deploying its parachutes to come to a safe stop.

Despite the fuselage scraping along the runway, the aircraft maintained its structural integrity, highlighting both the pilot’s professionalism and the Su-34’s durability. Russian officials have yet to release an official statement on the cause of the incident, leaving uncertainty as to whether it was due to a mechanical failure or part of a training exercise.

Expert Analysis: The Role of Titanium in Su-34’s Durability

Aviation experts attribute the Su-34’s ability to land safely without landing gear to its robust structural design. Dr Emily Carter, a professor of Aviation Metallurgy at MIT, explained that the titanium alloys used in the aircraft’s lower fuselage provide high resistance to friction and impact. “Titanium can absorb significant friction without breaking, which likely minimised damage during the belly landing,” Carter noted.

Pilot Skill in Focus: Critical Speed Management

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel John Hayes emphasised that such an emergency landing requires precise speed and balance control. “A fully loaded Su-34 weighs around 45 tonnes. There is no margin for error during landing. If the speed is too high, the aircraft will overshoot the runway; if too low, it will hit the ground too hard,” Hayes stated. The timely deployment of parachutes was crucial, given that the braking systems were rendered ineffective.

Su-34 Technical Specifications

Codenamed “Fullback” by NATO, the Su-34 is a frontline tactical bomber of the Russian Air Force. Powered by two Saturn AL-31F engines, it can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.8. The aircraft has an operational range of approximately 600 miles, extendable through aerial refuelling.

With 12 weapon stations, the Su-34 is capable of carrying R-77 air-to-air missiles, Kh-29 air-to-ground missiles, and KAB-500 guided bombs. It is also armed with a 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon. The cockpit is reinforced with heavy armour to enhance crew protection.

Su-34 Losses in Ukraine

Since 2022, Su-34s have been actively deployed in the Ukraine war, suffering significant losses against Western air defence systems. Independent reports indicate that as of February 2025, at least 36 Su-34s have been either destroyed or severely damaged.