this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2023
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An image emerged on social media of a Russian Su-34 Fullback covered in tires similar to how they've been placed on bombers recently.

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[–] krewjew 2 points 1 year ago

Could be an attempt to reduce the radar cross section or RCS of the aircraft. Albeit a very dumb approach. This is a major component of defensive electronic warfare where you try to reduce the strength of an RF signal bounced back towards a radar receiver by manipulating the physical geometry of the craft so that it reflects RF waves away from their origination point. It works well in cases where the transmitter and receiver are on the same platform. In this case it appears that this craft is worried about detection from aircraft flying at higher altitudes or other high altitude RF tracking platforms.