The Sukhoi Su-24 is a Soviet jet fighter aircraft that was used by the Russian Air Force from 1964 to 1997. It was designed for tactical bombing and ground attack, but has been frequently used in air-to-air combat as well. The Su-24 is one of the best 3rd generation fighters ever made by Russia, with its service beginning in 1977. Today it has been replaced by more advanced fighters such as the Su-34 or Su-35S, which are more capable at air combat and have higher manoeuvrability.