Sukhoi Su-30

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The Sukhoi Su-30 is a highly-agile military aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation in 1996. It is an multi-role air superiority fighter but can also play an effective role as a strike and offensive support aircraft. The aircraft is comparable with USA's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15E Strike Eagle

The aircraft is a modernized version of the Su-27UB and has many variants, the most notable being the Su-30 MKI a highly specialized aircraft developed for the Indian Air Force. It is a Long-Range, Multi-role, Air superiority fighter and Strike fighter. The variant also consists of French, Israeli and Indian Subsystems. MKI variant is a much more advanced fighter jet than the basic K and MK variants and is considered a 4.5 generation aircraft. The MKI variant is considered to be most advanced Russian fighter aircraft in service.

Contents

Development

Su-27PU long range interceptor

While the original Su-27 had good range, it still did not have enough range for certain air-defense tasks required by the PVO(short for "Soviet National Air Defence"), So Su-27PU was developed in 1989 as a long range interceptor and airborne command post. The two-seat Su-27UB combat trainer was selected as a basis for Su-27PU because it had the performance of a single-seat Su-27 and long-range missions require two crewmen.

To adapt the Su-27UB to its new role the aircraft was fitted with an retractable inflight refueling probe to increase range, probe was offset to the left side of the nose and to accommodate it, the IRST was offset to the right.
The aircraft's avionics were changed, fitting special communications and guidance equipment to command formation flights of single-seat Su-27 interceptors. The rear cockpit received a large CRT display which provides the formation leader with tactical information regarding targets and interceptors. The navigation and fly-by-wire systems were also upgraded.It was fiited with updated N001 radar, providing some air-to-ground attack capability and the ability to track and engage multiple aerial targets simultaneously.
Sukhoi offered Su-27PU to be used as a "fighter controller", sort of a mini-AWACS, with the back-seater using the radar and data links to control other fighters. However PVO was not interested in buying Su-27PU.
All the five Su-27PUs, with the new designation of "Su-30" ended up in PVO service in the training role

Su-30MK Multi-Role Twin-Seater

Su-30KI Layout

An Su-30M two-seat multirole variant was proposed for Russian use and a few may have been built in the mid-1990s for evaluation. Despite PVO Rejecting Su-27PU, Sukhoi OKB did not give up on the idea and began to market variations on the concept.

Sukhoi proposed an export variant Su-30MK, where "MK" stood for "Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy" (Modernized Commercial).Sukhoi displayed an Su-30MK Demonstrator at the Paris Air Salon in 1993.
A much more optimized Su-30MK demonstrator, rebuilt from the first production Su-27PU, was displayed in 1994.Some Western observers shrugged it all off as an attempt to sell "old wine in new bottles", but Sukhoi's marketing blitz would pay off handsomely.

Universal Air Warrior

Su-30MK is capable of accomplishing a wide variety of combat missions at significant distances from the home base, in any weather conditions and severe jamming environment, both by day and night.
This multirole aircraft is adequately fitted for the entire spectrum of tactical and operational combat employment scenarios, varying from counterair tasks (i.e. gaining air superiority, air defence, air patrol and escort) to counterland and countersea ones (suppression of hostile air defence, air interdiction and close air support). Additionally, the Su-30MK can perform ECCM and early warning tasks, as well as exercise command-and-control over a group of aerial combat assets performing joint mission.

Angle of Attack

The Su-30MK aerodynamic configuration is an unstable-in-longitude triplane. To increase lifting effectiveness and enhance manoeuvrability of the aircraft, the canards are installed. They are deflected automatically to ensure flight at high angle-of-attack. Although Canards are installed only in some Su-30 variants like Su-30MKI.

Cobra manoeuvre

The integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with the thrust vectoring control capability, results in unprecedented manoeuvrability and unique take-off and landing characteristics. Equipped with a digital fly-by-wire system, Su-30MK is capable of performing a number of manoeuvres to dominate in dogfight. They include well-known cobra and bell . The while performing a somersault manoeuvre, the aircraft makes 360-deg turn in pitch plane without any loss of altitude. In "controlled flat spin" manoeuvre, the aircraft performs several full turns in horizontal plane, with zero forward speed, virtually on the spot.

Power Plant

The power plant incorporates two AL-31FP by-pass turbojet reheated engines. The total 25,000-kgf afterburning thrust ensures 2M horizontal flight speed, 1,350-km/h speed at low altitude, and a 230-m/s climbing rate. With a normal fuel reserve of 5,270 kg, the Su-30MK is capable of performing a 4.5-hour combat mission with a range of 3000km. An in-flight refuelling system increases the flight duration up to 10 hours with a range of 8,000 km at cruise altitude of 11 to 13 km. Long Range significantly increased employment options.The missions vary from prolonged patrols and escorts, to long-range interceptions and air-to-ground strikes.

2D Thrust Vectoring Control

Differential ±15-deg deflection of engines' axisymmetric nozzles (with turn axes positioned at 32-deg angle to each other) enables pitch/yaw thrust vectoring control. Depending on the manoeuvre to be performed, nozzles deflections can be synchronised with or differ from the deflections of horizontal tail planes. However only some Su-30 variants have 2D TVC, depending on the Customer requirements.

Two Member Crew

Two-member crew configuration contributes significantly to enhanced combat capabilities, due to rational distribution of workload between crewmembers. While the first pilot flies aircraft, controls weapons and performs manoeuvring dogfight, the co-pilot employs BVR air-to-air and air-to-ground guided weapons in long-range engagements, monitors tactical environment to ensure situational awareness, and performs command-and-control tasks in group missions.

Avionics

Radar:Either a N001VE or Phazotron N010 Zhuk-27 or an N011M BARS pulse Doppler phased array radar.Capable of detecting and tracking up to 15 air targets, while simultaneously attacking four of them.

The N011M BARS Radar (featuring a 20-m resolution) ensures detection of large sea-surface targets at a distance of up to 400 km, and small-size ones - at a distance of up to 120 km.

Other Avionics Include Integrated optronic sighting-and-navigation system with a laser gyro navigation system; helmet-mounted displays, head-up-display, multi-function colour LCDs with image mixing capability; GPS system (GLONASS/NAVSTAR compatible).
The IR and laser sighting pods to detect and engage small-size ground targets are available for installation. The aircraft is provided with an ECCM facility intended to subvert hostile electronic and electro-optical countermeasures.
The aircraft features an automatic piloting capability at all flight stages including low-altitude flight in terrain-following mode, as well as individual and group combat employment against air and ground/sea-surface targets. Automatic control system interconnected with the navigation system ensures route-flight, target approach, recovery to airfield and landing approach in automatic mode.

Armament

The Su-30MK combat load is mounted on the 12 hard points: wingtip AAM launch rails, three pylons under each wing, a pylon under each engine nacelle, and two pylons in tandem in the "tunnel" between the engines.It was could carry 8 tonnes of external stores Armament:

1× GSh-301 gun (30-mm calibre, 150 rounds)

AAM:

6× R-27ER1 (AA-10C)
2× R-27ET1 (AA-10D)
6× R-73E (AA-11)
6× RVV-AE (AA-12)

ASM:

6× Kh-31P/Kh-31A AntiRadar Missile
6× Kh-29T/L Laser Guided Missile
2× Kh-59ME

Aerial Bombs:

6× KAB 500KR
3× KAB-1500KR
8× FAB-500T
28× OFAB-250-270

Su-30 Variants

World map of Su-27 and Su-30 operators

Sukhoi OKB has pursued new variants of the Su-27 family and has given them a bewildering range of new designations as marketing ploys. One Western observer commented on the Sukhoi OKB in 1995: "They produced more new designations than airframes this year."

List of Su-30 Variants:

Su-27UP :Long Range Interceptor Based on Two Seator Su-27UB Trainer. Later named as Su-30.
Su-30I :Testbed Fighter with canards added.
Su-30M :Basically an upgraded Su-27PU, first real multi-role aircraft in Su-27 family.
Su-30KN :Upgrade for operational two-seat fighters, the Su-27UB, Su-30 and Su-30K.
Su-30MK:The Marketing Commercial version of Su-30 displyed first in 1993.
Su-30K :Commercial version of the basic Su-30, Sold 50 to India.Later Updgraded to Su-30MKI.
Su-30KI :Sukhoi proposal for upgrading Russian AF single seat Su-27S. Also proposed export version for Indonesia, only single seat in Su-30 family.
Su-30M2:upgraded Su-30MK with Canards and TVC.
Su-30MKI: Export version for India with TVC, Canards.
Su-30MKK: export version for China
Su-30MKM: export version for Malaysia.
Su-30MK2:Su-30MKK with upgraded electronics that enabled support for antiship missiles
Su-30MK3: Su-30MKK with Zhuk MSE radar and Support for Kh-59MK antiship missile.
Su-30MK2V:Su-30MK2 variant for Vietnam with minor modifications.

After years of negotiations, India decided to purchase 40 Su-30 aircraft and acquired the licence from Sukhoi and Russia to manufacture an additional 140 Su-30 MKI aircraft. India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the largest manufacturer of the Sukhoi Su-30 in the world.

Apart from India, the Su-30 currently serves the airforce of several countries including People's Republic of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Algeria.

In May 2006, Malaysia signed a deal to purchase a number of Sukhoi SU-30MKM jet fighters worth almost $1 billion. As part of the deal, the Russians will send a Malaysian astronaut to the ISS.

On June 14, 2006, the government of Venezuela announced the purchase of 24 units of the Sukhoi Su-30. The first planes are expected to be delivered by 2006's end.

Su-30MKI is the Export version serving in India Airforce. India is to eventually aquire 190 Su-30MKI.

Su-30MKK/MK2

China had been the Su-27's most important operator outside Russia, with over a 150 Su-27SK and Su-27UB aircraft delivered and built under license (as the J-11) since the early 1990s. The Su-30 has been a design that has sparked high interest from Chinese leaders, and the MKK was specially designed by Sukhoi to meet PLAAF needs. In 1999 the Chinese leadership signed a $1.5 Billion deal to buy 38 Su-30MKK combat aircraft, the first being delivered by December 20 2000. By the end of 2001, the whole batch completed delivery.

A second batch of 38 had been ordered in 2001, and deliveries are thought to have been completed by 2003. In January 2003, China ordered 24 of the improved Su-30MK2, which have since been delivered to to the Naval Aviation corps. Follow on orders are likely, though the further improved Su-30MK3 has yet to be purchased. However, with the success of the more economical indigenous JH-7A attack aircraft, and the eventual unveiling of the J-11B (improved and indigenized Su-27SK with new sensors and precision attack weapons compatibility), future large orders of the Su-30MKK series may look bleak.

Weapons

The Su-30MKKs and MK2s in Chinese service are capable of carrying a wide range of Russian made guided-precision munitions. Total weapons load is eight tons, and the following a brief list of some of the weapons carried by Chinese Su-30s.

Ground Strike and Anti-Ship

KH-31P Anti-radiation missiles
KH-29T and KH-59ME T.V guided missiles
KAB-500KR and KAB-1500KR Laser Guided Bombs
Various unguided bombs and rockets

Air Combat

AA-11 Archer SRAAM
AA-10 Alamo Medium Ranged Radar and Infrared Guided Missiles
AA-11 (R-77E) Active Radar Homing AAM

Electronic Systems

Sorbtsiya ECM Pods

Su-30MK2 Additional Weapons Cleared for

KH-31A Radar Guided Anti-ship Missiles
KH-59MK Radar Guided Anti-ship Missiles

Engines and Avionics

The main powerplant are two AL-31F engines that provide great manaeuverability and thrust. Range can be extended with the in flight refuelling probe.

The Su-30MKK features a glass cockpit, and an NIIP N001VEP fire-control radar (range 100km, capable of engaging 2 air targets simultaneously). The primary difference of the Su-30MK2 model is its improved radar which is the upgraded N001VEP radar, with longer range coverage and able to guide more variety of weapons systems.

MK2 and MK3 Models

With its longer ranged radar, the MK2 was designed for more dedicated use as a maritime strike aircraft, thus these aircraft ordered by China are currently being operated by the Naval Air Force. The MK2 also features a better C4ISTAR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) capability than the MKKs.

The MK3 was to possibly feature either the Phazotron Zhuk-MS radar, or a new "Panda" radar developed by Tikomirov. Either radar would significantly improve the Su-30s air target detection range to 190km and surface detection range at 300km. It is not certain whether the PLAN or PLAAF would order any of these aircraft, despite their significant advantages with their advanced radars.

Assessment of Su-30MKK/MK2

Although not as advanced as the Indian MKI models, nonetheless the Chinese aircraft were delivered at least two years before the MKI was ready, and is significantly less expensive. It is of course not as manoeuverable without the 3D Thrust Vectoring engines the MKI has.

The Su-30MKK has allowed China's military forces to possess an aircraft in the same class as the US F-15E, and at least comparable if not superior to most regional 4th Generation fighters. Its vast array of Russian munitions enable Chinese Su-30s to engage land or ship targets at long ranges with high precision. Chinese Su-30s in air combat are just as potent, being the first Chinese combat fighter to be armed with the R-77E Active Radar Homing AAM (though this missile will be progressively arming other Chinese Flankers).

At least three have been lost in accidents so far, but this is to be expected by intensive training and early usage of the aircraft. Chinese Su-30s have been seen exercising frequently, indicating the PLAAF and PLANAF are actively training these elite units and giving more flying experience.

Su-30MKKs and especially the MK2, with their long range radars and Russian made weapons would undoubtedly be a great threat to US Navy ships operating near the Chinese coasts. The KH-31A for instance has a long range and its ramjets provide a quick attack speed (around Mach 2.5) that could penetrate current air defenses of ships (even the sophisticated AEGIS). Chinese Su-30s will undoubtedly replace some of the old and vulnerable H-6 Badger bombers from strike or anti-ship roles, as these new fighter-bombers can deliver munitions more accurately while possessing just as much range and weapons load as these old bombers.

China has since made two other advanced attack aircraft available however. The JH-7A is a much more advanced version of the basic JH-7. This design has entered service with the PLAAF and PLANAF. One advantage of the JH-7A is its economical price compared to the more expensive Su-30. Unlike the Su-30, the JH-7A is compatible with both Russian and Chinese munitions, making it much more flexible. One disadvantage of the JH-7A of course is its lack of effective air combat capability that makes it more vulnerable than the Su-30. The second indigenized attack aircraft is the J-11B. The J-11 had traditionally been the licensed built variants of the Russian Su-27SK, but recently the Chinese have delivered J-11s that feature more indigenous parts and avionics. The J-11B will possess high agility, exceptionally high air combat capabilities, heavy weapons load, advanced radar, and compatibility with Russian and Chinese munitions. Depending on the rate of deployment, the J-11B will probably be a superior machine overall to the Su-30MKK.