Su-30MKI - one of the best in its class
Today, Su-30MKI fighters have become a symbol that embodies the quality of domestic aviation technicians. Today, among the obvious successes of the Russian aviation industry both in assessing well-wishers and in evaluating opponents, perhaps only the Mi-17 helicopter of the latest modifications deserved the same number of positive reviews. At the end of 2008, after the results of the American-French-Indian Red Flag exercises were published, the British aviation magazine Flight suggested choosing the best fighter among the F-22, Su-30MKI and F-15. The decision of the readers of one of the most respected publications in the world was quite unexpected. For the Russian Su-30MKI, 59% of those polled cast their votes, 5% for the 22th generation American aircraft, and only 37% for the F-15.
Share in military exports
The value of such high assessments of “public expertise” is rising against the background of the fact that this is a fighter that competes in world markets with the most advanced products of the United States and Western Europe. It is well known that in the fight for such attractive markets as India, Algeria, and Malaysia, there are no prohibited methods. The slightest logistic and technical flaws immediately turn into ineradicable vices on the lips of competitors. Despite this, the level of criticism of the Russian Su-30MKI does not exceed the “natural” background, and the aircraft continues to sell successfully.
The material results of the Su-30MKI program can only cause respect. The number of contracted fighters is approaching 330, with the number of vehicles delivered exceeding 230. In addition, the issue of the purchase by India of an additional batch of Su-30MKI aircraft kits for licensed assembly at HAL enterprises is now positively resolved. Taking into account the announcement of the expansion of the state defense order by Russia, the volume of production of the aircraft of this family can at the very least be about 400 fighters.
It is also noteworthy that in recent years, the delivery of multi-purpose fighters of the Su-30MKI family has been consistently ensured by almost every 6-th dollar that comes to Russia through the export of military products. For a relatively compact NPK "Irkut" - this is quite a serious result.
Sioux 30MKI story create
Su-30MKI fighter was created on the basis of Su-27UB, mass-produced in Irkutsk and in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The Su-30MKI aircraft is a two-seat highly maneuverable fighter aircraft, which is designed to gain air supremacy, destroy ground and surface targets with guided and unguided missiles, with the ability to support actions in the group.
Negotiations on the supply of Su-27 fighters have been conducted with India since the 1994 year. The design of a fighter for the Indian Air Force based on the Su-30 at the Sukhoi Design Bureau began in the 1995 year. The chief designer of the project was appointed A. A. Barkovsky. Already 30 November 1996, the parties have signed an interstate contract for the phased delivery of the Indian Air Force 8 Su-30K fighters and 32 multifunctional two-seat Su-30МКИ fighters. The planes were to be delivered to India in several batches, with a consistent build-up of avionics, armament and powerplant. The main executors of this contract were: in terms of the creation of the Sukhoi Design Bureau aircraft, and in terms of the production of the fighter, the Irkutsk Aviation Production Association.
The construction of the 2-x first experienced fighter was conducted in the design bureau in 1995-1998. The first experimental aircraft Su-30-1, which was finalized on the basis of the serial Su-30, was built in the spring of 1997. The car rose into the air 1 July 1997, the test pilot V.Yu. Averyanov drove it. Since July, the 1997 of the year in the Sukhoi Design Bureau have begun the implementation of joint fighter testing programs with the GLITS Air Force Serial production of the new machine has been deployed in Irkutsk since 2000. The first pre-production fighter was circled at the Averyanov factory on November 26 2000. The 3 first pre-production Su-30MKIs were handed over to the OKB and, along with experienced aircraft, took part in the test program.
In accordance with the terms of the contract, deliveries and tests of Su-30MKI aircraft were conducted in the 3 stage. Deliveries of the first batch of Su-10MKI fighters from the 30 to the customer took place in the 2002 year, and the second batch of the 12 fighters in the 2003 year. By 2004, the Su-30K and Su-30MKI fighters were re-armed with the 2 Squadron of the Indian Air Force.
The main distinctive features of Su-30MKI fighters:
- for the first time in the world, an engine with a thrust vectoring control (AL-31FP created in the Scientific and Technical Center named after A. Lyulka), as well as a remote control system included in a single control loop, was mounted on a serial fighter. This solution allowed to implement the capabilities of super-maneuverability modes on the Su-30MKI;
- for the first time in the practice of the OKB fighter, a broad integration of domestic and foreign avionics avionics systems was carried out. At Su-30MKI, an "international" complex of onboard radio-electronic equipment was created, which included 14 systems and systems from foreign firms from 6 countries of the world;
- for the first time in the world, a radar with a rotary headlamp was installed on the production car (“Bars” created by the Research Institute of Instrument Making). In addition, a new ejection seat K-36Д-3,5 and a number of other new Russian-developed systems were mounted on the fighter;
- the nomenclature of aviation weapons of destruction was significantly expanded due to the air-to-air missile system of the RVV-AE, air-to-ground class: X-59М, X-31А / П and X-29Л / Т / TE, as well as corrected air bombs CAB-500 and CAB-1500.
Equipped with a fairly wide range of weapons, the Su-30MKI is capable of destroying airborne targets (including objects with a small radar visibility) in close combat, as well as leading preemptive battles in the far distance. This multipurpose fighter can destroy ground and surface objects using guided and unguided weapons at tactical and operational depth. At the same time, the use of open architecture of onboard radio-electronic equipment allows to significantly expand the arsenal of weapons used.
The first victories of Su-30MKI
The most important indicator of the well-deserved authority of the Su-30MKI, as well as its variants, in the opinion of a large number of experts, were the results of international exercises in which this aircraft participated many times. The practice of conducting these exercises appeared in the 2004 year, when they took part in the Su-30K aircraft, designed primarily to gain air superiority. A number of such fighters having the traditional XU-27 / Su-30 X-NUMX radar, which were traditional for the early Su, were sold to India in the 001 year. Despite the fact that these planes had limited capabilities and were significantly inferior in their performance characteristics to the future of the Su-1997MKI, even then this machine managed to show in practice its high efficiency. The command of the Indian Air Force decided that the level of training pilots 30-th squadron allows them to compete with American pilots. We are talking about exercises called Cope India-24, in which the United States was represented by the F-2004C fighter jets.
The results of these exercises have become discouraging for fans of American fighters. The loss of 90% of near-maneuverable air battles was assumed, since the aerodynamic superiority of the Su-30K over the F-15 did not cause any doubts. But at the same time, the Indian pilots were stronger in mid-distance air battles. The pilots, using the capabilities of the Н001 radar, had the advantage when wagering a medium-range SD (guided missile) launch in the mode of targeting several different targets simultaneously. Therefore, it is not surprising that after the end of the exercises in the United States, supporters of further development of the F-22 fighter program, which, according to experts, can compete with new Russian-made fighters, have become more active.
In the same year 2004, Indian fighters conducted a series of training air battles with the F-16C / D Singapore Air Force. During the Sindex-2004 exercises, fights of both single fighters and “5 on 5” were practiced. The parties agreed not to comment on the results of these air battles due to the scrupulousness of the topic. Indians were interested in the potential of F-16, acquired by Pakistan, and Singaporeans are real opportunities for the Su-30, which come to the countries of Southeast Asia.
In the next year, 2005, French fighters from the mixed squad as part of Mirage-30C, Mirage-2000-2000 and Mirage-5N have already become sparring partners of Su-2000K. Training air battles were held as part of the exercises Garuda-II. The Air Forces of France and India worked on the tasks of short-range and long-range air combat, and also solved the tasks of escorting airborne early warning aircraft and providing air defense. During the 8 days of the exercise, the aircraft conducted a 162 departure, of which 74 was produced by Indian Su-30K, the total flight time of Indian pilots was 200 hours. According to French sources, when performing Su-30K interceptions, they were superior to Mirage-2000С and slightly inferior to the newer at that time Mirage-2000-5 equipped with RDY radar. In close air battles, Indian pilots celebrated their victory unconditionally.
Unquestionable superiority
The international debut of Su-30MKI fighters took place during the exercises Cope India-2005. As part of these exercises, the aircraft took part in the simulation of single and group air combat, as well as departures to intercept large groups of strike aircraft. The F-16C / D US Air Force made a conditional opponent for Indian fighters. The most interesting aspect of those exercises was the composition of the competing "teams" of the two countries. The Indian side was represented only by the Su-30MKI aircraft, while the F-16 fighters had informational support from the E-3 AEW aircraft. In this case, it is considered that the presence of the AWACS factor ensures today the victory in aerial combat. Despite this, the ratio of victories turned out to be almost equal, mainly due to the merit of the BNNXX Bars radar with a phased antenna array (PAR).
Less well known are the results of the Indra-British exercises Indra Dhanush-2006, in which Tornado F.Mk.3 fighter-interceptors and Su-30MKI fighters took part. The parties agreed not to disclose among themselves the results of air battles, but, according to British pilots, who were given the opportunity to independently pilot the Su-30MKI, the Russian fighter greatly surpasses their vehicles in their combat capabilities.
Special attention multifunctional fighter Su-30МКИ attracted during the exercise Red Flag-2008, which took place in the United States. The participants of the exercise were the USA, India, South Korea and France. The group of planes departed from India on July 7, and the arrival at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho on July 17. The flight was carried out with landings in Qatar, Turkey, France and Portugal. For secrecy reasons, the command of the Indian Air Force prohibited its pilots to use airborne Bars radar in combat modes (it was allowed to use only some training ones), use dipole reflectors, turn on electronic countermeasure equipment, also use data transmission equipment (pilots were allowed to use only voice communication ). As part of the Red Flag-2008 exercises, Su-30MKI multifunctional fighters solved the tasks of escorting strike groups with air combat with F-15C and F-16 fighters, defeating ground targets, and fire suppression of the air defense system of a conditional enemy.
According to the results of the performance of conventional combat missions, various versions of Western-made aircraft, the United States had to admit that during the exercises, Su-30MKI fighters proved that they are superior to the main American heavy F-15 fighter, as well as the world's most common lightweight F-16 fighter.
The next success of the Indian Air Force and the Russian aircraft were the international exercises Garuda-IV. In these exercises, the Russian Su-30MKI were opposed by European fighters Mirage-2000 and Rafale. In the course of these exercises, not only the main program - 430 departures, but also an additional one - still 100 departures was carried out. In the course of conducting short-range and long-range air battles, taking off to intercept an air enemy, and escorting Su-30MKI transport aircraft showed complete superiority over European fighters.
To date, Su-30MKI fighters in practice demonstrate the ability to achieve victories in air battles with any fighters belonging to the generations "4", "4 +" and "4 ++". At the same time, the combat capabilities of the fighter allow it to compensate for the lack of external target designation and warning from DRLOI airplanes, the high level of combat training of NATO pilots, as well as their actual combat experience that they gained in military conflicts in the coming decades.
Information sources:
http://www.irkut.com/ru/services/production/SU30MK/
http://www.sukhoi.org/planes/military/su30mk/history/
http://vpk-news.ru/articles/12637[Center]
Share in military exports
The value of such high assessments of “public expertise” is rising against the background of the fact that this is a fighter that competes in world markets with the most advanced products of the United States and Western Europe. It is well known that in the fight for such attractive markets as India, Algeria, and Malaysia, there are no prohibited methods. The slightest logistic and technical flaws immediately turn into ineradicable vices on the lips of competitors. Despite this, the level of criticism of the Russian Su-30MKI does not exceed the “natural” background, and the aircraft continues to sell successfully.
The material results of the Su-30MKI program can only cause respect. The number of contracted fighters is approaching 330, with the number of vehicles delivered exceeding 230. In addition, the issue of the purchase by India of an additional batch of Su-30MKI aircraft kits for licensed assembly at HAL enterprises is now positively resolved. Taking into account the announcement of the expansion of the state defense order by Russia, the volume of production of the aircraft of this family can at the very least be about 400 fighters.
It is also noteworthy that in recent years, the delivery of multi-purpose fighters of the Su-30MKI family has been consistently ensured by almost every 6-th dollar that comes to Russia through the export of military products. For a relatively compact NPK "Irkut" - this is quite a serious result.
Sioux 30MKI story create
Su-30MKI fighter was created on the basis of Su-27UB, mass-produced in Irkutsk and in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The Su-30MKI aircraft is a two-seat highly maneuverable fighter aircraft, which is designed to gain air supremacy, destroy ground and surface targets with guided and unguided missiles, with the ability to support actions in the group.
Negotiations on the supply of Su-27 fighters have been conducted with India since the 1994 year. The design of a fighter for the Indian Air Force based on the Su-30 at the Sukhoi Design Bureau began in the 1995 year. The chief designer of the project was appointed A. A. Barkovsky. Already 30 November 1996, the parties have signed an interstate contract for the phased delivery of the Indian Air Force 8 Su-30K fighters and 32 multifunctional two-seat Su-30МКИ fighters. The planes were to be delivered to India in several batches, with a consistent build-up of avionics, armament and powerplant. The main executors of this contract were: in terms of the creation of the Sukhoi Design Bureau aircraft, and in terms of the production of the fighter, the Irkutsk Aviation Production Association.
The construction of the 2-x first experienced fighter was conducted in the design bureau in 1995-1998. The first experimental aircraft Su-30-1, which was finalized on the basis of the serial Su-30, was built in the spring of 1997. The car rose into the air 1 July 1997, the test pilot V.Yu. Averyanov drove it. Since July, the 1997 of the year in the Sukhoi Design Bureau have begun the implementation of joint fighter testing programs with the GLITS Air Force Serial production of the new machine has been deployed in Irkutsk since 2000. The first pre-production fighter was circled at the Averyanov factory on November 26 2000. The 3 first pre-production Su-30MKIs were handed over to the OKB and, along with experienced aircraft, took part in the test program.
In accordance with the terms of the contract, deliveries and tests of Su-30MKI aircraft were conducted in the 3 stage. Deliveries of the first batch of Su-10MKI fighters from the 30 to the customer took place in the 2002 year, and the second batch of the 12 fighters in the 2003 year. By 2004, the Su-30K and Su-30MKI fighters were re-armed with the 2 Squadron of the Indian Air Force.
The main distinctive features of Su-30MKI fighters:
- for the first time in the world, an engine with a thrust vectoring control (AL-31FP created in the Scientific and Technical Center named after A. Lyulka), as well as a remote control system included in a single control loop, was mounted on a serial fighter. This solution allowed to implement the capabilities of super-maneuverability modes on the Su-30MKI;
- for the first time in the practice of the OKB fighter, a broad integration of domestic and foreign avionics avionics systems was carried out. At Su-30MKI, an "international" complex of onboard radio-electronic equipment was created, which included 14 systems and systems from foreign firms from 6 countries of the world;
- for the first time in the world, a radar with a rotary headlamp was installed on the production car (“Bars” created by the Research Institute of Instrument Making). In addition, a new ejection seat K-36Д-3,5 and a number of other new Russian-developed systems were mounted on the fighter;
- the nomenclature of aviation weapons of destruction was significantly expanded due to the air-to-air missile system of the RVV-AE, air-to-ground class: X-59М, X-31А / П and X-29Л / Т / TE, as well as corrected air bombs CAB-500 and CAB-1500.
Equipped with a fairly wide range of weapons, the Su-30MKI is capable of destroying airborne targets (including objects with a small radar visibility) in close combat, as well as leading preemptive battles in the far distance. This multipurpose fighter can destroy ground and surface objects using guided and unguided weapons at tactical and operational depth. At the same time, the use of open architecture of onboard radio-electronic equipment allows to significantly expand the arsenal of weapons used.
The first victories of Su-30MKI
The most important indicator of the well-deserved authority of the Su-30MKI, as well as its variants, in the opinion of a large number of experts, were the results of international exercises in which this aircraft participated many times. The practice of conducting these exercises appeared in the 2004 year, when they took part in the Su-30K aircraft, designed primarily to gain air superiority. A number of such fighters having the traditional XU-27 / Su-30 X-NUMX radar, which were traditional for the early Su, were sold to India in the 001 year. Despite the fact that these planes had limited capabilities and were significantly inferior in their performance characteristics to the future of the Su-1997MKI, even then this machine managed to show in practice its high efficiency. The command of the Indian Air Force decided that the level of training pilots 30-th squadron allows them to compete with American pilots. We are talking about exercises called Cope India-24, in which the United States was represented by the F-2004C fighter jets.
The results of these exercises have become discouraging for fans of American fighters. The loss of 90% of near-maneuverable air battles was assumed, since the aerodynamic superiority of the Su-30K over the F-15 did not cause any doubts. But at the same time, the Indian pilots were stronger in mid-distance air battles. The pilots, using the capabilities of the Н001 radar, had the advantage when wagering a medium-range SD (guided missile) launch in the mode of targeting several different targets simultaneously. Therefore, it is not surprising that after the end of the exercises in the United States, supporters of further development of the F-22 fighter program, which, according to experts, can compete with new Russian-made fighters, have become more active.
In the same year 2004, Indian fighters conducted a series of training air battles with the F-16C / D Singapore Air Force. During the Sindex-2004 exercises, fights of both single fighters and “5 on 5” were practiced. The parties agreed not to comment on the results of these air battles due to the scrupulousness of the topic. Indians were interested in the potential of F-16, acquired by Pakistan, and Singaporeans are real opportunities for the Su-30, which come to the countries of Southeast Asia.
In the next year, 2005, French fighters from the mixed squad as part of Mirage-30C, Mirage-2000-2000 and Mirage-5N have already become sparring partners of Su-2000K. Training air battles were held as part of the exercises Garuda-II. The Air Forces of France and India worked on the tasks of short-range and long-range air combat, and also solved the tasks of escorting airborne early warning aircraft and providing air defense. During the 8 days of the exercise, the aircraft conducted a 162 departure, of which 74 was produced by Indian Su-30K, the total flight time of Indian pilots was 200 hours. According to French sources, when performing Su-30K interceptions, they were superior to Mirage-2000С and slightly inferior to the newer at that time Mirage-2000-5 equipped with RDY radar. In close air battles, Indian pilots celebrated their victory unconditionally.
Unquestionable superiority
The international debut of Su-30MKI fighters took place during the exercises Cope India-2005. As part of these exercises, the aircraft took part in the simulation of single and group air combat, as well as departures to intercept large groups of strike aircraft. The F-16C / D US Air Force made a conditional opponent for Indian fighters. The most interesting aspect of those exercises was the composition of the competing "teams" of the two countries. The Indian side was represented only by the Su-30MKI aircraft, while the F-16 fighters had informational support from the E-3 AEW aircraft. In this case, it is considered that the presence of the AWACS factor ensures today the victory in aerial combat. Despite this, the ratio of victories turned out to be almost equal, mainly due to the merit of the BNNXX Bars radar with a phased antenna array (PAR).
Less well known are the results of the Indra-British exercises Indra Dhanush-2006, in which Tornado F.Mk.3 fighter-interceptors and Su-30MKI fighters took part. The parties agreed not to disclose among themselves the results of air battles, but, according to British pilots, who were given the opportunity to independently pilot the Su-30MKI, the Russian fighter greatly surpasses their vehicles in their combat capabilities.
Special attention multifunctional fighter Su-30МКИ attracted during the exercise Red Flag-2008, which took place in the United States. The participants of the exercise were the USA, India, South Korea and France. The group of planes departed from India on July 7, and the arrival at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho on July 17. The flight was carried out with landings in Qatar, Turkey, France and Portugal. For secrecy reasons, the command of the Indian Air Force prohibited its pilots to use airborne Bars radar in combat modes (it was allowed to use only some training ones), use dipole reflectors, turn on electronic countermeasure equipment, also use data transmission equipment (pilots were allowed to use only voice communication ). As part of the Red Flag-2008 exercises, Su-30MKI multifunctional fighters solved the tasks of escorting strike groups with air combat with F-15C and F-16 fighters, defeating ground targets, and fire suppression of the air defense system of a conditional enemy.
According to the results of the performance of conventional combat missions, various versions of Western-made aircraft, the United States had to admit that during the exercises, Su-30MKI fighters proved that they are superior to the main American heavy F-15 fighter, as well as the world's most common lightweight F-16 fighter.
The next success of the Indian Air Force and the Russian aircraft were the international exercises Garuda-IV. In these exercises, the Russian Su-30MKI were opposed by European fighters Mirage-2000 and Rafale. In the course of these exercises, not only the main program - 430 departures, but also an additional one - still 100 departures was carried out. In the course of conducting short-range and long-range air battles, taking off to intercept an air enemy, and escorting Su-30MKI transport aircraft showed complete superiority over European fighters.
To date, Su-30MKI fighters in practice demonstrate the ability to achieve victories in air battles with any fighters belonging to the generations "4", "4 +" and "4 ++". At the same time, the combat capabilities of the fighter allow it to compensate for the lack of external target designation and warning from DRLOI airplanes, the high level of combat training of NATO pilots, as well as their actual combat experience that they gained in military conflicts in the coming decades.
Information sources:
http://www.irkut.com/ru/services/production/SU30MK/
http://www.sukhoi.org/planes/military/su30mk/history/
http://vpk-news.ru/articles/12637[Center]
Information