Sukhoi Su-30
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Image:Su-30a1.jpg The Sukhoi Su-30 is a highly-agile military aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation in 1996. It is an excellent multi-role air superiority fighter but can also play an effective role as a strike and offensive support aircraft. The aircraft is in direct competition with USA's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Europe's Eurofighter Typhoon.
The aircraft is a modernized version of the Sukhoi Su-27 and has many variants, the most notable being the Su-30 MKI, a highly specialized aircraft developed for the Indian Air Force. The variant was jointly developed by Sukhoi and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The MKI variant is a much more advanced fighter jet than the basic K and MK variants and is considered a 4.5 generation aircraft.
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General information
Combat systems
The Su-30 is an excellent multi-role fighter and can carry an array of TV, IR, and radar guided missiles, as well as anti radiation missiles for SEAD missions, and unguided bombs and rockets. The maximum speed of any variant of the plane is Mach 2.3. It, like all other Flankers, has a large fuel capacity, giving it a very long range and high combat endurance. The MKI variant features thrust vectoring.
The design incorporates a straked delta wing, with strake and body blending, also seen in the American F-16 Falcon. This allows the airplane to fly at extreme angles of attack without stalling -- illustrated in the so called "cobra maneuver".
Costs
The estimated cost of a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet is 38 million USD. The K variant, which includes MKK and MKM, costs about 33 million USD while the MKI variant costs 45 million USD.
Variants
Image:IAF Sukhoi.jpg Major variants include the K, MK and MKI aircraft. The Sukhoi Su-30 MKI variant is often confused by the with the Sukhoi Su-30 MK-1 variant. The MK-1 variant has significantly less fighter capabilities than MKI variant. The Sukhoi Su-30 MK-1 variant is a dual-seater, long-range interceptor, whereas the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI variant is a dual-seater, multi-role capability fighter jet. On the other hand the Sukhoi Su-30K variant is a dual-seater, limited multi-role capability fighter jet. There are several other key differences between the MKI and other variants of Su-30 aircraft. The Su-30 MKI has a maximum range, with one in-flight refuelling, of 8000 km. The Su-30MK and Su-30MK-1 has a maximum range, with one in-flight refuelling, of 5200 km (35% less than MKI variant). The Su-30MKI has thrust vectoring engines whereas the Su-30MK and Su-30MK-1 do not have thrust vectoring engines.
Related development
Two other Russian aircraft intended to serve as a tactical bombers and attack fighters are the Su-34, nicknamed the Platypus, and the Su-24 Fencer. Both are high supersonic aircraft, the Su-34 being yet another model of the Flanker series. The Fencer shares its basic design with the American F-111 fighter-bomber in that it is a variable-geometry, supersonic, tandem seat tactical bomber.
Export
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 and Algeria
Su-30 MKI
Though regarded as a variant of Su-30, the Su-30 MKI is a much better fighter aircraft. The variant has significant upgrades on it from the basic Sukhoi Su-30 MK version. The aircraft was jointly designed by Russia's Sukhoi and India's Hindustan Aeronautics and DRDO. Israeli Aircraft Industries also played a key role in the development of the project.
Improvements include 3D-vectoring thrust engines and the N-011 radar which has a detection range of 150 to 160 km and a Radar Cross Section (RCS) of 3 to 5 m². Unlike most similar fighters, it is also equipped to deliver nuclear weapons.
Su-30 MKI Avionics
The avionics in the Su-30MKI are all weather, dual frequency, digital multi mode, with the NIIP N-011M radar, which has a 200 km tracking range and a 350 km search range. The aircraft's radar can track and actively engage 20 enemy targets and engage the 8 most dangerous simultaneously. This radar can track and engage tactical ballistic/cruise missiles and motionless helicopters (very few aircraft in the world have this capability). The radar at sea has a 20-metre detection resolution of large targets at sea, up to distances of 400 km. Small sea target detected at sea at a distances of 120 km.
India plans to install Astra air-to-air missile and BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to the Su-30 MKI. With the instalment of these new missiles, the MKI can be a serious contender to many modern fighter jets including the Typhoon and the Rafale.
Currently India has never let any external air force practice or exercise with it's Su-30 MKI variants. However, the American Air force has exercised with the Indian Air force’s MK variants during Cope India '04.
Comparision with other 4th generation aircraft
- For a detailed comparison of the MKI and other fighters, see 4th generation jet fighter.
Specifications (Sukhoi Su-30MKI)
External Links
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Aircraft/Specs/Su-30.html -(Indian Defence consortium Website for Sukhoi 30 MKI with all performance parameters.)
http://vayu-sena.tripod.com/interview-fedorov1.html -(Interview about MKI with Alexey I. Fedorov (April 23, 2002), the president of the Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association, responsible for delivery of Sukhoi 30 MKI to India)
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