The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat supermaneuverable fighter aircraft developed
by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air
and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions. The Su-30 started out as an internal development
project in the Sukhoi Su-27 family by Sukhoi. The design plan was revamped and the name
was made official by the Russian Defense Ministry in 1996. Of the Flanker family, only the Su-27,
Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35 have been ordered into serial production by the Defense Ministry.
All the others, such as Su-37, were prototypes. The Su-30 has two distinct version branches,
manufactured by competing organisations: KnAAPO and the Irkut Corporation, both of which come
under the Sukhoi group's umbrella. KnAAPO manufactures the Su-30MKK and the Su-30MK2,
which were designed for and sold to China, and later Indonesia, Venezuela and Vietnam.
Due to KnAAPO's involvement from the early stages of developing Su-35, these are basically
a two-seat version of the mid-1990s Su-35. The Chinese chose an older but lighter radar
so the canards could be omitted in return for increased payload. It is a fighter with
both air superiority and attack capabilities, generally similar to the U.S.F-15E.
Irkut traditionally served the Soviet Air Defense and, in the early years of Flanker
development, was given the responsibility of manufacturing the Su-27UB, the two-seat
trainer version. When India showed interests in the Su-30, Irkut offered the multirole
Su-30MKI, which originated as the Su-27UB modified with avionics appropriate for fighters.
Along with its ground-attack capabilities, the series adds features for the air-superiority
role, such as canards, thrust-vectoring, and a long-range phase-array radar. Its derivatives
include the Su-30MKM, MKA and MKV for Malaysia, Algeria and Venezuela, respectively. The Russian
Air force operates several Su-30s and has ordered the Su-30SM version.
Development While the original Su-27 had good range, it
still did not have enough range for the Soviet Air Defense Forces. The Air Defense Forces
needed to cover the vast expanse of the Soviet Union. Hence, development began in 1986 on
the Su-27PU, an improved-capability variant of the Su-27 capable of serving as a long-range
interceptor or airborne command post. The two-seat Su-27UB combat trainer was selected
as the basis for the Su-27PU, because it had the performance of a single-seat Su-27 and
long-range missions require two crew members. A "proof-of-concept" demonstrator flew 6 June
1987, and this success led to the kick-off of development work on two Su-27PU prototypes.
The first Su-27PU flew at Irkutsk on 31 December 1989, and the first of three pre-production
models flew in 14 April 1992. Design
The Su-30 is a multirole fighter. It has a two seat cockpit with an airbrake behind the
canopy. Flight characteristics
The integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with the thrust vectoring control
ability, results in unprecedented manoeuvrability and unique takeoff and landing characteristics.
Equipped with a digital fly-by-wire system, the Su-30MK is able to perform some very advanced
manoeuvres, including the Pugachev's Cobra and the tailslide. These manoeuvers quickly
decelerate the aircraft, causing a pursuing fighter to overshoot.
Powerplant The aircraft's powerplant incorporates two
Saturn AL-31F afterburning low-bypass turbofan engines. Two AL-31Fs, each rated at 12,500
kgf of full afterburning thrust ensures Mach 2 in level flight, 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 3,000 km.
An in-flight refuelling system increases the range to 5,200 km or flight duration up to
10 hours at cruise altitudes. Avionics
The aircraft features autopilot ability at all flight stages including low-altitude flight
in terrain-following mode, and 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. Variants
Su-30K Commercial version of the basic Su-30.
Su-30KI Sukhoi proposal for upgrading Russian AF single
seat Su-27S. Also proposed export version for Indonesia, 24 were ordered but subsequently
cancelled due to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.
Su-30KN Upgrade project for operational two-seat fighters,
the Su-27UB, Su-30 and Su-30K. This was cancelled in Russia but later revived as Su-30M2. Belorussia
consider updating ex-Indian Su-30K to the Su-30KN standard.
Su-30MK Commercial version of Su-30M first revealed
in 1993. Export versions include navigation and communication equipment from Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd. Su-30M2
A version from manufacturer KnAAPO based on the Su-30MK2 which omits canards and thrust-vectoring.
The Russian Air Force placed an initial order for the variant in 2009. Factory tests were
completed in September 2010. Twenty aircraft are planned; at least 4 have been produced
as of December 2013. Su-30MKI
MKI stands for "Modernizirovannyi, Kommercheskiy, Indiski" meaning "Modernized, Commercial,
Indian". Jointly-developed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force.
Includes thrust vectoring control and canards. Equipped with a multinational avionics complex
sourced from Israel, India, Russia and France. Its NATO codename is 'Flanker-H'. The Su-30MKI
is reputed to be more advanced than the basic Su-30MK, the Chinese Su-30MKK/MK2.
Su-30MKK Export version for China. MKK stands for Modernizirovannyi,
Kommercheskiy, Kitayski or "Modernized, Commercial, China". Its NATO codename is 'Flanker-G'.
Su-30MKM A derivative of the India-Russian Su-30MKI,
the MKM is a highly specialised version for Royal Malaysian Air Force. It includes thrust
vectoring control and canards but with avionics from various countries. It will feature head-up
displays, navigational forward-looking IR system and Damocles Laser Designation pod
from Thales Group of France, MAW-300 missile approach warning sensor, RWS-50 RWR and laser
warning sensor from SAAB AVITRONICS as well as the Russian NIIP N011M BARS PESA radar,
electronic warfare system, optical-location system and a glass cockpit.
Su-30MKA A version of the Su-30MKI, except with French
and Russian avionics for Algeria. Su-30SM
A specialised version of the thrust-vectoring Su-30MKI for Russian military, produced by
the Irkut Corporation. A contract for 60 of the multirole fighter was signed in March
2012 with delivery by 2016. On 21 September 2012 Su-30SM performed its maiden flight.
Su-30MKV Export version for Venezuela.
Su-30MK2V Su-30MK2 variant for Vietnam with minor modifications.
Operators
Algeria Algerian Air Force has 44 Su-30MKAs in service.
Angola Angolan Air Force ordered 18 Su-30K fighters
on 16 October 2013 as part of a $1 billion deal that also included other equipment and
maintenance services for the country. The Su-30Ks were initially delivered to India
in the 1990s, but were returned to Russia in 2007.
People's Republic of China People's Liberation Army Air Force operates
the Su-30MKK variant. The People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force operates the Su-30MK2
variant. As of 2012 the China operates 76 Su-30MKK and 24 Su-30MK2
India Indian Air Force operates the Su-30MKI variant.
Russia built the early Su-30MKIs; later Su-30MKIs are assembled indigenously under license by
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The IAF has 194 Su-30MKIs in service as of March 2013.
Indonesia Indonesian Air Force ordered a total of 11
Su-30MK/MK2 fighters. As of September 2013 it has all Su-30MK/MK2s in inventory.
Malaysia Royal Malaysian Air Force after a close visit
to see India's Su-30MKI, ordered 18 Su-30MKMs in May 2003. The first 2 Su-30MKMs were formally
handed over in Irkutsk on 23 May 2007, later arrived in Gong Kedak airbase on 21 June.
As part of the contract, Russia sent the first Malaysian cosmonaut to the International Space
Station in October 2007. Malaysia had 18 Su-30MKMs in service.
Russia Russian Air Force has 8 Su-30M2 and 18 Su-30SM
fighters as of June 2014. It had 65 Su-30SMs on order in February 2014, with deliveries
to be completed by 2016. 16 Su-30M2 fighters were ordered in December 2013.
Russian Naval Aviation - 50 Su-30SMs on order. Uganda
Ugandan Air Force ordered 6 Su-30MK2s in 2010. The last two aircraft from the order were
delivered in June 2012. Venezuela
Venezuelan Air Force and the government of Venezuela announced on 14 June 2006 the purchase
of 24 units of the Su-30MK2. The first two Su-30MK2s arrived in early December 2006 while
another 8 were commissioned during 2007; 14 more units arrived in 2008. A second batch
of 12 Su-30MKV is also being considered. It has 24 Su-30MK2s as of January 2012.
Vietnam Vietnam People's Air Force operates 4 Su-30MKs
and 20 Su-30MK2Vs in 2013. Vietnam reportedly signed a contract for 12 more Su-30MK2s in
2009, but the contract was reduced to 8 fighters. On 20 July 2010, it was announced at Farnborough
International Airshow that Vietnam signed a contract for 20 Su-30MK2s. On 21 August
2013, Russia announced it would deliver another batch of 12 Su-30MK2s under a recent $450
million contract, with deliveries in 2014-2015. Specifications
Data from KNAAPO, Sukhoi, Gordon and Davison. General characteristics
Crew: 2 Length: 21.935 m
Wingspan: 14.7 m Height: 6.36 m
Wing area: 62.0 m2 Empty weight: 17,700 kg
Loaded weight: 24,900 kg Max. takeoff weight: 34,500 kg
Powerplant: 2 × AL-31FL low-bypass turbofans Dry thrust: 7,600 kgf each
Thrust with afterburner: 12,500 kgf each
Performance Maximum speed: Mach 2.0
Range: 3,000 km at altitude Service ceiling: 17,300 m
Rate of climb: 230 m/s Wing loading: 401 kg/m2
Thrust/weight: 1.00 Maximum g-load: +9 g
Armament The Su-27PU had 8 hardpoints for its weapon
load, whereas the Su-30MK's combat load is mounted on 12 hardpoints: 2 wingtip AAM launch
rails, 3 pylons under each wing, 1 pylon under each engine nacelle, and 2 pylons in tandem
in the "arch" between the engines. All versions can carry up to 8 tonnes of external stores.
Guns: 1× GSh-30-1 gun AAMs: 6× R-27ER, 2× R-27ET, 6× R-73E, 6×
R-77 RVV-AE ASMs: 6× Kh-31P/A anti-radar/ship missiles,
6× Kh-29T/L laser guided missiles, 2× Kh-59ME Aerial bombs: 6× KAB 500KR, 3× KAB-1500KR,
8× FAB-500T, 28× OFAB-250-270, Nuclear bombs Incidents and accidents
12 June 1999: Paris Air Show, Le Bourget, France, a Russian Su-30MK crashed – both
pilots ejected safely and no one was hurt on the ground.
30 April 2009: an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI crashed near Jaisalmer. A pilot died.
30 November 2009: an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI crashed near Jaisalmer. The pilots survived.
13 December 2011: an IAF Su-30MKI crashed near Pune. Both the pilots ejected timely
and survived the crash. See also
Fourth-generation jet fighter Related development
Sukhoi Su-27/Shenyang J-11 Sukhoi Su-33
Sukhoi Su-34 Sukhoi Su-35
Sukhoi Su-37 Aircraft of comparable role, configuration
and era Boeing FF Super Hornet
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle Dassault Rafale
Eurofighter Typhoon Mikoyan MiG-35
Related lists List of fighter aircraft
List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS
References
Gordon, Yefim and Peter Davison. Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker. Specialty Press, 2006. ISBN 978-1-58007-091-1.
Further reading Eden, Paul. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military
Aircraft. London, UK: Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9. Gordon, Yefim. Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker: Air Superiority
Fighter. Airlife Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-84037-029-7. Williams, Mel. "Sukhoi 'Super Flankers'".
Superfighters: The Next Generation of Combat Aircraft. Norwalk, Connecticut: AIRtime Publishing
Inc., 2002. ISBN 1-880588-53-6. External links
Su-30MK page on Sukhoi.org Su-30 page on Milavia.net
Su-30 page on GlobalSecurity.org Sukhoi Su-30MK Su-30MKM fighter aircraft page
on Air recognition site Sukhoi Flankers – The Shifting Balance of
Regional Air Power Su-27 Series at Greg Goebel's AIR VECTORS
Su-30 page on Fighter Tactics Academy site Asia's Advanced Flankers on ausairpower.net
Sukhoi Su-30 photo pool on Flickr YouTube video, Su-30 videos on patricksaviation.com,
Su-30 videos on flightlevel350.com Malaysian SU-30MKM image on airliners.net
Sukhoi Su-30 story in colours at mars.slupsk.pl