Sukhoi Su-30

Su-30 is a two-seat (tandem) long-range combat aircraft and trainer. Financial stringency has restricted the total to date in Russian service to 5. The Su-30 was designed for mission of 10 hours or more with two in-flight refuellings, including group missions with Su-27s where only the Su-30 would operate its radar, assigning targets to Su-27s by radio datalink. It is fitted out to carry bombs and rockets, but not guided air-to-surface weapons. Canards and thrust vectoring are optional. The export designation is Su-30K. The K stands for kommercheskii (export) in Russian.

In addition to the small quantity of Su-30 in Russian service, the Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association reports that the Su-30 (as well as Su-27UB) is the model delivered to China, and will be delivered to Vietnam, though these aircraft are likely to be standard Su-27UBs. China has a further requirement for Su-30s, but Russia is reportedly unwilling to supply the requested new-generation very long-range AAMs. China would almost certainly require the multirole Su-30M, not basic Su-30s.

The Su-30 has the Su-27UB's tandem seating and new avionics. Its configuration is similar to the Su-27UB, with unstable aerodynamic characteristics, as are its structure and equipment, bar its flight refuelling probe and buddy refuelling capability. The two crew sit in tandem in identical cockpits, on K-36 zero/zero ejection seats, with the rear seat raised. Systems are as per the Su-27UB, except gaseous oxygen for 10 hours' flight. It is offered with a NIIP N001 Myech ('Slot Back') coherent pulse Doppler look-down/shoot-down radar. The ability to track 10 targets and engage two simultaneously is offered, but this is probably not on current aircraft. Su-30 has a new navigation system based on GPS, Loran and Omega. The integrated fire-control system enables radar, infrared search and track (IRST) and laser rangefinder to be slaved to pilot's helmet-mounted target designator and displayed on wide-angle head-up display (HUD). There is provision for fitting foreign-made airborne and weapon systems at customer's request.

The Su-30 self-defence fit consists of a SPO-15LM Beryoza 360º radar warning system and chaff/flare dispensers.

Su-30M: A two-seat multirole fighter with canards and AL-37PP engines with thrust vectoring. Improvements include compatibility with stand-off air-to-surface weapons, a more accurate navigation system, and ability to carry pods for laser designation or anti-radiation missile (ARM) guidance. Western avionics, guidance pods and weapons can be fitted optionally. In production for India; China showed interest during 1998 in acquiring 50. The standard export variant is known as the Su-30MK.

Su-30MKI: Version for India in four configurations, sometimes referred to as Su-30MKI, MKII, MKIII and MKIV. The first eight were delivered in March 1997 to basic Su-30PU standard (or even as Su-27UBs), with AL-31F engines. Eight delivery in 1998 were expected to have French Sextant avionics, Israeli electronic warfare (EW) equipment and a rearward-facing radar in the tailcone, but these were delayed by an Israeli embargo in wake of India's nuclear tests. The 12 deliveries planned for 1999 are meant to have added canards, as on the Su-37. The final 12 in 2000 will have AL-37FP engines, with single-axis thrust-vectoring nozzles inclined out 32° from the centreline. The AL-37PP is claimed to offer 3-D thrust vectoring. A further 10 aircraft ordered in late 1998 will be delivered to full MKI standards, with the first 28 aircraft being upgraded to a similar standard by Sukhoi under a rolling programme. HAL have an option to produce up to 120 aircraft under license within five years. On 29 August 1997, Indonesia signed for eight 'single-seat Su-30s' and four two-seat, but this was cancelled on 9 January 1998.

3-View

A three-view drawing (752 x 1183)