Sukhoi Su-30MKA

Last updated
Su-30MKA
Su-30Algeria.jpg
Role Multirole combat aircraft
National originRussia
Design group Sukhoi
Introduction2007 (Algeria)

2007 (Russia (only for testing))

StatusIn service
Primary user Algerian Air Force
Produced2007-present
Number built64
Developed fromSukhoi Su-30MKI III
Developed intoSU30SM

The Sukhoi Su-30MKA (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia's Sukhoi made for the Algerian Air Force. A variant of the Sukhoi Su-27S, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter. The aircraft is based on the Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKI III and is the 2nd adaptation of the same, after the first one being the Malaysian Sukhoi Su-30MKM.

Contents

Development of the variant started after Algeria signed a deal with Russia in 2006 to manufacture 28 Su-30MKA fighters. The Su-30MKA is tailor-made for Algerian specifications and integrates Indian systems and avionics as well as French sub-systems. It has abilities similar to the Sukhoi Su-37 with which it shares many features and components. The first Russian-made Su-30MKA variant was accepted into the Algerian Air Force in 2007. The AAF has 63 Su-30MKAs in inventory as of December 2023. [1]

Development

Origins and acquisition

Su-30MKA in flight 30MKA de l'armee de l'air algerienne(modified).jpg
Su-30MKA in flight

The Su-30MKA was designed by Russia's Sukhoi Corporation beginning in 2006. The Su-30MKA is derived from the Sukhoi Su-27S and has a fusion of technology from the Su-37 demonstrator and Su-30MKI III program, being more advanced than the baseline Su-27S. It features state-of-the-art avionics developed by Russia, India, and France for display, navigation, targeting, and electronic warfare.

On 2006, Algeria signed a deal for 28 Russian-produced Su-30MKAs in 2 batches and 34 MiG-29 9.19.The AAF signed a contract for new MiG-29 9.19 and MIG29UBT but received used and defective ones, so the AAF stopped paying for the MiG-29 9.19 and MIG29UBT and in response, Russia stopped delivering the Su-30MKAs. Later a deal was made to give back the MiG-29 9.19 and MIG29UBT to Russia, Russia will sell another Su-30MKAs but cheaper and the MiG responsible went to prison.[ clarification needed ] So at the end the AAF ordered 44 Su-30MKAs. In 2015, another order of 14 Su-30MKAs was placed. In 2018, the planned fleet strength was to be 58 aircraft. In 2019, it was reported that Algeria and Russia signed a contract for 16 more Su-30MKAs. As of December 2023,7 aircraft of the 2019 Deal were delivered [1]

Upgrades

Sukhoi has offered a range of upgrades for Flanker H airframes, including integration of new AL-41F1S engines to provide a longer range, lower maintenance needs and greater manoeuvrability, as well as new radars. These include the N035 Irbis-E used on the Su-35S/SU27BM,SU27SM2 and SU27SM3 with an unrivalled wide aspect detection and formidable capabilities against stealth targets,N035 Irbis E is capable of detecting 3M2 targets from 375 km, [2] compared to 140 km to the current N011M radar used on the SU30MKA. Su-27S have long been prized for their ability to carry very large sensors, which makes their situational awareness even with older radar designs very formidable. The most important update of the upgrade Sukhoi offer is the RCS reduction,The Su30MKA rcs is 20m2 [2] and the SU35S rcs is 3.5m2, [3] this is achieved by incorporating RAM, putting radar blockers in the engine and suppressing the canards. The Algerian SU30MKA primary weakness is its RCS. The cost of an upgrade package would be difficult to estimate depending on how ambitious it is and what portion of the fleet receives it, but it could well cost around $2 billion or more if full comprehensive upgrades and large supplies of new armaments are commissioned for all 63 fighters. [1] It is important to know that the N035 Irbis E radar is just a modification of the N011M radar, [4] this upgrade is called SU30SM2. [1] [3] [5]

Design

Characteristics

The Su-30MKA is a highly integrated twin-tailed aircraft. The airframe is constructed of titanium and high-strength aluminium alloys. The engine intake ramps and nacelles are fitted with trouser fairings to provide a continuous streamlined profile between the nacelles and the tail beams. The fins and horizontal tail consoles are attached to tail beams. The central beam section between the engine nacelles consists of the equipment compartment, fuel tank and the brake parachute container. The fuselage head is of semi-monocoque construction and includes the cockpit, radar compartments and the avionics bay.

The Su-30MKA aerodynamic configuration is a longitudinal triplane with relaxed stability. The canard increases the aircraft lift ability and deflects automatically to allow high angle of attack (AoA) flights allowing it to perform maneuvers such as Pugachev's Cobra. The integral aerodynamic configuration combined with thrust vectoring results in extremely capable manoeuvrability, taking off and landing characteristics. This high agility allows rapid deployment of weapons in any direction as desired by the crew. The canard notably assists in controlling the aircraft at large angles of attack and bringing it to a level flight condition. The aircraft has a fly-by-wire (FBW) with quadruple redundancy. Dependent on flight conditions, signals from the control stick position transmitter or the FCS may be coupled to remote control amplifiers and combined with feedback signals from acceleration sensors and rate gyros. The resultant control signals are coupled to the high-speed electro-hydraulic actuators of the elevators, rudders and the canard. The output signals are compared and, if the difference is significant, the faulty channel is disconnected. FBW is based on a stall warning and barrier mechanism which prevents stalls through dramatic increases of control stick pressure, allowing a pilot to effectively control the aircraft without exceeding the angle of attack and acceleration limitations. Although the maximum angle of attack is limited by the canards, the FBW acts as an additional safety mechanism.

The Su-30MKA has a range of 3,000 km with internal fuel which ensures a 3.75 hour combat mission. Also, it has an in-flight refueling (IFR) probe that retracts beside the cockpit during normal operation. The air refueling system increases the flight duration up to 10 hours with a range of 3,000 km combat radius. [6] Su-30MKAs can also use the Cobham 754 buddy refueling pods.

Su-30MKA during testing Algerian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MK.jpg
Su-30MKA during testing

The Su-30MKA's radar cross-section (RCS) is reportedly 4M2 with clean wings and 20M2 with payload [2]

Cockpit

The Su-30MKA on-board health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) monitors almost every aircraft system and sub-system, and can also act as an engineering data recorder. From 2010, indigenously designed and built HUDs and Multi-Function Displays (MFD) were produced by the Delhi-based Samtel Group Display Systems.

The crew are provided with zero-zero NPP Zvezda K-36DM ejection seats. The rear seat is raised for better visibility. The cockpit is provided with containers to store food and water reserves, a waste disposal system and extra oxygen bottles. The K-36DM ejection seat is inclined at 30°, to help the pilot resist aircraft accelerations in air combat.

Avionics

The forward-facing NIIP N011M Bars (Panther) is a powerful integrated passive electronically scanned array radar. The N011M is a digital multi-mode dual frequency band rdar.The N011M can function in air-to-air and air-to-land/sea mode simultaneously while being tied into a high-precision laser-inertial or GPS navigation system. It is equipped with a modern digital weapons control system as well as anti-jamming features. N011M has a 400 km search range and a maximum 200 km tracking range, and 60 km in the rear hemisphere.[ citation needed ] The radar can track 15 air targets and engage 4 simultaneously. These targets can even include cruise missiles and motionless helicopters. The Su-30MKA can function as a mini-AWACS as a director or command post for other aircraft. The target co-ordinates can be transferred automatically to at least four other aircraft. The radar can detect ground targets such as tanks at 40–50 km. [7]

OLS-30 laser-optical Infra-red search and track includes a day and night FLIR capability and is used in conjunction with the helmet mounted sighting system. The OLS-30 is a combined IRST/LR device using a cooled, broad waveband sensor. Detection range is up to 90 km, while the laser ranger is effective to 3.5 km. Targets are displayed on the same LCD display as the radar.

The aircraft is fitted with a satellite navigation system (A-737 GPS compatible), which permits it to make flights in all weather, day and night. The navigation complex includes the high accuracy SAGEM Sigma-95 integrated global positioning system and ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system.

Sukhoi Su-30MKA has electronic counter-measure systems. The RWR system is of Indian design, developed by India's DRDO, called Tarang, (Wave in English). It has direction finding capability and is known to have a programmable threat library. The RWR is derived from work done on an earlier system for India's MiG-23BNs known as the Tranquil, which is now superseded by the more advanced Tarang series.

Propulsion

The Su-30MKA is powered by two Lyulka-Saturn AL-31FP turbofans, each rated at 12,500 kgf (27,550 lbf) of full after-burning thrust, which enable speeds of up to Mach 2 in horizontal flight and a rate of climb of 230 m/s. The mean time between overhaul is reportedly 1,000 hours with a full-life span of 3,000 hours; the titanium nozzle has a mean time between overhaul of 500 hours. In early 2015, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar stated before Parliament that the AL-31FP had suffered numerous failures, between the end of 2012 and early 2015, a total of 69 Su-30MKA engine-related failures had occurred; commons causes were bearing failures due to metal fatigue and low oil pressure, in response several engine modifications were made to improve lubrication, as well as the use of higher quality oil and adjustments to the fitting of bearings.

The Su-30MKA's AL-31FP powerplant built on the earlier AL-31FU, adding two-plane thrust vectoring nozzles are mounted 32 degrees outward to longitudinal engine axis (i.e. in the horizontal plane) and can be deflected ±15 degrees in one plane. The canting allows the aircraft to produce both roll and yaw by vectoring each engine nozzle differently; this allows the aircraft to create thrust vectoring moments about all three rotational axes, pitch, yaw and roll. Engine thrust is adjusted via a conventional engine throttle lever as opposed to a strain-gauge engine control stick. The aircraft is controlled by a standard control stick. The pilot can activate a switch for performing difficult maneuvers; while this is enabled, the computer automatically determines the deflection angles of the swiveling nozzles and aerodynamic surfaces.

Operational history

It has been seen multiple violating the border of Mali at low altitudes,some rumors suggest it even flied over the capital of Libya.

Accidents and incidents

As of April 2023, one Su-30MKA had been lost in a crashed since the introduction of aircraft in 2008.[ citation needed ]

A Sukhoi Su-30MKA belonging to the Air Force's 121st Fighter Squadron crashed during a routine exercise, near Mechta Draa Tafza in Ain Zitoun commune, wilaya of Oum El Bouaghi. The two pilots did not survive the crash. It is not known why the two pilots were unable to eject from the cockpit. [8]

Specifications (Su-30MKA)

General characteristics

Performance
1,350 km/h (840 mph; 730 kn) / M1.09 at low altitude
1,270 km (790 mi; 690 nmi) at low altitude
Armament
Avionics

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-27</span> Russian 4th generation fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-27 is a Soviet-origin twin-engine supersonic supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large US fourth-generation jet fighters such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, with 3,530-kilometre (1,910 nmi) range, heavy aircraft ordnance, sophisticated avionics and high maneuverability. The Su-27 was designed for air superiority missions, and subsequent variants are able to perform almost all aerial warfare operations. It was designed with the Mikoyan MiG-29 as its complement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikoyan MiG-27</span> Series of Soviet attack aircraft

The Mikoyan MiG-27 is a variable-sweep ground-attack aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union and later licence-produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur ("Valiant"). It is based on the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 fighter aircraft, but optimised for air-to-ground attack. Unlike the MiG-23, the MiG-27 did not have widespread use outside Russia, as most countries opted for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN and Sukhoi Su-22 instead. It remains in service only with the Kazakh Air Forces in the ground attack role. All Russian, Indian, Sri Lankan and Ukrainian MiG-27s have been retired.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-35</span> Upgraded series of the Su-27 fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-35 is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable air superiority fighters, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by Sukhoi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-30</span> Russian fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat supermaneuverable fighter aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air interdiction missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-33</span> Soviet/Russian carrier-based fighter

The Sukhoi Su-33 is a Soviet/Russian all-weather carrier-based twin-engine air superiority fighter designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, derived from the Su-27 and initially known as the Su-27K. Compared with the Su-27, the Su-33 has a strengthened undercarriage and structure, folding wings and stabilators, all for carrier operations. The Su-33 has canards, and its wings are larger than the Su-27 for a slower stall speed. The Su-33 has upgraded engines and a twin nose wheel, and is air refuelable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-37</span> Experimental thrust-vectoring version of the Su-35 fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-37 was a single-seat twin-engine aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau which served as a technology demonstrator. It met the need to enhance pilot control of the Su-27M, a further development of the Su-27. The sole example built was originally the eleventh Su-27M (T10M-11) built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association before having thrust-vectoring nozzles installed. It also had updated flight- and weapons-control systems. The aircraft made its maiden flight in April 1996. Throughout the flight-test program, the Su-37 demonstrated its supermaneuverability at air shows, performing manoeuvres such as a 360-degree somersault. The aircraft crashed in December 2002 due to structural failure. The Su-37 did not enter production, despite a report in 1998 which claimed that Sukhoi had built a second Su-37 using the twelfth Su-27M airframe, T10M-11 remained the sole prototype. Sukhoi had instead applied the aircraft's systems to the design bureau's other fighter designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-15</span> Soviet interceptor aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-15 is a twinjet supersonic interceptor aircraft developed by the Soviet Union. It entered service in 1965 and remained one of the front-line designs into the 1990s. The Su-15 was designed to replace the Sukhoi Su-11 and Sukhoi Su-9, which were becoming obsolete as NATO introduced newer and more capable strategic bombers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikoyan Project 1.44</span> Fighter technology demonstrator aircraft

The Mikoyan Project 1.44/1.42 is a multirole fighter technology demonstrator developed by the Mikoyan design bureau. It was designed for the Soviet Union's MFI project for the I-90 program, the answer to the U.S.'s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF). The MFI was to incorporate many fifth-generation jet fighter features such as supermaneuverability, supercruise, and advanced avionics, as well as some degree of radar signature reduction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikoyan MiG-29M</span> Strike fighter aircraft project

The Mikoyan MiG-29M is a Russian multirole fighter that first flew in 2005. The unified platform that is the MiG-29 is now comprised by the MiG-29M and a naval carrier variant, the MiG-29K. A direct predecessor of the MiG-29M, sometimes known informally as the "MiG-33", was developed by the Mikoyan design bureau in the mid-1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Novator KS-172</span> Russian/Indian long range air-to-air missile project

The Novator KS-172 was a Russian air-to-air missile project designed as an "AWACS killer" at ranges up to 400 km. The missile had various names during its history, including K-100, Izdeliye 172, AAM-L (RVV-L), KS–172, KS-1, 172S-1 and R-172. The airframe appears to have been derived from the 9K37 Buk surface-to-air missile (SAM) but development stalled in the mid-1990s for lack of funds. It appears to have restarted in 2004 after a deal with India, who wants to produce the missile in India for their Su-30MKI fighters. Development has ceased and the project is closed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-34</span> Russian fighter-bomber aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-34 is a Soviet-origin Russian twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber/strike aircraft. It first flew in 1990, intended for the Soviet Air Forces, and it entered service in 2014 with the Russian Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-9 (1946)</span> Experimental fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-9 was an early jet fighter built in the Soviet Union shortly after World War II. The design began in 1944 and was intended to use Soviet-designed turbojet engines. The design was heavily influenced by captured German jet fighters and it was subsequently redesigned to use a Soviet copy of a German turbojet. The Su-9 was slower than competing Soviet aircraft and it was cancelled as a result. A modified version with different engines and a revised wing became the Su-11, but this did not enter production either. The Su-13 was a proposal to re-engine the aircraft with Soviet copies of the Rolls-Royce Derwent turbojet as well as to modify it for night fighting, but neither proposal was accepted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R-37 (missile)</span> Russian long range, hypersonic air-to-air BVR missile

The Vympel R-37 is a Russian hypersonic air-to-air missile with very long range. The missile and its variants also had the names K-37, izdeliye 610 and RVV-BD, and the NATO codenames "Axehead" and "Andi". It was developed from the R-33.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-57</span> Russian stealth multirole fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-57 is a twin-engine stealth multirole fighter aircraft developed by Sukhoi. It is the product of the PAK FA programme, which was initiated in 1999 as a more modern and affordable alternative to the MFI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikoyan MiG-29K</span> Carrier-based multirole combat aircraft

The Mikoyan MiG-29K is a Russian all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau. The MiG-29K was developed in the late 1980s from the MiG-29M. Mikoyan describes it as a 4+ generation aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-30MKI</span> Indian variant of the Su-30MK multirole fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seater, twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and built under licence by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). A variant of the Sukhoi Su-30, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-30MKM</span> Malaysian version of the Su-30MK multirole combat aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-30MKM is a twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It is a variant of the Su-30 series fighters, with many significant improvements over the original Su-30MK export version. The Su-30MKM was developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and is based on the Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force. Both aircraft have common airframe, thrust vectoring engines and a digital fly-by-wire system, however the MKM version differs from the MKI mainly in the composition of the onboard avionics. It can carry up to 8,000 kg (17,637 lb) payload over a 1,296 km un-refueled combat radius.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-30MKK</span> Variant version of the Su-30MK multirole fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-30MKK is a modification of the Sukhoi Su-30, incorporating advanced technology from the Sukhoi Su-35 variant. The Su-30MKK was developed by Sukhoi in 1997, as a result of a direct Request for tender between the Russian Federation and China. It is a heavy class, all-weather, long-range strike fighter, and like the Sukhoi Su-30, comparable to the American McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle. The Sukhoi Su-30MK2 is a further improvement to Su-30MKK with upgraded avionics and maritime strike capabilities. The MKK and MK2 are currently operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force, Indonesian Air Force, Vietnam People's Air Force, Venezuelan Air Force and the Ugandan Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Post-PFI Soviet/Russian aircraft projects</span> Abandoned military aircraft projects of Russia

The Soviet post-PFI projects are several Soviet and Russian Air Force projects initiated to replace the PFI-era aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irbis-E</span> Type of aircraft

Irbis-E is a Russian multi-mode, hybrid passive electronically scanned array radar system developed by Tikhomirov NIIP for the Sukhoi Su-35 multi-purpose fighter aircraft. NIIP developed the Irbis-E radar from the N011M Bars radar system used on Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Embraer, In association with. "2024 World Air Forces directory". Flight Global. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  2. 1 2 3 "Which is the No:1 BVR Fighter Aircraft in South Asia ?". www.angelfire.com. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  3. 1 2 Redacción (2020-12-17). "El avión de combate Su-35 de Rusia un gran peligro en el aire". Galaxia Militar (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  4. ↑ "Irbis-E". hmn.wiki. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  5. ↑ "Russian Aerospace Forces to receive upgraded Su-30SM1 fighters". airrecognition.com. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  6. ↑ "n2:0730-6784 – Search Results". worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  7. ↑ web.archive.org https://web.archive.org/web/20130415000000*/http://www.niip.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8:2011-07-18-12-25-58&catid=8:2011-07-06-06-33-26&Itemid=8 . Retrieved 2023-12-11.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ Akramov (2020-01-27). "Crash d'un Su 30 de l'armée de l'air algérienne". MENADEFENSE (in French). Retrieved 2023-04-21.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Sukhoi Su-30MKA at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.