But the back-seat Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) does make two-seaters superior for employing sophisticated sensors and precision-guided ground-attack weapons, and even remote-controlling ‘buddy’ drones. Two-seat jets are generally larger and heavier, with a corresponding downtick in kinematic performance. Modernizing the Su-30: Su-30SM2 On the Way… ![]() Ordering and exporting Su-30SM2s thus keeps business flowing to the Irkutsk factory before it eventually transitions to Su-57 production (by which time Moscow hopes the design will have matured with better engines and radar.) The improvements to the Su-30SM might also allow KnAAPO to cease production of Su-35s sooner to focus on production of newer types like its new Su-75 export fighter. This model is also operated by Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and most recently, Myanmar. Russia’s military eventually procured its own Su-30MKI variant, the Su-30SM, which is playing a leading role alongside Su-35s in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Besides 272 Su-30MKIs built for India, the type was exported with minor tweaks to Algeria (Su-30MKA) and Malaysia (Su-30MKM). This incorporated open-architecture avionics, and boosted maneuverability by incorporating a second set of small wings close to the nose called canards, and sophisticated thrust-vectoring engine nozzles. Meanwhile, the Irkutsk Aviation Plant developed the more sophisticated Su-30MKI (Flanker-H) to meet requirements set by the Indian Air. Russia’s Navy also bought 22 of this model designated the Su-30M2. This and its improved successor the Su-30MK2, were exported to China, Indonesia, Uganda, Venezuela and Vietnam. ![]() The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant (KnAAPO) built the more modestly upgraded Su-30MKK (Flanker-G). Ultimately, though, it spawned two different fighters produced by rival factories. F-15C-with improved capability to employ precision surface-attack weapons. The Su-30 originated as a successor to the Soviet Su-27 fighter-a counterpart to the U.S.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |