Russian Air Force Sukhoi-SU-27 and Next Generation Sukhoi SU-30MKI Best Air Combat Fighter

The develoment of models such as the Su-30MKI, Su-30MKK and Su-30MKM was a sign that the market for the Russian fighter was becoming increasingly specialised and tailored to the needs of specific customers. This in itself is not unusual in the military aircraft business. There are numerous versions of the Lockheed-Martin F-16 that have been sold to different customers who have demanded either certain specific components be utilised in their export configuration, or that subsystems produced indigenously in that nation be substituted for US-made analogues. Israel is a prime example of this latter practice. The difference is that at the end of the day all of the F-16s are produced either at the one LM plant in Fort Worth, Texas and/or are produced under that one production centre’s OEM design authority.

In Russia, as a result of the commercialisation and re-organisation that occurred after the collapse of the USSR, the two major production centres of these fighters, the Komsomolsk-na-Amure Aviation Production Association (KNAAPO) in the Russian Far East province of Khabarovsk and the Irkut plant in Siberia, both sell and build the Su-27/30 designs. While near identical in appearance and many other characteristics, both companies’ aeroplanes are different. This competition began as those who produce aeroplanes for India utilising third country on-board systems (Irkut) v. the KNAAPO aeroplanes which use almost all-Russian made systems and are the principle suppliers to China’s PLAAF.

In 1997 Irkut, developed the Su-30MKI (“I” for India) program. In cooperation with the Sukhoi Design Bureau Irkut added a moveable canard and a thrust vector control (TVC) module to the aircraft’s planform making it a super-maneuverable fighter. A new-generation NIIP-designed N011M passive electronically scanning radar set and an “international” avionics suite that included Indian, Israeli and French components made the aircraft multi-role.

Aircraft Sukhoi SU-27

KNAAPO, which had sold a number of older-generation Su-27 models to the PLAAF in the first half of the decade, followed suit not long thereafter with the Su-30MKK model, with the second “K” here meaning “Kitai,”- the Russian word for China. The all-Russian on-board systems option appealed to the Chinese because their primary goal is to be able to produce most of the major subsystems for the Su-30MKK under license in the PRC. Thus far, the Russians have been willing to share a great deal of technology and have also taught the Chinese how to develop some of their own innovations.

In the second stage, which the Chinese are well into at this point, the PLAAF will become self-sufficient by having some of the Russian-made major components replaced by Chinese analogues. Recently, the Shenyang aircraft works that licence-produce the Su-27s in China under the designator of J-11 have flown a J-11B model aircraft that is reportedly equipped with a Chinese-made engine and radar set. The experience of US and EU sanctions has had the result of the Chinese trying to inoculate themselves against any embargoes in the future. Additionally, the KNAAPO-built Su-30MKK also does not include the canard that is part of the Su-30MKI’s planform. This modification to the Su-30 was developed by Irkut. Thus, they technically own the intellectual property rights to this modification and it cannot be offered to the Chinese unless KNAAPO pay a license or royalty fee for to their Irkut rivals.

Sukhoi-30MKI

DUAL TRACKS
Both plants have now signed up second-order customers. Malaysia in the case of Irkut has signed up for 18 Su-30MKMs, an “Islamic” version of the aircraft that is similar to the Su-30MKI but without any Israeli on-board systems, and Indonesia has contracted for Su-30 and Su-27 model fighters from KNAAPO - although they are considering switching to Irkut with their next order.

Competition between the producers has a follow on effect in terms of the supply of major components and sub-systems. For example, most of the avionics development on the Su-30MKI/MKM models for Irkut is being performed by OKB Russkaya Avionika, with the Ramenskoye Instrument Design Bureau doing the same for KNAAPO. Moscow-based Salyut has been the primary engine supplier to KNAAPO’s Chinese customer, while the Saturn/Rybinsk alliance has been the major supplier for Irkut. It is interesting to note that the two engine firms each developed their own, completely different TVC modules for the aircraft’s AL-31F engine.

NEW RADAR SYSTEMS
Two of major suppliers that are consistent between the two competing concerns, are the radar design bureaus of NIIP and Phazotron. The NIIP N001 radar set that was originally developed for the Su-27/30 aircraft in the 1980s has been replaced by the N011M in the Su-30MKI/MKM fighters from Irkut. The N011 was being considered for the latest batch of KNAAPO Su-30MKMs, along with the Phazotron Zhuk-MSE as another option. Both models are current-generation systems that are substantially more capable than the originals and reflect a customer demand led emphasis on continued research and development.

NIIP have also developed less costly solutions that can be retrofitted to older aircraft, which both factories have employed with both domestic and foreign customers. The upgraded N001VE radar retains the older model mechanically-steered antenna, but replaces the central processor in the radar with a newer, lighter, high speed model called the Baguet that also eliminates about 264 lbs of weight from the radar assembly. The Baguet also takes over all the radar’s secondary processing functions and negates the need for several other components that can now be removed.

If the mechanical array is then replaced with the NIIP-built Pero antenna the radar now becomes the N001VEP “Panda” model (named so because of the fact that its development was largely paid for with PRC funding), and makes it a passive electronically scanning radar (PESA). This further enhances both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes, as well as extending the range of the Su-27/30’s weapon systems. These and other changes enhance the air-to-air performance and add air-to-ground modes. The aircraft essen-tially becomes a multi-role aeroplane.