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The Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker is a highly-agile military aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation in 1996. It is a multirole air superiority fighter, but can also play an effective role as a strike and offensive support aircraft. The aircraft is comparable with USA's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15E Strike Eagle.

The aircraft is a modernized version of the Su-27UB and has several variants. The Su-30K series and the Su-30MK series have both had commercial success. The differences in nomenclature apart, the variants are manufactured by two competing organizations — KNAAPO and Irkutsk, both of which come under the Sukhoi group. KNAAPO manufactures the Su-30MKK and the Su-30MK2, which have been designed for and sold to the People's Republic of China. The most advanced Su-30 variants in service belong to the Su-30MK series from Irkutsk, which include the Su-30MKI, a highly specialized aircraft developed for the Indian Air Force and its derivatives, the Su-30MKM and the MKA for Malaysia and Algeria respectively. The Su-30MK series of fighters are long-range, multi-role platforms. There are several differences between the KNAAPO and Irkutsk fighters, and the latter's designs are generally considered to be the most advanced Russian-designed aircraft to be in service today.

Development

Su-27PU long range interceptor

While the original Su-27 had good range, it still did not have enough range for certain air-defense tasks required by the PVO Strany (short for "Protivovozdushnaya Oborona" — "Air Defence") whose requirements spanned the need to cover the vast expanse of the Soviet Union. Hence, the Su-27PU was developed in 1989 as a long range interceptor and 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 crewmen.

To adapt the Su-27UB to its new role, the aircraft was fitted with a retractable in-flight refueling probe to increase range; the probe is offset to the left side of the nose and, to accommodate it, the IRST was offset to the right.
The aircraft's avionics were changed, fitting special communications and guidance equipment to command formation flights of single-seat Su-27 interceptors. The rear cockpit received a large CRT display which provides the formation leader with tactical information regarding targets and interceptors. The navigation and fly-by-wire systems were also upgraded. It was fiited with an updated N001 radar, providing some air-to-ground attack capability and the ability to track and engage multiple aerial targets simultaneously.
Sukhoi offered the Su-27PU to be used as a "fighter controller", a sort of mini-AWACS, with the back-seater using the radar and data links to control other fighters. However the PVO was not interested in buying the Su-27PU.
All the five Su-27PUs, with the new designation of "Su-30" ended up in PVO service in the training role.

Su-30MK multi-role twin-seater

A Su-30M two-seat multirole variant was proposed for Russian use and a few may have been built in the mid-1990s for evaluation.

Sukhoi proposed an export variant, Su-30MK, where "MK" stood for "Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy" (Modernized Commercial). Sukhoi displayed a Su-30MK demonstrator at the Paris Air Salon in 1993.
A much more optimized Su-30MK demonstrator, rebuilt from the first production Su-27PU, was displayed in 1994.

Universal air warrior

The Su-30MK is capable of accomplishing a wide variety of combat missions at significant distances from the home base, in any weather conditions and in severe jamming environment, both by day and by night.

This multirole aircraft is adequately fitted for the entire spectrum of tactical and operational combat employment scenarios, varying from counter-air tasks (ie. gaining air superiority, air defense, air patrol and escort) to ground attack, suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, close air support and maritime attack. Additionally, the Su-30MK can perform ECCM and early warning tasks, as well as exercise command-and-control over a group of aerial combat assets performing joint missions.

Angle of attack

The Su-30MK's aerodynamic configuration is an unstable-in-longitude triplane (see relaxed stability). To increase lifting effectiveness and enhance maneuverability of the aircraft, canards are installed. They are deflected automatically to ensure controlled flight at high angles-of-attack. However, canards are installed only in some Su-30 variants like the Su-30MKI.

Pugachev's Cobra maneuver

The integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with the thrust vectoring control capability, results in unprecedented maneuverability and unique takeoff and landing characteristics. Equipped with a digital fly-by-wire system, the Su-30MK is capable of performing a number of unique manuevers. They include the well-known Pugachev's Cobra and the Bell. While performing a somersault maneuver, the aircraft makes 360-degree turn in the pitch plane without any loss of altitude. In the Controlled Flat Spin maneuver, the aircraft performs several full turns in the horizontal plane, with zero forward speed, virtually on the spot.

Power plant

The aircraft's power plant incorporates two Saturn AL-31FP high bypass turbofan afterburning engines. A total afterburning thrust of 25,000 kgf (245 kN) ensures Mach 2 horizontal flight speed, 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 refueling system increases the flight duration up to 10 hours with a range of 8,000 km at cruise altitudes of 11 to 13 km.

Long range capability increases significantly employment options. The missions vary from prolonged patrols and escorts to long-range interceptions and air-to-ground strikes.

2D thrust vectoring control

Differential ±15-degree deflection of the engines' axisymmetric nozzles (with turn axes positioned at 32-deg angle to each other) enables pitch/yaw thrust vectoring control. Depending on the manoeuvre to be performed, nozzles deflections can be synchronised with or differ from the deflections of horizontal tail planes. However only the Su-30 MKI variant has 2D TVC.

Two-member crew

A two-member crew configuration contributes significantly to enhanced combat capabilities, due to rational distribution of workload between crewmembers. While the first pilot flies aircraft, controls weapons and performs manoeuvring dogfight, the co-pilot employs BVR air-to-air and air-to-ground guided weapons in long-range engagements, monitors tactical environment to ensure situational awareness, and performs command-and-control tasks in group missions.

Avionics

Radar: Either a N001VE or Phazotron N010 Zhuk-27 or an N011M BARS pulse Doppler passive phased array radar. Capable of detecting and tracking up to 15 air targets, while concurrently attacking four of them. The N011M BARS radar (featuring a 20-m (?? ft) resolution) ensures detection of large sea-surface targets at a distance of up to 400 km (??? mi), and small-size ones at a distance of up to 120 km (??? mi).
Other avionics include an integrated optronic sighting-and-navigation system with a laser gyro navigation system; helmet-mounted displays, a head-up-display, multi-function color LCDs with image mixing capability; and a GPS system (GLONASS/NAVSTAR compatible).
IR and laser sighting pods to detect and engage small-size ground targets are available for installation. The aircraft is provided with an ECCM facility intended to subvert hostile electronic and electro-optical countermeasures.
The aircraft features autopilot capability at all flight stages including low-altitude flight in terrain-following mode, as well as 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.

Armament

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. It can carry 8 tonnes of external stores.

Guns:

1× GSh-301 gun (30 mm caliber, 150 rounds)

AAMs:

6× R-27ER1 (AA-10C)
2× R-27ET1 (AA-10D)
6× R-73E (AA-11)
6× RVV-AE (AA-12)

ASMs:

6× Kh-31P/Kh-31A anti-radar missile
6× Kh-29T/L laser guided missile
2× Kh-59ME

Aerial bombs:

6× KAB 500KR
3× KAB-1500KR
8× FAB-500T
28× OFAB-250-270

Su-30 variants

Sukhoi OKB has pursued new variants of the Su-27 family and has given them a bewildering range of new designations as marketing ploys. One Western observer commented on the Sukhoi OKB in 1995: "They produced more new designations than airframes this year."

List of Su-30 variants:

Su-27UP: Long range interceptor based on two-seater Su-27UB trainer. Later renamed Su-30.
Su-30: Testbed fighter with canards added.
Su-30M: Basically an upgraded Su-27PU, first real multi-role aircraft in Su-27 family.
Su-30K: Commercial version of the basic Su-30. 50 units sold to India and later upgraded to Su-30MKI.
Su-30KI: Sukhoi proposal for upgrading Russian AF single seat Su-27S. Also proposed export version for Indonesia, only single seat in Su-30 family.
Su-30KN: Upgrade for operational two-seat fighters, the Su-27UB, Su-30 and Su-30K.
Su-30MK: The commercial version of Su-30 first revealed in 1993.

Su-30M2: upgraded Su-30MK with canards and TVC.

Su-30MKA: Export version for Algeria
Su-30MKI: Export version for India with TVC, canards.
Su-30MKK: Export version for China

Su-30MK2: Su-30MKK with upgraded electronics that enabled support for antiship missiles

Su-30MK3: Su-30MKK with Zhuk MSE radar and Support for Kh-59MK antiship missile.

Su-30MK2V: Su-30MK2 variant for Vietnam with minor modifications.
Su-30MKM: Export version for Malaysia

After years of negotiations, India decided to purchase 40 Su-30 aircraft and acquired the licence from Sukhoi and Russia to manufacture an additional 140 Su-30 MKI aircraft. India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the largest manufacturer of the Sukhoi Su-30 in the world.

Apart from India, the Su-30 currently serves or is on order for the airforces of several countries including the People's Republic of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Algeria.

In May 2003, the Royal Malaysian Air Force signed a deal to purchase 18 of Sukhoi Su-30MKM jet fighters worth almost $1 billion. The Su-30MKMs will be delivered in batches starting in early 2007. As part of the deal, the Russians will send a Malaysian astronaut to the ISS.

On 14 June, 2006, the government of Venezuela announced the purchase of 24 units of the Sukhoi Su-30MK2. The first two Sukhoi Su-30MK2 arrived in the first week of December 2006, while the other 22 aircraft will arrive in 2007

Su-30MKI (India)

The Su-30MKI is the export version serving in the Indian Air Force. India is expected to eventually acquire a total of 190 aircraft..

Su-30MKK/MK2/MK3 (People's Republic of China)

China had been the Su-27's most important operator outside Russia, with over a 150 Su-27SK and Su-27UB aircraft delivered and built under license (as the J-11) since the early 1990s. The Su-30 has been a design that has sparked high interest from Chinese leaders, and the MKK was specially designed by Sukhoi to meet PLAAF needs. In 1999 the Chinese leadership signed a $1.5 Billion deal to buy 38 Su-30MKK (Russian: Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy Kitaya; Modernized Commercial China) combat aircraft, the first being delivered by December 20 2000. By the end of 2001, the whole batch completed delivery.

A second batch of 38 had been ordered in 2001, and deliveries are thought to have been completed by 2003. In January 2003, China ordered 24 of the improved Su-30MK2, which have since been delivered to to the Naval Aviation corps. Follow on orders are likely, though the further improved Su-30MK3 has yet to be purchased. However, with the success of the more economical indigenous JH-7A attack aircraft, and the eventual unveiling of the J-11B (improved and indigenized Su-27SK with new sensors and precision attack weapons compatibility), future large orders of the Su-30MKK series may look bleak.

Su-30MKM (Malaysia)

The Su-30MKM is the export version that is on order for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. This version is similar to the MKI but will principally be equipped with French and Russian avionics. It will feature head-up and multifunction displays from Thales and Sagem of France as well as the Russian BARS NIIP N011M radar.

Su-30MKV (Venezuela)

The export version that will serve in Venezuela's air force is most likely to be similar to the Su-30MK2. This is based on the presence of 2 such demonstrator models (No. 501 and No. 502) from the KNAAPO facility that took part in July 2006 national day parade in Caracas.

The latest news confirm that the Su-30 purchased by Venezuela are indeed SU-30MK2.

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 ===Pugachev's Cobra maneuver===
-The integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with the [[thrust vectoring]] control capability, results in unprecedented maneuverability and unique takeoff and landing characteristics. Equipped with a digital fly-by-wire system, the Su-30MK is capable of performing a number of maneuvers to dominate in a [[dogfight]]. They include the well-known [[Pugachev's Cobra]] and the Bell. While performing a somersault maneuver, the aircraft makes 360-degree turn in the pitch plane without any loss of altitude. In the Controlled Flat Spin maneuver, the aircraft performs several full turns in the horizontal plane, with zero forward speed, virtually on the spot.
+The integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with the [[thrust vectoring]] control capability, results in unprecedented maneuverability and unique takeoff and landing characteristics. Equipped with a digital fly-by-wire system, the Su-30MK is capable of performing a number of unique manuevers. They include the well-known [[Pugachev's Cobra]] and the Bell. While performing a somersault maneuver, the aircraft makes 360-degree turn in the pitch plane without any loss of altitude. In the Controlled Flat Spin maneuver, the aircraft performs several full turns in the horizontal plane, with zero forward speed, virtually on the spot.
 ===Power plant===

v t e Sukhoi aircraft
Fighters / interceptors	Su-9 Su-11 Su-15 Su-27 Su-30 MKA MKI MKK MKM Su-33 Su-35 Su-57 Su-75
Bombers / attack	Su-2 Su-4 Su-7 Su-17 Su-20 Su-22 Su-24 Su-25 Su-34 Su-39 S-70 Okhotnik
Reconnaissance	Su-12
Competitive aerobatic	Su-26 Su-29 Su-31
Trainers	Su-28 Su-29
Transports	Su-80 Superjet 100
Experimental	Su-1 Su-3 Su-5 Su-6 Su-7 (1944) Su-8 Su-9 (1946) Su-10 Su-11 (1946) Su-13 Su-15 (1949) Su-17 (1949) Su-37 Su-47 P-1 T-3 T-4 T-49 T-405 T-431
Agricultural	Su-38
Cancelled projects	KR-860 S-6 S-21 T-60S T-12 Shturmovik-90 Sukhoi Shkval
List of Sukhoi aircraft