Sukhoi Su-30MKK

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Sukhoi Su-30MKK
Su-30MKK of the PLAAF
Type Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer KNAAPO
Designed by Sukhoi
Status Active service
Primary users People's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
Venezuelan Air Force
Produced 2000-present
Number built 124
Unit cost US$53,000,000 for first 38
Developed from Sukhoi Su-27SK

The Sukhoi Su-30MKK[1] is a modification of the Su-27 SK manufactured since 1999 by KNAAPO, JSC. The MKK is currently operated by the People's Republic of China, and very recently, the Venezuelan Air Force.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

China and Russia began negotiations for the purchase of the Su-30MK multirole fighter in 1996. The initial deal of 38 aircraft valued at about US$2 billion was agreed upon in August 1999. The variant specially configured according to the requirements of the People's Liberation Army Air Force was designated as the Su-30MKK.[3] In January 2003, the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force ordered 24 Su-30MKK2s which are improved variants of the original MKKs.[3]

[edit] Deliveries

Su-30 MKK
The PLAAF's 3rd Aviation Division based at Wuhu AFB, Anhui Province received the first batch of 10 aircraft from KNAAPO in December 2000; the remaining 28 were delivered by the end of 2001. A second batch of 38 more aircraft was ordered in July 2001, with these aircraft delivered in 2003. These aircraft are operated by the PLAAF 18th Air Division which is based at Changsha AFB, Hunan Province.[3]
Su-30 MK2
24 Su-30 MK2 were ordered by the PLANAF in January 2002, these were all reported to have been delivered by August 2004[3]

In September 2004, 24 Su-30MK2 were ordered by the Venezuelan Air Force. Four of them arrived in December 2006, and the rest are expected to arrive in 2007.

[edit] Engines and avionics

The main powerplant are two AL-31F engines that provide great maneuverability and thrust. Range can be extended with the in flight refueling probe.

The Su-30MKK features a glass cockpit, and an NIIP N001VEP fire-control radar designed by the Chief designer Mr. Viktor Gerishin of the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design with a range upto 100 km, able to concurrently track 10 targets, and engage four air targets or two ground targets of the 10 tracked. The main difference of the Su-30MK2 model is its improved radar which is the upgraded N001VEP radar, with longer range coverage (up to 150 km) and able to guide a greater variety of weapons systems.

[edit] MK2 and MK3 models

With its longer ranged radar, the MK2 was designed for more dedicated use as a maritime strike aircraft, thus these aircraft ordered by China are currently being operated by the Naval Air Force. The MK2 also features a better C4ISTAR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) abilities than the MKKs. In early 2000's, Russia had authorized the export of Pero passive electronically scanned array radar designed by Tikhomirov, to China. The Pero antenna can be easily integrated into the existing N001VEP radar system with no significant modification by simply replacing the original slotted planar array, and thus results in increased performance. The Pero upgrade, lets the radar simultaneously engage 6 aerial targets, or 4 ground targets. China, however, did not accept the offer when Russia offered the Pero upgrade package because Tikhomirov's competitor Phazotron offered China a brand new phased array radar that supposedly performed better.

The MK3 was to possibly feature either the Phazotron Zhuk-MS phased array radar, or a new "Panda" radar developed by Tikhomirov, both were rumored to be under Chinese evaluation. Either radar would significantly improve the Su-30s air target detection range to 190km and surface detection range at 300 km. It is uncertain whether the PLAN or PLAAF would order any of these aircraft, despite their significant advantages with their advanced radars. In January 2007, Russia confirmed that the newest Irbis-E (Snow leopard-E) phased array radar in Russia's inventory, developed by Tikhomirov, was offered to China. However, it is highly unlikely that China will adopt this newest Russian airborne radar because all models of the Su-30 series can only provide half of the power required for the 5 kW rated radar, and currently, only Sukhoi Su-35 and Sukhoi Su-37 have enough power to support this newest Russian airborne radar. Purchasing Irbis-E phased array radar would lock China into yet another deal with Russia to upgrade its Su-30MKK fleet that would greatly increase the cost, because China currently lacks the ability to do so by itself, or is forced to pay even higher prices to buy the Su-35 or Su-37.

[edit] Assessment of Su-30MKK/MK2

Although not as advanced as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, nonetheless the Chinese aircraft were delivered at least two years before the MKI was ready, and is significantly less expensive.[citation needed]

The Su-30MKK has allowed China's military forces to possess an aircraft in the same class as the US F-15E, and at least comparable if not superior to most regional 4th generation fighters. Its vast array of Russian munitions enable Chinese Su-30s to engage land or ship targets at long ranges with high precision. Chinese Su-30s in air combat are just as potent, being the first Chinese combat fighter to be armed with the R-77E Active Radar Homing AAM (though this missile will be progressively arming other Chinese Flankers).

At least three have been lost in accidents so far, but this is to be expected by intensive training and early usage of the aircraft. Chinese Su-30s have been seen exercising frequently, indicating the PLAAF and PLANAF are actively training these elite units and giving them more flying experience.

Su-30MKKs and especially the MK2, with their long range radars and Russian made weapons would undoubtedly be a great threat to US Navy ships operating near the Chinese coasts. The KH-31A for instance has a long range and its ramjet engine provide a high attack speed (around Mach 2.5) that could penetrate current air defenses of ships (even the sophisticated AEGIS). Chinese Su-30s will undoubtedly replace some of the old and vulnerable H-6 Badger bombers from strike or anti-ship roles, as these new fighter-bombers can deliver munitions more accurately while possessing just as much range and weapons load as these old bombers.

China has since made two other advanced attack aircraft available. The JH-7A is a much more advanced version of the basic Xian JH-7. This design has entered service with the PLAAF and PLANAF. One advantage of the JH-7A is its economical price compared to the more expensive Su-30. Unlike the Su-30, the JH-7A is compatible with both Russian and Chinese munitions, making it much more flexible. One disadvantage of the JH-7A of course is its lack of effective air combat ability that makes it more vulnerable than the Su-30. Another is the low payload ability of the JH-7A, which limits the amount of weapons and fuel that can be carried into combat.[4]

The second indigenously-built attack aircraft is the J-11B. The Shenyang J-11 had traditionally been the licensed built variant of the Russian Su-27SK, but recently the Chinese have delivered J-11s that feature more indigenous parts and avionics.[5] The J-11B will have high agility, exceptionally high air combat abilities, heavy payload, advanced radar, and is, as with the JH-7A, compatible with Chinese and Russian munitions.[5]

[edit] Operators

[edit] Specifications (Su-30MKK)

Data from KNAAPO[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.7 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 6.4 m (21 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: m² (ft²)
  • Empty weight: kg (lb)
  • Loaded weight: 24,900 kg (54,900 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 34,500 kg (76,100 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× Lyulka AL-31F turbofans, 123 kN (27,600 lbf)[6] each

Performance

Armament

    Avionics

      • 1× NIIP N001VEP fire-control radar
      • Sorbtsiya ECM pods

      [edit] Notes

      1. ^ MKK stands for Russian Mnogofunktzionniy Kommercheskiy Kitayski (Cyrillic: Многофунктзионний Коммерческий Китайски), "Multifunctional Commercial for China".
      2. ^ a b The Su-30MK Multipurpose Double-seat Fighter. KNAAPO. Retrieved on January 16, 2007.
      3. ^ a b c d e Su-30MKK Multirole Fighter Aircraft. Sinodefence.com (2006-11-26). Retrieved on January 16, 2007.
      4. ^ JH-7/A (FBC-1) Fighter-bomber. Sinodefence.com (2006-04-13). Retrieved on January 16, 2007.
      5. ^ a b J-11 Fighter Aircraft. Sinodefence.com (2006-12-30). Retrieved on January 16, 2007.
      6. ^ Originally measured as 12,500 kgf.

      [edit] Related content

      Related development

      Comparable aircraft

      Designation sequence

      Su-30 - Su-32 - Su-33 - Su-34
      Su-30MKI
      Su-30MKK

      Related lists

      See also

      v • d • e
      Active aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force

      Bombers: H-6
      Fighters: J-7 · J-8 · J-10 · J-11 · Q-5 · Su-27 · Su-30MKK · JH-7
      Reconnaissance: HZ-5 · JZ-5 · JZ-6 · JZ-7 · JZ-8 · Tu-154M
      Tanker: H-6 · Il-78
      Transport: 737-300/700 · CL 601 · Il-76 · Tu-154 · Y-8 · Y-11 · Y-12 · Y-5 · Y-7

      v • d • e
      Lists relating to aviation

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      Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft

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