CHALLENGING
EXPORT
PROBLEMS
Even the domestically-optimized
Su-30SM retains a host of foreign
systems including a French Sigma
95NAA inertial navigation system
from Sagem, SMD-55 and SMD-66
multi-function displays, the CTH 3022
head-up display, and TLS 2020 and
NC 12 tactical navigation receivers, all
made by Thales. The Sura-K helmet
is designed and built by Arsenal
in Kiev, Ukraine. As a result of the
Western sanctions that were imposed
following the invasion of Ukraine,
Russia currently has zero access to
such systems, so replacing them with
home-grown equipment is seen as a
priority. The Russian-made BINS-SP-2
inertial navigation, MFI-66 displays,
IKSh-1KI-1 HUD and VIM-95/VND-94
TACAN receivers, as well as the
NSTs-T-03 helmet-mounted sight, are
all on the cards.for 10 years was manufactured for foreign
customers only — in the region of 340
export versions have been built.
For the Russians, the main advantage
of the Su-30SM is that the aircraft is
far cheaper now thanks to that export
production (it is also considerably
cheaper than an Su-35) and has a proven
service record.Combat operations
In September 2015, four Su-30SMs
from Domna were deployed to Syria to
provide ghter cover for the Air Force
Group deployed there. The Su-30SMs
were noted ying with a typical air-to-air
t of four medium-range R-27R missiles
and two close-range R-73s.
However, the greatest contribution to
the Su-30SM lies in its avionics, especially
the Bars-R radar, which is based around
an N011M-R passive electronically
scanned array (PESA) radar. The main
shortcoming of the PESA is a small
scan angle, only 45° to each side of the
nose, which is unacceptable for a highly
manoeuvrable ghter aircraft. Thereforethe Bars electronically scanned array is
installed on a hydraulic plate, increasing
the search angles 70° to left and right.
The array typically works in the electronic
scanning mode only, and the mechanical
element is only performed when the
tactical situation requires it. In the air-
to-air mode, the radar can track up to 15
targets simultaneously and may engage
four to six at once. The search range
against a ghter-size target is 120-140km
(65-76nm) from a head-on position, or
60km (32nm) tail-on. In the air-to-ground
mode, search ranges are in the region of
80-120km (43-65nm) for a railway bridge,
40-50km (22-27nm) for a group of tanks,
or 120-150km (65-81nm) for a destroyer.New weapons
By 2019, Russia intends to improve the
Su-30SM’s capabilities. The type is to be
tted with a new computing system.
In addition, the introduction of new
weapons, probably R-77-1 and R-74M
air-to-air missiles, Kh-31M, Kh-35U and
Kh-38M air-to-surface missiles and
others is planned.Above: A black
‘Bort’ number
signifi es that
this Su-30SM
(RF-91902/07
Black) is from the
120th Composite
Aviation Regiment
at Domna. It was
delivered in 2013.
Dmitriy Pichugin
Below:
The Russian
Aerospace Forces
have 88 Su-30SM
‘Flankers’ on
order.
Dmitriy Pichuginhttp://www.combataircraft.net // April 2018 91
90-92 Russian Fighter pt2 Su-30SM C.indd 91 15/02/2018 12:49