A fine view of an IAF Su-30K, in a clean configuration, during an air display.
An IAF Su-30K with an air-to-air load of four medium-range R-27s and six close-combat R-73s.
This view shows clearly an IAF Su-30K with a deadly air-to-air load of four R-27s and six R-73s.
A Su-30K, with the Indian tri-color paint scheme, participating during a routine exercise. The aircraft is carrying a load of free fall bombs and practice-rounds of the R-73 close-combat missile.
This view clearly shows the IRST, that is ahead of the windscreen, the raised seat of the WSO and also the cannon port with fairing (unpainted area).
[Note: Almost all images displayed above, are courtesy of Manoj Joshi via Manish Karnik]
Introduction
Sukhoi's Su-30K, is the latest fighter aircraft to join the Indian Air Force (IAF). An initial batch of eight aircraft (with serial nos. SB001 to SB008) became operational with the No.24 Hunting Hawks Squadron, at an induction ceremony on 11 June 1997 at Lohegaon AFB, near Pune.
Wg. Cdr. B.N. Unnikrishnan, CO No.24 Squadron, became one of the first Indian Air Force pilots to officially fly the Su-30K on 11 June 1997. The total number of Su-30s now ordered by the IAF stands at 50. This number includes the 10 aircraft originally ordered by Indonesia. There is also a strong possibility, that another 100 to 150 aircraft might be manufactured in India under license.
Characteristics & Development
The first eight aircraft delivered, are Su-30Ks, which have identical cockpits and are mainly air superiority aircraft. Subsequent aircraft to be delivered from 2000 onwards will be Su-30MK which will have a true multi-role capability and will feature canards and thrust-vectoring AL-31FP engines.
These aircraft were previously designated as the Su-30MKI. The current Su-30Ks will be upgraded to Su-30MK standard once the "MKs" begin to arrive. Two Su-30MK prototype aircraft have been flying since late 1997, with the first aircraft designated as 'Su-30MK-1' and the second, surprisingly, as 'Su-30MK-6'.
Aircraft modelling enthusiasts might want to note that, the leading visual difference of the Su-30K from it's cousin - Su-30MK - are canards just below & slightly behind the rear cockpit, TVC nozzles and a twin wheel nose landing gear. But surprisingly again, the second prototype - the Su-30MK-6 (a modified Su-27UB) - has a single wheel nose gear. Both aircraft have an advanced digital fly-by-wire flight control system based on the Su-37 Super Flanker.
Armament & Range
From a service point of view, the Su-30 family of aircraft brings about significant changes in terms of equipment capability & operation procedures. The most significant is the two seat configuration which proved itself as a concept in the Gulf War of 1991. The division of labour between the two pilots in the aircraft is often described as the front seat flies, back seat fires.
This practice allows the Su-30 to be used as a long range, high endurance, air-superiority aircraft, or even as a long range strike fighter, since it balances the cockpit workload in an optimum way. The second aspect is the aircraft's range, has an un-refueled range of 3000 km, far higher than any current combat aircraft type. This significantly increases the IAF's offensive capability in air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.
The aircraft has 12 weapon hard-points, which can be increased to 14 by using multi-payload racks, to carry any combination of air-to-air, air-to-surface, anti-radar & jammer payloads. The aircraft could be used for air interception, combat air patrol, deep penetration strike and anti-radar (Wild Weasel) roles.
A typical air-to-air weapons package would include 4 to 6 medium-range R-27 missiles, four to six close-combat R-73 missiles and upto two defensive jammer pods. The helmet-mounted sight to which the R-73 missiles can be slaved, gives the aircraft a look and shoot capability for off-bore sight missile engagements.
The AAMs can also be used in conjunction with the IRST (Infra-Red Search & Track) which does not emit any form of radiation. This means that the enemy gets no indication that he is under attack till the very last minute. The air-to-air weapon suite is not complete without a 30mm GSh-301 cannon, which can be used for a close-in gun kill or for strafing, of which 150 rounds are carried.
On air-to-surface missions, the Su-30 can carry various 'smart' missiles for different missions like Kh-29L/T or KAB-500Kr laser/TV-guided bombs, Kh-31A or Kh-59M anti-ship missiles, and Kh-59 Kh-31P or Kh-25MP anti-radiation missiles. Jamming pods are also embarked, to jam enemy air defense systems. A-to-S weapons are guided by the radar in an A-to-G mode and the IRST which also has a laser designator/range finder.
Avionics Package
IAF Su-30s are customized to meet user needs. In place of Russian systems, IAF has selected French (Sextant Avionique) and Israeli avionics and cockpit instrumentation suites, but details of these remain classified.
What is known is that Sextant Avionique, has been given the contract to add four LCDs, for both the pilot and the bombardier, a Totem inertial guidance system with GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) technology and the VEH 3000 holographic HUD.
Officials from Sexatant have acknowledged that they have already validated the GPS system on Russian Sukhoi aircraft. The Su-30 is slated to become the IAF's main high-performance fighter aircraft, well into the 21st century. As more of these aircraft come online, the IAF will be able to retire its older MiG-21Ms and MiG-23BNs.
An IAF Su-30K with a MiG-29 (in the background) at Lohegaon. Notice the retractable in-flight re-fuelling probe on the aircraft's port (left) side just ahead of the windscreen, with IRST covered for protection.