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Su-30MKK/MK2 Multirole Fighter Aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-30MKK (NATO codename: Flanker) is the two-seat multirole
fighter aircraft developed from the Su-27. The aircraft was developed by
Russian Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by KnAAPO in Komsomolsk-na-Amur. The
PLA Air Force (PLAAF) acquired two batches of 76 Su-30MKKs between 2000 and
2003. The third batch, which consisted of 24 examples of the upgraded
Su-30MK2 variant, was delivered to the PLA Naval Air Force (PLANAF) in August
2004. The Su-30MKK series is the most capable multirole fighter aircraft of
the PLA. Sukhoi is also developing a further upgraded variant Su-30MK3 for
China.



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  A D V E R T I S E M E N T


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PROGRAMME

Negotiations between China and Russia over the purchase of the Su-30MK
multirole fighter began in 1996, with an initial deal of 38 aircraft valued
at about US$2 billion signed in August 1999. The variant specially configured
according to the requirements of the PLAAF was designated Su-30MKK
(Mnogafunctunali Kommercial Kitayski—Multifunctional Commercial for China).
In December 2000 the PLAAF 3rd Aviation Division based at Wuhu AFB, Anhui
Province received the first batch of 10 aircraft from KnAAPO, with the rest
delivered by the end of 2001. A second batch of 38 more aircraft was ordered
in the July 2001 China-Russia leader summit meeting, and these aircraft were
delivered in 2003. They are operated by the PLAAF 18th Aviation Division
based at Changsha AFB, Hunan Province.

A development of the Su-27 air superiority fighter, the two-seat Su-30MKK
strike fighter made its maiden flight in 1993. It is the first PLAAF fighter
aircraft with true ‘multirole’ capability. Comparing to the single-mission
Su-27, the Su-30MKK can deliver a range of Russian-made precision guided
air-to-ground weapons in all-weather, day/night conditions, and to use
advanced air-to-air weapons such as the active radar-homing Vympel R-77 (NATO
codename: AA-12 Adder) medium-range AAM. The aircraft is also fitted with
sophisticated electronic countermeasures (ECM) and C4ISR suites for target
acquisitions and weapon guidance.

The Su-30MKK inherited the superior aerodynamic performance from its ancestor
Su-27, outperforming most of Western designed fighter aircraft in close-in
air combat. The aircraft has two sets of flight and weapon controls to allow
either crew member to fly the aircraft or guide weapons. Both cockpits have
two large colour multifunctional displays (MFD), and the pilots can utilise
helmet-mounted sight (HMS) to guide the short-range AAM. As a strike fighter,
the Su-30MKK possesses an impressive combat radius of 1,600km without any
refuelling. These aircraft also has retractable refuelling probe as standard
configure. Once the PLAAF acquires the IL-78 refuelling tanker from Russia,
the fighter’s radius can be extended to 2,600km with one refuelling, or
3,500km with another. If also combined with AWACS aircraft, the Su-30MKK
approaches the capability of the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle.

With multiple in-flight refuelling, the Su-30MKK taking-off from inland
airbases in China conceivably could conduct air strikes as far away as Guam,
Australia, or the Indian Ocean, or be able to loiter for significant periods
over contested areas of the South China Sea. According to Russian sources,
the PLAAF has requested the Su-30MKK with structure reinforced to enable the
maximum rake-off weight to be increased to 34.5t, comparing to 30.5t for the
original version Su-30 and 33.5t for the Su-30MKI designed for the Indian Air
Force. The PLAAF has reportedly asked for a limited number of the planes to
have the capability of further increasing take-off weight to 38.8t. The plane
will then be capable of transporting 8t of weapons and supplementary fuel
tanks in operations.

SU-30MK2

In January 2003, China signed the contract with the Russian state-owned
trading company Rosoboronexport for the purchase of the third batch of
Su-30MK fighters. The new order came to 24 planes in the latest Su-30MK2
variant, which is tailored for the PLA Naval Air Force (PLANAF) with enhanced
anti-ship strike capability. The delivery of these aircraft were reported to
have been completed by August 2004.

The testing of two prototypes of the Su-20MK2 began around early 2002.
Compared to the MKK version in service with the PLAAF, the Su-30MK2 features
an improved precision-attack capability and an entirely new C4ISTAR (command,
control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, target
acquisition and reconnaissance) role not previously hinted at. The aircraft’
s new N001VEP fire-control radar is specifically modified to launch the Kh-31
(NATO codename: Kh-17A Krypton-A) long-range supersonic anti-ship missile.

SU-30MK3

Sukhoi Design Bureau is currently developing the Su-30MK3 fighter, which
features a new fire-control radar and an improved version of the AL-31
engine. Possible radar options may include the aforementioned Phazotron
Zhuk-MS and a new active phased array radar called the “Panda” being
developed by the Tikomirov Bureau. This radar could have a 190km range
against airborne targets, or 300km against surface ships. Either radar would
be able to support usage of the Kh-59MK air-to-surface missile. However, it
is not clear whether the PLA would be interested in acquiring any of this
model.

VARIANTS

Type  IOC  Inventory  Descriptions
Su-30MKK 2001  76  Basic variant two-seat multirole fighter
Su-30MK2 2004  24  Upgraded variant for the PLA Navy
Su-30MK3 -  -  Further upgraded variant

SENSORS

The Su-30MKK is equipped with a NIIP Tikhomirov N001VE (N001VEP on the
Su-30MK2) coherent pulse Doppler radar with track-while-scan and
look-down/shoot-down capability. The range of the radar against
3-square-metre targets is 110km in the forward hemisphere and 40km in the
rear hemisphere. The radar has the capacity to search, detect and track up to
ten targets with automatic threat assessment and proritisation.

The Su-30MKK is fitted with a OEPS-31E-MK forward-looking
infrared/electro-optic and laser designation system derived from the OEPS-27
onboard the Su-27 with better performance. The system includes an infrared
search-and-track (IRST) sensor collimated with a laser rangefinder.

The improved Su-30MKK2 fighter is reportedly fitted with a UOMZ Sapsan-E
forward-looking infrared/electro-optic targeting and laser designation
system, which represents the enhanced precision attack capability of the
Su-30MKK2.

For better close air combat performance, the pilot is assisted by a
holmet-mounted sight (HMS).

C4ISTAR

The Su-30MK2 is capable of carrying the M400 reconnaissance suite, a large
airborne pod system housing sensors including a sideways-looking airborne
radar (SLAR); a high- and low-altitude TV/infra-red payload; or a long-range
oblique photography (LOROP) camera. The optical sensors are said to have a
range of over 70km, while the SLAR is claimed to have a range of over 100km.
Once equipped with the SLAR system, the Su-30MK2 will be able to control up
to 10 other fighters on a datalink, thus giving the Su-30MKK units an organic
but limited “AWACS” function to compliment other PLA ISR systems.

WEAPONS

A 30 mm GSh-301 cannon is fitted internally with 150 rounds of ammunition. 10
hardpoints (4 under fuselage, 4 under wings, and 2 on wingtips) are available
to carry payload of up to 8,000kg.

For air-to-air missions, the aircraft could carry 6 R-77 (AA-12 Adder) active
radar-homing medium-range air-to-air missiles (MRAAMs) and 4 R-73E (AA-11
Archer) IR homing short-range air-to-air missiles (SRAAMs). Alternatively the
aircraft could carry two R-73 SRAAMs and 2 wingtip ECM pods.

For air interdiction (AI) missions, the aircraft could carry Kh-29T (AS-14A
Kedge) TV-guided air-to-surface missile (ASM), Kh-59 (AS-13 Kingbolt) command
guided ASM, Kh-59ME (AS-18 Kazoo) TV-guided air-to-surface missile, and
KAB-500Kr or KAB-1500Kr TV-guided bombs.The aircraft can also carry a range
of Russian-made unguided bombs.

For suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) mission, the aircraft could use:
Kh-31P (or its Chinese copy YJ-91) ramjet anti-radiation missile (ARM). The
Su-30MK2 can also launch the Kh-31 anti-ship missile.

COUNTERMEASURES

The detailed information on the PLAAF Su-30MKK's electronic countermeasures
suite is unknown, but it can be expected that the aircraft has similar, if
not better, ECM/EW capabilities as the Su-27SKs in service with the PLAAF.
The Su-30MKK has been seen carrying the wingtip active multi-mode jammer
pods, possibly an upgraded variant of that carried on the Su-27.

POWERPLANT

The Su-30MKK is powered by two AL-31F turbofan engines, designed by the
Lyulka Engine Design Bureau (NPO Saturn). Each engine is rated at 17,857 lb
(79.43kN) dry and 27,557 lb st (122.58kN) with afterburning.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions: Wingspan 14.7m; Length 21.94m; Height 6.36m
Weight: Normal take-off 24,900kg; Max take-off 34,500kg
Combat Load: 8,000kg
Max Speed: Mach 2.0
Low-Level Speed: 1,350km/h
Ferry Range: 3,000km (Without in-flight refuelling) or 5,200 km (One
in-flight refuelling) or 7,000km (Two in-flight refuellings)
Near-Ground Range: 1,270km
Combat Radius: 1,500km (normal altitude, with internal tanks only)
Service Ceiling: 17,300m
Max Climb Rate: 18,300m/min (sea level)
G Limit: -3 to +9

Date Last Updated: 7 March 2005