Sukhoi Su-30MKA

Su-30MKA
Role	Multirole combat aircraft Type of aircraft
National origin	Russia
Design group	Sukhoi
Introduction	2007 (Algeria) 2007 (Russia (only for testing))
Status	In service
Primary user	Algerian Air Force
Produced	2007-present
Number built	64
Developed from	Sukhoi Su-30MKI III
Developed into	SU30SM

The Sukhoi Su-30MKA (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia's Sukhoi made for the Algerian Air Force. A variant of the Sukhoi Su-27S, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter. The aircraft is based on the Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKI III and is the 2nd adaptation of the same, after the first one being the Malaysian Sukhoi Su-30MKM.

Development of the variant started after Algeria signed a deal with Russia in 2006 to manufacture 28 Su-30MKA fighters. The Su-30MKA is tailor-made for Algerian specifications and integrates Indian systems and avionics as well as French sub-systems. It has abilities similar to the Sukhoi Su-37 with which it shares many features and components. The first Russian-made Su-30MKA variant was accepted into the Algerian Air Force in 2007. The AAF has 63 Su-30MKAs in inventory as of December 2023.^[1]

Development

Origins and acquisition

The Su-30MKA was designed by Russia's Sukhoi Corporation beginning in 2006. The Su-30MKA is derived from the

On 2006, Algeria signed a deal for 28 Russian-produced Su-30MKAs in 2 batches and 34

Sukhoi has offered a range of upgrades for Flanker H airframes, including integration of new AL-41F1S engines to provide a longer range, lower maintenance needs and greater manoeuvrability, as well as new radars. These include the N035 Irbis-E used on the Su-35S/SU27BM,SU27SM2 and SU27SM3 with an unrivalled wide aspect detection and formidable capabilities against stealth targets,N035 Irbis E is capable of detecting 3M2 targets from 375 km,^[2] compared to 140 km to the current N011M radar used on the SU30MKA. Su-27S have long been prized for their ability to carry very large sensors, which makes their situational awareness even with older radar designs very formidable. The most important update of the upgrade Sukhoi offer is the RCS reduction,The Su30MKA rcs is 20m2^[2] and the SU35S rcs is 3.5m2,^[3] this is achieved by incorporating RAM, putting radar blockers in the engine and suppressing the canards. The Algerian SU30MKA primary weakness is its RCS. The cost of an upgrade package would be difficult to estimate depending on how ambitious it is and what portion of the fleet receives it, but it could well cost around $2 billion or more if full comprehensive upgrades and large supplies of new armaments are commissioned for all 63 fighters.^[1] It is important to know that the N035 Irbis E radar is just a modification of the N011M radar,^[4] this upgrade is called SU30SM2.^[1][3][5]

Design

Characteristics

The Su-30MKA is a highly integrated twin-tailed aircraft. The airframe is constructed of titanium and high-strength aluminium alloys. The engine intake ramps and nacelles are fitted with trouser fairings to provide a continuous streamlined profile between the nacelles and the tail beams. The fins and horizontal tail consoles are attached to tail beams. The central beam section between the engine nacelles consists of the equipment compartment, fuel tank and the brake parachute container. The fuselage head is of semi-monocoque construction and includes the cockpit, radar compartments and the avionics bay.

The Su-30MKA aerodynamic configuration is a longitudinal triplane with

The Su-30MKA has a range of 3,000 km with internal fuel which ensures a 3.75 hour combat mission. Also, it has an in-flight refueling (IFR) probe that retracts beside the cockpit during normal operation. The air refueling system increases the flight duration up to 10 hours with a range of 3,000 km combat radius.[6] Su-30MKAs can also use the Cobham 754 buddy refueling pods.

The Su-30MKA's

The crew are provided with zero-zero NPP Zvezda K-36DM ejection seats. The rear seat is raised for better visibility. The cockpit is provided with containers to store food and water reserves, a waste disposal system and extra oxygen bottles. The K-36DM ejection seat is inclined at 30°, to help the pilot resist aircraft accelerations in air combat.

Avionics

The forward-facing

The Su-30MKA's AL-31FP powerplant built on the earlier AL-31FU, adding two-plane thrust vectoring nozzles are mounted 32 degrees outward to longitudinal engine axis (i.e. in the horizontal plane) and can be deflected ±15 degrees in one plane. The canting allows the aircraft to produce both roll and yaw by vectoring each engine nozzle differently; this allows the aircraft to create thrust vectoring moments about all three rotational axes, pitch, yaw and roll. Engine thrust is adjusted via a conventional engine throttle lever as opposed to a strain-gauge engine control stick. The aircraft is controlled by a standard control stick. The pilot can activate a switch for performing difficult maneuvers; while this is enabled, the computer automatically determines the deflection angles of the swiveling nozzles and aerodynamic surfaces.

Operational history

It has been seen multiple violating the border of Mali at low altitudes,some rumors suggest it even flied over the capital of Libya.

Accidents and incidents

As of April 2023, one Su-30MKA had been lost in a crashed since the introduction of aircraft in 2008.^{[citation needed]}

A Sukhoi Su-30MKA belonging to the Air Force's 121st Fighter Squadron crashed during a routine exercise, near Mechta Draa Tafza in Ain Zitoun commune, wilaya of Oum El Bouaghi. The two pilots did not survive the crash. It is not known why the two pilots were unable to eject from the cockpit.^[8]

Specifications (Su-30MKA)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 21.935 m (72 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
• Height: 6.36 m (20 ft 10 in)
• Wing area: 62 m² (670 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 18,400 kg (40,565 lb)
• Gross weight: 26,090 kg (57,519 lb) (typical mission weight)
• Max takeoff weight: 38,800 kg (85,539 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 ×
  afterburning turbofan
  engines, 123 kN (28,000 lbf) with afterburner
• Thrust/weight: 0.65

Performance

• Maximum speed: 2,120 km/h (1,320 mph, 1,140 kn) / Mach2.0 at high altitude

1,350 km/h (840 mph; 730 kn) / M1.09 at low altitude

• Range: 3,000 km (1,900 mi, 1,600 nmi) at high altitude

1,270 km (790 mi; 690 nmi) at low altitude

• Ferry range: 8,000 km (5,000 mi, 4,300 nmi) with two in-flight refuellings
• Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,800 ft)
• g limits: +9
• Rate of climb: 300 m/s (59,000 ft/min) +
• Wing loading: 401 kg/m² (82 lb/sq ft)

Armament

• Guns: 1 × 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon
• Hardpoints: 12 hardpoints (2 × wing-tip AAM launch rails, 6 × pylons under-wing, 2 × pylon under-engine nacelles, and 2 × pylons in tandem in the "arch" between the engines. It can be increased to 14 using multiple ejector racks.) with a capacity of up to 8,130 kg (17,920 lb), with provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets:
    • 12 x S8 Series
    • 12 x S13 series
    • 12 x S25 series
  • Missiles:
    • Air-to-air missiles:
      • 14 × RVV-AE
      • 14 × RVV-MD
      • 14 x R-27ER1
    • Air-to-surface missiles:
      • 12 × Kh-59MK
      • 12 × Kh-29T/L
    • Anti-ship missiles:
      • 12 × Kh-59MK
      • 12 × Kh-35
      • 12 × Kh-31A
    • Anti-radiation missiles:
      • 12 × Kh-31P
  • Bombs:
    • 12 ×
      FAB-500T
      bombs

• Litening targeting pod
• KNIRTI SAP-518 EW pod
• Chaffs / flares
• Buddy-buddy refuelling pod

Avionics

• N011M radar
• DRDO Tarang MK.II radar warning receiver
• OLS-30 laser-optical
  infra-red search and track

See also

• Sukhoi Su-30
• Sukhoi Su-30MKI
• Sukhoi Su-30MKK
• Sukhoi Su-30MKM
• Sukhoi Su-35
• Sukhoi Su-37
• List of fighter aircraft

References

External links

Media related to Sukhoi Su-30MKA at Wikimedia Commons