Su-30, Su-33, Su-34 and Su-35 News thread, pictures and discussion

[Aeria Gloria]

What about F-22A which can supercruise with 1.5M or more ( in the stratosphere of course) ??? Skin friction temp. value?

Yes, a F-22 super cruising would have a larger IR signature then a subsonic mil power F-22. With a PbSe sensor like KOLS or R-60 you wouldn’t see this wavelength so it wouldn’t be very different at all for them. But for InSb sensor that works at longer wavelengths it would be able to see the higher skin friction. I believe F-22 also uses special engine stuff to decrease the ir signature of its exhaust along with the nozzle.

It also matters how fast the super cruise and how long it’s been going on.

Lock-on range is 70% of the detection range.It is described in the Su-27SK F.M.

That was my entire point the last post. 80 km IRST detection is 52 km lock. This is only about less then 50% better then brochure, and with “detection” being said we have no idea of his 80 km figure is 0.5 PoD or 0.1 PoD.

Su-30MK2 Manual ? Real one Flight Manual?

You’re the one who sent me a link saying “this manual?” It’s impossible to tell from one quote. I have 3 manuals.

Instead of the OLS-27 ("36Sh") optical-location station and the Shchel-3UM helmet-mounted target designation system used on the Su-27, the Su-30MKK aircraft uses the new OLS-30 ("52Sh") and Sura-K target designation system with new software and algorithmic support and broader combat capabilities.
For example, the OLS "52Sh" (developed by the Central Design Bureau "Geophysics") has an increased range of tracking an air target based on its thermal radiation from 50 to 90 km and an increased range of measuring the distance to air and ground targets to 6 and 10 km.''

According to manual the Su-30MKK/MK2 and likely older MKI variants didn’t get it. Perhaps they are confused with the improved laser range or something else. But the ranges quoted by the manual are identical to OLS-27. I am not surprised there are publications around who mistakenly think it was better or that Sukhoi even told people this who did not have the manual to dispute them.

I love Russian and Soviet stuff, but they do have a tendency to over estimate sometimes for public marketing. Use the highest or extremely improbable values (R-77 is a 100 km missile! Never mind this is only possible with MiG-31 and Mach 2 target at 20 km so we will quote 80 km on export market as this is what a Mach 2 plane gets at 15-20 km against a Mach 2 plane!)

(Practical range later listed as…. 50 km)

the rear hemisphere with increase from 50 to 90km. That is almost 100% !

Too bad if it’s true it’s only for later OLS-30 variants. Not all OLS-30s have to be the same you know. I trust the manual from Sukhoi specifically to inform pilots over Sukhoi PR for the general public that also includes options the customer might not purchase. I can easily see China going “I don’t want to pay for your newest IRST. Regular OLS-30 fine. “

Also think of this, OLS-27 is tested on Su-15 mostly. So what was OLS-30 tested on if 15 was retired? OLS-UE for MiG and OLS-35 use Su-30, and Su-30 would have higher heat signature then Su-15 from larger wider spaced engines and more skin friction.

Against Su-30 you will achieve ranges you couldn’t with Su-15 which has only MiG-21 class medium size engines vs heavy large fighter class engines with a larger body of skin friction.

has certainly greater detection/track and lock-on ranges then old OEPS-27/E with its OLS-27/E ( Izd 36Sh).

No one will stop you from believing this but any real Su-30MKK/MK2 pilot and anyone who has read the manual knows the truth that it is basically just OLS-27 with better laser. Like I said, when it comes the authenticity of information a manual is much higher on the “credibility scale” then a PR statement to a magazine 20 years ago is when no one had a Su-30MK2 manual to dispute it back then.

illumination of ground targets for guiding laser-homing missiles.''

This says nothing about guiding bombs. You asked why it does not include laser guided bombs. I said “how will you guide a laser guided bomb with a OLS on top of the plane” and you answer “this says it can guide laser missiles!” Do you see how that doesn’t answer your or my question?

The bomb will fall at your velocity, you will need to nose down to keep target illuminated, only you will crash into it before bomb gets there. This is why flankers with targeting pods are the only ones to equip laser guided bombs.

The OLS-30 has same IR detection as OLS-27 for Su-30MKK/MK2, I’m sorry. Perhaps there are better variants and they did not make it to production. Cheaper units are often chosen at final stage. Just like how Su-30MK2 with N-001VEP could theoretically guide two R-77 at one target, the Chinese did not purchase the necessary computer modules for this capability as Su-30MKK/MK2 is meant as a strike aircraft only that can self escort. MK2 additionally as anti ship.

China had J-11 at the time for air to air. There was no reason to spend money on Su-30MKK/MK2 for air to air capability they would never use as a strike aircraft that could defend itself from one aircraft at a time if necessary.

Sukhoi is well known for hyping their stuff once they became an export darling in 90s and so I’m not surprised.

 

[lancer21]

R-77M on Su-35 in all it's glory.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029843595281260725

View: https://x.com/MrFrantarelli/status/2029843595281260725

 

[Squirrel]

I believe F-22 also uses special engine stuff to decrease the ir signature of its exhaust along with the nozzle.

That has nothing to do with the detection from head-on aspect.

That was my entire point the last post. 80 km IRST detection is 52 km lock. This is only about less then 50% better then brochure, and with “detection” being said we have no idea of his 80 km figure is 0.5 PoD or 0.1 PoD.

Sorry but do you know anyway what are you writing about ? 80 km is the detection range for OLS-35 ( head-on ,fighter's MP mode). OLS-27 detection range is 15-20 km,let us say ,same factors and parameters. Real brochure said that detection range from head -on is only 35km. Other ( not so real ) brochre said it is 50km.

According to manual the Su-30MKK/MK2 and likely older MKI variants didn’t get it.

Now let us finally see that MKK/MK2 Manual....

I love Russian and Soviet stuff, but they do have a tendency to over estimate sometimes for public marketing. Use the highest or extremely improbable values (R-77 is a 100 km missile! Never mind this is only possible with MiG-31 and Mach 2 target at 20 km so we will quote 80 km on export market as this is what a Mach 2 plane gets at 15-20 km against a Mach 2 plane!)

You meant on the newer R-77-1/Izd 170-1? Why it is not possible to achieve max launch range of about 100 km with the Su-35S flying at 18km and with 2.35M against bigger incoming air target with 'Drmax1' launch parameter?

Did you see some videos made through Su-35S HUD /IKSh-1M where we can see that launch range of R-77-1 was even 80km or more with launch parameters : V/H of the fighter as 1 Mach and more ,10000/12000m There is also one video where we can see that launch distance with R-77-1 was even 100km ,I must find it to show you.



All export versions of the Russian AAM's have the same launch distances as the 'original' ones.Differences can be only in the working frequencies of the radar seeker in the SARH/ARH mode,differ. frequencies of the radio proximity fuse and RC-channel of course. So it is something in relation with so called LITER codes/programs.

Also think of this, OLS-27 is tested on Su-15 mostly.

And the source for that is ?

No one will stop you from believing this but any real Su-30MKK/MK2 pilot and anyone who has read the manual knows the truth that it is basically just OLS-27 with better laser. Like I said, when it comes the authenticity of information a manual is much higher on the “credibility scale” then a PR statement to a magazine 20 years ago is when no one had a Su-30MK2 manual to dispute it back then.

It is time for all of us to see that Manual .... ( for the MKK and MK2 ).

 

[Aeria Gloria]

That has nothing to do with the detection from head-on aspect.

It can if aspect isn’t exactly 0 degrees. InsB specializes not just in seeing skin friction but also seeing engine plume (PbSe needs to see hot parts inside engine or AB plume basically), the engine plume will expand behind the plane, and anything more then 0 degrees aspect will give you a very good look. Remember what Su-27 manual says about aspect less then 15 degrees.

Sorry but do you know anyway what are you writing about ? 80 km is the detection range for OLS-35 ( head-on ,fighter's MP mode). OLS-27 detection range is 15-20 km,let us say ,same factors and parameters. Real brochure said that detection range from head -on is only 35km. Other ( not so real ) brochre said it is 50km.

Come on that is not serious question.
Only you are saying 80 km is detection range at all times, the pilot said he got it “once” and as I stated we have no idea if this is PoD of 0.01 or PoD of 0.89, all would be too low PoD for continuous lock and would show a “detection” on display.

And if detection is 80 km, it would not lock until 52 km in such a case.

OLS-27 can’t lock someone head on in mil power until 10 km. That is 14 km detection range not “15-20 km!”

The pilot didn’t say “this is the average range or to be expected” he said “ the HIGHEST range we got was 80 km.” This, it is an outlier and not trustworthy as an average in battle.

The exact words he used were “we got 80 km on the first day of this exercise in 2013.”

He didn’t say “we got this on average” or “consistently” he is saying this is the highest range he got ONCE. On the entire exercise? No just the first day!

Remember when we talked about IRST being a highly situational sensor that may depend on air temperature and look up and of the target or if they just turned of AB after being supersonic or glint? And since we have no idea if it stayed on his screen from 80 km to 54 km we do not know even if it is atleast 0.5 PoD and thus a consistent detection from 0.5-0.89 PoD. It is not unusual for IRST to show someone far away and then have them disappear.

Other ( not so real ) brochre said it is 50km.

Which brochure?

meant on the newer R-77-1/Izd 170-1?

I am talking about RVV-AE. I would have said 77-1 if so.

Why it is not possible to achieve max launch range of about 100 km with the Su-35S flying at 18km and with 2.35M against bigger incoming air target with 'Drmax1' launch parameter?

Tell me what altitude the 100 km range is for and if this inside the service ceiling of the Su-35….


This is the whole reason it’s marketed as a 50-80 km missile when Russians use to talk about the same missile having 100 km range

Did you see some

Yes. 77-1 isn’t drastically different; lower drag slightly more power, but becuase of loft profile it can achieve such performance.

Differences can be only in the working frequencies of the radar seeker in the SARH/ARH mode,differ. frequencies of the radio proximity fuse and RC-channel of course.

I am not aware of any export weapons working on different frequency. Please give me a source on this as it seems very improbable.

And the source for that is ?

Su-27SK radio electronic manual. Su-15 used for most tests and “head on high flying supersonic jet” is tested on MiG-25, which means that on anything smaller you will have less then 100 km range. The same manual also talks about how becuase of nose tilt the IRST cannot look the full 60 degrees up.

It is time for all of us to see that Manual .... ( for the MKK and MK2 ).

I have explained before I cannot share it. It was given to me by a friend under the agreement I do not share it due to its somewhat sensitive nature.

If you think I am an untrustworthy and lying then please just ignore all my posts I do not wish to talk to someone who believes my posts are lies even if I do make mistakes. It is a real Su-30MK2 manual of 3 different books covering flight operations weapon employment and aerodynamics. It is very real but winning an internet argument with you who has not studied manuals the way I have is not worth destroying the relationship with my friend who sent them to me and regularly sends me lots of rare and sensitive info and also regularly posts on this forum as a valuable member who has increased the knowledge of radars quite a bit here.

They wanted me to go through it and send them anything I found on radar performance. So I have it. I will not share it.

Believe me or not, that is your prerogative. I have no need to prove myself to you. I have faith that other members who see the truth in my comments will believe me.

I have posted so much stuff to this forum that is new and not seen previously, so if you wish to distrust me and believe things like OLS-30 has 80% more rear aspect range then OLS-27 and OLS-35 is stated to have only 90 km rear aspect detection but somehow increased this to 80 km for front aspect similar to magazine claims of OLS-30 in rear aspect and UOMZ apparently under does their brochure value by over 50% and that this Su-30MK2 manual is fake and I’m pulling the forums leg be my guest. I am only stating what information I have and what it has lead me to believe.

Like mentioned, I and I’m sure many educated people would trust a manual meant for operators over 20 year old PR. This is how scientific method works, we try to find the most trustworthy sources and look at the information without bias.

Anyone want to believe a 20 year old magazine over a Su-30MK2 manual? Anyone? Bueller?

Anyone want to go to war in Su-35 expecting to pick up a head on F-15/18 at 80 km or the <35 km the manufacturer states? Spend 45 km just watching the search display wondering why it’s late while AMRAAM on the way?

Yes, OLS-35 turned reliable 10 km head on detection from OLS-27 to 80 km despite not using a FPA or anything other then InSb crystal 14 element sensor like OLS-27 and smaller primary mirror. It can receive 8 times the energy?????? It is an outlier, “we got this on exactly one day of an exercise (once)” should tell you everything but you rush to the highest number without discerning that combat is not “optimum conditions we got one day” and that “an average from testing” is more trust worthy.

35 km is very reasonable and any pilot would know that detection may be farther or shorter depending on conditions. And guess what, Russia is often perfect conditions for IRST. Less so for Asian and south asian countries.

IRST is awesome, but they did not quadruple range twice for OLS-35 and we have better sources on Su-30 now then 20 years ago. With OLS-35, it also has TV sensor to find targets, and the IRST part of it is fundamentally not very different from OLS-27. It is just not logical to think UOMZ vastly underestimated it and the pilot you quote didn’t even say 80 km was an average or consistent range.

It is illogical. I want IRST to be awesome but we must look at the potential reality of the situation. Even Rafale gets similar ranges and it probably uses FPA. Eurofighter claims 93 km front aspect and definitely uses FPA sensor.

 

[Squirrel]

I am talking about RVV-AE. I would have said 77-1 if so.

Your comment ...

''I love Russian and Soviet stuff, but they do have a tendency to over estimate sometimes for public marketing. Use the highest or extremely improbable values (R-77 is a 100 km missile! Never mind this is only possible with MiG-31 and Mach 2 target at 20 km so we will quote 80 km on export market as this is what a Mach 2 plane gets at 15-20 km against a Mach 2 plane!)''


Old R-77 was never in the use of VVS ,only in the Akhtubinsk air base ,in the 929 GLITs. Only one fighter could use original R-77 and that was MiG-29S, only 10 were operational in the 1 AE of the 73 GvIAP in the Shaykovka AB from the Spring 1992. R-77E ( Izd 190) was exported from 1995 with seeker type 9B1348E.

Yes. 77-1 isn’t drastically different; lower drag slightly more power, but becuase of loft profile it can achieve such performance.

So R-77 has 100km max launch range and R-77-1 has 110km. Nice.

I am not aware of any export weapons working on different frequency. Please give me a source on this as it seems very improbable.

There are some differences between N019 and N019E, R-27R and R1 or R-77-1L and EL etc etc ...Of course between N035 Irbis and N035E Irbis-E ..

Su-27SK radio electronic manual.

Anyone want to believe a 20 year old magazine over a Su-30MK2 manual? Anyone? Bueller?

Where are those Manuals ?


This was mentioned on the Su-57 thread,seems like fuel dump from the right engine nozzle.

 

[Aeria Gloria]

the highest or extremely improbable values (R-77 is a 100 km missile

Yes I said R-77. I would’ve said 110 km for R-77-1.

Old R-77 was never in the use of VVS ,only in the Akhtubinsk air base ,in the 929 GLIT

I’m aware. Does not change that it’s “brochure range” is a perfect example of why brochures and advertisements and PR doesn’t always tell you the full story and that Soviets and Russians love to put numbers higher then practical on things.

There are some differences between N019 and N019E, R-27R and R1 or R-77-1L and EL etc etc ...

Yes export equipment is different. But what you said was that they are different frequency and I know of no evidence for this in regards to things like N-019 and N-001.

Where are those Manuals ?

I explained why I won’t share Su-30MK2. But here is Su-27SK and the radio electronic manual https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1b7OUUvnUHBQcrzoaZK4iFKwxweaOwDbJ

Did you also know that IRST range will also heavily depend on altitude?

Air absorbs IR wavelengths, more air the more IR it absorbs.

Additionally, at high altitudes it may be hard for skin to cool becuase of the low air density. Same reason things get hot in space. It has so little air to absorb the heat and remove it from the aircraft. This not only will IR radiation travel further at high altitude skin friction can become more and more obvious.

Here are charts for R-3S, R-60, and R-24T showing increased range of seeker lock at higher altitudes.

 

[Wotan]

A rather high rate of attrition, I think.

India Loses 14th russian Su-30MKI Fighter Since 2009 From Fleet of 272 Purchased Since 1996 | Defense Express

Indian Air Force loses another Su-30MKI in training crash killing both pilots, bringing total losses to 5% of 272-aircraft fleet

en.defence-ua.com

"Overall, India purchased 272 Su-30MKIs from russia since 1996 in several batches. Fourteen officially lost aircraft represents about 5% of the fleet. In most cases, accident and crash causes are not announced.

From what is known, this involves two fires, four cases related to technical malfunctions of onboard systems, as well as two cases with obvious human factor influence forced control system shutdown during flight (April 30, 2009) and collision with Dassault Mirage 2000 during exercises (January 28, 2023)."

 

[Squirrel]

"Overall, India purchased 272 Su-30MKIs from russia since 1996 in several batches. Fourteen officially lost aircraft represents about 5% of the fleet. In most cases, accident and crash causes are not announced.

Yes ,they really purchased 272 Su-30MKI from Russia ....

 

[lmaoxd]

A rather high rate of attrition, I think.

India Loses 14th russian Su-30MKI Fighter Since 2009 From Fleet of 272 Purchased Since 1996 | Defense Express

Indian Air Force loses another Su-30MKI in training crash killing both pilots, bringing total losses to 5% of 272-aircraft fleet

en.defence-ua.com

"Overall, India purchased 272 Su-30MKIs from russia since 1996 in several batches. Fourteen officially lost aircraft represents about 5% of the fleet. In most cases, accident and crash causes are not announced.

From what is known, this involves two fires, four cases related to technical malfunctions of onboard systems, as well as two cases with obvious human factor influence forced control system shutdown during flight (April 30, 2009) and collision with Dassault Mirage 2000 during exercises (January 28, 2023)."

I mean kinda but not really. the su30MkI fleet has around 800k-1M flight hours over the the entire period accounting for staggered production. so a 14/900k would be 1.5 crash rate per 100k flight hours which isnt excellent but is not abysmal(the F16 has a 3.55 rate per 100k hours but suffered from very bad initial years, the safety has improved drastically in the recent years). The real issue comes from the servicability which stays around 60% although ive heard rumours of 70-75% in recent years with localization of spare parts but these are just rumours.

still, quite a lot of pilots lost and 14 aircraft lost is a lot worse for India compared to a similar % lost for the USAF since the USAF has so many more aircraft.

 

[Squirrel]

still, quite a lot of pilots lost and 14 aircraft lost is a lot worse for India compared to a similar % lost for the USAF since the USAF has so many more aircraft.

They fly a lot and then loses happened.

'Since Su-30MKI's entry to service in 2002, the aircraft flew seven years without any major incidents. The first crash occurred in 2009. As of March 2026, 14 Su-30MKIs were lost in crashes including 5 fatalities.''

So from 30 April 2009 until 5 March 2026 they lost 14 MKI's.

 

[lmaoxd]

They fly a lot and then loses happened.

'Since Su-30MKI's entry to service in 2002, the aircraft flew seven years without any major incidents. The first crash occurred in 2009. As of March 2026, 14 Su-30MKIs were lost in crashes including 5 fatalities.''

So from 30 April 2009 until 5 March 2026 they lost 14 MKI's.

hmm why so many ? Could it be because its the backbone of the IAF?

 

[ComradeVortex]

UAF Su-27 lost to a Su-35S using a R-37M or R-77M in a BVR engagement

https://twitter.com/x/status/2031064432508362878

View: https://x.com/cym27s/status/2031064432508362878?s=20

https://twitter.com/x/status/2031203158488396184

View: https://x.com/AMK_Mapping_/status/2031203158488396184?s=20

 

[Squirrel]

hmm why so many ? Could it be because its the backbone of the IAF?

Of course that Su-30MKI is the backbone of the IAF ( fighter aviation). Reasons for so many losses from 2009 until 2026 can be more.From technical malfunctions,pilot errors ,atmospheric conditions, etc .

UAF Su-27 lost to a Su-35S using a R-37M or R-77M in a BVR engagement

It seems that he tried to intercept one Su-34. R-37M or R-77M, that is the question but what we could see in the last period is that Su-35S often carried only one R-37M.To launch only one heavy long-range AAM like R-37M and to shoot down one very maneuverable fighter is unusual thing.Maybe it is possible that ukr pilot didn't get any RWR indication at all? There is no data of the launch range and there was a case when one Su-30SM2 shot down ukr Su-27 with R-37M from 130km away (2 Feb. 2025).

Su-35S with only one R-37M under the fuselage ( between the engine nacelles), two R-77-1 under the air intakes,two R-77M and two R-74 under the wings. There is also one ARM type Kh-31PM.

 

[Aeria Gloria]

View of OLS-27/30 from nose of Su-27/30 due to the nose tilting it down by 7.5 degrees compared to boresight

 

[blackstar]

Probably posted up-thread, but always appropriate:

 

[ComradeVortex]

Probably posted up-thread, but always appropriate:

 

[Aeria Gloria]

You can tell a lot by the speed a plane is designed to fly at supersonic speeds at high altitude with the least throttle and best climb rate.

MiG-21/23/29 and Su-27: this speed is Mach 1.65-1.7

For Su-30MKK/MK2, this speed slows down to Mach 1.45. But since it’s a multi role self escorting strike aircraft anyways it’s no issue. I’m sure canard Su-30 might be even worse in speed and acceleration and the Su-35 S a return to form.

 

[Squirrel]

You can tell a lot by the speed a plane is designed to fly at supersonic speeds at high altitude with the least throttle and best climb rate.

MiG-21/23/29 and Su-27: this speed is Mach 1.65-1.7

For Su-30MKK/MK2, this speed slows down to Mach 1.45. But since it’s a multi role self escorting strike aircraft anyways it’s no issue. I’m sure canard Su-30 might be even worse in speed and acceleration and the Su-35 S a return to form.

Su-30MK2(V) of the AMB flew 1.7M . Sequencies from 10:30 ...

Vuelo Supersonico y Estratosferico Sukhoi 30 MK2​

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5EIhIXkeV4&t=4s


I suppose that was the speed during climbing from about 10.000 m to 22.000 m ( as the record alt).We must keep on mind that stratosphere around equator begins at about 20.000m.

 

[Aeria Gloria]

Su-30MK2(V) of the AMB flew 1.7M . Sequencies from 10:30 ...

Yes it can fly that fast. No indication of flight conditions or even if this isn’t in a simulator and not the real jet. I only meant to comment on how supersonic climb speed can tell us a lot about performance as it’s the fastest speed that can be maintained with the least afterburner.

 

[Archibald]

Probably posted up-thread, but always appropriate:

View attachment 804951

That's a good one ! Let me tell you something: even as a die hard aviation buff since the craddle (or close) the Su-27 family designations makes my brain howl in pain and torture. I decided for the sake of my mental health, I will never ever make a deep dive into that mess. Flanker and Fullback, I'm fine with that.

 

[Aeria Gloria]

Flanker family just grew so fast in 90s with the commercial success of the company. I think it’s cool that there’s 2 Su-30 variants, your sleek and faster better turn rate canardless Su-30, and your slower draggier Su-30 with canards and TVC specializing in lower speed regime. I bet the MKK/MK2 lineage was able to achieve a significantly better max turn rate from its lower weight and drag.

That's a good one ! Let me tell you something: even as a die hard aviation buff since the craddle (or close) the Su-27 family designations makes my brain howl in pain and torture. I decided for the sake of my mental health, I will never ever make a deep dive into that mess. Flanker and Fullback, I'm fine with that.

 

[Squirrel]

Yes it can fly that fast. No indication of flight conditions or even if this isn’t in a simulator and not the real jet

Didi you watch full video ? Of course it was the real jet/flight.

 

[AGS-1787]

There is a HUD video of a su-30 accident that crashed due to a light being extended while they tested the aircraft going supersonic; it gives an idea of the acceleration on the canard flankers.

 

[Aeria Gloria]

Didi you watch full video ? Of course it was the real jet/flight.

Yes I saw full thing. And to me I only see these things bracketing the Mach 1.7 instrument in the video


Then it shows other footage then back to the speedometer again. There is no indication whatsoever that it’s not a simulator or ground test or something.

 

[Squirrel]

Yes I saw full thing. And to me I only see these things bracketing the Mach 1.7 instrument in the video

We have interesting sequencies on 8:20 and 10:32. It seems that 1.7M was the average speed during supersonic flight.

Another video with the reporter Boris Castellano made in the rear cockpit of the Su-30MK2V.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB7iXzmLung

 

[Aeria Gloria]

If you want to believe it was an unbroken recording of the flight and everything shown is in sequence go ahead

 

[Squirrel]

If you want to believe it was an unbroken recording of the flight and everything shown is in sequence go ahead

This time watch better on those sequences because you can see that person is pointing on the Machmeter with the same gloves.Gloves are not carryied in the simulator. So it was real jet/flight,end of story.

Some details about Su-27UB supersonic capabilities we had here :

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/sukhoi-su-57-flight-testing-and-development.15626/page-117#post-863882

Su-35S in the LAS ,light aircraft shelter in the Khmeymin AB .

 

[Aeria Gloria]

This time watch better on those sequences because you can see that person is pointing on the Machmeter with the same glove

Good point

 

[EmoBirb]

View attachment 804988

It is a bit outdated though, for example a significant difference between the legacy J-15 and advanced J-15s are the canted radomes. Also the J-15D is missing too. These are definitely derivatives of the Flanker family that are quite distinct.

 

[ComradeVortex]

It is a bit outdated though, for example a significant difference between the legacy J-15 and advanced J-15s are the canted radomes. Also the J-15D is missing too. These are definitely derivatives of the Flanker family that are quite distinct.

ran out of space

 

[Squirrel]

Su-35S and Su-30M2 during landing approach with differ air brakes.

 

[Wotan]

Unfortunately another two pilots died.

MSN

"Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots - Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar - were killed after a Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a training mission.

The Sukhoi fighter aircraft went missing from radar contact while flying over Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening, shortly after taking off from Jorhat airbase.

Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat said that the Su-30 MKI fighter jet went missing from the radar when it was flying over Karbi Anglong district in the evening."

MSN

"If crash investigations lead to accelerated maintenance and training reforms, the IAF could see improved safety alongside its expanding arsenal, strengthening deterrence against regional adversaries. Alternatively, procurement delays or integration challenges could create capability gaps, especially if older aircraft face increased attrition."

 

[AGS-1787]

Is there a black box in these jets? I wonder how the conduct investigations in the Russian side.

 

[lmaoxd]

Unfortunately another two pilots died.

MSN

"Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots - Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar - were killed after a Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a training mission.

The Sukhoi fighter aircraft went missing from radar contact while flying over Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening, shortly after taking off from Jorhat airbase.

Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat said that the Su-30 MKI fighter jet went missing from the radar when it was flying over Karbi Anglong district in the evening."

MSN

"If crash investigations lead to accelerated maintenance and training reforms, the IAF could see improved safety alongside its expanding arsenal, strengthening deterrence against regional adversaries. Alternatively, procurement delays or integration challenges could create capability gaps, especially if older aircraft face increased attrition."

the IAF really needs to start getting on with its upgrades and life extensions.

 

[Wotan]

On the longer term it looks that they have decided to reorient themselves toward french Rafales. For the SU-30 MKI, beside other things, there is a chronic problem with the engines and the operational readiness rate is poor.

Assam Su-30MKI Crash Re-underlines Challenge of Adapting Fighter to Indian Conditions

The fatal crash earlier this month also recalls a period a decade when multiple engine-related problems in India's Su-30MKI fleet had forced the MoD to acknowledge persistent technical shortcomings in the backbone of the IAF’s combat aviation inventory.

thewire.in

"In this context, it is pertinent to recall that in March 2015, then-defence minister Manohar Parrikar had informed parliament that the IAF’s Su-30MKIs were grappling with frequent engine failures and poor operational serviceability. His statement followed several minor and major accidents involving the Russian-origin fighter which then was being licence-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Nashik facility.

Parrikar revealed that between January 2013 and December 2014, the IAF had recorded technical problems in 35 NPO Saturn AL-31FP engines that power the Su-30MKI, which too were being licence-built by HAL at Koraput in Odisha. The late defence minister also elaborated on failures that were attributed largely to faulty engine bearings and low lubricating-oil pressure."

"Of 69 Su‑30MKI engine malfunctions investigated since 2012, Parrikar told parliament that 33 were traced to metal chips detected in the oil system, while 11 were linked to abnormal engine vibrations and eight incidents were attributed to low oil pressure. The remaining 17 cases, however, were not publicly explained.

Despite the Su-30MKI’s formidable capabilities – including thrust-vectoring engines, a long combat radius and advanced avionics – its operational availability at the time was also far less impressive. Parrikar disclosed that only around 110 aircraft – roughly 55% of the fleet then – were operationally ready and indicated that steps were being taken to raise this figure to around 70%."

"Online sources indicate that Russia marketed the AL-31FP engines to the IAF with a mean time between overhauls (MTBO) of around 1,000 hours and a total service life of roughly 3,000 hours. In practice, however, early units reportedly required overhauls much sooner – after 300-500 hours – resulting in lower readiness and increased maintenance cycles. Such shorter service intervals compared unfavourably with several Western-origin engines, which typically offered longer MTBOs and higher reliability."

 

[EmoBirb]

Seems like India is woefully unable to maintain and fly their jets, aircraft far less developed countries operate with little issues. But it's not like they're a gold standard with regards to military aviation anyway.

 

[Ainen]

On the longer term it looks that they have decided to reorient themselves toward french Rafales.

Overall this decision was made back in 2012-16, as back than dependence on Ru MIC for air force (and armed forces in general) was critical/uncomfortable.
It "just" took a full decade to finally start moving with that. But MKIs aren't quite going anywhere.

 

[EmoBirb]

But MKIs aren't quite going anywhere

Aren't they funding a huge upgrade program for them?

 

[vanishingelephant]

Aren't they funding a huge upgrade program for them?

Indian bureaucracy is absolutely inscrutable, from what I understand the appropriate government body has declared that there is a necessity for the upgrade (Acceptance of Necessity), and has drafted a budget request. This was a couple years ago, but there hasn't been any further news regarding acceptance of that request, which should've first been on the agenda in early 2025. The design work can't begin before the budget request is cleared, I don't think their state design bureau can foot the bill internally.
Might as well be a paper project, the design simply doesn't exist except for fanciful speculation.

 

[NMaude]

Indian bureaucracy is absolutely inscrutable

I hear it's worse than the British bureaucracy.