Another "This vs. That" thread :)

[YellowFever]

I know, I know...another this vs. that thread.

But I'm curious and since you guys (I would say a good 90% of you) know this crap better than I do, I thought I'd post this and see what pops up.

How does the Su-30MKI compare to the F-15K (or the Singapore variant)?

Some other people I respect on military matters seem to think the F-16 block 60s are better than either of those two.

 

[Ding]

You comparing the MKI against the K or the block 60s against the MKI and K?
and on what area are you comparing? A2A, A2G? weapons load out? range? sensor package? Or just generalities ie which is better to use or operate. Mind you, the last question is the most difficult to answer!

ps, i think if you start these kind of thread you have to give your opinion first

 

[rjmaz1]

The F-16 block 60 would be better than both of them due to its smaller radar cross section and better detection range with its radar.

Range is the F-16's weak point, excluding that its better than the other two in nearly every way.

F-15K and Su-30MKI are very similar aircraft in performance characteristics as well as avionics and weapon systems.

 

[Aussie Digger]

The F-16 block 60 would be better than both of them due to its smaller radar cross section and better detection range with its radar.

Range is the F-16's weak point, excluding that its better than the other two in nearly every way.

Range is it's weak point along with warload. I can easily see the F-15K adopting the AESA radar that IS being fitted to the F-15S ordered by Singapore as a future growth option. Gonna make the F-16 Blk 60 seem a bit ordinary then, I reckon...

As to it's performance against the SU-30 series? I think it'll be virtually equivalent with little (apart from the weapons possibly) differentiating them in terms of capability. SK is no doubt well aware of the capabilities of the SU-30 series being a customer of some Russian products and the strategic environment it resides in (China's massive fleet is not far off).

The fact that SK has just signed on for another 20 (to bring their fleet up to 60x F-15K) shows that they are pretty happy with them...

 

[YellowFever]

Range is it's weak point along with warload. I can easily see the F-15K adopting the AESA radar that IS being fitted to the F-15S ordered by Singapore as a future growth option. Gonna make the F-16 Blk 60 seem a bit ordinary then, I reckon...

That's one of the conflicting report I'm hearing about the F-15K.
Some reports states that it DOES have AESA and some reports says it doesn't. I'm not sure who's right.

The SK chose the 15K because I think they wanted a fighter that can do all or most missions (A2A, A2G and anti-ship) and I'm sure the SlamEagle being an american product had something to do with it (after all, I don't think the Russians or the French will commit to war on SK's side if the north starts acting screwy). The Su-MKI's are also pretty comparable to the SlamEagle on most missions but on a purely A2A, would the block 60's beat them both handedly?
Interesting question.....

 

[vivtho]

In a one-to-one fight, I think both the fighters are pretty evenly matched, with possibly a slight advantage to the Su-30.

However, such a situation rarely happens in combat. In any conflict the SK F-15s will have the assistance of AEW and tankers. No Su-30 operator has AEW (yet) and only India has a (small) air tanking capability.

On the whole, in an air-air engagement, I would put my money on the F-15s, if only for the reason that both the aircraft and it's weapons are combat proven.

 

[tphuang]

That's one of the conflicting report I'm hearing about the F-15K.
Some reports states that it DOES have AESA and some reports says it doesn't. I'm not sure who's right.

The SK chose the 15K because I think they wanted a fighter that can do all or most missions (A2A, A2G and anti-ship) and I'm sure the SlamEagle being an american product had something to do with it (after all, I don't think the Russians or the French will commit to war on SK's side if the north starts acting screwy). The Su-MKI's are also pretty comparable to the SlamEagle on most missions but on a purely A2A, would the block 60's beat them both handedly?
Interesting question.....

F-15K at last check still uses APG-63v1.

I'd say F-15K and MKI would probably be fairly evenly matched in A2A (MKI would probably have a slight edge), but F-15K would have an advantage in just about every other role. Also, F-15K's airframe has long life time than MKI.