Russian Air Force News & Discussion

[Feanor]

But UBM deliveries are not to start until 2014... a notable gap between state trials and production.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

That is the toilet container on the Su-34.......

Also the new paintscheme is supposed to blend in with the runway. There were rumors of RAM used in the new paint, but they are just that at this point - rumors.

EDIT: The West MD just took delivery of it's first Mi-28N. However, as I understand it neither Buddenovsk, nor Korenovsk have been fully re-armed, meaning there are now 3 airbases with various quantities of Mi-28N.

Lenta.ru: Îðóæèå:  Çàïàäíîì âîåííîì îêðóãå ïîÿâÿòñÿ "Íî÷íûå îõîòíèêè"

On a side note, Buddenovsk recently took deliveries of the first 4 Mi-35M, of the 22 ordered for the VVS. All in all the situation looks messy.

Thanks for your explanation....a toilet container...... ... i thought it was some high-tech sensor/calibration instrument...

 

[Comrade69]

Quick question, what avionics will the Pak-FA have....Iribis-E?

 

[Feanor]

Quick question, what avionics will the Pak-FA have....Iribis-E?

It will carry an AESA radar. To be honest I'm not sure which. I've heard somewhere Zhuk-AE could be installed on it, alternatively a different AESA radar currently in development could be the one used.

 

[Fraggle]

It will carry an AESA radar. To be honest I'm not sure which. I've heard somewhere Zhuk-AE could be installed on it, alternatively a different AESA radar currently in development could be the one used.

For what its worth APA thinks the PAK-FA will be fitted with a Tikhomirov NIIP AESA design, supposedly very similar to the IRBIS-E on the SU-35S, and that this design will be used as a basis for future radar upgrades on all Flankers.

 

[Klaus]

An initial 4 Ka 226 will be delivered to Torzhok within the next two weeks.
Another 26 are currently on order (ruaviation.com).

 

[Haavarla]

What do you make out of this news?

Третий Ñерийный иÑтребитель Су-35С приÑтупил к летным иÑпытаниÑм | Оборона и безопаÑноÑÑ‚ÑŒ | Лента новоÑтей "Ð*ИРÐовоÑти"

Looks like the 3rd serial Su-35S have made first flight.

Edit:
Here is the official from KnAAPO.
http://sukhoi.org/eng/news/company/?id=4638

 

[Feanor]

Su-35S production doesn't seem to be going all that fast, given that they have a 48 aircraft contract. Then again perhaps it will speed up now that the Su-27SM3 contract has been completed.

http://lenta.ru/news/2012/01/17/su35s/

EDIT: Brainfart, the Su-35S has yet to pass state trials, so it's in LRIP, not large serial production.

 

[Haavarla]

Yeah, were did i read that the first four Su-35S serial will participate at Lipetsk for state trials.. cant remember.

 

[ADMk2]

Yeah, were did i read that the first four Su-35S serial will participate at Lipetsk for state trials.. cant remember.

Yep, but one crashed during runway trials several years back, which clearly put a sizeable dint in the flight test program, given they've only had 2 aircraft available since then.

Good to see some progress on the SU-35S program. This aircraft must have been undergoing a significant amount of modification / upgrade given it rolled off the production line in September 2011 but only just made it's first flight.

I'd hate to see what some would say if there such a delay for an F-35 arriving off the production line...

The usual suspects would go nuts...

 

[Haavarla]

We do not know how the re-armament books on the Su-35S plan/priorities look like.
And it is still in a LIRP production and in state trials, KnAAPO had various other production going at the same time mind you..

Exports MK2 Flankers - Su-30M2 - Su-27SM3 - and Pak-Fa.

So i would be carefull to claim its that delayed.

Yes the loss of that Su-35BM prototype did not help in anyway, but its old news and the initial factory tests were completed long ago.

 

[Feanor]

Yep, but one crashed during runway trials several years back, which clearly put a sizeable dint in the flight test program, given they've only had 2 aircraft available since then.

Good to see some progress on the SU-35S program. This aircraft must have been undergoing a significant amount of modification / upgrade given it rolled off the production line in September 2011 but only just made it's first flight.

I'd hate to see what some would say if there such a delay for an F-35 arriving off the production line...

The usual suspects would go nuts...

They've had more then two available since then, as this is the 3rd serial model. They have 2 flying prototypes, and serial aircraft 1 and 2 to play with, meaning it's not the number of aircraft. They also wouldn't be producing serial production aircraft, if they hadn't relatively finalized the design, meaning that their own testing isn't what's keeping them busy. I would guess that the truth is that the MoD simply set a date for the testing, and by that date Sukhoi needs to have 4 aircraft for state trials. They're in no hurry to roll out those aircraft any sooner, as they have dozens of other aircraft that need to get delivered on time.

Then again there is the delay between production and first flight that you pointed out, which suggests the machine is not finalized. And there is the fact that post-state trials additional changes will be made (albeit minor ones, provided state trials go relatively well).

 

[Feanor]

While the Il-112 MTA program seems to be on hold, the VVS is purchasing the An-140-100 for it's medium-transport needs. The first of these was delivered late last year, 6 are due to be delivered this year, and presumably 3 next year, on a contract totaling 10 aircraft. They are being built at Aviakor aviation plant in Samara. I can't tell if this is a separate contract from the one for 9 aircraft, or the same one with one of the sources being wrong about the numbers.

This will be the first major delivery of new transport aircraft to the VVS.

http://www.vninform.ru/150959/article/zavod-aviakor-planiruet-uvelichenie-shtata-.html

EDIT: Apparently they also need to deliver 6 aircraft to another company also this year, which really makes me wonder whether this will get done on time.

Another interesting contract was signed with Kamov for the development of 3 helicopter-type UAVs, small (Ka-135, Ka-175, and "Albatros"), medium, and large sizes.

http://www.gazeta.ru/business/2012/01/17/3965133.shtml

 

[ADMk2]

They've had more then two available since then, as this is the 3rd serial model. They have 2 flying prototypes, and serial aircraft 1 and 2 to play with, meaning it's not the number of aircraft. They also wouldn't be producing serial production aircraft, if they hadn't relatively finalized the design, meaning that their own testing isn't what's keeping them busy. I would guess that the truth is that the MoD simply set a date for the testing, and by that date Sukhoi needs to have 4 aircraft for state trials. They're in no hurry to roll out those aircraft any sooner, as they have dozens of other aircraft that need to get delivered on time.

Then again there is the delay between production and first flight that you pointed out, which suggests the machine is not finalized. And there is the fact that post-state trials additional changes will be made (albeit minor ones, provided state trials go relatively well).

Are you certain that the prototypes aren't named SU35S-1 and SU-35S-2? If not, this is the first time Sukhoi have ever stated that they now have 5 SU-35 aircraft rolled off the production line.

And they have never actually said that nor released any photographs showing more than the 2 aircraft (IIRC they are the same tailnumbers), so that number can only be inferred from the use of the terms "prototype" and "serial". At no point have they said they've built 5x SU-35 aircraft or that the prototypes aren't known as SU-35S-1/2.

It's a completely different program I know but AA-1 was the first development F-35 aircraft...

Can anyone confirm whether Sukhoi have built 3 or 5x SU-35 aircraft?

 

[Haavarla]

Dude, take a peek at ÎÀÎ «Êîìïàíèÿ «Ñóõîé» - Ãëàâíàÿ ñòðàíèöà
There you'll find news update on the 3rd serial Su-35S b/n nr 01-03.

And there are both pics and news on the earlier Su-35BM prototypes b/n 901, 902..
Its all there.

 

[Feanor]

Are you certain that the prototypes aren't named SU35S-1 and SU-35S-2? If not, this is the first time Sukhoi have ever stated that they now have 5 SU-35 aircraft rolled off the production line.

They have 2 prototypes that flew July and October 2008 for the first time. These should be bort numbers 901 and 902.

May 2011 the first serial Su-35S flew for the first time. December 2011, the second serial, and January 2012 the third serial aircraft.

Note the 3 year gap between the flights of the prototypes and the serial aircraft. I don't actually know the bort numbers of the serial aircraft, (I don't think I've actually seen a photo of them) but I wouldn't be surprised if they have bort numbers 01-02-03, etc.

EDIT: The third A-50U aircraft has been handed over, with 3 more being upgraded right now. This is a rather important program, given how old the basic A-50 is at this point.

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120117/170807273.html

 

[Haavarla]

Feanor;237071May 2011 the first serial Su-35S flew for the first time. December 2011, the second serial, and January 2012 the third serial aircraft.

Note the 3 year gap between the flights of the prototypes and the serial aircraft. I don't actually know the bort numbers of the serial aircraft, (I don't think I've actually seen a photo of them) but I wouldn't be surprised if they have bort numbers 01-02-03, etc.

Here is the first serial Su-35S-01 at Lipetsk. In State trials.
Lots of pics, including Hi-res if you like, but it need to be down loaded.

KNAAPO*- Gallery - Aircrafts - Military - Su-35 - Su-35S in the RF Air Force Livery

EDIT: The third A-50U aircraft has been handed over, with 3 more being upgraded right now. This is a rather important program, given how old the basic A-50 is at this point.

New AWACS Plane Enters Russian Air Force Service | Defense | RIA Novosti

Wow! That was rather quick, and i must have missed the second handover of the A-50U too

"A first-50U handed the Russian Air Force
October 31 Beriev. GM Beriev gave the Russian Air Force first serially upgraded AEW A-50U (side number 47). The aircraft crew received the Air Force and flew from Taganrog to the place of his permanent home in Ivanovo."

http://www.take-off.ru/news/114-news07-10-2011/593-a-50u-vvs-10-2011

 

[Feanor]

Nope. bort 47 was the first serial modernized aircraft. Bort 37 was the first aircraft. It's the same way as they do it with ships, the first one is not considered a serial model.

Borts 37 and 47 have been handed over, the only difference is that bort 37 may be used for testing, and experimental stuff rather then line service. I don't have a bort number for the latest aircraft so we'll have to wait and see.

Note the "первый серийно модернизированный самолет" in your article. If you read one para down it also says "В качестве прототипа А-50У был использован один из строевых самолетов А-50 с бортовым №37. Его государственные совместные испытания успешно завершились позапрошлой осенью: акт об окончании ГСИ был подписан Главнокомандующим ВВС России генерал-полковником Александром Зелиным 26 ноября 2009 г."

In other words two A-50Us have been handed over at the time of that article, one of them a pre-serial model, that should however have finalized or semi-finalized technical specs, as it was used to successfully complete the state trials and recommended for acceptance into service without being sent back for modification and additional testing.

EDIT: So now we have photos of at least 3 Su-35 birds, two pre-prods 901-902, and one serial, 01. There's also a gallery there with pics of the 2nd serial plane, without it's paintjob, giving us photos of 4 different Su-35S. I hope that answers your question ADMk2.

 

[jack412]

They have 2 prototypes that flew July and October 2008 for the first time. These should be bort numbers 901 and 902.

May 2011 the first serial Su-35S flew for the first time. December 2011, the second serial, and January 2012 the third serial aircraft.

Note the 3 year gap between the flights of the prototypes and the serial aircraft. I don't actually know the bort numbers of the serial aircraft, (I don't think I've actually seen a photo of them) but I wouldn't be surprised if they have bort numbers 01-02-03, etc.

EDIT: The third A-50U aircraft has been handed over, with 3 more being upgraded right now. This is a rather important program, given how old the basic A-50 is at this point.

New AWACS Plane Enters Russian Air Force Service | Defense | RIA Novosti

Like your's Feanor,
this history should be accurate for the su-35 series
MILAVIA Aircraft - Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker Historical Events & Key Dates

1996 First three production Su-35s (numbers 86, 87, 88) delivered to the Russian Air Force
7 Aug 2000 First flight Su-35UB prototype (no. 801).
Aug 2007 KnAAPO completes first new Su-35 prototype, bort number 901.
21 Aug 2007 Sukhoi/KnAAPO unveil new Su-35 (Su-27BM) at MAKS 2007.
19 Feb 2008 First flight Su-35 '901', flown by Sergey Bogdan at Zhukovsky.
2 Oct 2008 First flight second Su-35 '902', flown by Sergey Bogdan from KnAAPO factory airfield at Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
20 Mar 2009 100th Flight of the Su-35 (T-10BM), completing flight control systems testing.
26 Apr 2009 Third Su-35 (T-10BM) flying prototype was destroyed during a high-speed taxi test prior to first flight. Pilot Eugene Frolov safely ejected.
18 Aug 2009 Announced at MAKS09, Russian Defense Ministry orders 48 new-built Su-35S, deliveries 2011-2015.
17 Nov 2009 Sukhoi announces start production at KnAAPO for initial Su-35S production batch.
5 May 2011 First Series-produced Su-35S test-flown by Sergey Bogdan from KnAAPO factory airfield at Komsomolsk-on-Amur

 

[Haavarla]

Su-35S b/n red 02

russianplanes.net ||

As with the 01, it has reduced tubes sensors around the cockpit section.

Note the different b/n color.. black and red..
Could it mean KnAAPO will deliver two different Su-35S Sqadrons at the same time?
Or has it something to do with Pre-production version, not yet frozen the Su-35S serial Production?