Russian Air Force News & Discussion

barney41

Member
My best guess? Rather poorly. But honestly this is not public information.
Fair enough, such information would be classified. In any case, Next Generation Jammer should provide a whole new level of capability over ALQ-99 when fielded early in the next decade.
 
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Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Russian long-range aviation is going to see some major upgrades in the near future. The current show in Syria already demonstrates that they've effectively gained conventional cruise missile capability. And with the improvement to the Tu-22M3s (the Gefest upgrade) they should be far more effective then they were in 888. There is also now an ongoing upgrade program for the Tu-95MS, the goal being to expand the types of weapons they can use. Details are lacking, but they might be looking to integrate modern guided bombs into their arsenal, or new cruise missiles. The first aircraft has already been handed over, with two more planned this year. Given the pattern, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in action over Syria. The Tu-160 is also in process of being upgraded but I have even less information on the nature of that upgrade. For both the Tu-160 and the Tu-95 their action against ISIS is supposed to be their first use in combat.

«"Ðвиакор" завершил работы по переоборудованию первого Ñамолета ÑтратегичеÑкой авиации Ту-95 МС» в блоге «ÐвиациÑ» - Сделано у наÑ
У Ð½Ð°Ñ ÐµÑÑ‚ÑŒ такие приборы! Ðо вам мы про них не раÑÑкажем. - Берлога Бронемедведа

A photo of the trials of the new Arctic Mi-8 variant. It should be noted that the Mi-8AMTSh on which it is based has significant ground-attack capabilities. It also has armor around the cockpit. Strangely enough the prototype doesn't seem to have it's external weapon mounts.

Ð’ Улан-Ð£Ð´Ñ Ð·Ð°Ð²ÐµÑ€ÑˆÐ¸Ð»Ð¸ÑÑŒ контрольно-летные иÑÐ¿Ñ‹Ñ‚Ð°Ð½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¸-8ÐМТШ-Ð’Ð - alexeyvvo

Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) production is proceeding buat a snail's pace. Two more aircraft are due to be handed over this year, with one already flying. So far they have firm contracts for 39 aircraft from the VVS, and 6 from the MChS. Work on the Il-78M-90A is also continuing, but a separate contract will be signed once they're ready for production.

ПроизводÑтво Ил-76МД-90Ð - alexeyvvo
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Su-25s are now being upgraded to the SM3 standard. It includes new EW, integration of most current guided weapons (the ones light enough for it to carry, the giant 1500 series bombs are of course not included) included satellite and TV guided ones, and a TV system for BDA as well as guidance. Given the extensive action these planes are seeing in Syria, it's likely this upgrade is at least partially prompted by the realization of their limitations in comparison to more modern planes.

It also appears that they're getting elements of the Vitebsk anti-MANPADS system.

Заказ на первую партию модернизированных штурмовиков Су-25СМ3 - alexeyvvo

There is news on a long-range UAV to enter service in Russia, which will be able to fly a preprogrammed path, without any contact with base, making it undetectable to enemy ELINT assets. However the language is very ambiguous. It seems to indicate that it won't be controlled from the ground. They're also said to have the ability to glide over long distances with their engines turned off, at a high altitude.

О дальнем беÑпилотнике - Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½

The second regiment has completed re-armament with Su-34s, and it's a 3-squadron regiment. Now there are 5 line squadrons in the VVS.

«Ðвиационный пк ЮВО под РоÑтовом завершил перевооружение на Су-34» в блоге «ÐÑ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ Ð¸ Флот» - Сделано у наÑ
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
So in addition to 16 MiG-29SMTs, Russia is also getting 4 new MiG-29UBs (presumably the upgraded kind to go with the SMTs).

Ðовые МиГ-29УБ(Ð*) и МиГ-29СМТ(Ð*) Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð’ÐšÐ¡ Ð*оÑÑии - bmpd

The first batch of EW containers for the Su-34 have been handed over. Clearly extensive trials and experimental exploitation are still ahead, but it's a good sign.

«Су-34 превращаетÑÑ Ñ Ñамолет Ð*Ð*Б» в блоге «ÐвиациÑ» - Сделано у наÑ

The Su-35S has begun combat duty in the Far East, replacing the Su-27SM. Where the SMs will go is unclear for now, but this appears to only be IOC, as it was only carrying R-73/RVV-MD and R-27. Then again the Su-30SMs in Syria are flying with this kind of combat load, so maybe there aren't any RVV-AE available.

ИÑтребители С#402;-35С заÑтупили на боевое дежурÑтво - bmpd
 

swerve

Super Moderator
There is news on a long-range UAV to enter service in Russia, which will be able to fly a preprogrammed path, without any contact with base, making it undetectable to enemy ELINT assets. However the language is very ambiguous. It seems to indicate that it won't be controlled from the ground.
Ah, like the recce drones the USAF used over China & N. Vietnam in the 1960s. :D
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Ah, like the recce drones the USAF used over China & N. Vietnam in the 1960s. :D
Or like Soviet Tu-143 drones. Seriously, it makes very little sense. I'm wondering if it's intentional misinformation, or just bs.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
Who knows?

I have no difficulty believing that a new Russian UAV will be able to follow a pre-programmed flight path & record data (photographs, whatever) at set locations (as a backup in case the data link is lost, & to save increase operator productivity), but I'm sure that it'd also be able to accept instructions to divert from that pre-planned flight, send data back while en route, etc. The only reason for not doing so would be if it's feared that the datalink has been hacked.

This is not the 1960s. Everyone has better technology now than the best then.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member

Haavarla

Active Member
Something is weird with the Su-35S currently being delivered.
There are reports about them having very little flight hours, some only 20-60 hours in the air.

Makes me wonder if they hit some snags at a later stage with engines or control systems..

If its radar issue, then one would think its a matter of running it on a failsafe mode or something(while they look into it), so that the pilots can get the needed flight time with the jet.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Something is weird with the Su-35S currently being delivered.
There are reports about them having very little flight hours, some only 20-60 hours in the air.

Makes me wonder if they hit some snags at a later stage with engines or control systems..

If its radar issue, then one would think its a matter of running it on a failsafe mode or something(while they look into it), so that the pilots can get the needed flight time with the jet.
They only very recently began combat duty. Before that the Su-27SM were used for combat duty. This likely explains the low flight hours, as the pilots split their hours between two aircraft. It will be important to see how this year goes.

Meanwhile Russia is backing out of the MTA project with India, and instead will focus solely on a domestic Il-214. This has to do with changing Indian requirements for the aircraft.

Ðе ÑроÑлоÑÑŒ. Ð’ очередной раз. - Берлога Бронемедведа

And they're putting plans to resume Mi-14 production on halt, likely due to the financial situation.

Оно конечно бы да, но... - Берлога Бронемедведа
 

Haavarla

Active Member
eem.. 6th Gen fighter..?
Hold on.
How about US focus on getting F-35 in service first and foremost.

By the looks of it, it faces further delays, and the total amount produced will get reduced.

That is not a good start for the next US jet that will replentish all three US air branches.

The F-35C will reach service as late as 2019(which is the very latest timetable)
F-35A will reach service in 2018, but things are looking bleak for this time table as well.

Operational Testers Flag F-35 Software Issues « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary

Edit:
Its not just the F-35, the PakFa has also seen severly delays.
But with the replentish of Flankers and Migs, it seems the Russian MoD has an smart procurment plan for VVS and RuNavy tacair.
And only recent have we seen some funding being replaced in order to modernize the USAF F-16 and F-15C/E.
But for USAF position, i wonder if this is too little, too late..?
 

Ranger25

Active Member
Staff member
eem.. 6th Gen fighter..?
Hold on.
How about US focus on getting F-35 in service first and foremost.

By the looks of it, it faces further delays, and the total amount produced will get reduced.

That is not a good start for the next US jet that will replentish all three US air branches.

The F-35C will reach service as late as 2019(which is the very latest timetable)
F-35A will reach service in 2018, but things are looking bleak for this time table as well.

Operational Testers Flag F-35 Software Issues « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary

Edit:
Its not just the F-35, the PakFa has also seen severly delays.
But with the replentish of Flankers and Migs, it seems the Russian MoD has an smart procurment plan for VVS and RuNavy tacair.
And only recent have we seen some funding being replaced in order to modernize the USAF F-16 and F-15C/E.
But for USAF position, i wonder if this is too little, too late..?


I agree. The VVS has moved to procure more SU35M(50'ea). Makes me think they see the longer delays in fielding the PAK FA. The USAF has lagged behind in upgrading legacy airframes and is now working to do so. The F16 SLEP and the new F15 TALON HATE pod are quick examples I think they're struggling now with the long term effects of stopping the F22 line at 187 as well.

5th-to-4th Fighter Comms Pod Schedule Questioned | Defense content from Aviation Week


Also some talk of Boeing self funding work on their 6th gen airframe


http://www.military.com/daily-news/...evelop-sixth-generation-unmanned-fighter.html
 

colay1

Member
The US, unlike others has the capability to work on 6Gen development while concurrently churning out increasing numbers of 5Gen jets. At the same time, the 4Gen fleet is being updated and enhanced to allow them to interoperate more effectively as supporting assets in the networked battlespace.

Fact is, the F-35B with Blk 2B can go to war today and perform required counter-air, interdiction, CAS, etc. missions. The F-35A will be able to do the same with Blk 3i when it goes IOC later this year. Blk 3F will bring added functionality when it is released. The JPO refutes some of the DOT&E concerns but acknowledges others. Like previous issues, these are not show-stoppers and will be addressed and fixes found and implemented.

Overall the Program is on solid footing with production efficiencies translating into steadily declining per-unit costs. The Services have stood firm on the number of jets that they project to buy. SECNAV has even instructed the Navy to plan on acquiring 31 additional F-35Cs from money saved by cuts in the LCS fleet.

Russia OTOH has no choice but to keep buying Flanker derivatives as PAK FA has a lot of uncertainty hanging over it. So Russia is modernizing which is good but it's like equipping your lumberjacks with sharper, lighter and stronger axes while your competiion is brandishing chainsaws.
 
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