Russian Air Force News & Discussion

Nice Vid of the Su-30SM.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TebYUk14vHk&feature=player_embedded"]Irk023 - YouTube[/nomedia]


And indeed a new HUD. The Back seat also have a smaller HUD.

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it looks the Back seater has the glass there more for wind screen shield than anything else.. There are no projector, which mean it cannot be a HUD..
 
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Haavarla said:
It doesn't say anything about the actuall numbers though..
Take your bet gents. I thinking six unit this time.
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That depends. They delivered 17 aircraft prior to this. To complete a second squadron they'd need at least 7. But a number of aircraft are at Lipetsk and GLITs, iirc 3 at the former, 2 at the latter. Which means that to complete a second squadron they need to either rebase all of those to Voronezh AND hand over at least 7 aircraft, or they need to hand over 12 aircraft.

They didn't actually say that the second squadron will be completed, they said it will be formed. In other words they may well hand over another 6 like you said.

Another update on long-range recon/surveillance: the first Tu-214ON handover, which was expected this year, will probably not take place until next year. The second aircraft of the type is in final assembly. While additional aircraft are possible, they're not terribly likely. Currently the MoD has paid for an OKR Syemschik, to develop a long range surveillance/recon aircraft on the An-140 aircraft, and there are plans to order additional An-140 aircraft for the MoD.

This really is a shame because the Tu-214ON and the Tu-214P are essential assets if the Russian military really plans to complete the RMA they're currently attempting. But as is there will only be two of each.
 
Feanor said:
Another update on long-range recon/surveillance: the first Tu-214ON handover, which was expected this year, will probably not take place until next year. The second aircraft of the type is in final assembly. While additional aircraft are possible, they're not terribly likely. Currently the MoD has paid for an OKR Syemschik, to develop a long range surveillance/recon aircraft on the An-140 aircraft, and there are plans to order additional An-140 aircraft for the MoD.

This really is a shame because the Tu-214ON and the Tu-214P are essential assets if the Russian military really plans to complete the RMA they're currently attempting. But as is there will only be two of each.
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What was the point of funding the developing of a new recon airplane when they already have the Tu-214R and why not develop any new recon platform on the Tu-214? Didn't they have 12 or 15 planned in the GPV?
 
alexkvaskov said:
What was the point of funding the developing of a new recon airplane when they already have the Tu-214R and why not develop any new recon platform on the Tu-214? Didn't they have 12 or 15 planned in the GPV?
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I think the An-140 recon is a replacement for the Il-18 based series of EW/ELINT/Recon aircraft.
 
alexkvaskov said:
Still would have made more sense to use the Tupolev; how many are they currently producing per yeah, An-140 and Tu-214?
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Like 2-3 An-140 a year, and 1-2 Tu-204 and it's derivatives. I think they're planning on operating both types. My guess is that the Tu-214ON and An-140ON (assuming that's what they'll name it) will have certain commonalities enabling them to be used for the Open Skies program, but the Tu-204 variant will probably carry additional gear. It will probably be a larger and more capable variant, and hence more expensive, more complicated to operate etc.

Well 3 more Tu-214SR re-translator aircraft have been ordered for SLO Rossiya. So the Tu-204 family definitely has a future, but the numbers produced will never get very large, because they have won no major contracts from commercial companies in the last decade. Not counting the somewhat questionable SM program, there are orders for iirc ~30-40 aircraft.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/402317.html

Haavarla said:
Su-35S 05-07 doing factory test flight from KnAAPO Air Field, still in the debug and tuning phase.

ÊÍÀÀÏÎ*- Ãàëåðåÿ - Ñàìîëåòû - Áîåâûå - Ñó-35 - Ñó-35Ñ äëÿ ÂÂÑ Ðîññèè

How about this new paint sceeme?
Its all over the board now.. Su-30SM, Su-34 and now the Su-35S.

And the build quality looks very good b.t.w. Very smooth plating on the airframe.
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3 Su-35S are about to be handed over, with possibly another 3 before year's end. And yet the plane has yet to pass state trials...

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/402682.html
 
alexkvaskov said:
The director of Mig says that Mig-35 deliveries will start from 2014; I think we can expect an order for 30-40 units to be announced sometime next year. Hopefully they can produce the new fighters at a good rate. That being said, are any more Mig-29M/M2 orders planned?

Ïîäúåìíàÿ ñèëà "ÌèÃà" - Ðîññèéñêàÿ àâèàñòðîèòåëüíàÿ êîðïîðàöèÿ "ÌèÃ" íàðàùèâàåò ñåðèéíîå ïðîèçâîäñòâî ñîâðåìåííûõ èñòðåáèòåëåé
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MiG-29M/M2 are planned for export customers.

Honestly I think buying the MiGs for domestic use is a mistake. The current re-armament program will already have Su-27SM/2/3, Su-30M2, Su-30SM, Su-34, Su-35, MiG-29SMT, MiG-31BM, and PAK-FA. Now they want to add MiG-35s to the mix.

They need one or two multi-role fighter platforms. Everything else is problematic. I don't think they should even keep the 31's in service, given that there are plenty of Flankers in storage.
 
Feanor said:
MiG-29M/M2 are planned for export customers.

Honestly I think buying the MiGs for domestic use is a mistake. The current re-armament program will already have Su-27SM/2/3, Su-30M2, Su-30SM, Su-34, Su-35, MiG-29SMT, MiG-31BM, and PAK-FA. Now they want to add MiG-35s to the mix.

They need one or two multi-role fighter platforms. Everything else is problematic. I don't think they should even keep the 31's in service, given that there are plenty of Flankers in storage.
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Well the 27, 30, 35 and even 34 are broadly similar so service and maintenance issues shouldn't be too problematic. And yes, keeping the 31's in service makes no sense whatsoever. Do they really expect to be intercepting strategic bomber fleets with those? And considering the Foxhounds have next to no air to surface capability..
 
According to the State Arms Programm the VVS has to buy 48 MiG-35. I don't know whether these will be only single-seat aircraft or also two-seaters.
 
alexkvaskov said:
Well the 27, 30, 35 and even 34 are broadly similar so service and maintenance issues shouldn't be too problematic.
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The point is there is no reason for that many types even if their differences aren't that great. And the capability differences are quite major in some instances. For example the SM variant is the only one that can carry Brahmos-sized cruise missiles.

And yes, keeping the 31's in service makes no sense whatsoever. Do they really expect to be intercepting strategic bomber fleets with those? And considering the Foxhounds have next to no air to surface capability..
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Well the BM upgrade gives them some options in that regard but I'm not sure what exactly. Remember basic Su-27S and Su-27P don't have much in the way of ground attack either.

Two new Su-34s have been handed over.

bmpd -

All 10 of the aircraft for this year have been built but only 5 will be handed over this year.
 
Feanor;256593]The point is there is no reason for that many types even if their differences aren't that great. And the capability differences are quite major in some instances. For example the SM variant is the only one that can carry Brahmos-sized cruise missiles.
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Well and the Su-34 too.
Anyway, i don't think the cost is any concern here, It would be the same regardles if its Su-27 or Su-30/35S.. Hell the older Flanker Su-27 migh be the costliest of them all, due to their current wear and tear.


Well the BM upgrade gives them some options in that regard but I'm not sure what exactly. Remember basic Su-27S and Su-27P don't have much in the way of ground attack either
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If the Mig-31BM can interface the onboard comunication/network with Land based Defences as they claim, well it does have its usefull roles.

Two new Su-34s have been handed over.

bmpd -

All 10 of the aircraft for this year have been built but only 5 will be handed over this year
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Sweet. So the rest are completed, but still in debugging phase?
 
Haavarla said:
Well and the Su-34 too.
If the Mig-31BM can interface the onboard comunication/network with Land based Defences as they claim, well it does have its usefull roles.
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With air to surface missiles, perhaps it could be used for a SEAD role, although the Su-34 would be much more effective.

Sweet. So the rest are completed, but still in debugging phase?
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There were reports a little earlier that there are some problems with the Su-34s in service right now, major problems reported were improper functioning of the radar and targeting systems. I'm currently trying to locate the link.
 
Haavarla said:
Well and the Su-34 too.
Anyway, i don't think the cost is any concern here, It would be the same regardles if its Su-27 or Su-30/35S.. Hell the older Flanker Su-27 migh be the costliest of them all, due to their current wear and tear.
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If you put them through the Su-27SM2 program and unify them with the Su-35S in terms of avionics, engines, etc. it would not only provide a huge capability boost, but also given them a superior aircraft compared to the MiG-31BM.

If the Mig-31BM can interface the onboard comunication/network with Land based Defences as they claim, well it does have its usefull roles.
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It's not useless just less useful.

Sweet. So the rest are completed, but still in debugging phase?
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My mistake the first two weren't actually handed over. The pics in question were taken at NAPO, the aircraft are about to be handed over. And it seems that at least 3 more aircraft are completed and will handed over most likely before years' end. The other 5 are completed or nearly completed and will be handed over early next year.

More pics and detailed info here (in Russian): http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/topic-8.html

alexkvaskov said:
There were reports a little earlier that there are some problems with the Su-34s in service right now, major problems reported were improper functioning of the radar and targeting systems. I'm currently trying to locate the link.
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There are problems, these problems were well known, and are part of the reason for the mod.2011 upgrade. Part of the reason is that production is very low rate, and the plane really needs more time to iron out the creases. Given low production volumes it's taken a long time to address these issues, but they are being addressed.

It's certainly not encouraging that after nearly a squadron's worth of preserial aircraft to test and work with, and a "serial" run of 16 planes these problems still persist.
 
I'm read something similar.
The assembly with engines and airframe parts goes rather well.

But different Avionics systems does not, i'm not sure if the real problems lies with the software or hardware though.. probably both.

At this rate, the Su-34's are filling up out side the assembly line, but gets delayed from there due to these problems above..

Perhaps a solution could be to roll back on "block version" until they get this issue sorted out. It looks like the current systems are not matured enough..

On a different note.
Six more Mig-31BM delivered.

http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20121211/914254305.html
 
Feanor said:
Well 3 more Tu-214SR re-translator aircraft have been ordered for SLO Rossiya. So the Tu-204 family definitely has a future, but the numbers produced will never get very large, because they have won no major contracts from commercial companies in the last decade. Not counting the somewhat questionable SM program, there are orders for iirc ~30-40 aircraft.
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What happened to the Red Wings order for 44 frames?
 
The word is T-50-04 made first flight totoday, or yesterday.
I'm sure www.Sukhoi.org will put on a display shortly.

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Sukhoi Company (JSC) - News - News

There seems to be installed some new type of sensors around the cockpit canopy.. one on each side and behind on top. Difficult to see, but new pics will reveal this later on.

The T-50-4 flew again today, and will do its regular test flights regime before it will fly on its own engine, towards Zuhk Air Base.
 
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Some updates, 30 new helos are due in East MD before year's end (8 Mi-8ATMSh, some Ka-52 and Mi-26T). Also the contract for 140 Ka-52 helos was finally signed.

Lenta.ru:

Also the Il-20M project is going ahead. 20 of them are being upgraded. The upgrade involves new engines, and electronics. From the description it will become a more dedicated ELINT and radar reconnaissance. Replacement alternatives have been

Lenta.ru:
 
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