Russian Air Force News & Discussion

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
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Bonza

Super Moderator
Staff member
^^^
Woah, black on blue? Thats dope
Can you please attempt to make more meaningful contributions than "I hate plane X" or "that paint scheme looks good"?

Read the forum rules, particularly those on one-liners. You've had more than enough time to get familiar with them.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Some strange new paint work on Su-34?
always been a fan of the SU-34,

they'd make an interesting version of the Growler - all that space and onboard power would give some real potential as an ISR asset or "mini" controller...
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
always been a fan of the SU-34,

they'd make an interesting version of the Growler - all that space and onboard power would give some real potential as an ISR asset or "mini" controller...
Supposedly there was to be a dedicated recon, and EW variants of it, but the recon variant is probably going to be replaced with UAVs. The EW variant is quite likely given that regular Su-34s seem to have better EW suites then dedicated Su-24MRs.

They're producing some recon and EW pods for them right now.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Supposedly there was to be a dedicated recon, and EW variants of it, but the recon variant is probably going to be replaced with UAVs. The EW variant is quite likely given that regular Su-34s seem to have better EW suites then dedicated Su-24MRs.

They're producing some recon and EW pods for them right now.
they can still have UAS involved. There's no reason why the Su34 could not undertake UAV management just like the P8's will, albeit a different emphasis
 

Comrade69

Banned Member
Can you please attempt to make more meaningful contributions than "I hate plane X" or "that paint scheme looks good"?

Read the forum rules, particularly those on one-liners. You've had more than enough time to get familiar with them.
I dont get it. If i just want to admire the plane, I have to write a paragraph on it?
 

Bonza

Super Moderator
Staff member
I dont get it. If i just want to admire the plane, I have to write a paragraph on it?
I agree, you don't get it. Once again, and for the last time, please have a look at the forum rules with regard to one-liners and try to understand that while they might sometimes be acceptable, the reason we discourage them is they add very little to what is supposed to be serious discussion. Saying a paint scheme "looks dope" does bugger all for the value of the discussion.

You don't have to write a paragraph if you just want to admire a plane, but on these forums I'd suggest if all you want to do is admire a plane you possibly don't have to pass comment at all. If that's the level of commentary you're after, I'd suggest (not unkindly) that you pursue it on another forum. Thanks.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I dont get it. If i just want to admire the plane, I have to write a paragraph on it?
mate, just take some time to read the forum rules and read a few long threads to get an idea of what is expected.

everyone here is a valued member of this forum community, but there are expectations on how people should post etc....

it's for your benefit as well.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
they can still have UAS involved. There's no reason why the Su34 could not undertake UAV management just like the P8's will, albeit a different emphasis
They're nowhere near that level of sophistication, with regard to operating UAVs. The only UAVs they have noteworthy experience with is are Tier 1, namely the Grusha, and even then the experience is limited to a few units (SpetzNaz in the South MD, and recon btlns in South and West MD). So while yes, that is possible in the future, right now that's not even on the table. They're only now starting up assembly of Israeli Searchers.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
They're nowhere near that level of sophistication, with regard to operating UAVs. The only UAVs they have noteworthy experience with is are Tier 1, namely the Grusha, and even then the experience is limited to a few units (SpetzNaz in the South MD, and recon btlns in South and West MD). So while yes, that is possible in the future, right now that's not even on the table. They're only now starting up assembly of Israeli Searchers.
I was talking about future fitout potential, so understand that they are not geared for it now...
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
I was talking about future fitout potential, so understand that they are not geared for it now...
To be able to do what you're talking about 5 years from now, they'd have to at least have experience operating the components of this system today. So yes there is future potential, but it's far too soon to tell whether it will be realized. Realistically I wouldn't expect to see that level of sophistication in VVS and SV UAV operators through 2020. So it's not likely to see any such capability realized in line units prior to ~2022-25.

EDIT: Given the MoD love for supporting producers, over efficient use of assets, I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually shell out for a dedicated UAV control bird, based on a light transport aircraft (possibly the Rysachok, if it indeed becomes the replacement for the An-2) rather the working the capability into the Su-34.
 

Klaus

New Member
ruaviation.com published an article in which the commander in chief of the strategic bomber fleet stated that the flight tests of a new long-range bomber would start in 2020. This aircraft, the PAK DA, shall replace the current Tu 95 and Tu 160.

My question is, what about the Tu 22M? Aren't they strategic bombers, too? The number of Su 34s the VVS will receive (124) can't be enough to replace both the Su 24 and the Tu 22M, besides from that the Su 34 is a tactical bomber. Or will the
Backfires be phased out earlier and without a direct replacement? :confused:
 

Haavarla

Active Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #334
Yes the Su-34 are intended to replace all the Su-24/M/M2.
Given the increased capabilities with the Su-34, its operational capabilities extend marginal into the Tu-22M fleet sphere of capabilities as well.

But given the strategic capabilities of the Tu-22M bombers, it will ultimatly be the Pak-Da whom replace it.
The Pak-Da platform could very well be in between the Tu-22 and Tu-160 size ballpark.

RuN Tu-22M fleet have been transfered into VVS orginaized branch.
But there will be a new RuN Su-30SM target for RuN in the future.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Are you sure about the AVMF Tu-22Ms? As far as I know in 2009 the AVMF still had two regiments under it's command, one in PacFleet, one in NorFleet. Since then a lot of things have been getting tossed around, but I don't have definite info one way or the other.

On a side-note I doubt they will stop at 124 Su-34s. They have too many Su-24s to replace, including the MP variants. As it stands the PAK-DA is a rather wishful thinking project, given costs for such aircraft, and the MoD budget. I doubt we will see it on time, and I wouldn't be surprised if the plane is closer to the T-60S project (a Tu-22 replacement) then to a Tu-160. So it's entirely possible that the Tu-22 could get replaced with Su-34s, or to be more precise not get replaced at all, and instead slowly get phased out, while larger numbers of Su-34s enter service with Frontal Aviation.
 

Klaus

New Member
I hope so. The Su 34 is a quite capable aircraft with a decent range and it
can carry a wide array of weapons. But I wonder whether it will still be potent
enough within ten or more years when unmanned and stealthy combat aircraft
could become available. Afaik the production of the 124 ordered (?) will take until 2020 or so.

PS: Merry Christmas to all
 

Haavarla

Active Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #337
Are you sure about the AVMF Tu-22Ms? As far as I know in 2009 the AVMF still had two regiments under it's command, one in PacFleet, one in NorFleet. Since then a lot of things have been getting tossed around, but I don't have definite info one way or the other.

On a side-note I doubt they will stop at 124 Su-34s. They have too many Su-24s to replace, including the MP variants. As it stands the PAK-DA is a rather wishful thinking project, given costs for such aircraft, and the MoD budget. I doubt we will see it on time, and I wouldn't be surprised if the plane is closer to the T-60S project (a Tu-22 replacement) then to a Tu-160. So it's entirely possible that the Tu-22 could get replaced with Su-34s, or to be more precise not get replaced at all, and instead slowly get phased out, while larger numbers of Su-34s enter service with Frontal Aviation.
The only remaining Surface attack Sq are the 18 Su-24 oboslete fencers and four Su-24MR based at Black sea 7058th Air Base in Ukraine.

The Last three Sq of Tu-22M were threnfered to VVS in Mars 2011.

The reasons for all this is that the avarge age of all pilots in Ru Naval aviation are 40 year and counting.
The orgenizing level and reqruitments of pilots has been very poor.
So all in all it a smart move to cut down on the Ru Naval Aviation.

The avrage flying hour has also been bad, exept for the Ru Navy Su-33 which has the highest flying hour of all units in the VVS, cause its high priority.

Source: Airforces Monthly.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
The only remaining Surface attack Sq are the 18 Su-24 oboslete fencers and four Su-24MR based at Black sea 7058th Air Base in Ukraine.

The Last three Sq of Tu-22M were threnfered to VVS in Mars 2011.

The reasons for all this is that the avarge age of all pilots in Ru Naval aviation are 40 year and counting.
The orgenizing level and reqruitments of pilots has been very poor.
So all in all it a smart move to cut down on the Ru Naval Aviation.

The avrage flying hour has also been bad, exept for the Ru Navy Su-33 which has the highest flying hour of all units in the VVS, cause its high priority.

Source: Airforces Monthly.
The 7057th and 7058th Airbases have been merged into the 7057th Airbase, which now has all the AVMF assets of the BSF.
 

Haavarla

Active Member
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  • #339
Ok thx for the update.

Here is a more detailed update on the former Tu-22M Naval Aviation:

Those units of RNA's missile-carrying Aviation branch that survived the abrubt cuts in the 1990s were transferred to the VVS Long-rangeAviation in March 2011.
Effectively marking the end of this fearsome arm of Russia's Navy.

By the time of the handover, missile-carrying Naval Aviation units consisted of one Tu-22M3 armed Sq assigned to the Paciffic Fleet's 7061st Air Base and two more Sq assigned to the Northern Fleet's 7051st Air Base at Olenogorsk.

Naval Aviation received the last batch of the Backfire in the late 1980s but according to RNA sources, aircrew training standards were considered to be much lower than these of their RuAF counterparts because of fewer allotted flying hours. This now-defunct RNA branch played a vital role during the Cold War, but its importance diminished considerably therafter.
At its peak, its main role was to destroy US Navy Carrier groups in blue water enviroments, employing mass attack tactics and using eighter NC-tipped Kh-22 or convetional warheads.
Today under the VVS Long-Aviation Command, the principal mission of the former RNA Backfire units remains the same- Long range anti-shipping operation, but with much more resources with in the new VVS structure.


And M-xmas.:)
 

Haavarla

Active Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #340
An interesting update on the Su-27SM3.

Sukhoi has completed a state contract for the supply of new multi-role Su-27SM(3) fighters to the Russian Air Force



December 22, Moscow. The Sukhoi Company has completed delivery of 12 new multi-purpose Su-27SM(3) fighters to the Russian Air Force. The last batch of aircraft was sent to the place of deployment. They were released under a state contract, signed between the Sukhoi Company and the Ministry of Defence at the MAKS-2009 air show. The production was organized at the Sukhoi’s KnAAPO aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

The Su-27SM(3) fighter aircraft has a strengthened airframe to enable takeoff weight increased by more than 3 tons and additional suspension points to accommodate weapons. The fighters are equipped with new equipment and weapons complexes as well as with the new AL-31F-M1 turbofan engines produced by the MMPP “Salut”, which are characterized by high thrust and extended time between overhauls.

New and upgraded equipment installed at the aircraft allows the use of new “air-to-air” and “air-to-surface” extended range missiles. The capabilities of the aircraft under intense enemy air defense counter-measures were upgraded due to the application of a new set of ECM. The integrated information system (CIS) has improved the operational and technical characteristics of the aircraft. The information-control field of the cockpit was improved. The pilot’s cabin has become a “glass” one completely with 4 multifunctional displays installed, which allowed discarding 13 dial indicators. The new communications system provides a robust secure communication with command posts and between aircraft in the air.

The Su-27SM(3) as a multirole fighter is able to fulfill combat missions effectively using high-precision “air-to-surface” weapons, including satellite-guided bombs. When operating against air targets the Su-27SM(3) is nearly 2 times more efficient than its predecessor — the Su-27C, while in actions against ground targets it performs more than 3 times better.


Sukhoi Company (JSC) - News - News


It does not say anything about the Radar. But as the Su-27SM3 now can carry new missiles, i quess it has some minor upgrades. At the very least new software.
I've read elsewere that the prosessor/signal speed has been upgraded on the radar, imo minor upgrade on the backend.
 
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