Russian Air Force News & Discussion

[Haavarla]

New Hellduck blasting off, from the latest batch. I'm not sure why B/n 21 in the air..
Have they actuall delivered that many?

 

[Feanor]

The official line is that a total of 10 aircraft are in the process of being handed over. That would make for a total of iirc 27 aircraft in VVS service, including a preproduction unit used for training purposes. So in theory, yes. However I have my doubts.

6 more MiG-31BMs were just handed over to Center MD, for a total of 10 they received this year.

http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=11522036@egNews

There were also deliveries of two new Gamma-S1 radars. I wonder if they're really on the BAZ chassis like the pic.

http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=11527965@egNews

 

[alexkvaskov]

Some updates, 30 new helos are due in East MD before year's end (8 Mi-8ATMSh, some Ka-52 and Mi-26T).

So how many new choppers were handed over this year?

 

[Feanor]

So how many new choppers were handed over this year?

Not sure. There are articles saying 60 already handed over, and other sources say 60 total. So 60-90 I guess...

The third An-140 just got handed over, this is the one for the AVMF.

bmpd -

It's mentioned that the MoD considers their requirements for the An-140 to be 62 planes over the next decade, and another contract for 15 planes is in the works, 3 of which will be for the AVMF.

Other government agencies interested include the FSB (23 planes), MVD (12), MChS (11), Roskosmos (10). If these plans come to fruition, this will mean a huge production increase for the Aviakor plant.

As is Aviakor already handed over 2 An-140 and 2 more An-140 to be handed over before year's end, along with 2 Tu-154. This is more then they've produced any other year in a very long time.

Also a little info on a new EW complex, called the A-90. It will be based on the Il-476. The actual onboard equipment will be provided by the Sozvedie Concern, the same group currently perfecting an automated C4I system for the Land Forces. Ground state trials of the equipment for it have already completed under the OKR Discomfort. The original contract was apparently signed back in 2006.

bmpd -

Honestly with the planned phazing out of the Su-24MP, and only EW pods for the Su-34, rather then a dedicated EW variant, it's good to see that other options are at least being pursued.

 

[Ananda]

The third An-140 just got handed over, this is the one for the AVMF.

bmpd -

It's mentioned that the MoD considers their requirements for the An-140 to be 62 planes over the next decade, and another contract for 15 planes is in the works, 3 of which will be for the AVMF.

Other government agencies interested include the FSB (23 planes), MVD (12), MChS (11), Roskosmos (10). If these plans come to fruition, this will mean a huge production increase for the Aviakor plant.

As is Aviakor already handed over 2 An-140 and 2 more An-140 to be handed over before year's end, along with 2 Tu-154. This is more then they've produced any other year in a very long time.

Is there any news on the plan for An-140 with rear cargo ramp ? It will be a boost for An-140 export market considering some of An-32 traditional market now also looking for replacement and An-140 western rival (C-27J and EADS duo) also targeting the market.

 

[Feanor]

Is there any news on the plan for An-140 with rear cargo ramp ? It will be a boost for An-140 export market considering some of An-32 traditional market now also looking for replacement and An-140 western rival (C-27J and EADS duo) also targeting the market.

No news since the recent government presentation where the An-140T is mentioned as planned for production by 2015. Honestly it's not that huge a modification. I wouldn't expect to see one in the air until late 2014, early 2015.

EDIT: A brand new Tu-214R was just spotted by the Japanese near their territorial waters. This was probably the first time it was tried near an actual foreign country.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/410626.html

 

[Feanor]

Update, the VVS just ordered another 30 Su-30SM aircraft, possibly due to the very slow rates of Su-35S production.

bmpd -

This means there is a total of 60 Su-30SM to be handed over by 2016.

 

[Haavarla]

Good news.. for both VVS and AVFM.. oh and for IAPO

Can't wait to see where they all be stationed.

And KnAAPO, Get your head out of your @ss!

 

[alexkvaskov]

Will IAPO be able to hand over another 30 jets by 2016?
And what's up with KNAAPO and their production rates?

 

[Feanor]

Will IAPO be able to hand over another 30 jets by 2016?
And what's up with KNAAPO and their production rates?

Su-35S have been coming out rather slowly. This might be because of state trials, or because of subcontractors unable to deliver necessary quantities. KnAAPO itself has no problems producing the necessary number of planes when other types are concerned.

IAPO seems to have no problem putting out 40-50 planes a year, and given reduced export volumes for the type, the VVS order will fill the gap.

 

[alexkvaskov]

In terms of export orders, will Sukhoi keep upgrading the 30, or eventually offer an export oriented 35? (provided there's interest for such a model)

 

[Haavarla]

The current Batch of Hellducks will be delivered to Baltimore at the 24th of December.

Ð¡ÐµÐ³Ð¾Ð´Ð½Ñ Ð² ÐовоÑибирÑкой облаÑти воронежÑкие летчики приÑтупили к облёту Ñамолетов Су-34 : Министерство &

And another 3 Yak-130 has been delivered. Reaching a total of 26 units.

http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/26645/

 

[Feanor]

In terms of export orders, will Sukhoi keep upgrading the 30, or eventually offer an export oriented 35? (provided there's interest for such a model)

Most likely both. There's already a new Su-30MKI variant planned. And they definitely want to export the Su-35S. You have to remember that Sukhoi has two main plants, IAPO and NAPO. They want production orders for both.

 

[alexkvaskov]

The second A-50U has taken off.

http://www.sdelanounas.ru/blogs/26758/

Regarding the whole A-50U program, will the new AWACS be built on the Il-76MDM program (overhauled Il-76) or on newly built Il-476 frames?

 

[Haavarla]

No doubt both.
What we see now is the overhaul and upgrade of older existing A-50 airframes.

But we do not know how many they plan to upgrade to A-50U.

So its only logical that there will come a new A-100 or what ever the designation..

 

[Feanor]

This is the third A-50U, the second serial aircraft.

And yes the new A-100 is planned on the Il-476.

 

[Feanor]

This is the third A-50U, the second serial aircraft.

And yes the new A-100 is planned on the Il-476.

 

[Haavarla]

This is the third A-50U, the second serial aircraft.

And yes the new A-100 is planned on the Il-476.

What would be really interesting to know, is just how much of a "force multiplier" this new A-50U upgrade is?

I doubt we will never know for sure. But most if not all system has been thrown out and replaced with newer digital systems. I mean just the comfort and less work load of the crew are bound to make a difference, then we can speculate on the systems itself..

 

[Feanor]

What would be really interesting to know, is just how much of a "force multiplier" this new A-50U upgrade is?

That aside, consider that all the A-50s are deployed to a single airbase in Central Russia. They need to be deployed out to Military Districts at the discretion of operational level commands.

 

[Haavarla]

How much tanker refueling would the A-50U see per mission?
I mean, is it comon to sxend one unit to the far east for a shorter deployment or is it only during larger exercises?

Well they may be localized at one base due to their higher target value.
This seems to be the trend with most bases that during the cold war was positioned along the borders, are now transfered further into mainland. Probably well tucked along G2A missile systems.