Russian Air Force News & Discussion

[Feanor]

A minor update, the Be-200 contract is for 2 Be-200ChS (fire-fighting variant) and 4 Be-200PS (SAR). However the only physical difference is the absence of the container for water in the PS variant. Deliveries are to conclude in 2015.

alexeyvvo -

It'll be interesting to see if an ASW variant is developed. The current Il-38 upgrade doesn't remove the need for a new aircraft. There's also the question of long range maritime patrol aircraft. Current Tu-142s are not only insufficient for that, but they're also not enough of them.

 

[nevidimka]

I saw this photo of a purported syrian MiG 29 M2, and found some unusual feature on it. At the LERX, from below, there are 2 panels that are extending outward, and this photo shows that the plane is landing. Anybody know what is this and what is it for?

Also there seem to be some new sensor system fixed to 1 of the engine nacelles, and this same sensor also seem to be added next to the IRST. What is these sensor for?

 

[Haavarla]

nevidimka;261923]I saw this photo of a purported syrian MiG 29 M2, and found some unusual feature on it. At the LERX, from below, there are 2 panels that are extending outward, and this photo shows that the plane is landing. Anybody know what is this and what is it for?

The exact name for those folding LERX wings/flaps escape me at the moment. But the sole purpose is to increase slow speed handeling such as on landing on CV.

Also there seem to be some new sensor system fixed to 1 of the engine nacelles, and this same sensor also seem to be added next to the IRST. What is these sensor for?

Is fairly new. An educated guess, some new MAW like sensors.

Here is a few pics of the Refueling options for Mig-29K

 

[nevidimka]

Ah, I see, i thought so it had something to do with improving landing .
So 1 is looking forward and another looking below. Does MAW have to have a total field of view? Also there are sensors embedded at the edge of the wingtip. I suspect those are the same type as the 1 i asked about. So those covers the side hemispheres. so total frontal coverage then?

 

[Feanor]

Just some updates, a MiG-31 replacement program has been announced. The requirements call for a long range interceptor. Presumably this will be a 5th gen platform (otherwise what's the point?). So there's no money for a carrier-based 5th gen, no money for a light fighter 5th gen, but a long-range interceptor is on the list of priorities? It does make one wonder.

But it does mean that the report given to the Duma, on resuming MiG-31 production (or rather on restoring and modernizing airframes out of storage) did not fall on deaf ears.

Lenta.ru:

 

[colay]

Just some updates, a MiG-31 replacement program has been announced. The requirements call for a long range interceptor. Presumably this will be a 5th gen platform (otherwise what's the point?). So there's no money for a carrier-based 5th gen, no money for a light fighter 5th gen, but a long-range interceptor is on the list of priorities? It does make one wonder.

But it does mean that the report given to the Duma, on resuming MiG-31 production (or rather on restoring and modernizing airframes out of storage) did not fall on deaf ears.

Lenta.ru:

A response to LRS-B perhaps? Still, I find it hard to believe they would devote the resources for such a specialized aircraft. Perhaps a modified PAK-FA would be a better value proposition.

 

[wsb05]

Just some updates, a MiG-31 replacement program has been announced. The requirements call for a long range interceptor. Presumably this will be a 5th gen platform (otherwise what's the point?). So there's no money for a carrier-based 5th gen, no money for a light fighter 5th gen, but a long-range interceptor is on the list of priorities? It does make one wonder.

But it does mean that the report given to the Duma, on resuming MiG-31 production (or rather on restoring and modernizing airframes out of storage) did not fall on deaf ears.

Lenta.ru:

Maybe for extra potential missile defense?

 

[Feanor]

The next airbase for receiving the Su-34 is Shagol airbase in Center MD, where they will replace Su-24M2 aircraft. Given that those upgraded, and plenty of older Fencers are still in service, I have to wonder where the M2s will go.

Lenta.ru:

There also seems to be another diplomatic spat over the An-70 program. GTK Antonov claims that the Russian side is falling through on their obligations, while Russia claims that Ukraine is under-financing the project.

 

 

[Haavarla]

Interesting news. Wonder if they will get the next Hellduck batch then..
They don't have to remove the Su-24M2 just yet, still life left in em.

If anything, the Su-24left in the fleet will go first.

 

[Feanor]

Interesting news. Wonder if they will get the next Hellduck batch then..
They don't have to remove the Su-24M2 just yet, still life left in em.

If anything, the Su-24left in the fleet will go first.

They say by 2015, but I'm assuming that means complete re-armament, since the first ones should start arriving next month.

It is an interesting choice of location. After all, the first batch are deployed clearly for use over the North Caucus. The next logical place would have been either more in South MD, or some in West MD, which traditionally gets new equipment pretty fast. Even East MD makes more sense, since it's the one that would deal with China. Center MD is primarily pointed at Central Asia. Deploying long-range strike fighters there means that there is a real concern over Central Asian stability in the next 10-15 years.

 

[wsb05]

They say by 2015, but I'm assuming that means complete re-armament, since the first ones should start arriving next month.

It is an interesting choice of location. After all, the first batch are deployed clearly for use over the North Caucus. The next logical place would have been either more in South MD, or some in West MD, which traditionally gets new equipment pretty fast. Even East MD makes more sense, since it's the one that would deal with China. Center MD is primarily pointed at Central Asia. Deploying long-range strike fighters there means that there is a real concern over Central Asian stability in the next 10-15 years.

Indeed... Most geopoliticians would agree that central asian countries would be the next balkans with turkey, iran, russia and to a less extent china looking to spread their influence in the resource rich and ethnically diverse area.

 

[alexkvaskov]

So there's no money for a carrier-based 5th gen, no money for a light fighter 5th gen, but a long-range interceptor is on the list of priorities? It does make one wonder.

The RMA still has some way to go it seems.

 

[Haavarla]

Indeed... Most geopoliticians would agree that central asian countries would be the next balkans with turkey, iran, russia and to a less extent china looking to spread their influence in the resource rich and ethnically diverse area.

I'm not good with Google earth.. What Geo-area would 1500km and 3000km radius circle cover from this location?

 

[Feanor]

Most of Kazakhstan. But the real thing would be that they are under Center MD command. That way they can be relocated to Kant airbase, without requiring transfer between districts.

A nice pic of a serial A-50U.

bmpd -

 

[wsb05]

Most of Kazakhstan. But the real thing would be that they are under Center MD command. That way they can be relocated to Kant airbase, without requiring transfer between districts.

A nice pic of a serial A-50U.

bmpd -

Always pretty airplanes and terrible paint schemes. Aircraft designers should handle the paint from now on...

 

[Haavarla]

That paint is too glossy for my taste. But its better over other paint, so not bad at all.

Good news from Sukhoi.

"The company "Sukhoi" held a conference on the operation were armed with the Russian Air Force Su-34


Moscow, April 17. In Voronezh air base "Baltimore" was a conference operating Su-34s in the Air Force of the Russian Federation. It was attended by representatives of JSC "UAC" Company "Sukhoi", the 1st Air Force and Air Defense Command, units that operate the Su-34, JSC "UAC", as well as leaders and representatives of eleven companies, developers and manufacturers of parts and components Plane. The main objective of the conference was the adoption of joint decisions aimed at maintaining high combat readiness and combat use of the aircraft development.

During the meeting they discussed issues airworthiness of the Su-34, technical operation and maintainability, quality aircraft, warranty and post-warranty service, reliability and serviceability of aircraft were in service.

The aircraft is heavily used in combat units in 2012 and half of the fleet of combat vehicles flying up from 200 to 250 hours. Representatives of flight navigator and technical staff operating units praised the plane. The conference confirmed the compliance of the main indicator of the reliability of the TC (time between failures on the ground and in the air), the values ​​given in the plane. It was noted that, due to the active operation of airplanes at the stage of development of new approaches for the maintenance of health of the park at the set command of the Air Force level.

Following the conference signed a protocol providing for the adoption of specific measures to improve aircraft performance, ergonomics and performance characteristics of the aircraft, operated equipment serviceability, reliability and durability."

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Do they mean their pilots fly 200-250 hours a year??

 

[alexkvaskov]

Do they mean their pilots fly 200-250 hours a year??

Last year the average flight hours across the force were ~130, as high as 200+ for airlift and bomber units, as long as 80 for Baltic Fleet ASW choppers. If the Su-34s are flying missions over the North Caucus on a regular basis, it would make sense for them to have the most hours, but 200 seems a little too high.

 

[Haavarla]

No doubt the Su-34 is a prioritized unit. On top of that, it still are engaged in State Trials Stage two(weapons trials). And its a new unit, so the trainer mission must also be high for those whom flew other jets like Su-24.

But i'm not sure its pilot flying Hours.. could be units flying hour 250. Its ok, for such new birds is it not?

 

[Feanor]

Do they mean their pilots fly 200-250 hours a year??[/I]

No they do not. The airframes get that many hours, not the pilots.

And it's not good news. There have been at least a couple of incidents where the onboard systems failed, preventing a plane from dropping payload. The specifics were not cited, but given that the plane with the on-board systems, is already in serial production it's too late to outright fail it in state trials, which means that they have to make it work. I suspect that was one of the major subjects of this conference, the other being probably the simple fact that they need to have the necessary infrastructure to support these aircraft.

EDIT: Apparently the defects in the early Su-34s were fixed. Which means there were defects. This is not surprising. What's questionable, is whether the problems are really solved. Some of them were reported to be quality of manufacturing issues.

http://lenta.ru/news/2013/04/19/goodsu34/
http://vz.ru/news/2013/4/19/629559.html

 

[Feanor]

Some updates, experimental exploitation of the PAK-FA is to start next year. Currently 6 airframes are involved in the trials. Also some stuff on the state procurement program, last year 35 aircraft were handed over to the VVS, this year it will be ~60, next year around 100, by the UAC.

Also a Federal Target Program for Hypersonic Platforms is being developed. And new OKRs for ground-effect vehicles are planned. What this will mean in practice is unclear.