Russian Air Force News & Discussion

[alexkvaskov]

Well the Central MD isn't the lowest in priority when it comes to land forces gear, like APCs and logistics trucks.

 

[Feanor]

Well the Central MD isn't the lowest in priority when it comes to land forces gear, like APCs and logistics trucks.

Interestingly enough, no it's not. Maybe because it would be the one reinforcing Russian forces in Central Asia, if anything goes south.

Meanwhile the AVMF just bought 5 Su-30SMs and 5 Yak-130. Tens of additional Su-30SMs are planned.

bmpd -

EDIT: Some contradictions vedomosti and lenta are claiming the buy is for 50 Su-30SM and 10 Yak-130.

The Yak-130s are going to Eysk.

http://lenta.ru/news/2014/01/17/su30sm/

EDIT2: The Pacific Fleet is taking delivery of Forpost UAVs, (Russian Searcher Mk2). They will operate 6 of them.

http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/46050/

Now most likely it won't be the Navy per se, but the Coastal Troops. I wonder if they can be used for target designation for Coastal AShMs...

And, I figured out the confusion. Currently contracted are 5 and 5 Yaks and Flankers. But total numbers planned are 10 and 50.

Also some interesting photos from the new UAV training center.

http://englishrussia.com/2014/01/13/the-center-of-unmanned-aerial-vehicles-in-russia/#more-136370

 

[alexkvaskov]

Hmm, why is the AVMF procuring Su-30s? I suppose they're fairly competent platforms for anti surface strikes. They could have had the VVS do that for them though, unless there's interservice rivalry or lack of co-ordination.

 

[Feanor]

Hmm, why is the AVMF procuring Su-30s? I suppose they're fairly competent platforms for anti surface strikes. They could have had the VVS do that for them though, unless there's interservice rivalry or lack of co-ordination.

They can replace both Su-24 and Su-27 for coastal aviation. There are places, like Kaliningrad, Kamchatka, etc. where the Navy is in control of all assets, including land units (such as Motor-Rifle units in Kaliningrad).

EDIT:It looks like the first Arctic Pantsyr has been produced. First photo. I wonder if it's a prototype, or a serial vehicle.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/719799.html

And it looks like additional Pantsyr and Tor-M2 units have been delivered to West MD, near St.Petersburg.

http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/46190/
http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/42476/

EDIT2: Looks like the arctic painted Pantsyr was produced for the upcoming arctic trials of the existing Pantsyr-S1. There were news that a specialized Arctic variant was planned, but it looks like they haven't figured out what that would entail.

http://vz.ru/news/2014/1/20/668726.html

 

[Klaus]

Piotr Butowski wrote a report about the current status of the Mi-26's development and production. It has been published in the february issue of the British aviation magazine AIR International and includes information on the helicopter's history, civil and military use and planned improvements.
As of today the VVS has 24 older-generation and 16 recently built Mi-26 in service, with several dozens more in storage. Two new units are expected for 2014, and at least one is currently being overhauled. As the planned successor, the Mi-46, is still in its design phase and doesn't seem to materialize any time soon, the VVS hopes to acquire a second batch of about 20 units.
Meanwhile plans for an upgrade called Mi-26M are made, which would mainly feature new electronics, but also more powerful engines. Motor Sich hopes to win a contract for its powerplants, but the MoD is rather unwilling to order parts from a Ukrainian company.

 

[Feanor]

Note the idiocy of building identical new Mi-26s, when they have old ones with plenty of resource left sitting in storage.

The Mi-26 upgrade is called the Mi-26T2. As far as I know there is no engine upgrade, only a totally new interior. Crew is reduced from 5 to 2. It has NVGs.

Also, two S-400 regiments will be delivered this year, to Leningrad Region. The article claims that 5 are currently deployed, but I've read elsewhere that it's 6.

http://lenta.ru/news/2014/01/29/s400/

 

[alexkvaskov]

Note the idiocy of building identical new Mi-26s, when they have old ones with plenty of resource left sitting in storage.

Well they have to support the industry! But I agree, there must be airframes in decent condition they can restore..

 

[Klaus]

@Feanor: It was mentioned that the upgrade for the military would be different from that for civil users and that the final design hasn't been appproved yet.
Using Ukrainian engines has been proposed by Motor Sich company, and neither the MoD nor Mil have decided whether to agree to this or not.

 

[Feanor]

@Feanor: It was mentioned that the upgrade for the military would be different from that for civil users and that the final design hasn't been appproved yet.
Using Ukrainian engines has been proposed by Motor Sich company, and neither the MoD nor Mil have decided whether to agree to this or not.

It seems very unlikely. Currently there is a state policy of moving away from using Ukrainian engines. Have either the MoD or Mil decided whether to bother considering this proposal? Or is it something MS threw out there, and everyone just ignored?

EDIT: Meanwhile Russian UAVs are having problems with the cold weather. The Grusha UAV has a minimum operating temperature of -20 C, and Granat of -30 C. It's currently -34.

http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20140130/992148968.html

Also the third serial, fourth total, A-50U is nearing handover.

http://djoker-lj.livejournal.com/134048.html

 

[Klaus]

In the article it was just mentioned that MS made this proposal, but that other engines are also under consideration. The largest part of the new equipment will apparently be identical to that used for the T2 version of the Mi-26.

Quite strange that Russian UAVs have problems with cold weather, in a country where low temperatures are nothing exceptional.
Are there any news about the new Inokhodec UAV? Some time earlier it was anounced that its first flight should take place this year, but I've read nothing about it so far.

Meanwhile another pair of Yak-130s has arrived at Borisoglebsk, bringing the total number of aircraft in service to 44.

http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2014/2/3/2154/

 

[Haavarla]

7
Also the third serial, fourth total, A-50U is nearing handover.

Djoker's journal -

According to the Airfoces Monthly Febuary edition, there are 8-9 A-50 in service, the rest is on reserve/Storage waiting to be mothballed and used for spares.

It is planned to bring all the A-50 currently in service up to A-50U standard.

Here is a little info:

Enhancing the Mainstay

The Upgrade Applied to the A-50 mission system during the late 1990s were intended to add New capabilities, such as reliable detection and tracking of low flying helicopters and integrating modern data Exchange terminals for the systems ground operators to expand the data signal Down to the ground force's division Level(air regiments, ground kontrollers and Air defences).

Data fusion- fusing the radar target With data derived from on-Board ELINT and SIGINT systems - to acheive more reliable target recongnition was another goal.
Another requirement was to facilitate operations by two or more A-50s simultaneously, were one Aircraft is acting as the master and the others as slave supplying better SA for Interceptors and common air traffic Control which is dictated by the tactical crew aboard the master Mainstay.

These enhancment were implemented during the A-50U Upgrade programme, originally designed in the early 2000s and tested until 2009 on a prototype Aircraft Bort number "red 33" Manufactors Serial number MSN 58-05. Modern hardware replace most if not all of the 1980s vintage Processing and display systems. The final report on completion on the A-50U's test and evaluation effort was signed by then VVS Commander-in-chief, Col Gen Alexander Zelin in okt 2009.
The first upgraded example "Red 47" Russian state Aircraft registration RF-92957, MSN 40-05, was handed over to the VVS on okt 31| 2011 followed by a second A-50U in Dec 2012, The testing and evaluation effort for the A-50U has taken five years and massed no less than 800 flights.
The New hardware and software is said to have extended the Maximum detection range of the radar systems greatly thanks to better Processing, while the number of targets can be tracked simultaneusly has increased to 300. Other features are New High resolution displays and With a lot of Space aviable for lighter systems, a gally, toilet and resting compartment for crews.

The New Processors, chipset and other computer hardware of the Shmel mission suite is of western non military Product origin. It is put together by Vega. While the old Shmel system occupied 7 racks, the New Shmel system only include one rack of Space, thus weight reduction is significant.
The A-50U is said to operate several hours longer mission due to additional MTOW of fuel.
With The New Jam-proof communication suite has in short turned the Mainstay into a Complete Battle management system.

The first A-50U for the VVS is reported to have attained IOC in Feb 2012. VVS plans to forsee upgrading one A-50 to A-50U standard each year and the type is set to remain in service for another 15-20 years.

 

[Feanor]

Meanwhile reconstruction of tiny and remote airfields is continuing with the rebuilding of the airfield Step', in the Zabaykalye.

bmpd -

It'll be interesting to see if they keep the A-50U in service alongside the A-100.

 

[Haavarla]

Meanwhile reconstruction of tiny and remote airfields is continuing with the rebuilding of the airfield Step', in the Zabaykalye.

bmpd -

It'll be interesting to see if they keep the A-50U in service alongside the A-100.

Yes i think they will, if we take a look at the timeframe.
There will be one A-50U upgraded each year until all 8-9 Mainstay are up to A-50U standard. As the last A-50U leaves factory, the A-100 should be well within its test flight program. Thus the A-50U will stay in service for many years at the same time New A-100 platforms enter service.


A-100- A shape of Things to come:

Beriev and Vega are now busy developing an all-New AEW&C platform for VVS. Designated as the A-100, its is advertised as utilising a raft of Advanced radar and data Processing techologies to detect, identify and track stealth targets and non-Strategic ballistic missiles, while retaining high capability for target detection and recognition in air-to-surface mode.

The A-100 is designed for joint operations With the VVS's 4th++ Gen fighter and Gen 5 fighter such as Su-30SM, Su-35S, Mig-29K and Pak-Fa, establishing a powerfull Integrated Airborne reconnaissance/strike system. This also required to provide targeting information for ship and land based long-range SAM systems, enabling over-the-horizon launches against low-flying targets.
The radar system designed by Vega employs active electronically scanned array Technology With Three fixed antennas for 360deg coverage, Integrated With New-generation sophisticated ELINT and SIGINT systems.
The VVS requirement called for A-100's radar to boast double the detection range of the A-50U radar system. And for the Mission suite to be capable of tracking a greatly increased number of targets and controling many more fighter intercepts at the same time using automated and jam-proof datalinks.

The A-100 will be based on the airframe of the New generation Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft, a "Candind" deriative Powered by fuel-efficient Aviadvigatel PS-90A76 turbofans providing some 25% more range and endurance than that of the classic Il-76MD, on which both the A-50 and A-50U are based on.

The Il-76MD-90A features a modern flight/navigation system and cockpit With eight LCD displays as well as a digital autopilot and highly accurate satellite navigation system. Design, Development and testing of the first Component of the A-100 mission system commenced in 2011 and the original plan was to Complete by 2014. This proved to be far to optimistic due to the delayed A-50U Upgrade program as well as problematic A-100 maturety and R&D timeframe which Vega are the main contractor of mission systems.
There are also delays With the Il-76MD-90A digital flight navigation suite and digital engine Control systems.

The A-100 mission suite are now pushed back to 2017.
But even this might be an optimistics timetable..

VVS requirements are set very high, and Vega need more time to meet these requirements.

 

[Feanor]

I'm not sure they will stop at 8-9 A-50Us. I've heard plans of a full 12 plane squadron.

Of course the whole situation makes little sense. Instead of having a single centralized squadron, they would do better to parcel them out to each MD. It would make sense to have 4 specialized aircraft centers in each MD, with ELINT/SIGINT, EW, and AEW there, so that they can be used at the discretion of local commanders.

 

[Haavarla]

There were some 25 A-50 build + 2-3 prototypes total.
Out of these there are 17 in service. Two more airframe are on reserve Storage With its fate uncertain.

Out of these 17 units, splitted into two Sq, there are only 9 A-50 maintaining missions.

So there is where the 8-9 A-50U Upgrade is coming from.
My Guess its the newest airframe being build that will get the A-50U Upgrade.

And i'm not sure Russia acvtuall need any more than 8-9 A-50U, if we look at the current AF structure..

 

[Feanor]

There were some 25 A-50 build + 2-3 prototypes total.
Out of these there are 17 in service. Two more airframe are on reserve Storage With its fate uncertain.

Out of these 17 units, splitted into two Sq, there are only 9 A-50 maintaining missions.

So there is where the 8-9 A-50U Upgrade is coming from.
My Guess its the newest airframe being build that will get the A-50U Upgrade.

And i'm not sure Russia acvtuall need any more than 8-9 A-50U, if we look at the current AF structure..

To me personally 12 or 16 would make the most sense, with 3 or 4 per MD, allowing for at least 2 operational at any one time in each MD.\

Meanwhile here's some pics of the T-50-5 in Zhukovskiy.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/735317.html

EDIT: Meanwhile 2 more Yak-130s have been delivered, for a total of iirc 46 aircraft. They're also at Borisoglebsk.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/738107.html

And some interesting materials on the condition of the Step' airfield and garrison, whose reconstruction was recently proudly announced.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/738017.html

 

[Haavarla]

Seems i missed this one.. Irkut and the Russian MoD has now signed Three contracts on the Su-30SM. Reaching a total of 65 units by 2016.

Russian Air Force to Get 21 Su-30 Fighter Jets in 2014 | Defense | RIA Novosti


Do we have anything New on the Su-35S orders or the New batch of Su-27SM3 and Su-30M2 from KnAAZ?

 

[Feanor]

There's no new batch of Su-27SM3 as far as I know. There's a contract for 16 more Su-30M2s, bringing total numbers in VVS inventory to 20. I think there's no new Su-35S contract so far.

I posted earlier about the contract for the Su-30SM for the VVS

Also 12 more Yak-130s have been ordered. 7 will be for a new air team, 5 will go to the AVMF training center in Eysk, where they will serve as trainers for the future Su-30SMs the AVMF will be getting to replace their Su-27s and Su-24s.

 

[swerve]

There were some 25 A-50 build + 2-3 prototypes total.
Out of these there are 17 in service. Two more airframe are on reserve Storage With its fate uncertain.

Out of these 17 units, splitted into two Sq, there are only 9 A-50 maintaining missions.

So there is where the 8-9 A-50U Upgrade is coming from.
My Guess its the newest airframe being build that will get the A-50U Upgrade.

And i'm not sure Russia acvtuall need any more than 8-9 A-50U, if we look at the current AF structure..

It has a very big area to cover, though. Are those 8-9 A-50 enough for that?

 

[Haavarla]

It has a very big area to cover, though. Are those 8-9 A-50 enough for that?

Alltough there are large gaps, Russia have Massive Land based Radar stations scattered around.

Do VVS need to have one or two A-50U up on mission all the time, isn't it enough to have twu A-50U on an QRA standby?