The SU-30 is a Soviet twin-engine two-seat multirole fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi Aviation.
The Sukhoi SU-30 was developed from the SU-27. The aerodynamic configuration and the thrust vectoring control make the aircraft highly manoeuvrable giving unique take-off and landing capabilities.
Fitted with a fly-by-wire system the aircraft is able to perform advanced manoeuvres such as Pugachev’s Cobra and the tail slide. As well as being spectacular, these manoeuvres quickly decelerate the aircraft causing an enemy fighter to overshoot.
The SU-30 has a fuel reserve of 5,270 kg giving the aircraft a 4.5 hour combat mission with a range of 3,000 km. The aerial refuelling system increases the range to 5,200 km or 10 hours cruising.
The SU-30 has an autopilot for all flight stages including terrain-following radar. It also has a control system linked to the navigation system which ensures route flight, target approach, recovery to airfield and landing approach in automatic mode.
PRODUCTION
The Sukhoi SU-30 was produced from 1992, with over 600 built.
ENGINES
2 x Saturn AL-31FL turbofans, producing 33,400 lbf.
(55,120 lbf with after-burner)
Press play to hear the Su30
ARMAMENT
1 x 30mm autocannon
18,000 lb (8,000 kg) Rocket/Missile/Bomb load
An initial batch of five SU-30 fighters was delivered to 54th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment from 1994 to 1996. After the regiment was disbanded in 2002, the aircraft were mainly flown by the Russian Falcons aerobatic team.
On 21 September 2012, the Su-30M had its maiden flight and by the end of 2015 the 31st Fighter Aviation Regiment had about twenty fighters in service, with remaining aircraft on order delivered by 2016.
In October – November 2016, eight new aircraft were given to the Russian Knights aerobatic team to replace their existing Su-27 fighters.
The Sukhoi Su-30SM attained full operational capability in January 2018.
