Upgraded Sukhois enter service with RuAF

Date Posted: 20-Jan-2004

INTERNATIONAL DEFENSE REVIEW – FEBRUARY 01, 2004

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First upgraded Flankers have entered service
Piotr Butowski

The first five mid-life upgraded Sukhoi Su-27SM fighters have been ceremonially delivered to the 4th CBPiPLS (combat training centre of the Russian Air Force) in Lipetsk. According to General Aleksandr Zelin, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, the upgraded aircraft have “become multirole fighters equipped with new weapons and capable of performing new tasks”. As far as combat potential is concerned, Su-27SM is claimed to be superior to the Su-30MKK and Su-30MKI export models, which are based on the same airframe. “We do not need in our service any aircraft that are less capable than those exported by us,” Gen Zelin said.

The modernization of the Su-27 was ordered in 2000. The offer for the Su-27SM was submitted by the Sukhoi design bureau and the modernization work has been performed by the KnAAPO production plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Design solutions prepared earlier for the Su-30MKK multirole two-seat fighter, made in Komsomolsk-on-Amur for China, were applied to the Su-27SM. The upgraded Su-27SM prototype flew for the first time on 27 December 2002.

The Su-27SM has been equipped with a new man-machine interface, particularly a new glass cockpit. The modernized N001V radar is capable of simultaneously engaging two air targets. Thanks to a considerable increase in the processing power of the radar computer, the radar is now capable of performing additional air-to-air tasks such as long-range search (up to 135-150km compared with the 80-100km range of the previous model), identification of target type, selection of a single target within a group, and indication of hovering helicopters. In air-to-ground mode, the N001V radar is capable of ground mapping, moving target indication and indicating ground targets to precision-guided munitions.

The most ‘sensitive’ technologies applied in the Russian fighters have not been implemented in the N001VE/VEP radars that are installed in the Chinese Su-30MKK/MK2 fighters. In particular a more powerful computer enabling long-range search and target identification has not been fitted

The new 52Sh electro-optical search-and-track sensor enables the use of Kh-29L laser-guided air-to-surface missiles, which was impossible with the previous 36Sh device. Air-to-air capabilities have also been improved significantly . The modernized Su-27SM has been equipped with the more advanced L175 Khibiny self-protection system.

Thanks to its modernized radar and other sensors, the Su-27SM can use new types of weapons such as the Kh-31A (70km range) supersonic anti-ship missile, Kh-31P (110km range) anti-radar missile, Kh-59M (115km range) and Kh-29T (8-12km range) TV-guided missiles, and the KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr guided bombs. The R-77 and R-77M active-radar medium-range missiles have been added to the suite of air-to-air missiles.

During the overhaul work that accompanies the modernization process, the airframe is strengthened in order to increase the allowable take-off weight to 30,450kg (formerly 28,300kg). The aircraft’s combined analog fly-by-wire and mechanical flight-control system is replaced by a new all-digital fly-by-wire system. The Su-27SM has also been adapted for modernized engines with increased thrust, but these are not yet fitted.

About 400 Su-27 fighters are in service with the Russian Air Force and navy. The youngest aircraft with the longest-remaining service life will be modernized first. The leading five Su-27SM aircraft originate from the most recent production series for Russia, having been built during 1991-92 (all Su-27 aircraft made after this date were for export only).