Su-27SMs and AESA radars

More than 10 Su-27S Fighters to Be Upgraded for Air Force at Komsomol’sk-on-Amur

The Komsomol’sk-on-Amur Aviation Production Association is upgrading 10 – 12 Su-27S fighters from the Russian air force ranks before the end of the year.

“Upgrade of several Su-27S tactical aviation line fighters is continuing at the Komsomol’sk-on-Amur aviation production association. It is planned that 10 – 12 fighters will be upgraded before the end of this year. These aircraft will receive the designation Su-27SM,” a source at the Sukhoy military industrial complex reported to Interfax-AVN on Monday.

He noted that this work is taking place in accordance with an air force technical task within the framework of a state defense order.

“An upgraded radar will be installed on the upgraded fighters which allows the use of television guided missiles with the aid of prior target designation from the radar set and bombing in poor weather conditions and at night. The airplane is equipped with a new reconnaissance system. All this has allowed an appreciable increase in the Su-27 fighter’s combat effectiveness,” the source said.

According to him, it is planned in the future to upgrade the whole fleet of Su-27 fighters.

Source: 12.05.03, Interfax-Avn

So the one-seat upgrade is Su-27SM and the two-seat upgrade is Su-27UBM.

Wonder how many Su-27UBs they’ve upgraded.

Also, on AESA (or to the Russians, AFAR) radars

Bench Tests of First Aircraft Radar with Active Phased Array Antenna Start in 2004

The Fazotron-NIIR Corporation plans to start bench tests in 2004 of the first aircraft radar with an active phased array antenna (BRLS with AFAR), the general director and general designer of the corporation, Anatoliy Kanashchenkov, reported to Interfax-AVN on Thursday ((8 May 2003)).

“As early as the second quarter 2003, the first of several elements for the active phased array antenna should be manufactured,” A. Kanashchenkov said.

According to him, new principles based on solid-state technology are being used in the BRLS with AFAR being developed by the corporation.

“As of today, we already have prospective power amplifier and approximately half the solid-state integrated analogue circuits,” said A. Kanashchenkov.

He reported that the enterprise is participating in a competition for the creation of the aircraft radar for the future Russian fifth generation fighter.

“The document about the conclusion of the competition for the creation of the aircraft radar for the future Russian fighter still has not been signed. But independent of the results of the competition, Fazotron-NIIR will continue work on the development of a future BRLS with AFAR – such work has been underway at the enterprise over the last 7 years,” A. Kanashchenkov said.

Answering an Interfax-AVN question, he reported that “the future BRLS with AFAR will be more expensive than a BRLS with a passive phased array antenna. At the same time, A. Kanashchenkov noted that the improvement of the technology for manufacturing a BRLS with AFAR over time will allow appreciably reducing expenses and lead to a lowering of the price for the complex.

“As early as after the manufacture and tests of the first 5 – 10 BRLS with AFAR the technology of their assembly will be improved and the cost lowered significantly,” A. Kanashchenkov said.

Source: 08.05.03, Interfax-AVN