Today’s JDW has said that the “Sukhoi and the Technocomplex group of Russian avionics companies” have already delivered 100 upgrade kits over the past 2 years to the PLAAF to upgrade them to the Su-27SM standard, which was just recently seen at MAKS 2003.
Says 100 J-11s already constructed.
More on Su-27SM standard from Jane’s AWA 2003-04:
“Su-27SM: Mid-life update configuration in parallel to Su-27UBM and Su-30KN. First conversion of Su-27S for Russian Air Forces flew at Komsomolsk on 27 December 2002; second to follow; both for military trials at Akhtubinsk. Upgrade adds two MFI-9 178 × 127 mm (7 × 5 in) LCDs, A737 satellite navigation and new radar computer and software for compatibility with AA-12 `Adder’ AAMs and several ASMs/LGBs. Second stage upgrade planned for 2005, adding L175 Khibiny EW system, `quiet’ radar and electro-optic targeting pod. Initial 20 first-stage upgrades to have been completed by end of 2003, when IOC was scheduled, although year-end target had fallen to “10 to 12” according to mid-2003 announcement .”
Seems to me there’s a lot of behind the scenes action.
Sign In
October 3, 2003 at 9:31 pm