Originally posted by Himanshu
Why don’t they work on getting better HUD’s?? :rolleyes:

It is a better HUD. Or doesnt’ it ‘look’ sexy enough for you? Form follows function. If it works, it doesn’t matter.

No can do- only got it from Russian Aviation News …. 🙁

They are Su-30MKK2 equivalent. The Su-30MKI is still a much better aicraft.

The Su-27SM cockpit receives a glass cockpit with two 7×5-in. multifunction color displays (MFI-9) and a single 4×5-in. multifunction color display (mounted in between the larger displays) as well as an improved SILS-27M HUD. The fire-control system received modifications to the radar (a slightly modified version of the radar found on Chinese Su-30MKK2 aircraft) enabling it to perform ground- and sea-target detection. The air-to-air functions were also improved, with the employment of R-77 active-radar medium-range missiles. The OEPS-27 IRST system has been replaced by the OEPS-30-I (31E-MK). The range of the laser rangefinder is 10 km against ground and 8 km against air targets. It can also illuminate targets for the Kh-29L missile, the only laser-guided weapon used by Su-27SM .

Air-to-air functions are handled by the SUV-V tactical computer system (a modified SUV-27 from standard Su-27s), while air-to-ground functions are handled by a separate SUV-P unit with its own computer. The system is a modification of the SUV-30 from the Su-30MKK. It enables precision bombing using a laser rangefinder and inertial navigation system for digital impact-point calculation, as well as the use of TV-guided weapons, including Kh-29T missiles and KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr TV guided bombs. The SUV-P can also process radar information working in a passive mode for SEAD missions, providing targeting information for Kh-31P missiles. For maritime strike, the system provides targeting information from the radar working in active or passive modes for Kh-31A anti-ship missiles.

Second Stage

Sukhoi plans a second stage upgrade to the Su-27SM from 2005, introducing solutions applied to the Su-27M (Su-35). This will mainly comprise installation of a new ‘quiet’ radar and electro-optic targeting pod.

Various types of radar are being considered, but it seems most likely that the traditional co-operation between Sukhoi and the NIIP company will continue, with the N011M Bars being a likely candidate. The aircraft will be equipped with the new L175 Khibiny electronic warfare system and will be able to carry new types of weapons.

The aircraft’s maximum take-off weight, presently 28,300-30,450kg depending on the series, can be increased to 33,000kg, allowing the present 4,000kg armament payload to be doubled to 8,000kg. Airborne range can by increased by the use of two 2,000-litre external fuel tanks, while an air-to-air refueling probe can also be installed. Modernization work on the aircraft’s AL-31F engines to AL-31V standard, gradually increasing thrust from to 137kN, is being carried out separately.

IMO, any new radar will probably be the Pero ESA antenna replacing the current twist-cassergrain, rather than a whole new set. I doubt the increase in MTOW will be done, it’s just speculation by Jane’s Defense Weekly (referring to the increased-MTOW of Chinese Sus). The AL-31V engine upgrade is definitely probable at least.

Originally posted by SOC
So are they going for the Ka-52 instead of the Ka-50s now? And why the need for both types? Wouldn’t the money needed for logistical support of a second type, not to mention the unit costs, be better spent elsewhere?

Like we speculated previously, the need to support both Kamov and Mil probably outweighs such petty, common sense concerns 🙂

It’s either that, or the Ka-52 has something which suits itself to special operations gunship more so than the Mi-28N.

(reason I posted this is because it’s the first report of Mi-28s for 2004, previously it was just Ka-52s)

It does seem that there are no plans for basic Ka-50 purchases.

Originally posted by Srbin
ten hardpoints only? that seems a bit low to me

Multiple ejector racks can hold an obscene amount of iron, sure to be quite useful when the Russians make GPS-guided versions of their smaller FABs. As it is, 10 hardpoints is more than enough to hold self-defense armament (2x R-73 and 2x R-27/R-77) and enough guided bombs to accomplish the strike mission, as well as Kh-31Ps for any air defense radars encountered.