No problem.

http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/621
http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/622

Vitaly Kuzmin posted a couple of nice photoreports from MAKS 2015.

Interesting photo of SOLT-25 system, in place of the Su-25s Klen- with a thermal channel.

You think this complex is in use in Su-25SM in Syria? This could explain their night capabilities.

I find it quite interesting, that both Su-24M2 and Su-25SM could bomb targets at night without illuminating. One thing is, that both get satellite Glonass navigation connected with fire control computers, which very improve capabilities to hit targets with unguided bombs and rockets. Other thing is, that RuAF use UAVs to find targets. Unfortunately Russian UAVs doesn’t have target designating abilities, but they could provide target coordinates to support artillery units. To use those targets coordinates in the real time in the night means, that RuAF also very improve their data link network to share those informations with planes as well as with Moscow. This show, that RuAF is definitively able to bomb targets at night instrumentally through data link coordinates of targets and satellite navigation complex. But for being sure against more complicated targets, pilots still need to see them, so I think they modernize their EO laser designating complexes with TI cameras. Considering how small those TI cameras are in UAVs, I don’t think they have a problem to install a smaller TI camera in this complex in Su-24M2 and Su-25SM at modernization. On the other hand I think Su-34 Platan komplex have TI camera inside from the beginning.

Having modernized satellite navigational complex in Su-25SM, I don’t think they need to fly that low and expose the plane to MANPADs as old Su-25 have to do. They could as well hit the targets from higher altitudes using bombs.

Glonass or GPS guided???

Glonass guided. They are Russians.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]240863[/ATTACH]
vs.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Bomb_FAB-500_M62_2008_G1.jpg/300px-Bomb_FAB-500_M62_2008_G1.jpg

Su-34 is using satellite guided KAB-500SE bomb.

What I am missing with the Su-30MK2 is the qualitative jump compared to the F-14A..

Su-30MK2 is multirole fighter. Capabilities depend on radar installed inside. They could use N-001VEP or Zhuk-MS radar. Radar maybe doesn’t have the range of F-14A radar, but missiles could have specially with more modern versions of R-77 and R-27EA, which is similar to AIM-54A Iran have. Su-30MK2 will give to Iran a lot of capabilities in air to ground and air to sea roles, which F-14A doesn’t have, specially if it is equipped with targeting pod.

Helicopters are unfortunately classical old Mi-24P. But there is a question regarding Su-30SM. Considering, that they fly to Syria and no one detected them, although NATO have powerful radars in Turkey and US in Jordan as well as good AWACS cover over Iraq and Syria with those coalition flight there, is it possible, that RuAF Su-30SM have RAM coat similarly to Su-34 and Su-35 to reduce its RCS?

Ok so now I know a few people are going to be asking where are the Su-24 that we saw in the video before right 😉 I have a bit of a theory.

There were some photos that were posted of a unmarked Su-24 in desert camo on display taken at Novosibirsk Aviation Plant about a month ago. At first I though it might of been an Ex Libya Su-24 that never got delivered.

Then was an article a read a few days ago that I found a bit odd because it stated that Syria had taken delivery of Sukhoi aircraft from Russia. (See if I can find it again) I thought it was a weird chose of words but though nothing more of it.

So what I believe is that those Su-24 that we sure in the video were’t RuAF Su-24 but in fact are new Su-24 for the Syrian Air force. Which have been flown into another base.

I also believe that the news of the MiG-35 contract for a secret customer will also indeed turn out to be Syria.

What this would means is that this Russian build up had been in the works for sometime but kept secret.

Like I said it’s just a theory so I could be completely wrong. :stupid: Maybe they just didn’t arrived yet when the satellite photo was taken. :p

Could be, that Russia deliver some (ex-Libyan?) Su-24M to Syrian air force, but they could as well send a squadron of RuAF Su-24M2 jets for their contingent in Syria. Delivery of new squadron of MiG-29M2/35 will increase Syrian air force capabilities in number of jets attacking terrorists. Only question is, who will fly in those new MiGs, will this be Syrian pilots or Russian.

Any speculation on which drones this could refer to… Would be amusing if they were one’s purchased from Israel.

Maybe Orlan-30, larger version of Orlan-10.