The Sukhoi Su-30 was initially developed as a further modification to the existing Su-27 "Flanker" series but ended as its own, all-new mark. The aircraft encompasses a multi-mission design frame based on the Su-27 though incorporated a second crewman (seated in tandem), improved datalinking and increased operational endurance. Production of this series model began in 1992 and is ongoing as of this writing (2017). Some 540 have been produced to date with operators (beyond Russia) now including Algeria, Angola, China, Belarus, India, Indonesia, Kazahkstan, Malaysia, Uganda, Venezuela and Vietnam - making this combat platform an important product in the Sukhoi fighter lineup.
The Su-27 family of large fighters makes up the backbone of the Russian Air Force and Navy Aviation fleets. It has proven itself to be a highly versatile, high performance combat platform that has wowed generations of onlookers at air shows and proven popular with former Soviet states and allies worldwide. Developments like the Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35 only serve to keep the line strong and the product a viable instrument over the modern battlefield.
From development beginning in 1986, a first-flight in prototype form (based on the two-seat Su-27PU interceptor) was recorded on December 31st, 1989. However it was not until 1996 that the product was formally introduced into service for 1991 saw the formal end of the Soviet Empire of the Cold War (1947-1991).
At its core, the Su-30 represents a powerful evolution of the original Su-27 Flanker. It improves on the original's operational range and carries with it a refined air-to-air / air-to-surface all-weather attack quality. In this way, the same platform can be used to undertake both air space denial and ground strike missions as needed as it has a broadened support for various munitions types and its onboard systems can support both air and ground attacks. The general form and function of the Su-27 are retained but the mission set of the Su-30 is expanded considerably.
Power is from 2 x Saturn AL-31F turbofan engines set within the lower body of the aircraft. These are fed through side-mounted intakes and exhausted at the rear as normal. Additionally the engines offer a reheat capability, better known as afterburner, which allows for short bursts of power and, therefore, short bursts of speed. The aircraft is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2.0 (1,300+ mph) out to a range (on internal fuel) of 1,850 miles. Its service ceiling is 56,800 feet and rate-of-climb is 56,800 feet-per-minute. Because of an integral refueling probe, the aircraft can expand its patrol range / mission endurance window up to 10 hours. Certain hardpoints under the aircraft are also plumbed for jettisonable fuel tanks. The second crewmember also alleviates crew fatigue on longer sorties.
With all this the Su-30 compares favorably to the old Boeing F-15 Strike Eagle strike fighter, itself based on an air superiority original design.
The Su-30 began as a modernized Su-27UB and five squadrons were set up under the Russia Air Defense Forces branch. The export form became the Su-30K which ended up in India. The Su-30KI became a proposed Su-30 upgrade to existing Russian Air Force Su-27UB and original Su-30 fighters as well as the export-minded Su-30Ks. The upgrade program, and the similarly-minded Si-30KN project, fell to naught. The Su-30MK is another export model, this time fielding Indian avionics.
The Su-30MKI introduced thrust-vectoring engine nozzles and forward canards for much improved maneuverability and an internationally-originated avionics set. This product was jointly undertaken by Sukhoi and Hindustan of India. The Su-30MKA followed for customer Algeria but with French and Russian avionics. The Su-30MKM as based in the Su-30MKI and modified to suit Malaysian requirements. The Su-30SM was based on the Su-30MKI model and produced for Russia by Irkut as an advanced Su-30 with modernized equipment. The Su-30SME designator is used to market the Su-30SM abroad.
The Su-30MKK ("Flanker-G") was sold to China as was the modernized form some time later as the Su-30MK2. Indonesia and Uganda also took delivery of the type. The Su-30MK2V was an Su-MK2 variant slightly revised for sale to Vietnam. The Su-30MKV was an export version of the Su-30MK2 and sold to Venezuela. The Su-30MK2 forms the basis for the Su-30M2 and these have been taken into inventory by the Russian Air Force.
Since introduction into Russian service, the Su-30 has been deployed over Syria in its ongoing Civil War. The series remains high on the list for several potential operators though it has fallen to Western competition in some circles.
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January 2018 - Mayanmar has signed a deal to procure six Su-30 fighter aircraft.
May 2018 - Kazakhstan has secured a deal to receive an additional eight Russian Su-30SM multirole fighters to strengthen its existing stock. Deliveries are set to conclude in 2020. The Kazakhstan Air Force has, on-hand, four such aircraft which they have actively operated since 2015.
June 2018 - Talks are underway between India and Russia on a mid-life upgrade project concerning some 44 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
September 2018 - There are standardization plans by the Russian military (Air Force and Navy) to re-engine its existing fleet of Su-30SM twin-seat multi-role fighters, replacing the current AL-31FP turbofans with up-rated 31,967lb afterburning AL-41F-1S (Item 117S) turbofans. The AL-41F series also powers the advanced Su-35S line for the service.
February 2019 - Indian production of Su-30MKI fighters is scheduled to be completed in 2020 after some 222 aircraft would have been built.
November 2019 - Belarus has become the latest operator of the Su-30Su-30SM (Flanker-H) as two examples were delivered to its air service on November 13th. These will be used to succeed a fleet of aging MiG-29 air superiority types.
July 2020 - India has announced a deal to acquire twelve additional Su-30MKI fighters. These will be built locally through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
August 2020 - Russian authorities have green-lighted an initiative to procure some 21 fully-modern Su-30SM2 twin-seat platforms to bolster frontline fighting strength. The announcement was made on August 12th, 2020.
August 2020 - The Russian Air Force has officially ordered the Su-30SM2 upgrade model.
AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
71.9 ft (21.93 meters) Length
48.2 ft (14.70 meters) Width/Span
20.9 ft (6.36 meters) Height
39,022 lb (17,700 kilograms) Empty Weight
76,059 lb (34,500 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
+37,038 lb (+16,800 kg) Weight Difference
2 x Saturn AL-31FL turbofan engines with afterburner developing 27,560 lb thrust each (16,750lb thrust dry). Propulsion
KAB-500KR bombs, KAB-1500KR bombs, FAB-500T bombs, OFAB-250-270 bombs and others.
Also jettisonable fuel tanks.
12 Hardpoints
Su-27PU - Designation for two-seat, long-range interceptor; redesignated as Su-30 series; based on Su-27UB two-seat trainer.
Su-30 - Base Series Designation; developmental designation for new Su-30 design with canard wings added; in-flight refueling probe.
Su-30K - Export Variant Designation of Su-30 base model.
Su-30KI - Single-Seat Variant; developed as an Su-27S upgrade and Indonesian export order model.
Su-30KN - Standardized Su-30 upgrade from Su-27UB, Su-30 and Su-30K models.
Su-30M - Upgraded Su-27PU as multi-role fighter.
Su-30MK - Export Variant of Su-30M
Su-30M2 - Upgraded Su-30MK; wing canards added; thrust vectoring.
Su-30MKI - Modernized Flanker for India; revised avionics; canard implementation; thrust vectoring.
Su-30MKK - Chinese Export Variant.
Su-30MKM - Based on Su-30MKI model; revised avionics; for Malaysian sale.
Su-30MKV - Venezuelan Export Variant; similar to Su-30MK2.
Su-30MK2 - Su-30MKK model with upgraded electronics; anti-ship missile provisions.
Su-30MK2V - Vietnamese Export Model.
Su-30MK3 - Su-30MKK model fitted with Zhuk MSE radar system; provision for Kh-59MK anti-ship missiles.
Su-30SM (Flanker-H) - Variant of Su-30MKI/MKM; Russian Air Force and Navy model; production by Irkut Corporation; first-flight September 2012; adopted January 2018.
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
94
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 1400mph
Lo: 700mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (1,317mph).
Graph average of 1,050 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (635)
635
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
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Images
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Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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Image from Sukhoi marketing material; Su-30MK pictured.
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