Posted on 10/28/2007 8:34:29 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
An eye in the sky
Sukhoi-30 MKI moves in to monitor movements on Chinese border
By Anandan S.
A crouching MiG 25 adorns the lawn in front of air traffic control terminal at Air Force Station, Bareilly. As an exhibit, the once mighty third-eye of Indian Air Force is now resting on its laurels, after it was phased out of service last year.
On the tarmac, in contrast, is a multi-role Sukhoi-30 MKI Phase-III 'air dominance' fighter, which with its snooping capabilities will soon replace the legendary MiG 25 in the force. "The aircraft will be fitted with electronic optical infrared radars and synthetic aperture radars, and will be capable of mapping out areas as far as 300km using 'hyper spectrum photography'," said an IAF officer.
Obviously, the move is to counter Chinese mobilisation of troops and creation of large-scale military infrastructure, including airbases, in Tibet and south China. As a counter strategy, the IAF is strengthening its bases in the northern air sector with its highly manoeuvrable Sukhois.
In March, Sukhoi squadron no. 24, the Hawks tasked with reconnaissance duties, shifted base to Bareilly. "Another squadron, no. 8 the Pursuits, will soon follow suit," said Group Captain P.V. Gadgil, chief operating officer of Bareilly Air Force Station. Soon, Tezpur airbase also will receive two Sukhoi squadrons, which will be equipped with surveillance pods. The MiG 21s at Tezpur were phased out this September.
"It's part of a long-term counter measure to address the entire eastern region," Air Marshal Ajit V. Vaidya, deputy chief of integrated defence staff, told THE WEEK. "The focus so far has been on the northern border, but that is gradually being extended to the east." The roadmap for the IAF is pretty clear. Bareilly is being prepared as a strategic hub for the Sukhois, with the spectrum extending till Tezpur in the east and Pune, which stations Sukhoi squadrons nos. 20 and 30, in the west. Bareilly could become a major Sukhoi training base.
"A state-of-the-art avionics lab capable of second-line maintenance [I-level maintenance] of onboard equipment and a service support centre which will carry out structure repair, equipment change and third-line maintenance are already in place in Bareilly," said Group Captain Rajiv Gandotra, chief engineering officer at the air force station. "Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Koraput, Orissa, is in the process of setting up overhaul facility (D or fourth-level maintenance). Bareilly will also have the largest modern tech-flight hangar in the country."
The Sukhoi-30 MKI Phase III can carry eight tonnes of ammunition in its 12 weapon stations and can simultaneously launch on multiple targets. It can be airborne with a total weight of about 36.5 tonnes, which includes close to 10 tonnes of fuel. "It can fly non-stop for about 10 hours and has got air-to-air buddy-refuelling facility," said Wing Commander N.N. Sinha, who commands no. 24 squadron. "While the Su-30 MKIs can also be refuelled by IL-78 tankers, it will soon be equipped with the facility to refuel other aircraft." The thrust-vectoring nozzle of the aircraft increases its manoeuvrability, giving it an edge in dogfights. Not surprisingly, its strike, counter-strike and survey capabilities extend deep into territories under Chinese occupation.
The Su-30 MKI, which flies at about 2500kmh-more than twice the speed of sound-will also see its capability to carry nuclear warhead operationalised once the air version of Brahmos missile is ready for deployment.
A team of Israel Aerospace Industries will be in India next January to equip the aircraft with systems capable of photographing 50,000sqkm an hour. Meanwhile, Russia is expected to deliver electronic warfare suits for the aircraft some time next year. Its significant feature will be 'chaffs', which will thwart radar interception by dispensing metallic particles. "Much like aluminium foils, they create a beam that will dodge detection by blinding the enemy," the officer added. With Bareilly becoming a Sukhoi hub, and the northern air command getting more Sukhoi squadrons with strategic capabilities, the IAF seeks to pre-empt any possible threat from across the north-eastern border. However, declining fighter fleet strength continues to be a cause for concern, which is why the HAL has been tasked with the delivery of 140 Sukhois by 2014. That is besides the 230 aircraft being acquired from Russia.
Russian made F-22 bait.
Forgive my ignorance, but is India working on its own spy satellite capability?
I’m thinking that Israel’s Ofek reconaissance satellite is the unsung hero of the recent Syria reactor bombing.
Yes, it could engage six and continue to track many times more than that.
Self-promoter. :p
I’d safely guess that the SU-30’s radars have better ECCM capabilities than the F-14s,which primarily was aimed at the Soviet bomber/cruise missile combo threat.Besides,while they have the range,are the AIM-154s as smart as the AMRAAM or the Russian AA-12???The SU-30 and the F-15 are usually ranked in the same league,with the Russian jet having an edge up close.
While the USAF be guarding China’s border with India??
We can learn something from the Russians. Be friendly to everyone, now you can sell weapons to both sides. Once the Indians have their Su-30’s the Chinese will want more of them. Pakistan will want more planes from US and China. Guess if we play it right, we will be selling more planes to Pakistan and maybe India.
India is working on spy sats,but no harm in taking help from the pros in the field.Aerial recce still has it’s advantages.
About the Ofeqs,well the Israelis have lots of other assets,including their UAVs.
Well doesn’t the US do that to Turkey & Greece/or Israel & Egypt??Sure they may not be in a state of war,but yet...
It should read as will,not while(ref. my reply to you!!)
I would not rule out that possibility if the Clintons get back into the Whitehouse!
Sadly I’m only half kidding.
Well now that depends on who's flying it, and against whom. Red Chinese, yea Raptor bait. Indians flying against Muzzie terrorists or Red Chinese, a friend, with capabilities between the F-15 and F-22.
I wonder about the speed of the SU-30 verse the Mig-25 recon versions. I seem to remember the Foxbat as being really fast, if about as maneuverable as one of those Ice Trucks. Not as fast as an SR-71 of course or it's fighter interceptor version the F-12. Now that was FAST.
This one can do multiple targets as well. And has an electronically scanned array antenna.Similar to what's in the F-22, upgraded F/A-18s, and F-15s. Makes the job easier and more effective.
Oh and the Foxbat had one years before any US aircraft, let alone a fighter. (B-1 and B-2 have them too)
he N011-M Bars Radar for the Su 30 MKI is a phased array system with a powerful processor and multiple targets track capability using NCTR methods. (Photo Sukhoi)
The main sensor on the Su 30 MKI is the N011M Phased Array radar. It is a multi-mode dual frequency (X- and L-band channels, NATO I and D band) radar. It detects targets using a Non Co-operative Targeting method. It is designed to detect fighter-sized targets at 150-160 kms range, and can track 20 targets, while engaging 8. It is capable of interleaving air-to-air and air-to-ground modes. In an air-to-ground mode, it can acquire surface targets at ranges of up to 200 km (and for large resolution targets, upto 400 kms) and provide ground-mapping, terrain-following, and terrain-avoidance functions. Small ground targets, like tanks, could be detected out to 40-50 km.
- Air-to-Air Modes: Velocity Search, Range While Search, Track While Scan, target ID, close combat modes.
- Air-to-Surface Modes: Real beam mapping, DBS mapping, SAR mapping, moving ground target selection, tracking and measuring of ground target coordinates.
Anti-shipping Modes: Sea surface search, moving sea targets selection, tracking and measuring of sea target coordinates, sea target ID. Antenna diameter is 1m, antenna gain 36dB, the main side lobe level is -25dB, average side lobe level is -48dB, beam width is 2.4 deg with 12 distinct beam shapes. The antenna weighs 100-110kg. It is both mechanically and electronically scanned to give increased field of view over a fixed phased array antenna.
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The B-1B radar also has a form of mechanical scanning on top of it's electronic scan. The F-22 and F-35 manage the same thing (expanded field of view) in a different way, one not involving moving parts.
The Mig-25 is damned fast. In 1987/88 I watched an Iraqi Foxbat scream down the Persian Gulf on reconn looking for Iranian shipping targets. I grew up around military aircraft and was shocked at how fast that mojo could gogo. Quite a sight.
I remember that a couple of 25’s shot at then outran a handful of our 15’s shooting missiles at them in 1991.
As far as the SU-30, I was only commenting on the poster’s apparent worship of the commie rocket.
Can we call this the Alan Parson Project?
Domo Origato, Mr. Roboto!
If you’ve seen my posting history,you will probably think that I ‘worship’ a lot of things,not just commie rockets.
Please do not be offended. I’m an old coldwarrior and slam the Russians and their stuff at every opportunity. They are still up to the same old games. My family has given 1 life and 100+ years of service against the commies. I’ve earned the right to denigrate their stuff.
As you are a regular Freeper, I am sure that you are a well rounded, intelligent and patriotic dude.
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