Su-30MKI: News and Discussion - August 9, 2014

[Rakesh]

It was her first flight. And as far as I know, it was her one and only flight.

[kit]

watch the RC model of Su 30 doing the Pugachev simply awesome !!

[Kartik]

It's a fake, the Sukhoi casts no shadow/reflection on the water.

It's real. The picture was posted by a Su-30MKI pilot and CO of a squadron with over 3000 hours on the Su-30MKI when he had flown then President Pratibha Patil.

By the way, the shadow will depend no where the sun was at the time the picture was taken. As can be seen from the shadow cast by the rig, the Su-30MKI shadow would've been cast on it's right side, below the airplane from which the picture was taken.

[Kartik]

In my eyes - this is the best looking flanker and definitely amongst the most beautiful fighters ever. Have to give credit to the russkies - all around, any angle, the flanker and the 57 look great. French fillies are nice too and the Americans are TFTA personified. But the flanker is gorgeous even more than the fulcrum...

Yes the Su-30MKI is a beautiful fighter, but to say that it's more gorgeous than a Fulcrum..well I'll disagree. IMO, the Fulcrum is one of the most beautiful fighter designs of all time along with the Mirage-2000 and Rafale.

Personal opinion of course.

[Rakesh]

Since we are talking about looks and personal opinions.....

[ArjunPandit]

It was her first flight. And as far as I know, it was her one and only flight.

OT but hope the pilots didnt gift her some stuff from plane like Rashtrapati bhavan did

[Manish_P]

Since we are talking about looks and personal opinions.....

+1 Sleekest looking Russian fighter by far. Curves for the Rambha are fine, but i personally prefer a slim, athletic type bird

[Kartik]

The Su-57 looks great from that angle. But it looks a little ungainly and large from a some others. Whereas the Fulcrum is damn near perfect from almost any angle..I used to not like it's landing gear, especially it's nose landing gear, but in the air, it's just art. Mind you, I don't like the MiG-29UB, just the single seater.

[Rakesh]

The MiG-29 is indeed truly gorgeous!

[nachiket]

The MiG-29 is was indeed truly gorgeous!

Corrected it for you. Can't say that after they added that god-awful (but very useful) hump.

As an aside I sure hope the Russians improve their build quality for the production versions of the Su-57 if they are serious about stealth. Those gaps in the weapons bay doors can't be too good for the RCS.

[brar_w]

Those are prototypes and not production builds. The only production build Su-57 crashed and 1 or 2 may be delivered this year so we may have to wait to see what the serial production aircraft look like.

[Rakesh]

The MiG-29 is was indeed truly gorgeous!

Corrected it for you. Can't say that after they added that god-awful (but very useful) hump.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

As an aside I sure hope the Russians improve their build quality for the production versions of the Su-57 if they are serious about stealth. Those gaps in the weapons bay doors can't be too good for the RCS.

There is a picture floating on the internet, in which one can clearly see the fan blades. Some have debunked the picture below, claiming it is fake. Assuming this picture is real, it is best to stay away from this bird if stealth is the primary concern. The counter argument is that the Su-57 was not designed to be a stealthy bird.



F-22 air intake. The fit and finish of the F-22 (and yes the picture below is likely a production version) is far ahead of the Su-57.

[nachiket]

There is a picture floating on the internet, in which one can clearly see the fan blades. Some have debunked the picture below, claiming it is fake. Assuming this picture is real, it is best to stay away from this bird if stealth is the primary concern. The counter argument is that the Su-57 was not designed to be a stealthy bird.

I had asked about that picture earlier. It is supposed to be the radar blocker that is visible.

F-22 air intake. The fit and finish of the F-22 (and yes the picture below is likely a production version) is far ahead of the Su-57.

I'd be more worried about it matching the J-20 in fit and finish (and RCS) than the F-22 at this point. You get what you pay for. The F-22 was so expensive that the richest country on earth had to curtail its procurement. Anyway we are going off-topic and soon we'll have to ban ourselves for derailing the thread.

[brar_w]

The F-22 used what was consider cutting edge (design and mfg. processes/materials) in the late 1980's to mid 1990's timeframe. A jet that enters serial production in 2019/2020 (22 years from when F-22 did the same) would need to better it considerably in that department. The F-35 is a significant improvement over the F-22A in many areas and utilizes materials and technologies that were either not available when F-22's production design and process were frozen or were uneconomical at the time if it existed. The leap from F-35 to the B-21 will likely be at least as significant as the leap from the F-22 to F-35 in this department.I don't think the F-22 was too expensive a weapon system for the US. As a percentage of CAPEX budget other operators are paying a far greater amount for their fighter procurement. What the French have spent on the Rafale for example is a lot more when looked at through their budgets, their CAPEX or even as a percentage of GDP.

[srai]

Since we are talking about looks and personal opinions.....

Look at this smooth body blend!

[Philip]

What about the little Gnat? My favourite!

[Cybaru]

Ahem Ahem MKI thread!!

[Cain Marko]

Damnit. This is the MKI thread. Anyone singing praise about sleeker, smarter, fit finish, classic whatever types should be summarily ejected. Wonlee Rambha worship allowed.

There is a reason this bird has it's own thread, it's too beautiful. It is only right and proper that no other is given such worshipful reverence on brf.

The rafale is younger and has age going for it but I'll warrant she won't maintain that youthful look forever. It has its thread simply because some members shamelessly sold out!

[neerajb]

F-22 air intake. The fit and finish of the F-22 (and yes the picture below is likely a production version) is far ahead of the Su-57.

That apparent fit finish is a thick layer of makeup only. This is how a raptor looks like in squadron service.

https://youtu.be/8FQt0mR2ykQ

Cheers....

[srai]

[nachiket]

What is a Blanking Unit?

[Karan M]

Device which disconnects x kits receivers/transmitters when another kit is transmitting/receiving to prevent interference.

[nachiket]

Device which disconnects x kits receivers/transmitters when another kit is transmitting/receiving to prevent interference.

Is this addition to deal with the problem of the SPJ pod interfering with the RWR and radar?

[Karan M]

Could be! Just makes things easier by synchronizing all devices.

[Sumeet]

....

Nice video about equipment mentioned on this HAL chart: (Just a note: sorry guys this is in Hindi without subtitles)

@Karan M and others how accurate is the information on this video. Normally I find this guy to be very specific, clear and to the point about tech explanations.

[Indranil]

I love his voice. Very desi. No effort to sound like the fake-cool. The information is at a high level for the layman and is correct AFAIK.

[fanne]

There is no point putting all 272 SU30MKI to the same upgrade plan. It will be costly and at 20 aircrafts upgrades a year, will take 14 years to complete (assuming everything goes as plan with 100% efficiency). By the time we reach 7-8 years, the tech will again start becoming obsolete. We should go for staggered approach and some 40-60 planes should have the above upgrade plan (where even the radar is desi, so is RWR, EW and weapon system). They may not be as extensive as Russian EASA and other systems (some XX planes should go the Russian way in upgrade, to take advantage of its large inventory of AA and AG missiles and systems), but in future avoid obsoleteness like we face now vis a vis R77 and AIM-120 AMARAAM.

Plus we can perhaps make it more advanced in certain areas than what Russian upgrade will ever offer - A 5th gen/6 gen avionics experience - Data fusion, Voice command, AI and extensive software based decision making and display of tactical system, all info (and minimal required for the situation)display through HUD (just like Rafael, so that in theory, the pilot does not have to look down for any info), 360 degree sensors distribution (sideward and backward looking radars, EO systems), SFDR based missile, a UCAV loyal wingman...the list is endless. It will be better in many aspects from RU upgrade (and at the same time not so good in many others). By having these two different lines, we can perhaps upgrade more and at quicker pace. Ours would be more risky as many systems will be new and immature...but we will be doing something similar for LCA, lca mk1a, SPORT, MWF, TEDBF, ORCA, AMCA, Aurora. Perhaps all that effort can be managed from a central agency/org/place and then customized for each plane. The best will of course for now go into SU30MKI, as it will have the most space and power to fit. Perhaps same can be used for second upgrade of Mig 29, why retire that excellent bird after say 10-15 years?

[Rakesh]

Damnit. This is the MKI thread. Anyone singing praise about sleeker, smarter, fit finish, classic whatever types should be summarily ejected. Wonlee Rambha worship allowed.

There is a reason this bird has it's own thread, it's too beautiful. It is only right and proper that no other is given such worshipful reverence on brf.

WOKAY

https://twitter.com/PhulwariaManish/sta ... 23808?s=20 ---> The powerful Su-30MKI playing peek-a-boo in its own vapor cloud...

[Cain Marko]

I love his voice. Very desi. No effort to sound like the fake-cool. The information is at a high level for the layman and is correct AFAIK.

Bilkul saksham hai atyadhunik gyaan prasaran mein.

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/mrsagar29/status/12 ... 79264?s=20 ---> "Don't Make Me Walk, when I Want to Fly!"

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/Thunder07101/status ... 39008?s=20 ----> Two Su-30MKI Flanker of Indian Air Force with AEW&C EL/W-2090 Phalcon.

[Hiten]

https://twitter.com/Thunder07101/status/1253985676183339008?s=20 ----> Two Su-30MKI Flanker of Indian Air Force with AEW&C EL/W-2090 Phalcon.

a better looking version via https://www.spansen.com/2020/04/a-pair- ... alcon.html

[Rakesh]

You rock bro! I can even see the serial number of the Phalcon, which is surprisingly edited out in the picture I posted.

[Prithwiraj]

We have only three of them and thousands of public pictures of them with serial number. I don't what is the reason of editing out all these and that

[ks_sachin]

We have only three of them and thousands of public pictures of them with serial number. I don't what is the reason of editing out all these and that

Ah the reason is that there are no clear guidelines on this. Everyman or woman and his or her dog then interprets this based on how a....y retentive they are.
Too many conversations I have come across..

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/CestMoiz/status/126 ... 17536?s=20 ---> An IAF Su 30 vs a USAF F-16 .. look at the sheer size difference!

https://twitter.com/sajaniaf/status/126 ... 83840?s=20 ---> One on the right has right of way...
*The above tweet is from a retired Su-30MKI pilot (Group Captain Sivaraman Sajan) who flew President Pratibha Patil in her only Rambha sortie.

[kit]

F-22 air intake. The fit and finish of the F-22 (and yes the picture below is likely a production version) is far ahead of the Su-57.

F22 uses a lot of "makeup" the radar adsorbent skin is what gives its "flawless " appearance.. any damage will cause warty appearance. Su-57 does not sport any such skin and is suited for a rugged use with less maintenance by the "looks" of it..

[Kartik]

See the lack of attention to detail when putting together a brochure.

HAL uses a Su-30MKM image on its poster of a Su-30MKI upgrade. They'll have hundreds of Su-30MKI images that can be taken from anywhere but they manage to pick a Su-30MKM instead.

[Kartik]

https://twitter.com/Thunder07101/status/1253985676183339008?s=20 ----> Two Su-30MKI Flanker of Indian Air Force with AEW&C EL/W-2090 Phalcon.

a better looking version via https://www.spansen.com/2020/04/a-pair- ... alcon.html

Are those the SAP-518 pods on the wing tip?

[srai]

^^^
SAP-518 looks much more prominent on the wingtips.