Su-30MKI to go stealthy
Posted: 08 Jul 2009 06:06 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DefenceA ... althy.html
After the F-15 Silent eagle its time for Su-30MKI to disapear out of the
radar. There have been reports that Russias UAC (United Aircraft
Corporation) and Indias HAL (Hindustan Aeronotics Limited) are developing
the Smart Skin concept for Su-30MKI.
Smart skin also know as Artificial neural membrane refers to a new class of
functional structure developed through research adaptive and evolutionary
neural networks and programmable materials. The greatest interest in ANM
structures surround their potential as open architecture environments for
the integration of microscale and nanoscale devices. Artificial neural
membrane technology development has been funded by the NASA Institute for
Advanced Concepts, for application to quasi-steady state flapping wing
flight. Currently Aerospace Research Systems, Inc. the agency that
pioneered work in developing artificial neurons for use in control of
multifunctional smart structures is applying the technology to reusable
launch vehicles. Other applications include biotechnology processes,
morphing aircraft and spacecraft, adaptive wind generators, and artificial
organs. Recent research also indicates that ANM systems may provide the
first truly automated intentional or conceptual programming environment.
By 2014, UAC together with HAL will begin upgrading the first 100 IAF
Su-30MKIs by modifying their airframes to make them stealthy, converting
the existing Bars into an active phased-array radar, enhancing the
situational awareness by incorporating active electronically scanned
transmit/receive arrays on the aircrafts wings and pumping up the
defensive-aids suite by installing a combined radar/laser warning system
and a missile approach warning system.
Source: FORCE INDIA
Force Magazine reports in the latest issue:-
1.) Su-30 MKI to undergo mid-life upgrade starting 2014
2.) Bars radar to be upgraded with AESA antenna
3.) active skin - AESA T/R modules to be mounted in wing sections to provide > 180 deg FoV
4.) Al-31FP engines to be uprated by 20% with operating life increased to 6k hrs
5.) Conformal weapons station between engine pods for stealth (carries a prototype photo too!)
And come 2014, UAC, together with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will begin upgrading the first 100 IAF Su-30MKIs by modifying their airframes to make them stealthy, converting the existing Bars into an active phased-array radar, enhancing the situational awareness by incorporating active electronically scanned transmit/receive arrays on the aircrafts wings, and beefing up the defensive-aids suite by installing a combined radar/laser warning system and a missile approach warning system. Tikhomirov-NIIP had by last November begun laboratory-level tests of a Bars, which was fitted with an AESA array made up of X-band transmit/receive modules built by Istok JSC.
Since then, another two Bars radars have been modified as part of the R&D phase, which will last until 2012, and will be followed by flight qualification a year later. Incidentally, Tikhomirov-NIIP has also developed the Irbis-E passive phased-array radar for the Su-35BM and will soon begin work on modifying the Irbis-E into an active phased-array radar, which will go on board the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) that will be co-developed by UAC and HAL. In addition, both UAC and Tikhomirov-NIIP have come together to develop the smart skin concept under which an AESA arrays transmit/receive modules can be placed anywhere on board the Su-30MKI to generate the relevant radiation field required for achieving more than 180-degree field-of-view. Su-30MKI to go stealthy