Su-30SME

Purpose

The Su-30SME solves the tasks of destroying enemy’s air targets in free airspace and against the earth’s background, as well as ground and sea-surface targets, day and night, in simple and difficult weather conditions. The aircraft is capable of engaging enemy’s infrastructure facilities protected by antiaircraft defenses at considerable distances from home airfield, as well as conducting airborne reconnaissance.

The Su-30SME can be used to train flying personnel in piloting, navigation, and combat use.

Distinctive features

The integrated aerodynamic configuration combined with a thrust-vectoring control ability ensures excellent maneuverability and great take-off and landing performance. The Su-30SME is capable of executing a number of unique maneuvers used to gain superiority in close combat and defeat missile attacks.

The power plant consists of two AL-31FP afterburning turbofan engines. The full afterburning thrust of 25,000 kgf provides for a level flight at a speed of 1.75 M.

A substantial fuel reserve and aerial refueling capability significantly expand the aircraft’s operational capabilities. The expansion of the aircraft’s combat capabilities is also facilitated by a two-seat configuration, which makes it possible to distribute the workload efficiently among the crew members.

The aircraft has front canards to ensure stable flight at high angles of attack.

Armament

The combat load of the Su-30SME with a total weight of up to 8,000 kg is carried by 12 external points. The aircraft is capable of using a wide range of guided and unguided weapons, including short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles with infrared and radar guidance systems, guided air-to-surface missiles with a television guidance system, anti-ship and anti-radar missiles, guided and unguided bombs, unguided aircraft rockets. The Su-30SME is also equipped with a built-in aircraft autocannon.

Airborne avionics

The Su-30SME aircraft avionics include a number of new generation systems, such as:

• on-board radar;
  

• optical-electronic sighting and navigation system;
  

• helmet-mounted targeting system, head-up display, multifunctional liquid crystal color indicators;
  

• satellite navigation system (compatible with GLONASS and NAVSTAR systems).

Modern means of electronic suppression are installed on the aircraft.