Published: 7/24/1998

In the middle of June, theSukhoi design bureau publicly demonstrated the Su-30MK multi-role fighter at the airfield of LII, Gromov's Flight Test and Research Institute. So far, two prototypes have been built at the Sukhoi pilot plant in Moscow. These were flown for the first time on 1 July 1997 (Su-30MK-1) and 23 March 1998 (Su-30MK-6), respectively. By 15 June, they had made fifty flights under the flight test programme. According to Sukhoi's general designer, Mikhail Simonov, the two prototypes represent the final configuration, and series airframes will not differ from them. The Su-30MK is the world's first fighter aircraft with a fully-operational thrust-vectoring system. In accordance with a $2bn deal signed in November 1996, IAPO, the Irkut Aircraft Production Association, has to deliver 40 Su-30-series aircraft to India in three batches. The Indian Air Force already operates eight Su-30K fighters delivered between March-April 1997; these do not have thrust-vectoring nozzles, which will be installed later as part of the contract. The Su-30MK differs from the initial Su-30K model in having canards, upgraded avionics and, more importantly, two Lulka-Saturn AL-31FP engines in place of the standard AL-31Fs in use on the Su-27. According to the engine-maker, the AL-31FP is essentially the same as the AL-31F except for the swivel nozzle able to move 15 degrees up and down. The weight penalty is 110kg and the increase in the engine overall length is 400mm. The Su-30MK has the same engines as the Su-37, which made it first public appearance in August 1996, over Tushino airfield in Moscow. However, they now feature a V-like arrangement, so that their thrust-vectoring nozzle move in intersecting planes. This gives the aircraft a remarkably better turning capability, provided by non-symmetrical control inputs for the right and left engines. Both the Su-37 and the Su-30MK have integrated flight control systems, setting power, nozzle deflection and aerodynamic control surfaces so as to optimise performance.(DF798.3) (VK)    

Article ID: 222