Russian Knights demonstrate their new Su-30SM at Malaysian trade fair

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

http://rbth.com/defence/2017/03/24/...ir-new-su-30sm-at-malaysian-trade-fair_726916

The plane can stop dramatically in mid-air, turn on a dime, and rapidly accelerate. The Russian Knights, the elite aerobatic demonstration team of the Russian Air Force, is showcasing the new Sukhoi Su-30 fighters at the LIMA 2017 maritime and aerospace exhibition in Malaysia, March 21-25.

Why is the Knights' new plane so unique?

The Su-30 is considered one of the best multirole fighters in the world, and has significantly better combat potential and performance characteristics than the baseline Su-27, which the Russian Knights previously flew.

The Su-30 is also the first super-agile fighter jet, with a highly efficient integrated aerodynamic configuration, thrust-vectoring AL-31FP engines, and all-moving canards. Pilots say this gives the plane an edge in close combat.

“The Su-30MKI is the world's first export fighter fitted with an active phased-array radar, which allows for detecting, tracking, and engaging a large number of targets simultaneously,” said Valery Averyanov, a test pilot with the Su-30’s manufacturer, Irkut Corporation.


The Su-30 is also the first Russian fighter with open-architecture avionics.

“This considerably simplifies subsequent upgrades and allows for customizing the aircraft to suit the specific needs of each individual customer,” said Averyanov, adding that the fighter's super-agility gives it an edge in dogfights. “It allows the pilot to maneuver actively and safely and use the weapons faster than the enemy,” he said.


Unlike Russia's other new fighters, the Knights’ Su-30SM seats two pilots.


“Why the Su-30SM and not the Su-35, when the two aircraft are essentially similar? The Su-30SM is a twin-seater, which is more convenient and comfortable for pilots. During long flights, one will be flying the plane and the other will handle navigation,” Lt. General Andrey Yudin, commander of the Russian Air Force and deputy commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces, told TASS news agency.