SU-30 fighter pilots focusing on beyond visual range combat

[Hindustani78]

SU-30 fighter pilots focusing on beyond visual range combat | Zee News
Last Updated: Friday, October 2, 2015 - 17:31

New Delhi: IAF's Su-30 fighter plane pilots are focusing on beyond visual range combat and night flying capabilities even as they gear up for the installation of the 'game changer' BrahMos missiles, with a strike range of nearly 300 kms, in the aircraft.

They are also looking forward to the plane's next generation 'Super 30' version which will have advanced avionics.

Explaining the concept of the beyond visual range (BVR) fights, senior IAF officials at a forward base close to the border with Pakistan explained that future wars are unlikely to have close combat fights like in wars in 1965 or 1971.

"Nowadays, the fighter jets are very modernised with state-of-the-art radar systems. What matters now is BVR which means that one can engage with the enemy in air without actually seeing him. Once the enemy is locked in, a BVR missile is fired," Wing Commander Sharad Sharma, who has clocked more than 1000 hours on the Sukhoi, told PTI.

The BVR missiles carried by Sukhoi currently have a range of about 50-70 kms. But what will truly turn the tide is the integration of the supersonic missile BrahMos with the Sukhoi.

Fighter pilots at the base, one of the newest of the Sukhoi, say that the BrahMos will be game changer.

"Imagine, one can fire a missile nearly 300 kms away from the target. Installations across the border can be targeted by our fighter jets without even crossing the border," a senior pilot explained.

The first test, a dead weight one, of the BrahMos integrated Sukhoi is likely to take place early next month or even this month-end.

The second test will be by firing a dummy missile while the third and fourth stages of testing will be with actual missile, but without the 200 kg warhead to validate the guidance system and accuracy. Two Sukhois will be used for the tests which will be completed in the next one year.

The fourth generation Sukhois were inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2002 and is the frontline fighter aircraft of the country. But the DRDO, HAL (the production agency) and the Sukhoi Design Bureau in Russia are working together on 'Super 30' Project.

"The Super 30 Project will make the aircraft a 4.5 generation one. While there won't be modification to the air frame, the planes will be equipped with next generation radar system, software, integrated touch display and a helmet- mounted display," IAF officials said.

The Sukhois, which have a range of 3,000 kms without mid-air refueling and over 8000 kms with two refuelings, have a capacity to carry up to 12 missiles, including a combination of air-to-air and air-to-surface. The fighter plane can carry up to 32 bombs also.

The Sukhoi fighter aircraft pilots are carrying out intensive training for night operations.

"In 1962 and 1971 wars, our fighters did not have night flying capability. We feel that future wars may be fought in the skies during night time and hence a lot of focus is being given to night flying. Flying at night if a different game altogether in comparison to day time flying," they said.

PTI

 

[Sankpal]

what????

currently 50-70 km with bvr missile?

 

[anant_s]

confused reporting.
why are Brahmos and an A2A BVR missile compared when they have entirely different purposes.

 

[SQ8]

I think the pilot was explaining two things and the reporter took in their usual self as that without clarifying the general doofuss that makes up the viewers of zee news.

The 50-70km range is what the R-77 is capable of against a normal fighter sized target. Which is more difficult to make fanboys believe that they were not conceived by their parents but lizard faced sea monsters that came from Mars.

Essentially, the pilot was trying to explain that whereas previously the IAF would have to cross over into enemy territory and put itself in serious danger to attack targets.. they can launch from the safety of friendly airspace and still attack crucial targets. The addition of BVR to this capability means that IAF attack aircraft will not be entering enemy airspace as much and instead will be attacking their targets with a high degree of safety. Something that was lacking in the past.

It also gives them a higher rate of success in attacking targets without having to go through defences.

 

[anant_s]

I think the pilot was explaining two things and the reporter took in their usual self as that without clarifying the general doofuss that makes up the viewers of zee news.

The 50-70km range is what the R-77 is capable of against a normal fighter sized target. Which is more difficult to make fanboys believe that they were not conceived by their parents but lizard faced sea monsters that came from Mars.

Essentially, the pilot was trying to explain that whereas previously the IAF would have to cross over into enemy territory and put itself in serious danger to attack targets.. they can launch from the safety of friendly airspace and still attack crucial targets. The addition of BVR to this capability means that IAF attack aircraft will not be entering enemy airspace as much and instead will be attacking their targets with a high degree of safety. Something that was lacking in the past.

It also gives them a higher rate of success in attacking targets without having to go through defences.

very well said!
i don't expect reporters to be aware or knowledgeable about finer nuances of what they are reporting, especially in such high end technology areas but you do expect them to be curious and attentive listeners. i mean how many of us get a chance to talk to a top pilot and see things first hand.
atleast the reporter could've listened properly that he is being told about 2 different missiles. however (as usual) what u get is a bhelpuri report on lines of Upcoming capabilities of MKI in 250 or less words.

 

[mkg00179504]

what????

currently 50-70 km with bvr missile?

Yes , in India Pakistan case that's the range for you for both sides. You will see fanboys jump in and talk about 200-300 km BVR. But at the end of the day they are fanboys. No 200 km BVR Is going to work.

 

[Chanakyaa]

confused reporting.
why are Brahmos and an A2A BVR missile compared when they have entirely different purposes.

Exactly.. I didnt get the notion of Bramos mention in a BVR artcile. Morons.

 

[AUz]

lol, indians are getting excited for something that PAF already has in works for years now.

Our Ra'ad nuclear cruise missile can strike target within 350km deep inside india

 

[MilSpec]

I think the pilot was explaining two things and the reporter took in their usual self as that without clarifying the general doofuss that makes up the viewers of zee news.

The 50-70km range is what the R-77 is capable of against a normal fighter sized target. Which is more difficult to make fanboys believe that they were not conceived by their parents but lizard faced sea monsters that came from Mars.

Essentially, the pilot was trying to explain that whereas previously the IAF would have to cross over into enemy territory and put itself in serious danger to attack targets.. they can launch from the safety of friendly airspace and still attack crucial targets. The addition of BVR to this capability means that IAF attack aircraft will not be entering enemy airspace as much and instead will be attacking their targets with a high degree of safety. Something that was lacking in the past.

It also gives them a higher rate of success in attacking targets without having to go through defences.

You remember our chat about adder and alamo.... IAF put in foranother 350 odd alamos in 14.

 

[GURU DUTT]

what????

currently 50-70 km with bvr missile?

the pilot is talking about air to ground BVR capability lets not mix that with air to air BVR capability .. read it carefully

 

[Rocky25]

"Imagine, one can fire a missile nearly 300 kms away from the target. Installations across the border can be targeted by our fighter jets without even crossing the border," a senior pilot explained.

Why do we need a BVR of 300 KM range to be mounted on an aircraft, We can very well have a missile launched from the ground right?

What makes Brahmos mounted on Su 30 so special?

 

[Basel]

I think the pilot was explaining two things and the reporter took in their usual self as that without clarifying the general doofuss that makes up the viewers of zee news.

The 50-70km range is what the R-77 is capable of against a normal fighter sized target. Which is more difficult to make fanboys believe that they were not conceived by their parents but lizard faced sea monsters that came from Mars.

Essentially, the pilot was trying to explain that whereas previously the IAF would have to cross over into enemy territory and put itself in serious danger to attack targets.. they can launch from the safety of friendly airspace and still attack crucial targets. The addition of BVR to this capability means that IAF attack aircraft will not be entering enemy airspace as much and instead will be attacking their targets with a high degree of safety. Something that was lacking in the past.

It also gives them a higher rate of success in attacking targets without having to go through defences.

And they argue that its better than 120-C5.

 

[MilSpec]

Why do we need a BVR of 300 KM range to be mounted on an aircraft, We can very well have a missile launched from the ground right?

What makes Brahmos mounted on Su 30 so special?

he is not refering to a 300 km bvraam, but a 300 km A2G missile.
Launch from a lower barometric pressure with parabolic trajectory increases the range.... this puppy will fly 500kms

 

[GURU DUTT]

Why do we need a BVR of 300 KM range to be mounted on an aircraft, We can very well have a missile launched from the ground right?

What makes Brahmos mounted on Su 30 so special?

in short : speed , speed and speed

 

[Basel]

in short : speed , speed and speed

Then in this field PAF is in much better position, they are using variety of standoff munitions since 90s as they know that its will be very difficult for them to go deep inside enemy territory in any future war.