Russia uses Su-30SM to confront US F-22, F-35
Russia continues to put its faith in 4+ generation fighters as they continue to produce and equip their second squadron with Su-30SM fighters.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that due to bad weather, the squadron of Su-30SM fighters covered 5,000 km in 5 hours.
These fighters are assembled at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant and sent to deployment areas.
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| The Russian military's version of the Su-30SM multirole fighter. |
In 2017, the first air force squadron was established, equipped with 12 of the latest Su-30SM fighters, and this year Russia continues to produce and equip this type of aircraft.
The second squadron is currently equipped with MiG-29SMT fighters, but in the near future they will be replaced by more modern Su-30SM fighters. It should be noted that since the beginning of this year, pilots and technical staff have completed training to switch to the new type of aircraft.
Su-30SM is an upgraded version of the 4+ generation multirole fighter Su-30.
The aircraft is designed to dominate air combat, destroy targets in the sky, blockade enemy airfields, as well as intercept targets on land and at sea.
One of the main features of the Su-30SM is its super-maneuverability. The aircraft is equipped with two AL-31FP engines with thrust vectoring, in the structure of which the forward wing is used. This allows the fighter to perform complex aerobatic maneuvers.
The Su-30SM is also equipped with a modern multi-function control radar system Bars, an airborne refueling system. Thanks to that, the Su-30SM fighter can detect enemy aircraft of similar size to the MiG-29 at a distance of 140 km. At the same time, this radar is capable of detecting and tracking 15 flying targets at the same time, 4 of which are within the range of the weapon.
The Su-30SM has 12 weapon hardpoints and can carry up to 8 tons of weapons, including guided missiles, conventional missiles and aviation bombs. The Su-30SM fighter can use medium-range air-to-air missiles R-27 (8), R-77 (10) and short-range missiles R-73 (6).
In addition, they can also carry anti-radar and anti-ship missiles Kh-31P and Kh-31A (6 missiles). Fuel in the tanks allows the aircraft to fly continuously for about 3000 km. In case of performing special missions, they can be refueled from the air and continue to operate.
The fact that Russia continues to produce and equip this type of aircraft shows that they believe in its capabilities. This is in stark contrast to the US, which is also actively producing fifth-generation fighter aircraft F-35, F-22.
In fact, Russia has been in the process of equipping the fifth generation fighter Su-57 but only in small numbers. According to the plan, in the next 10 years they will only equip about 12 of this type. This means that Russia mainly uses 4+ generation fighter aircraft to confront the US's fifth generation fighters.
In addition to the Su-30SM fighter, Russia also has the Su-35 fighter with combat capabilities that are considered no less than the new generation of American fighters.
As for the Su-57 fighter, Russia will continue to perfect and equip them with super engines, then decide to equip large numbers for the army.