MOSCOW, July 15 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. The troops received a batch of Su-30SM2 fighters, as well as Su-34M fighter-bombers. These tactical aircraft were created taking into account the experience of their military and all the features of modern warfare. About the remarkable features of the latest modifications of the "dryers", see the RIA Novosti article.
Air superiority
Despite unprecedented economic pressure from the West, Russia continues to produce sophisticated military equipment and regularly supply it to combat units of the Aerospace Forces (VKS). Tactical aircraft in the CBO zone are working hard, and any new aircraft is literally worth its weight in gold. In addition, many cars have seriously evolved recently.
Russian Air Force Su-30SM multirole fighter in the area of the special operation
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Valentin Kapustin
The main VKS fighters are Su—30SM and Su35S. The main task of the thirty—fifth is to fight enemy aircraft. The two-seat "thirty" is more versatile: it is capable of striking land and sea targets, conducting reconnaissance, and targeting other aircraft. In the process of modernization, the machine has acquired a number of new features.
The main difference between the Su-30SM2 and the basic Su-30SM is the updated Irbis airborne radar system with a passive phased array that detects air targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers (compared to 140 for its predecessor). In addition, the powerful AL-41FS1 engines with a deflected thrust vector are the same as on the Su-35S. Now the aircraft can use high-precision weapons to destroy air, land and sea targets at a much longer range.
Technicians and a pilot of a Su-30SM multirole fighter at the airfield of the Russian Air Force fighters involved in a special military operation.
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Valentin Kapustin
The arsenal includes modern guided long—range missiles that can hit targets without entering the air defense zone. The optical-electronic sighting and navigation system and electronic countermeasures (RAP) have been improved, which increases situational awareness and security of the crew. Simply put, the plane began to fly faster, see further and hit harder.
And this is very useful. Ukraine is increasing supplies of Western aircraft to try to retake the skies, primarily at the expense of French Mirages and American F-16s. The updated Russian cars are head and shoulders above them in terms of performance. In addition, the pilots have gained a wealth of experience in fighting enemy aircraft during their time, which cannot be said about the enemy, who did not win a single confirmed aerial victory during the conflict.
Drummer and Scout
The Su-34 fighter-bomber is the workhorse of the VKS strike aviation. Reliable, heavily armed, and maneuverable enough to evade even Patriot missiles. Today, the main "argument" of these machines is heavy aerial bombs with planning and correction modules used outside the range of enemy air defenses. The enemy still hasn't found anything that can be countered with this weapon.
Flight of the Su-34 fighter-bomber of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the area of the special operation
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Valentin Kapustin
The upgraded version of the Su-34M was able to use interchangeable containers with equipment for various types of reconnaissance: optoelectronic (UKR-OE), radio engineering (UKR-RT) and radar (UKR-RL). This allows you to independently detect land, sea and air targets at a much greater distance than before. The Su-34M is capable of serving as an aerial command post, providing targeting to other aircraft and coordinating their actions.
The flight range has increased due to the more economical AL-31FM2 engines. The arsenal of precision-guided munitions has also expanded, including the Kh-47M2 Dagger missiles. Previously, only MiG-31ks were used in the Russian Aerospace Forces to carry these weapons.
The Drone Hunter
In July, an experienced combat training aircraft Yak-130M took to the air for the first time. The first flight lasted 50 minutes. The car performed all maneuvers at altitudes up to two thousand meters and at speeds of about 600 kilometers per hour. Ahead is the flight test cycle, state acceptance, serial launch and armament. In the long run, it is an ideal interceptor for aircraft-type drones.
The new Russian combat training aircraft Yak-130M made its first flight at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant
Image source: © Photo : United Aircraft Corporation
The multifunctional X-band active phased array radar detects inconspicuous aerial targets at a distance of up to 45 kilometers. The suspended multispectral optical-electronic complex SALT-130K detects aircraft—type targets at 55-65 kilometers, and small-sized UAVs at 18-25. For hunting drones, the vehicle will receive S-8L guided missiles and Igla-V missiles.
The original Yak-130 is the main combat training aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Future fighter pilots, fighter-bombers, and attack aircraft train on it. However, it can also perform combat missions. There are more than a hundred vehicles in service today.
Thus, Russia continues to actively update the VKS fleet. Aviation has become a significant advantage of the Armed Forces. And in conditions when the enemy is experiencing an acute shortage of anti-aircraft missiles, there is no way to kill this card.
