Sukhoi Su-30MKI

randomradio said:
Neither HAL nor Russia will give up this cash cow.

Switching to the 117S would halve engine costs immediately. So it's unlikely the IAF will be allowed to upgrade the engine due to pressure from the industry.
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There is some chatter among Russian sources that Su-30SM2, Su-35SM(upgraded version) & Su-34M will use 117 engines of Su-57 with more thrust and better TBO. The engine also has radar-blocker to lower the frontal RCS(the podded engines/exposed blades are biggest RCS hotspot zone on Flankers).
 
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Rajput Lion said:
There is some chatter among Russian sources that Su-30SM2, Su-35SM(upgraded version) & Su-34M will use 117 engines of Su-57 with more thrust and better TBO. The engine also has radar-blocker to lower the frontal RCS(the podded engines/exposed blades are biggest RCS hotspot zone on Flankers).
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For the Su-30SM2 and Su-34, doubt it's true. SM2 just recently got its new engine. And Su-34 uses an engine from a different company.

Upgrading the Su-35SM with 117 makes sense.
 
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randomradio said:
For the Su-30SM2 and Su-34, doubt it's true. SM2 just recently got its new engine. And Su-34 uses an engine from a different company.

Upgrading the Su-35SM with 117 makes sense.
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The point of upgrading Su-30SM with Su-35S' engine was to make maintenance of both fighters as unified and simple as possible. If they upgrade Su-35S further to 117 from 117S, then they would be back to square one as both fighters will once again have different engine.

Su-30SM2 with 117(S!!) is still under testing. Only from next year onwards the definitive Su-30SM2 will come up.
 
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Rajput Lion said:
The point of upgrading Su-30SM with Su-35S' engine was to make maintenance of both fighters as unified and simple as possible. If they upgrade Su-35S further to 117 from 117S, then they would be back to square one as both fighters will once again have different engine.

Su-30SM2 with 117(S!!) is still under testing. Only from next year onwards the definitive Su-30SM2 will come up.
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So that would make it unlikely at this time. Maybe a decade down the line, when the 117S is ready for replacement on both jets.
 
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randomradio said:
Of course, it can. Vanilla AL-31F didn't come with TVC either.
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AL-31F was modified to AL-31FU for Su-37 Terminator, in which TVC was controlled by a separate hydraulic drive. AL-31FP was the next evolution of that engine as now the TVC was integrated via the fuel system itself which got rid of the separate hydraulic drive thereby reducing weight and complexity.

Integrating TVC into fuel-system of F414 would mean considerable modification of engine or we should just give up on TVC. Don't think IAF will agree to both the above!
 
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Rajput Lion said:
AL-31F was modified to AL-31FU for Su-37 Terminator, in which TVC was controlled by a separate hydraulic drive. AL-31FP was the next evolution of that engine as now the TVC was integrated via the fuel system itself which got rid of the separate hydraulic drive thereby reducing weight and complexity.

Integrating TVC into fuel-system of F414 would mean considerable modification of engine or we should just give up on TVC. Don't think IAF will agree to both the above!
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The F414 needs to be modernised with TVC, it can't be retrofitted. The IAF has no need for TVC on LCA, it just adds unnecessary weight with very few benefits.

TVC for the AMCA will be developed by India, along with its cold parts.
 
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Rajput Lion said:
AL-31F was modified to AL-31FU for Su-37 Terminator, in which TVC was controlled by a separate hydraulic drive. AL-31FP was the next evolution of that engine as now the TVC was integrated via the fuel system itself which got rid of the separate hydraulic drive thereby reducing weight and complexity.

Integrating TVC into fuel-system of F414 would mean considerable modification of engine or we should just give up on TVC. Don't think IAF will agree to both the above!
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GE did test a TVC on this very engine long back for F-16
 
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Just like we're working on SAP-518 replacement with our HBJ/ASPJ GaN pods, hopefully DARE is also working on SAP-14 replacement GaN pod. Thanks to GaN tech, it would be much more effective in neutralizing/suppressing latest/cutting edge IADS radars. So far haven't heard of any replacement plans for the above!
 
Rajput Lion said:
Few months back there was a report regarding future Su-30MKI roadmap in official gov. websites like ANI/AIR etc.

Some highlights(proof-reading required):

















Source: https://newsonair.com/2023/01/26/ai...or-4-billion-dollar-to-increase-its-capacity/


Bare in mind that this is a report from official gov. based website so we must take this report very seriously.

Everything I wrote earlier from CNT skin to enhanced stealth characteristics is mentioned in the report. So looks like finally we're going in the direction of making MKI UPG. a 5- gen fighter. Russians are looking to do the same to their Su-35S and Su-30SM2. So, we can't just dismiss it as conjecture.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1682754508009652224

Don't worry IAF has a complete road map to operate su30 mki till 2080....😱😂🤣😜
 
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Tbh that AL31 bit has started already, at least academic level work, we have seen already extension of hours almost double to normal 4000h.
Few more bits of info to come.
 
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marich01 said:
Tbh that AL31 bit has started already, at least academic level work, we have seen already extension of hours almost double to normal 4000h.
Few more bits of info to come.
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Even when MKI is not the numero uno air dominance fighter in a world full of 5th/6th(and maybe even 7th) gen super stealthy fighters, we may still use it as a missile or bomb truck. But still report regarding 2080 is unbelievable, IMO.
 
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