Su-30SM2 Fighter Aircraft Features Removable Wing, Upgrades to Defeat PATRIOT System
The detachable wing section allows rapid global deployment by enabling the fighter to be loaded onto transport aircraft.
The Su-30SM2 fighter, recently showcased by the "Military Acceptance" team, introduces upgrades to defeat the Patriot air defense system and a removable wing section, in addition to older improvements like the AL-41F-1S engine and enhanced radar capabilities.
The aircraft is designed to enhance operational flexibility, advanced weaponry, and improved radar capabilities.
One of the notable features of the Su-30SM2 is the removable section of the wing, which houses a fuel tank. This design allows the aircraft to be disassembled and loaded onto transport aircraft, facilitating rapid deployment to various locations worldwide.
Alexey Chechelnitsky, head of the IAZ unit assembly department, detailed the precision required in joining the wing to the fuselage. More than a hundred alignment points are meticulously checked for diameter, roughness, and alignment to ensure structural integrity. The tail section, which contains a fuel tank, uses a special sealant and riveted seams coated for a 30-year leak-proof warranty.
The Su-30SM2 also features a transition from duralumin to titanium in the tail section, addressing the high-temperature environment near the engines. The aircraft is being prepared to accommodate a new, more powerful engine, already in use with Su-35 and Su-57 fighters. This engine upgrade enhances the aircraft's climb rate, turning radius, and overall engine life. Production with the new engine is slated to begin next year.
According to Oleg Pankov, chief designer of the Su-30 program, the fighter integrates virtually all current Russian aviation weapons.
The chief designer claimed that when one of the military units in Ukraine that received this aircraft destroyed the Patriot, NATO’s best air defense system, on the third day. He stated that the Su-30SM2 has been upgraded to counter Patriot systems. The radar system's detection range has been nearly doubled compared to the Su-30SM, improving capabilities against ground, air, and sea targets. Its ability to carry long-range weapons is another added advantage, he said.
The new version also features enhancements in electronic warfare and reconnaissance. The aircraft's electronic warfare system allows it to monitor and record electronic situations during flights, providing valuable data on enemy air defense systems. This capability positions the Su-30SM2 not only as a fighter and bomber but also as a reconnaissance asset.
The Su-30SM2 integrates the KAB-500 guided aerial bomb, with real-time imagery displayed to the pilot or operator via a gyroscope-equipped camera. Pilots have noted that the Su-30SM2’s more accurate radar and improved systems enhance its effectiveness in various combat scenarios.
The Su-30SM2, which evolved from the Su-30SM, integrates the AL-41F-1S engine from the Su-35S and the N035 Irbis radar. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) highlighted the Su-30SM2 at the Army 2023 show, marking it as the standard for future Su-30 models. The aircraft's N035 Irbis-E radar is capable of detecting targets at ranges of 130 to 145 km, including stealth missiles like the British "Storm Shadow" and American JASSM.
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