The Su-30SM (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) will replace the Su-24M
(Fencer-D) tactical bomber in the air branch of the Russian Navy Black
Sea Fleet in 2016, Nikolai Voznesensky, acting chief, fleet press office,
told journalists on Thursday. |
"Under
the 2016 Black Sea Fleet re-armament plan, the naval aviators will receive
several Su-30SMs. 20 Black Sea Fleet naval pilots will convert to aircraft
of new types in January next year," Voznesensky said.
According to him, the transition to advanced warplanes has added more
weapons to the ones Black Sea Fleet aviators employ in exercises.
As was reported in the press, the Black Sea Fleet’s separate naval
attack air regiment stationed in Crimea formed an air squadron of advanced
Su-30SM multirole fighters. The fleet has eight of the type now. They
are designed for the gradual replacement of the Su-24M tactical bombers
in the fleet’s inventory.
The Su-30SM multirole fighter (SM stands for ‘production, upgraded’
in Russian) is dual-hatted as both air superiority fighter and strike
aircraft dealing with surface threats. It is equipped with canards and
swiveling-nozzle engines, with the solutions having turned it into a
supermaneuverable aircraft. The Su-30SM carries the Bars multirole radar
and a wide range of munitions, including air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface
smart bombs and missiles. The Su-30SM can be used as combat trainer
for pilots of future single-seat fighters. The type has been in production
from the Russian Air Force since 2012.
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Su-30SM of the Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet in demonstration at MAKS
2015. Picture: V. Kuzmin