Key Points and Summary – Russia’s twin-seat Su-30SM “Flanker-H” is a 4+-generation multirole fighter derived from the Su-27 family.
-Powered by two AL-31F turbofans, it reaches roughly Mach 2, carries up to eight tons of weapons on 12 hardpoints, and mounts a 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon.
Su-27 Flanker. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Su-27 Flanker Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-Loadouts span R-73/77 air-to-air missiles, Kh-29/59 strikes, Kh-31A anti-ship and Kh-31P anti-radiation rounds; the SM2 can field the long-range R-37M.
-Exported widely, the type serves across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
-It also makes headlines: on Oct. 17, a Russian Su-30SM over northwestern Crimea was reportedly downed by friendly fire while chasing drones after both engines failed, with crew rescued.
Russia’s Su-30SM Multirole Fighter
The Russian Su-30SM (NATO code name Flanker H) is a multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau for the Russian Air Force. It is an advanced variant of the Su-30MK combat aircraft family.
The multirole Su-30SM is considered a 4+ generation fighter aircraft. It is a two-seater aircraft with a pilot and weapons officer.
The original Su-30 aircraft design entered service in 1996. The latest variant, the Su-30SM entered service in 2012.
The Su-30MK series fighters are in service with the Algerian Air Force, Angolan Air Force, Armenian Air Force, Belarusian Air Force, Indian Air Force (IAF), Indonesian Air Force, Kazakh Air Force, People’s Liberation Army Air Force, People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Ugandan Air Force, Venezuelan Air Force and Vietnam People’s Air Force.
Meet The Su-30SM Flanker H:
The Su-30SM (Flanker-H) Russian Multirole Fighter Aircraft is a twin-engine, two-seat supermaneuverable fighter aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Russia’s Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. The SM stands for “serial modernized,” a variant of the earlier Su-30MKI thrust vectoring fighter.
The Flanker H is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air, and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions. The Su-30 began as an internal development project within the Sukhoi Su-27 family.
The design plan was revamped, and the name was made official by the Russian Defense Ministry in 1996.
The Su-30SM Has Speed And Maneuverability:
The Su-30SM is powered by two Saturn AL-31F afterburning low-bypass turbofan engines. The AL-31Fs are each rated at 122.6 kN (27,600 lbf) of full afterburning thrust for speeds up to Mach 2 (1,534 mph) in level flight and 1,350 km/h (838.8 mph) speed at low altitude for non-canard variants. Canted thrust vectoring is used in some variants to enhance maneuverability.
The versions with canards have a top speed of Mach 1.9 (1,457 mph).
The maximum unrefueled flight range of Su-30SM is 3,000km with a flight endurance of 3.5 hours. The aircraft is also equipped with a flight refuelling probe and system.
Su-30SM Armaments:
The Su-30SM is capable of carrying an advanced weapons payload, weighing up to 8 tons. The Flanker H fighter features 12 external payload hardpoints that can accommodate a wide range of air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and bombs. It is equipped with a 30mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon, which has a 150-round capacity.
The GSh-301 fires the 30x165mm round at a rate of fire of 1.500 to 1.800 rpm. However, short bursts are fired to protect the barrel. A 100 round continuous burst is said to destroy the barrel. Effective range is quoted as 200 to 800 m against aerial targets and 1.200 to 1.800 m against ground targets.
Depending upon the mission, the Su-30SM can carry a mix of S-8KOM/BM/OM, S-13T/OF, S-25OFM-PU rockets, R-27R/ER/T/ET/P/EA, R-73E/M, RVV-AE(R-77)-1/M, R-37M (on the SM2 variant) air-to-air missiles.
The R-37M is a long-range air-to-air missile with a range of approximately 350 kms or 217 miles.
For ground attack missions, the Su-30SM can carry the Kh-29TE/L, Kh-59M/ME air-to-surface missiles, P-800 Oniks, Kh-31A anti-ship missiles, and the Kh-31P Anti-radiation missiles.
The Su-30SM can carry a wide range of bombs from the Russian inventory.
Venezuela Has The Kh-31A Missile:
The Kh-31A has been in the news lately, as Russia has supplied it to the Venezuelan Air Force, along with the Su-27 fighters. The Maduro government made a show of Su-27s armed with Kh-31 missiles as a show of force against possible US attacks.
The Kh-31A has a maximum range of 38 nautical miles. The missiles are designed to engage ships of up to destroyer size. They are sea-skimming as they approach their targets.
Russians Shot Down Their Own Su-30SM Over Crimea:
A Russian Su-30SM was recently in the news for all the wrong reasons.
While trying to track and shoot down Ukrainian drones over northwestern Crimea that were headed for Russia, a Russian Su-30SM was shot down by friendly fire on October 17.
The PAC-3 MSE is a highly sought-after air defense munition due to its advanced capabilities and versatility. As a next-generation interceptor, it offers improved range, speed, and maneuverability, making it an effective counter to a wide range of threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. (Official U.S. Army photo)
Patriot Missile. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, reported that intercepted radio transmissions revealed that the Russian pilots were forced to eject after “friendly fire” knocked out both engines of the fighter aircraft. The pilots were reportedly later rescued by Russian forces.
“The enemy likely shot down its own multirole fighter while repelling a (Ukrainian) drone attack using air defense systems,” Pletenchuk said to the Kyiv Independent.
Russian authorities have not commented on the reported friendly fire incident. Pro-war Telegram channels said the cause of the loss of a Su-30SM was unknown and noted that the crew had successfully ejected and were rescued.
About the Author Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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