China PLA Air Force & Navy SU30 MKK (73+24) J16 (24) fighter

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• published: 10 May 2016
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All weather, long range strike fighter Crew: 2 Length: 21.9 m (72 ft 0 in) Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in) Height: 6.36 m (20.85 ft) Loaded weight: 24,900 kg (54,900 lb) Max. takeoff weight: 34,500 kg (76,100 lb) Powerplant: 2 × Lyulka AL-31F turbofans, 123 kN (27,600 lbf) each Performance Maximum speed: Mach 2 (2,120 km/h) (1,140 kn, 1,320 mph) at altitude Range: 3,000 km (1,600 nmi, 1,900 mi) Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,800 ft) Rate of climb: 305 m/s (18,300 m/min) Thrust/weight: 1.00 Maximum g-load: +9 g Takeoff run: 550 m (1,800 ft) Armament Guns: 1 × GSh-30-1 gun (30 mm caliber, 150 rounds) Air-to-surface missiles: Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles Kh-29T & Kh-59ME TV guided missiles Air-to-air missiles: PL-21 (development, LR 100-150km, mach 4, active radar homing, proximity fuse) PL-12 (MR 70-100km, mach 4, active radar homing, proximity fuse) PL-8 (Israeli Python-3, SR 20km, mach 3.5, passive infrared homing, proximity fuse) R-73 SR infrared-guided missiles R-27 MR semi-active radar & infrared-guided missiles R-77E active radar-guided missiles Avionics 1 × NIIP N001VEP fire-control radar Sorbtsiya ECM pods Currently, Chinese Air Force has 73 SU30MKK and 24 J16 (Chinese copy) and Navy has 24 SU30MKK strike fighters. Su30MKK shares compatibility with Su-35 in terms of hardware, but in terms of software, Su30MKK differs from Su35 (Flanker-E) on a much greater scale in comparison to Indian Su30MKI because of different mission requirements by China. The Flanker family aircraft has the problem of the reduction of maximum g-force level being decreased to 7g from the 9g at speed between Mach 0.7 to Mach 0.9, and this problem was completely solved on Su30MKK by adopting new measures. According to the Sukhoi Design Bureau, Su30MKK is the first of the Flanker family to achieve it after Su35/37 (Flanker-E/F) and Su30MKI. Higher percentage of composite material is used for Su30MKK in comparison to the original Su30MK. In addition, new aluminum alloy were used to replace the old type used on Su30MK for weight reduction. The twin rudders mainly made of carbon fiber composite material were larger on Su30MKK in comparison to that of the original Su30MK, but contrary to what was once erroneously claimed by some western sources, Sukhoi Design Bureau revealed later that the increased space in the rudders were used for additional fuel tanks, instead of larger communication UHF antenna. The capacity of the fuel tanks in the wings is also increased. A twin nose landing gear of size 620 mm x 180 mm has replaced the single nose landing gear of size 680 mm x 260 mm used on Su30MK to accommodate the increased weight. The maximum take-off weight and weapon load are increased to 38 tons and 12 tons respectively, but this extreme limit is often avoided by taking off at lighter weight. It was rumored that the Chinese pilots were not as experienced as Russian test pilots when operating at this extreme limits, which contributed to the crashes at least partially. The original K-36 ejection seat on Su30MK is replaced by K36M ejection seat for Su30MKK. In addition to the newly added fuel tanks in the rudders capacity totaling 280 kg, there are four main fuel tanks. During aerial refueling, the maximum capacity of Su-30MKK is receiving up to 2,300 liters per minute. The altitude of refueling is limited to 2 km to 6 km, and the speed is limited to 450–550 km/h. Aerial refueling probe is located in front of cockpit on the left, and the design is capable of night refueling. Electronic warfare systems of Su30MKK utilizes the latest technologies available in Russia and the radar warning receivers are so effective that the information provided by RWR alone would be enough to provide targeting information for Kh-31P anti-radiation missile without using other detection systems on board, though information can also be provided by L-150 ELINT system, which can be used in conjunction with Kh-31P. The maximum range of the RWR is termed at several hundred kilometers. The threat information obtained from RWRs can be either provided on the LCD MFDs (showing the most dangerous four targets) for the pilot in the manual mode, or be used automatically. The active jamming pods are mounted on the wing tips, and the APP-50 decoy launcher is mounted near the tail cone with 96 decoys of different kinds. Domestic Chinese electronic warfare systems including BM/KG300G and KZ900 can also be carried after modification of onboard system. The original ASP-PVD-21 series helmet mounted sight (HMS) with only limited field of view (FoV) was replaced by more advanced Sura-K HMS system, but Chinese have been replacing the Russian HMS with more advanced domestic system. It is also possible that the Chinese may use the same radar used on its newest J-11B radar which will significantly increase performance, because J-11B radar will increase the Su30MKK radar range up to 350 km, and allow it to engage up to four air-to-air and four ground targets.