China Flanker Thread II

[crash8pilot]

hmm, interesting. I wasn't aware that SU-30MK2 could fire PL-12, since when?

According to Huitong's blog, PL-12s have been spotted on the MK2s since 2015 and PL-8s were noted in 2018.

Also why the colour of the bird is yellow ?

MK2s are light grey (lighter shade of grey than PLAAF MKKs anyway) in color, the only reason it appears yellow-ish is because its departing into the sunset/sunrise

 

[siegecrossbow]

i wonder would there be an upgrade plan for those su30s to support PL15 and other indigenous air-to-surface weapons. They have been around for almost 20 years, too early to retire but quite outdated in terms of capability, aren't they?

That won’t happen unless they completely overhaul the radar/avionics, which likely won’t happen.

 

[supersnoop]

That won’t happen unless they completely overhaul the radar/avionics, which likely won’t happen.

Just thinking aloud here.

If they are able to integrate PL-12 and PL-8, it would imply they have access to the radar software source code. Wouldn't that basically make the limitations related more to the hardware itself (PL-15 range greater than the usable radar detection range), and/or user interface, rather than technical capability?

Similarly, the Su-27 (original tranche from Russia) was upgraded to fire R-77. The rumor was that Ukrainian engineers with the source code were hired to do this work, is this still the story? Or is there a more concrete story now?

 

[siegecrossbow]

Just thinking aloud here.

If they are able to integrate PL-12 and PL-8, it would imply they have access to the radar software source code. Wouldn't that basically make the limitations related more to the hardware itself (PL-15 range greater than the usable radar detection range), and/or user interface, rather than technical capability?

Similarly, the Su-27 (original tranche from Russia) was upgraded to fire R-77. The rumor was that Ukrainian engineers with the source code were hired to do this work, is this still the story? Or is there a more concrete story now?

It doesn’t make sense to integrate PL-15 on the Su-30 since the twist cassegrain radar can’t take advantage of the range offered. In fact they haven’t even integrated PL-15 on the J-10B whose PESA radar is leaps and bounds superior to N001.

 

[Blitzo]

It doesn’t make sense to integrate PL-15 on the Su-30 since the twist cassegrain radar can’t take advantage of the range offered. In fact they haven’t even integrated PL-15 on the J-10B whose PESA radar is leaps and bounds superior to N001.

Offboard datalinking/CeC, with other fighters whose radar has the requisite range and/or friendly AEWC.

Relying exclusively on one's own onboard sensors to achieve a fire solution is very early 2010s.
These days things should be more complex.


That said, I think integrating PL-15 on Su-30 doesn't make sense even despite the above because it makes more sense at this stage to adequately equip all of the fighters that can field PL-15 with their own sensors first -- and by the time that is done, the Su-30s (and other aircraft that currently lack PL-15) might be so old that integrating PL-15s on them may not be worth it.

 

[plawolf]

China uses its Su30s as strikers first and foremost. There is no need to integrate PL15s on them given the large number of air superiority focused fighters China also have fielded.

 

[silentlurker]

Maybe if one day PLAAF wants to stop producing PL-12s and only build PL-15s?

 

[siegecrossbow]

China uses its Su30s as strikers first and foremost. There is no need to integrate PL15s on them given the large number of air superiority focused fighters China also have fielded.

Originally the Su-30s were the only aircraft in PLAAF inventory capable of firing active radar guided AA missiles. Now they’ve been relegated to patrol/air to surface roles (patrol role possibly usurped by J-16). How the mighty have fallen.

 

[weig2000]

Originally the Su-30s were the only aircraft in PLAAF inventory capable of firing active radar guided AA missiles. Now they’ve been relegated to patrol/air to surface roles (patrol role possibly usurped by J-16). How the mighty have fallen.

Really hope they will build total 500-600 J-16's by 2027. It's so versatile for PLAAF.

 

[Atomicfrog]

Really hope they will build total 500-600 J-16's by 2027. It's so versatile for PLAAF.

Flankers are nice workhorse, will reach the end of upgrades one day but looking around, flankers will stay on the front lines for 20 years more easy.