Probably for marketing purposes, calling it a Su-35 sounds more impressive than Su-27C/D/E. The same reason why they started calling Mig-35 & Su-35 as 4++ fighters, and I wouldn't be surprised if they come up with a "4+++" fighter sometime in the future.
Chinese purchase of Su-35
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To add to the confusion, upgraded Russian su-27SM version also has IRST offset to the right. In addition, there is a single seat version of Su-30, the Su-30KI, that has twin nose wheels, Inflight refueling probe, and offset IRST.
Well, yes, the offset IRST is a direct product of IFR option. If IFR is added to a flanker, IRST is going to be moved to the side.
As far as I know, no su30KI was ever built, so it still stands that su30 is by default a twin seater. Just like Su35 is by default always a single seater.
As far as I know, no su30KI was ever built, so it still stands that su30 is by default a twin seater. Just like Su35 is by default always a single seater.
kwaigonegin
Colonel
Because the russkis/Sukhoi OKB are crazeee! in all seriousness though the reason why the naming convention for the baseline Flanker and the Flanker variants is just how they segregaed sales basased on more factors than yout typical 'western' aircraft which incluses the different roles, countries, maker (KnaaPo and Irkut) etc etc.
A - Algeria
B = Bolshaya/Bombardirovschik - bomber
D = Dozapravka
I = Indiski - India
IB = Istrebitel Bombardirovschik
K = Kommercial/Kommercheskij (Commercial export Vietnam,Indonesia, Ethipia)
K = Korabelnyj
K = Kitei - China
M = Modifkatsi - modified
M = Moderniziroval / Modernizirovannyj - modernized
also M - Malaysia
MF = Mnogofunktsionalniy - multirole all weather attack
R = rekornostsirovka - recon
RV = Russkije Vitjazi (Russian Knights)
S = Serial - production
UB = Uchebno Boevoy - 2 seat trainer
So for ex. SU-27SK means Serial production, commerical export. SU 30MKA is Mk for ALgeria etc
but even that is not standardized because in the case of MK2 ir just means MKK designated for Vietnam, Venezuala, Uganda etc!
Like I said you need a PhD to undeestand the SU27 designations!
It's hard because we don;t understand cyrilic. for example K means 3 things as can be seen above.
- K = Kommercial/Kommercheskij (Commercial export Vietnam,Indonesia, Ethipia)
- K = Korabelnyj - Carrier
- K = Kitei - China
Sounds better than 5---
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There are no markings on the ill76, the Chinese illushin would have the national flag on the tail. But at this stage it probable, since the first batch had been delivere sometime ago
There are no markings on the ill76, the Chinese illushin would have the national flag on the tail. But at this stage it probable, since the first batch had been delivere sometime ago
Not discounting it is a Russian illushin but it is strange there is no markings
Yes indeed, kinda like a magician's bag you never know what's going to come out???
Why the AFB came up with the trade-mark? "A Flanker, is a Flanker, is a Flanker!"
Its quite typical of the Russians?? it keeps the fans confused,,,, as evidence by the constant debate here about what is what?? and ties peoples minds up in minutia, which is where folks who like to argue these details live???
anyway, where are the next ten SU-35s??? are they "on their way?"