# Sukhoi Su-50 Flanker-G

Su-30MK (SU-27PU)

  The Su-27 Flanker was the first along with the Mig-29 Fulcrum to be the first "high- technology" fighters available to the USSR. The Su-27 is comparable to the F-15 Eagle the US used as a counter-air fighter. Achieving operational capability in 1986, the "Flanker" as it became known, gave the Russians a greater edge in aerial combat. It was larger than the smaller and lighter MIG-29, of which both share a general resemblance. However, the Su-27 proved to have more "growth" to it, further enhancing sales of the fighter. One of these the Su-30 fighter.
  The Su-50 Flanker-G is a long range patrol variant, with two crewman. It is an improved version (over the years) of the Su-30. The original Su-30 was a modified Su-27UB two seat trainer plane. The Su-30MK, the export version, became popular, with India being the first major customer, buying 40, and then had licensed production. The main features were the provision for an inflight refuelling probe, and the ability to operate in groups of four, allowing maximum force to be applied to intruders. The operational duration was for close to ten hours, with AWACS support and ground control. This provided the CIS with a cheaper alternative to the very expensive to operate Mig-31 Foxhound. With capability to launch the R-58 long range AAM, the Su-50MK is still a potent air to air fighter. Another version of the Su-30, the Su-30MK, was designed to be more or less a "Strike Eagleski", with capability to both operate in the ground attack and interception role. Currently the airplane has the ability to carry up to 8,150 kg on 12 hardpoints, which can be increased by the use of multiple ejector racks.

  Another view of the SU-30MK.

  It featured a track-while-scan (TWS) radar, a pulse Doppler radar with look down/shootdown capability, an infrared search and tracking system, and a digital data link. The N050 main radar has a scan range of 70 degrees and a detection range of 120 kilometers and can track 20 targets, and engage 6 simultaneously. Mounted in the "stinger" of the airplane is a radar similar to the one mounted on the Su-56. It maintains a cone of 60 degrees, and a range of 30 kilometers. It can track eight targets, and engage four simultaneously. The system can accept targeting data from AWACS aircraft, and can "hand off" data to the other interceptors, allowing surprise attacks or allowing a fighter to launch it's missiles without having to turn on it's own radar, which considerably helps in a situation where you don't want people to know that you are there, to surprise them in a dire way. The main radar is backed up by a 54-Sh IRST (Inrfrared Search and Track) system mounted in a ball in front of the windshield. This can detect targets around 50 km. However, the direction range varies on the attack geometry. Usually it will detect targets 15 km when head on, and up to 50 km from the rear. This of course depends on the ambient temperature and weather conditions. Mounted alongside is a laser rangefinder that has an effective tail on range of 8 kilometers. The system is mounted on an articulated ball that can move in -10 and +60 in elevation, and 60 and 120 degrees respectively for azimuth. This also downloads targeting data to IR missile heads, further enhancing the possibility of a sneak attack. This can also be slaved to the pilot/RIO HMS for use against highly maneuverable targets. Both seats have K-50 zero/zero ejection seats, one of the most reliable in the market today. Both have integrated controls in the case of emergencies, where the co-pilot can control the aircraft should the pilot become injured. The RIO (Radar Intercept Officer) controls most of the functions in the intercept role. Both pilot and RIO each have a HMS for self defence, and reportedly, each can fire at a seperate target if required.
  The Su-50 still has the same shape of the old Su-30/MK fighters, but incorporating new composites and other features to keep it as one of the most potent fighters in the skies. Further additions include another hardpoint behind the forward centerline hardpoint, as well as new avionics, as well as rigger controls. The cockpit features inclined (30 degrees) KD-57M zero/zero ejection seats. Compartments in the cockpit allows the crew to carry extra food and other amenities on a long mission. Mounted on the starboard side of the nose is an extendable inflight refuelling probe. This can extend the duration of deployment to approximately ten hours. However, this is s more of a limit on the pilots endurance than on the aircraft.
  The Su-50 is powered by two Saturn-Layuka ALF-45M afterburning turbofans, as mounted on the Su-56 and Su-58 aircraft. The most important feature of the engines was the thrust vectoring itself. The engines can move -15 to +15 degrees in pitch (up and down) from zero degrees (pure horizontal). These were first introduced in early 2004, allowing +10 to -10 degrees in yaw (left and right). This also allows the aircraft to also to "supercruise" in flight, allowing the fighter to stay at a supersonic speed without the costly use of afterburning.
  Variants
  Su-50MK: The Su-50MK described previously is a dual role strike/interception plane.

  Handling | Speed | Accel | Body | Armor | Signature | Autonav | Load | Cost
  3 | 150/2,200* | 150 | 4 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 8,150 kg | 20M¥

  Seating: 1 + 1 bucket seats
  Access: 1 canopy
  Economy: 0.3 km per liter
  Cargo: 2 underseat (+ 2) + 2 storage
  Fuel: 7,500 liters
  Sensors: Military I (8)
  ECM/ECCM: Military I (8)/Military I (8)
  Other Features: 2 Datajack Ports, 10 man hours per crewman, Rigger Adaptation.
  Armament: One hardpoint mounted Victory rotary cannon with a 500 round belt. Available is one inner wing hardpoint with 12 CF capacity, two outer wing hardpoints with 6 CF capacity, and four fuselage hardpoints with 5 CF storage each, and wingtip hardpoints have 2 CF capacity. A fly-by-wire system is installed. See below for more information.
  Weights: 16,291 kg with full fuel load, empty, max of 24,447 kg with ordnance. Empty weight is 14,881 kg fully empty.
  *Increase max speed to 2,700kph on afterburner, and Economy is 6 liters per kilometer.
  The Su-50/MK differs little from the Su-56 in that it does not have the forward canards, and is obviously a two seat plane. The aircraft features the same three dimensional engines, giving the Su-50 an additional -2 to all Handling Tests requiring maneuvers. Also, since the ECM/ECCM is a lot more powerful than the Su-56, it does not carry the "Sorbitsya" jammer pods on the wingtips. And as with any Flanker variant, it features anti-FOD screens, and the ability to operate from rough airstrips. The 54-Sh IRST when in use gives a -1 modifier to all attacks only when the system is activated.
  Russian Aviation Page.
  Information on Pugachev's Cobra
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