OOB-11 Russia

[Kone]

Flanker family in service with Russia

I tried to find out which versions of the Su-27 family are really in service with the Russian air force. Seeing through the intense hype and the circus of alphabets describing different models is not easy though...

Let's see...

Su-27 / Su-27S - the basic "vanilla". Entered to service in the mid-80's, Some sources say early 80's though. Around 350 are in service. Avionics are obsolete and the plane lacks multirole capabilities. It can carry 4000kg of bombs and unguided rockets. Built-in GSh-30-1 30mm cannon with 150 rounds.

Su-27UB - 2 seat trainer version of Su-27. Combat capable. Entered service around 1987. Armament similar to the Su-27.

Su-27SM - A mid-life upgrade to the Su-27. First 5 entered service 26th of December 2003. Some sources say all basic Su-27's are subject to this upgrade, but due to financial reasons some 40 - 50 planes (one regiment) are planned at the first phase. Su-27SM is multirole capable all-weather craft. Armament options include 1 x KAB-1500Kr or 4 x KAB-500Kr, Kh-31A&P, Kh-59M, Kh-29T&TE&L and dumb weapons up to 8000 kg. Upgrade includes glass cockpit, far better onboard computing capabilities and targeting pod ability. Lack of money have however caused some compromises in the programme, like leaving the radar unchanged at least on some craft.

Su-27PU / Su-30 - Despite the information in many internet sources, the Su-27PU is not a multirole aircraft. It is derived from Su-27UB as a long range interceptor and engagement leader. Only 5 were built before the program was terminated in the early 90's. Offensive armament as for Su-27. Sukhoi developed the Su-30M multirole variant none of which have entered service in Russia.

Su-27K / Su-33 - Navalized version of Su-27 with structural modifications to fit carrier service. Production began in 1990 and the first patch of 24 craft was also the last. Avionics were upgraded for over water air combat but offensive capabilities remained the same as on Su-27. Upgrade programs are planned, but they will propably be less radical than the Su-27 -> Su-27SM program.

Su-27IB / Su-32FN/MF / Su-34 - The long range strike versions with re-designed forward fuselage. Su-32FN and MF are naval strike variants. The Su-34 is the main version and is designed to replace elder strike, recce and EW planes in service. The Su-27IB is a top priority project for Russian air force along with the Su-27SM modernization. Su-27IB carries a payload of 8000 kg and is compatible with virtually all present and future Russian tactical attack munitions both smart and conventional. However the production has been delayed, again because of financial problems. There are reports of one aircraft being combat-evaluated in Chechnya in 1999. Possible service entry in 2006.

Su-27M / Su-35 - There are reports of 3 aircraft of this "Super Flanker" -type entering service in the 90's. Unlikely to be operational however. Su-35 acted as a technology demonstrator and paved way for Su-27SM upgrade package. Is offered for export.

Main sources were Airforces Monthly and Combat Aircraft magazines plus some net sources. I only trusted websites which referred to "reliable sources" such as Jane's.

[Kone]

According to Rostvertol PLC, the Mi-28N entered joint trials with company's representatives and military specialists July this year. Production rotorcraft should enter service 2006. An entry date for optimists... Jane's says the test programe will take 2-5 years according to funding.

The Ka-50's night fighting capabilities remain doubtful. Many sources indicate that the early production Ka-50 is a daytime only helicopter. The "second stage" in the program is the Ka-50N equipped with NVG and modern FLIR with high quality image processing. Ka-50N may have been axed in favor of Ka-52.

*oops...fixed a confusing error mi-28n, not 26*

Further note: There's some speculation about the Ka-50's Shkval sighting system incorporating LLLTV for night targeting. Some even say it's high end. On the other hand, the army considers the vessel daytime only. Whatever the case, the night vision value should definitely be below 40.

[Backis]

Russian medium artillery seems to get higher ROF than comparable other-world systems;

All 152mm howitzers I spotted get ROF 5, world standard seems to be 4, even the FH77A with advanced loading assistance machinery and sliding breech block instead of the slower and more common screw block gets 4...

Is there a reason why Russian medium tube artillery gets this advantage?

[bison24]

-PT-76B should be available until 2005 or 2010. http://www.army.lv/photos/1638.jpg A picture of a PT-76B in chechnya
-T-72BM, T-72BM1, and T-72BV should be available until 2020.
-T-80U and T-80BV should be available until 2020
-T-80UM1 Bars has not been adopted by the russian army, but perhaps can be added from 2006 or 2007 as a hypothetical one.
- http://world.guns.ru/grenade/gl04-e.htm RPG-29 should be available from 1989
- http://www.shipunov.com/eng/str/grenades/rpg27.htm RPG-27 perhaps to replace RPG-18/22 in elite units such as naval infasntry and VDV starting in the 1990s
- http://warfare.ru/?catid=245&linkid=1785 BMP-T tank support vehicle
-Khrizantema ATGM is not available as a manportable launcher, only in the BMP-3 chassis

[DRG]

Backis said:
Russian medium artillery seems to get higher ROF than comparable other-world systems;

All 152mm howitzers I spotted get ROF 5, world standard seems to be 4, even the FH77A with advanced loading assistance machinery and sliding breech block instead of the slower and more common screw block gets 4...

Is there a reason why Russian medium tube artillery gets this advantage?

Run tests with different ROF for that weapon in the game and tell me what you discover

Don

[Alpha]

isn´t the t64 more modern than t72 ?

i read the t72 is cheaper version of t64
and the t80 is a better version of t64...
also i wonder why have t72 rocket launchers ?

i read that t72 has no rocket launcher ( maybe
added in later models ?? )....

also is it true that in soviet tank divs only
about 1/3 of the tanks had rocket launchers ?
( complete divs of these tanks were much to expensive )...

[JagdtigerPL]

In game Soviet Tunguska have 2x2 30 mm AA guns but really have 2x30 mm guns

[JaM]

No, Tunguska has 4 guns.they are fitted in pair. It just look like it has just 2.

[Sewter]

The T-64, T-72 and the T-80 have been built by separate companies. The T-72 (Morozov Design Bureau)was less expensive and complicated than the T-64(Kharkov Transport Machine Plant). The T-64 has not been exported. Which could mean that it was technologically more advanced than the T-72. If I am not mistaken, the primary use for the T-64 was for the 'defense' of Russia. I am not sure if that means it was superior though.

The T-80 (Leningrad Kirov Plant)was developed to further the T-64. It is more an upgraded T-64 than a T-72. Sort of like the T-90 developed from the basis of the T-72. I really think that the T-64 was far more advanced than anything that NATO developed during that period.

There has been no further developments of the T-64, which numbers were close to 8000. Which could mean that it is being phased out like the M-60 tanks have, here in the US. I doubt it would be a front line tank.

There are no rocket launchers on any tanks.