The Su30:A Testflight

The Su30 MKI variant(above)
The Su30(above)
Su-30 is a two-seat long-range intercept fighter that first flew in December 1989, and that entered service with the Russian air forces in 1992. Largely based on the Su-27UB two-seat trainer, it has a new radiolocation system which can transmit the positions of 10 targets to four other fighters at the same time. The Su-30 is made in Irkutsk.The Su-30MK is capable of accomplishing a wide variety of combat missions at significant distances from the home base, in any weather conditions and in severe jamming environment, both by day and by night.

This multirole aircraft is adequately fitted for the entire spectrum of tactical and operational combat employment scenarios, varying from counter-air tasks (ie. gaining air superiority, air defense, air patrol and escort) to ground attack, suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, close air support and maritime attack. Additionally, the Su-30MK can perform ECCM(ECM-Electronic Counter-Counter Measures viz. radar jamming or spoofing) and early warning tasks, as well as exercise command-and-control over a group of aerial combat assets performing joint missions.
Two-member crew:A two-member crew configuration contributes significantly to enhanced combat capabilities, due to rational distribution of workload between crewmembers. While the first pilot flies aircraft, controls weapons and performs manoeuvring dogfight, the co-pilot employs BVR*  air-to-air and air-to-ground guided weapons in long-range engagements, monitors tactical environment to ensure situational awareness, and performs command-and-control tasks in group missions.
[A *Beyond Visual Range missile(BVR) usually refers to an air-to-air missile that is capable of engaging at ranges beyond 20 nautical miles (37 km). This range has been achieved using dual pulse rocket motors or booster rocket motor and ramjet sustainer motor.


           The Su30 aircraft is a modernized version of the Su-27UB and has several variants. The Su-30K series and the Su-30MK series have both had commercial success.Other Variants are(to Name A Few):
Su-30K
Commercial version of the basic Su-30. 50 units sold to India and later upgraded to Su-30MKI.
Su-30KI
Sukhoi proposal for upgrading Russian AF single seat Su-27S. Also proposed export version for Indonesia, only single seat in Su-30 family.
Su-30KN
Upgrade for operational two-seat fighters, the Su-27UB, Su-30 and Su-30K.
Su-30M
Basically an upgraded Su-27PU, first real multi-role aircraft in Su-27 family.
Su-30MK
The commercial version of Su-30M first revealed in 1993.



The most advanced Su-30 variants in service belong to the Su-30MK series from Irkut, which include the Su-30MKI, a highly specialized aircraft developed for the Indian Air Force and its derivatives, the MKM and MKA for Malaysia and Algeria respectively.