Russia's Sukhoi delivers new batch of Su-30 fighters to Malaysia

[TorwaK]

03/03/2008 14:37 MOSCOW, March 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has delivered four Su-MKM fighter planes to Malaysia under a contract signed in 2003, a spokesman for the Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer said on Monday.

The Southeast Asian country will receive a total of 18 Su-30MKM fighters under a $900-million contract by the end of 2008. The first six aircraft were delivered in 2007.

"After final assembly, the Malaysian pilots will be able to conduct the first flights in the new planes," the spokesman said.

The contract also stipulates the construction of a service center for Su-30MKM fighters in Malaysia, and Russia's assistance with the country's national space exploration program.

The Su-30MKM is a multi-role Flanker version based on the Su-30MKI model and features a customized avionics package built to Malaysian specifications.

The jets are being manufactured at Sukhoi's Irkutsk aircraft manufacturing plant in Siberia.

Malaysia currently operates a mixed fighter fleet with the Russian MiG-29N Fulcrum and the U.S.-made F/A-18D Hornet and F-5 Tiger in service.

According to some sources, the Malaysian Royal Air Force is considering a new Su-30MKM contract.

Su-family fighters constitute the bulk of Russia's arms exports. Last year, Sukhoi exported 50 of these aircraft, accounting for 50% of Rosoboronexport's export revenue.

 

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2008/03/mil-080303-rianovosti02.htm

 

[RedTiger]

Every time I look at the picture, I can't help but wonder why there's about 2 feet of space between the canopy and the pilot's head. Can't they sit the pilot up higher? I know that they adjust the height for C of G concerns on the ejection seat, but come on! The sides of the canopy almost stop at his neck! How can he see anything around him?

[SuperKungFu]

Wow that's a great picture, if it was only hi-res, that would make one nice wallpaper.

[tflash]

Every time I look at the picture, I can't help but wonder why there's about 2 feet of space between the canopy and the pilot's head. Can't they sit the pilot up higher? I know that they adjust the height for C of G concerns on the ejection seat, but come on! The sides of the canopy almost stop at his neck! How can he see anything around him?

 

It's for stealth ... the pilot ducks away so nobody can see him. :smartass:

[4c Hajduk Veljko]

It's for stealth ... the pilot ducks away so nobody can see him. :smartass:

:thumbup:

[Weta43]

I think it's less that he's low & more that the side of the canopy climbs so fast towards the rear seat.

On the Su-27 the lower edge of the canopy is more or less parallel with the line of the LERX:

 

 

In the Su-30, it angles up quite quickly & hides the pilot's shoulders:

I'd imagine that as the canopy is 'bubbled' out over the sill, you could stil see reasonably well if you leaned over...

 

 

 

Interesting shot of some Chines ground crew working on an SU-27SKM demonstrator:

[EricJ]

Yep, that's definitely a pic to start the day off right :D :thumbsup:

[RedTiger]

@Weta43

 

There's an article floating around out on the net written by a USMC test pilot. He had an opportunity to fly a 2-seater Su-27 with Anatoly Kvotchur flying with him in the back. He said that initially the all-around view was excellent, but the ground crew adjusted his seat and lowered him down quite a bit. He asked why and they said it had to do with center of gravity issues on the ejection seat.

 

Since he was in a two-seater, I think we're both right.

[wasserfall]

No,.... no.. you'r all wrong, it's because Suchoi took note of my

length (196 cm) :) to fit all!!