Hobby Master HA9503 | Sukhoi SU-30SM Flanker Russian Knights Blue 34, RF-81705, Russian Air Force, 2019

The Sukhoi Su-30, initially named Su-27PU, is a two-seat multi-role fighter that evolved from the Su-27UB trainer version. The Su-30 was given new avionics and weapons for ground attack abilities. The aircraft began production in 1992 and in 1996 was renamed Su-30, NATO name is Flanker. The Su-30 has several variants, India has the MKI, Algeria has the MKA and Malaysia the MKM and Russia the SM. These 4 variants all have thrust vectoring and canards for added stability to compensate for the nose-heavy radars. There are several other Su-30 variants without canards.

The Aircraft:

Russian Air Force Aerobatic Team “Russian Knights” was formed in 1991 using aircraft and crews from the 237th Guards Proskurov Aircraft Demonstration Center at Kubinka, AB. They were originally equipped with 6 Su-27s but since 2016 have used 8 Su-30SM numbered from 30 through 37. The Russian flag appeared on the fins for the first year before being replaced with blue fins with stars. On November 7, 2019, a ceremony was held at Kubinka AB to introduce four multi-purpose single seat Su-35S’ that will replace the Su-30SMs.

Su-30SM specifications
Developer - JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau
Number produced – 138
Maiden flight – September 21, 2012
Role - Multirole fighter
NATO name – Flanker C
Crew – 2
Dimensions 
Length – 21.94 m 
Wingspan – 14.7 m 
Height – 6.36 m 
Weight Empty- 17,700 kg 
Loaded – 24,900 kg 
Maximum – 34,500 kg Performance 
Speed – Mach 1.9 
Service ceiling – 17,300 m 
Range – 3,000 km 
Power plant 2 X AL-31FP Saturn/Lyulka engines Thrust – 7,6770 / 12,500+ kgf Armament Gun
1 X 30 mm 
Hardpoints – 12 Missiles
Air-To-Air 
R-27, 
R-73, 
R-77 
Missiles
Air-To-Ground 
FAB-100 / 250 / 500 KAB-500 / 1,500 Kh-29, Kh-31, Kh-59 OFAB-100-120 / 250-270 S-8 / 13 / 25