WWW Irkutsk: Planes from Irkutsk

Airplanes built by Irkutsk Aviation Association: Su-30 and other

Latest model: the multifunctional Su-30KN is an upgrade of the Su-27 and Su-30

The Russian Air Force unveiled upgraded versions of its jet fighters at an air display on 6 March, 2001. It invited TV cameras to record the Sukhois going through their paces and to get a peek inside the high-tech cockpits that will greet tomorrow's combat pilots.

Based on the two-seat Su-27UB trainer and originally known as the Su-27PU, the Sukhoi Su-30 is intended to be a long-range precision-attack fighter similar in mission to the F-15E Strike Eagle. Although retaining the air-to-air interceptor duties of the Su-27, the early Su-30 and Su-30K models are optimized for long-endurance missions of 10 hours or so. These aircraft are also fitted with a radiolocation system that allows them to transmit the positions of up to 10 targets to four other aircraft simultaneously. This feature makes the Su-30 suitable for use as a tactical fighter leader designating targets to be attacked by other aircraft. These variants were later joind by the mutli-role Su-30M model that adds precision ground attack capability and the ability to carry a wide range of advanced guided bombs and missiles. Sukhoi has also actively marketed an export model, the Su-30MK, that has been purchased by India (Su-30MKI) and China (Su-30MKK). India has ordered 28 baseline aircraft and another 12 with canards and vectored thrust nozzles for improved maneuverability. India plans to add these upgrades to its entire Su-30 fleet in the future. Indonesia has also reportedly shown great interest in the Su-30MK, but any acquisition plans have been postponed indefinitely in light of the nation's recent political and economic turmoil. In Russian service, the Su-30 has supplemented and replaced many older MiG-31 and Su-27 intereceptors.

The electronics on the Irkutsk-designed plane
Tests show it can hit naval targets from up to 400 km

It will be loaded with high-precision weapons
Plant of Irkutsk Aviation Production Association

Other production of Irkutsk Aviation Production Association

Ultra-lite helicopter A-002

Firefighting Jet Be-200

Be-200 is the first and the only large airplane whose basic version development was started in the post-Perestroika years. Development of the Be-200 was stimulated by increasing freight air traffic in all world regions, including Russia's vast territory and the Asia-Pacific countries with their numerous islands. Building of large airports for land-based aircraft (and reconstruction of the existing ones) demands large capital investment. Some states have very little land suitable for large airfields, but have long sea borders. In such situations, modern high performance amphibian planes may became a strong competitor to land-based planes.

Be-200 was developed from the A-40/Be-42 'Mermaid'. It has a high-mounted swept wing, with engines mounted above the center wing section. A T-tail and pressurized 2-step boat hull with a conventional airliner-style pilot's cabin conclude aircraft's appearance. The hull is divided into separate watertight compartments, keeping it afloat even if two adjacent compartments are flooded. Unlike existing competitors, the Be-200 fuselage is fully watertight.

The retractable tricycle landing gear allows the Be-200 to operate from class B airfields. In amphibian mode it can operate from any water surface deeper than 2m and with a wave height up to 1.2m (sea state 3). Its water taxi speed is up to 50km/h, controlled by the stern water rudder and/or engines thrust variation.

Company web site

More info Sources: BBC, AS Baikal TV