New pics of IAF SU30MKIs heading towards Red Flags 2008 Exercise

[jaison]

this can be a great learning experience..............this not only improves interoperability but also helps pilots know what he can expect from a war and how he can deal with it........it also throws in some of the latest awacs,communications,tactics and command and control.

 

[Nomi929]

and these things can whoop some arse...

Time will tell, whose A$$ got whooped

 

[nitesh]

Guys some good read here:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gene...dvanced Su-30MKIs Come to USA&channel=defense

India's Advanced Su-30MKIs Come to USA


Aug 21, 2008
By David A. Fulghum davef@aviationweek.com

American, French and South Korean aircrews are getting a close look at one of the world's fabled aircraft - the Indian air force's Su-30MKI strike fighter.

An Indian air force group of 50 pilots and weapon systems officers - flying eight Su-30MKIs, two Il-78 tankers and an Il-76 transport - are just finishing a month-long deployment to the United States with a training cycle at the latest, annual Red Flag aerial combat excercises based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

They were part of a contingent of 246 IAF personnel selected from 20 (fighter) Squadron, Poona; 78 (tanker) Squadron, Agra; 44 (transport) Squadron, Nagpur, and a special operations team trained for combat search and rescue, says Group Captain Dee Choudhry.

Of great interest to observers - and no doubt to U.S. intelligence - was the Su-30MKI's Russian-made, long-range radar and AA-12 Adder air-to-air missile capability. In fact, foreign air force officials admit that they suspect that intelligence gathering goes on at an event like Red Flag.

India's Su-30MKI aircraft offers an especially attractive target. It carries the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design NIIP-BARS radar that so far has only been seen on the MKI. But it's considered a variant of what NIIP developed for Russia's new Su-35 multi-role aircraft and what it's working on for the next-generation PAK-FA fifth-generation stealth fighter.

One long-time military analyst mused to Aviation Week that the event might provide insight, although it was no certainty. "I'll bet your [intelligence] boys hovered up every little squiggly amp from BARS. [Yet] sometimes the [radar's] training mode is just a software package that emulates the radar transmissions, but it's actually not emitting."

Indeed, to observers' dismay, and no doubt to that of the U.S. intelligence community, the IAF flew with a number of handicaps, some of them self-imposed, some not.

Their powerful Russian-made radar was, in fact, emitting, says Choudhry, but operating only in the training mode which limited all its range and spectrum of capabilities. In addition, the IAF wasn't allowed to use chaff and flares to avoid being targeted by surface-to-air missiles nor did its aircraft have the common data link. CDL brings a flow of targeting information into the cockpit displays that improves the accuracy and speed of data transfer and eliminates the need for most communications. The Indian air crews had to rely on voice communications which slowed the process and limited situational awareness.

Despite its limitations, the Su-30MKI's radar was able enough to allow the IAF's Sukhois to participate in a beyond-visual-range fight with U.S. aggressor aircraft carrying simulated AA-10C air-to-air missiles. Because there were so many foreign aircraft capable of offensive counter-air/escort missions (including French Rafales and South Korean F-15Ks), the Sukhois are flying fewer air-to-air missions than Indian team members had hoped, Choudhry says.

"It was almost what we expected," Choudhry says. "Because we couldn't use our chaff and flares, when we were targeted by SAMs we were shot down. And there was no picture in the cockpit to help our situational awareness so the workload on the [aircrews] was very high." Nonetheless, "We came a long way. We trained hard. And the degree of difficulty was not unexpected."

Photo showing Indian Air Force support conducting post-flight maintenance on an SU-30 Fighter following a Red Flag mission at Nellis Air Force Base on Aug. 13 by USAF Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney.)

 

[jaison]

Red Flag 2008 enters "run" phase


From the IAF: The multinational air exercise ‘Exercise Red Flag’ presently underway at Air Force base Nellis, Nevada, USA has today entered its final ‘RUN’ phase following the crawl, walk and run pattern of exercising. The team IAF is participating with eight Su-30s, two IL-78s, an IL-76 and 247 air warriors.

During this phase of the exercise, a present day air campaign is replicated, in which opposition forces or the ‘Aggressors’ F16 and F15s, are the air to air and air to ground threats to the Blue Land and its forces. Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) such as SA2, SA3, SA6 and SA8 along with long and short range quick reaction missiles are always present to neutralize the friendly Blue forces. The Red land always keeps shifting their SAM sites making it difficult for the Blue Forces.

Owing to these facts, the Blue Forces have to typically carry out certain missions, in which they sanities the air space first by removing or eliminating the enemy airfields, destroying the aircraft and SAM sites. These tasks are carried out by ‘Strike Packages’ comprising the Su30s flying along with the US Air Force F15s and F16s, ‘Prowlers’ of US Navy, Rafales of the French Air Force and F15s of the Korean Air Force. Once the Red Air is sanitized the Blue Force strike package goes about its task in which they are assisted by KC-135 and IL-178 tankers, AWACS of USAF and the Compass Call ( a USAF Boeing aircraft used for Electronic Warfare).

An interesting aspect of the Air War between the Red and the Blue forces is that the aggressors use all possible means to gather intelligence from the Blue forces. This they use against the Blue forces in air. Thus it is imperative on part of all the Blue force personnel not to give away any information to unauthorized person as he or she could be a Red Land ‘Spy’.

The success of the missions in these air campaigns is dependent on the situational awareness of all persons involved. Hence the network centric operations are the pivots on which the difference of life and death rests. The main challenge during the exercise for the team IAF has been to adapt to the USAF network and also carry out ‘Stand Alone’ tasks simultaneously. The young IAF pilots (average age late 20s) have done this with amazing dexterity.

Captain Marcus ‘Spike’ Wilson of the USAF Aggressors in his appreciation of the team IAF said “IAF is a world class Air Force with great aircraft and great leadership. It’s a great training opportunity for USAF and IAF to integrate our assets in training environment. We would like to have IAF here as a regular participant”.
LiveFist: Red Flag 2008 enters "run" phase

 

[nitesh]

that's good IAF guys are earning kudos from world. Good experience for these guys.

 

[nitesh]

Some more news:

US Air Force wants IAF regularly in Red Flag exercise

New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Impressed by the skill and prowess of the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots, the US Air Force (USAF) Friday invited India to become a regular participant in the multi-national Red Flag exercise, an official said.The Red Flag-08, considered one of the toughest military exercises, at the Air Force base Nellis in Nevada, US, entered its final phase following the crawl, walk and run pattern of exercise.

“IAF is a world class air force with great aircraft and great leadership. It is a great training opportunity for USAF and IAF to integrate our assets in training environment. We would like to have IAF here as a regular participant,” Captain Marcus ‘Spike’ Wilson of the USAF said from Nellis in his appreciation of team IAF.

Though India has participated in many US-led war games, this is the first time it is taking part in the Red Flag. India has spent around Rs.1 billion ($25 million) for the exercise. The exercise began Aug 10 and India will participate till Aug 24.

The Red Flag will feature air force contingents from France, South Korea, India and the US.

The IAF and other visiting air forces along with a large US Air Force element would be part of the friendly ‘Blue Forces’ that would engage in combat with the aggressors - the ‘Red Forces’.

The Red Forces comprise F-15 and F-16 fighter jets of the 64th and 65th Aggressor squadrons of US Air Force based at Air Force Base Nellis.

“During the run phase of the exercise, a present day air campaign is replicated, in which the Aggressors’ F-16 and F-15s, are the air-to-air and air-to-ground threats to the Blue Land and its forces.

“Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) such as SA2, SA3, SA6 and SA8 along with long and short-range quick reaction missiles are always present to neutralize the friendly Blue forces. The Red land always keeps shifting their SAM sites making it difficult for the Blue Forces,” IAF spokesman Wing Commander Mahesh Upasini said from Nellis.

The strike packages comprising the Sukhoi-30s flying along with the US Air Force F-15s and F-16s, Prowlers of US Navy, Rafales of the French Air Force and F-15s of the Korean Air Force remove or eliminate the enemy fields, aircraft and SAM sites.

“An interesting aspect of the air war between the Red and the Blue Forces is that the aggressors use all possible means to gather intelligence from the Blue Forces,” Upasini said.

The air campaigns, whose success depends on network centricity, posed a challenge to the IAF to adapt to the US Air Force network and also to carry out “stand alone” tasks simultaneously.

 

[nitesh]

Some more news:

US Air Force wants IAF regularly in Red Flag exercise

New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Impressed by the skill and prowess of the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots, the US Air Force (USAF) Friday invited India to become a regular participant in the multi-national Red Flag exercise, an official said.The Red Flag-08, considered one of the toughest military exercises, at the Air Force base Nellis in Nevada, US, entered its final phase following the crawl, walk and run pattern of exercise.

“IAF is a world class air force with great aircraft and great leadership. It is a great training opportunity for USAF and IAF to integrate our assets in training environment. We would like to have IAF here as a regular participant,” Captain Marcus ‘Spike’ Wilson of the USAF said from Nellis in his appreciation of team IAF.

Though India has participated in many US-led war games, this is the first time it is taking part in the Red Flag. India has spent around Rs.1 billion ($25 million) for the exercise. The exercise began Aug 10 and India will participate till Aug 24.

The Red Flag will feature air force contingents from France, South Korea, India and the US.

The IAF and other visiting air forces along with a large US Air Force element would be part of the friendly ‘Blue Forces’ that would engage in combat with the aggressors - the ‘Red Forces’.

The Red Forces comprise F-15 and F-16 fighter jets of the 64th and 65th Aggressor squadrons of US Air Force based at Air Force Base Nellis.

“During the run phase of the exercise, a present day air campaign is replicated, in which the Aggressors’ F-16 and F-15s, are the air-to-air and air-to-ground threats to the Blue Land and its forces.

“Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) such as SA2, SA3, SA6 and SA8 along with long and short-range quick reaction missiles are always present to neutralize the friendly Blue forces. The Red land always keeps shifting their SAM sites making it difficult for the Blue Forces,” IAF spokesman Wing Commander Mahesh Upasini said from Nellis.

The strike packages comprising the Sukhoi-30s flying along with the US Air Force F-15s and F-16s, Prowlers of US Navy, Rafales of the French Air Force and F-15s of the Korean Air Force remove or eliminate the enemy fields, aircraft and SAM sites.

“An interesting aspect of the air war between the Red and the Blue Forces is that the aggressors use all possible means to gather intelligence from the Blue Forces,” Upasini said.

The air campaigns, whose success depends on network centricity, posed a challenge to the IAF to adapt to the US Air Force network and also to carry out “stand alone” tasks simultaneously.

 

[jaison]

thats the prize for talent and professionalism.

 

[nitesh]

Hindu reporting:

The Hindu : Front Page : Nevada war games in crucial phase

Nevada war games in crucial phase

Sandeep Dikshit

Indian Air Force taking part for the first time in ‘Exercise Red Flag’



IN ACTION: Indian Air Force’s IL-78 mid-air refueller and a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter flying alongside a pair of USAF F-16 and F-15 during the Red Flag exercise at Nevada in the U.S. on Wednesday. - PHOTO: PTI

NEW DELHI: The multinational air exercise ‘Exercise Red Flag’ at the Nellis base of the U.S Air Force in Nevada entered its crucial phase following the crawl, walk and run pattern of exercising.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating with eight Su-30 fighters, two Il-78s (mid air refuellers), an Il-76 and 247 air warriors. This is the first time the IAF has been invited to one version of the Red Flag exercise, originally a Cold War exercise but now expanded to include the US’ new-found friends and allies.

During this phase of the exercise, a present-day air campaign is replicated, in which the opposition forces, or the ‘aggressors’ F16s and F15s, are the air-to-air and air-to-ground threats to the Blue Land and its forces. Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) along with long and short-range quick reaction missiles are deployed to neutralise the friendly Blue Forces.

The Red Land always keeps shifting their SAM sites making it difficult for the Blue Forces.

Owing to these facts, the Blue Forces have to typically carry out certain missions, in which they sanitise the air space first by removing or eliminating the enemy airfields, destroying the aircraft and SAM sites. These tasks are carried out by ‘strike packages’ comprising the IAF’s Su-30s flying with the U.S. Air Force F15s and F16s, ‘Prowlers’ of the U.S. Navy, Rafales of the French Air Force and F15s of the Korean Air Force.

Once the air space is sanitised the Blue Forces’ strike package goes about its task in which they are assisted by KC-135 and Il-178 tankers, AWACS of the USAF and the Compass Call (a USAF Boeing aircraft used for electronic warfare).

An interesting aspect of the air war between the Red and the Blue Forces is that the aggressors use all possible means to gather intelligence from the Blue Forces. This they use against the Blue Forces.

It is imperative on the part of the Blue Force personnel not to give away any information to unauthorised person as he or she could be a Red ‘spy.’

The success of the missions in these air campaigns is the situational awareness of all persons involved. Hence network-centric operations are the pivots.

The main challenge during the exercise for the IAF has been to adapt to the USAF network and also carry out ‘Stand Alone’ tasks simultaneously.

The young IAF pilots (average age late 20s) have done this with dexterity.

 

[nitesh]

Guys check this space:

IMINT & Analysis: US Restricted and Classified Test Sites

PS: Check about S-300P system

 

[orhun]

I like SU30MKI.But they weren't open radar in redflag.

 

[Munir]

The Flankers were only for air 2 ground... So the remark of being very good has nothing to do with dogfighting. Besides that the US always give positive remarks. It is the usual buss in the USA. Been there a few times and have friends there and they told me that US people never say anything negative... Even worser.. They always say that you are great and you should come more often but in reality they have their own agenda... And they earn lots of cash f you send pilots to Red Flag... Would you tell tell your customers that they suck? Sorry to spoil the article. And I am not fan of Indian papers cause we have seen the level of journalism in those nations...

Looking at pics I have seen people much older then late 30...

 

[jaison]

The Flankers were only for air 2 ground... So the remark of being very good has nothing to do with dogfighting. Besides that the US always give positive remarks. It is the usual buss in the USA. Been there a few times and have friends there and they told me that US people never say anything negative... Even worser.. They always say that you are great and you should come more often but in reality they have their own agenda... And they earn lots of cash f you send pilots to Red Flag... Would you tell tell your customers that they suck? Sorry to spoil the article. And I am not fan of Indian papers cause we have seen the level of journalism in those nations...

Looking at pics I have seen people much older then late 30...

no no this is not buisness india had to pay 100c bcoz it had not signed logistic support agreement when we do it when antony goes to US then we will be doing it for free and there is no reason for the us to comment favorably for india they say wat is being don and please try to appreciate ur enemies(if u consider them) and their machines ok or atleast dont post such bs.

 

[nitesh]

Flying blind, Sukhois ‘shot’
SUJAN DUTTA

New Delhi, Aug. 22: Flying near-blind in the US, the Indian Air Force’s frontline Sukhoi 30Mki fighters have been “shot” down in missions at the Red Flag wargames, the toughest combat aircraft exercise that the US hosts for its allies.

The Russian-made Sukhoi 30Mkis have been asked to fly in the exercise only after switching off a sophisticated radar and without recourse to a key shield against surface-to-air missiles, a senior air force officer said. The exercise in which the IAF is participating for the first time entered its most complex phase today.

“Shooting down” or getting “shot down” must necessarily take place in a wargame. In 2003, US Air Force’s (USAF) F-15 Tomcat aircraft participating in an exercise out of Gwalior in India were similarly “shot down”.

Despite being hamstrung at the Red Flag games, the IAF contingent was getting invaluable training as part of a “Blue force” tasked to defend its territory against an aggressor “Red force” in the Nevada desert. The range over which the exercise is taking place has mock-ups of several targets that are mostly military establishments, air force spokesman Wing Commander Mahesh Upasani, who is with the contingent, told The Telegraph from the Nellis air force base.

The IAF is participating with eight Su-30s, two IL-78s (mid-air refuellers), an IL-76 (heavy lift transporters) and 247 men led by Group Captain D. Chaudhary. Frontline aircraft from the air forces of South Korea and France and, of course, the US are engaged both with the IAF and against it in the drills.

“Captain Marcus ‘Spike’ Wilson of the USAF Aggressors in his appreciation of the IAF has said the IAF is a world-class air force with great aircraft and great leadership,” said Upasani.

The IAF Sukhois have been asked not to show the full capacity of their BARS II radar so that their signatures may not be recorded.

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Nation | Flying blind, Sukhois ‘shot’

 

[nitesh]

US wants IAF to be part of wargames on regular basis-India-The Times of India

US wants IAF to be part of wargames on regular basis
25 Aug 2008, 0143 hrs IST,TNN

NEW DELHI: Impressed with the combat skills of IAF top-gun pilots flying Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, IL-78 mid-air refuellers and IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft, the US would like IAF to take part in the "Red Flag" wargames on a regular basis.

"IAF is a world-class air force, with great aircraft and great leadership. It's a great training opportunity for USAF and IAF to integrate our assets in a training environment. We would like to have IAF here as a regular participant," said Captain Marcus 'Spike' Wilson, leader of American F-15s and F-16s, during the ongoing exercise at Nellis US Air Force base in Nevada.

In its largest-ever overseas deployment, IAF's six Sukhois, two IL-78 and one IL-76 aircraft, along with 247 personnel, are now in the final "run" phase of the Red Flag exercise, pitting their skills against American F-15s and F-16s, as also French Rafale fighters and South Korean F-15K jets.

"During this phase of the exercise, present-day air battles are replicated, with air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks in full flow. The success of the missions is dependent on the situational awareness of all the persons involved," IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Mahesh Upasani told TOI over the phone.

"Hence, the network-centric operations are the pivot on which life and death rests. The main challenge for the IAF team has been to adapt to the USAF network and also carry out 'stand alone' tasks simultaneously. IAF pilots have done this with amazing dexterity," he added.

The USAF, of course, is quite excited about witnessing the frontline Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, which are taking part in wargames on US territory for the first time.

As reported by TOI earlier, India is shelling out around Rs 100 crore to take part in the world-famous Red Flag air combat manoeuvres, which are being touted as a new high in Indo-US military ties. IAF fighter pilots have certainly proved more than a match for American, French, British and other pilots in combat exercises over the last few years. During the Indo-US "Cope India" exercise at Gwalior in February 2004, the first such air wargames between the two countries since 1963, for instance, IAF pilots flying Sukhois and other jets had simply outgunned USAF pilots in their F-15C fighters.

Soon after, IAF pilots had flown Jaguar strike fighters all the way to Alaska to participate in the multinational Cope-Thunder exercise there. Then, in November 2005, the next Cope India exercise at Kalaikunda in West Bengal saw IAF fighters successfully take on the American F-16s.