The below HYPER LINK explains what makes the MKI one the best combat planes in the world.
It talks about the technology that RUSSIA incorporated AND THE additional added features of india MKI version over all other flankers.
It confirms dog fighting results against F15 F16 F18 & MIRAGE 2000-5.
MOST important it explains how USA improved F18 TO BLOCK E/F anf F16 TO BOCK 60 simply looking and learning from RUSSIAN FLANKER SERIES.
Su-30MKI compared with the F-16C and F-18E/F
Wrong...The SU-30MKI's capabilities came long after the developments of the F-16 and F-18 even in terms of basic aerodynamics and the article admitted it...
The Su-30MKIs structural and aerodynamic configuration incorporates the latest research and technological achievements. It is a triplane (a combination of conventional design with foreplanes) with a lifting fuselage and developed wingroot extensions. The interaction of the foreplanes and wingroot extensions creates a controlled vortex effect similar to that of the adaptive wing. The F-16 and F-18 designs were developed in the early and mid-1970s.
Looks like the Russians and the Indians picked and chose the best of both US designs at least a decade later. How about if I compare the P-51D against the older P-40 of the Flying Tigers?
What else?
This is why the latest modernization programs, which gave birth to the F-16C Block 60 and F-18E/F versions, involved the increase of wing span, fuselage length and control surface areas and significantly changed the structural configuration and general layout of their basic versions.
If the authors of this so-called 'analysis' imply that the US modernized its F-16 and F-18 basic airframes
BECAUSE of the development of the SU-30MKI, they are dreaming. They have
NOTHING to support their arguments. The basic F-16 airframe was designed with modularity in mind so the aircraft was
ALREADY amenable to modernizations and upgrades. Same for the F-15 and the F-18 airframes. Talk about desperation propaganda by the Russians.
Engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles enable the Su-30MKI to perform such maneuvers as «cobra» vertical reverse, roll in «bell» turn in «cobra» etc. In these maneuvers, an angle of attack can reach 180o. These are not purely aerobatic maneuvers: this supermaneuverability can be effectively used in combat. As for the F-16 and F-18 aircraft, their maximum angles of attack are 30o and 40o, respectively, and they cannot use armament at supercritical angles of attack.
The 'cobra' maneuver was
ROUTINELY performed by John Boyd...
John Boyd - USAF, The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of Air Warfare
Boyd was famous for a maneuver he called "flat-plating the bird." He would be in the defensive position with a challenger tight on his tail, both pulling heavy Gs, when he would suddenly pull the stick full aft, brace his elbows on either side of the cockpit, so the stick would not move laterally, and stomp the rudder. It was as if a manhole cover were sailing through the air and then suddenly flipped 90 degrees. The underside of the fuselage, wings, and horizontal stabilizer became a speed brake that slowed the Hun from 400 knots to 150 knots in seconds. The pursuing pilot was thrown forward and now Boyd was on his tail radioing "Guns. Guns. Guns."
This 'cobra' maneuver was done with an airframe that is nowhere the aerodynamics sophistication of modern day fighters. It require extraordinary skills from an extraordinary flyer and Boyd was one of these few. Modern day fighters incorporated many of these required human skills into the airframes as our understandings of aerodynamics increases and wing-root extensions is one of them. So for the Russians to proclaim that their airframes and pilots are extraordinary from this maneuver is either ignorance or petty jealousy from being behind all these decades.
The role of avionics in aircraft combat employment is ever growing. A number of the Su-30MKI fighters subsystems (navigation and communications equipment, cockpit instruments) are being developed jointly with foreign companies. Consequently, these subsystems will be technologically on a par with the best foreign counterparts. The superiority of the Su-30MKIs radar in terms of target detection range, scanning sectors and jamming immunity makes it highly effective in long-range air combat.
No supporting figures. Meaningless claims.
Another distinguishing feature of the Su-30MKI is its high versatility. It can be used as an air defense interceptor, a strike aircraft or a flying command post. It can be used as a leader aircraft of combined fighter groups (including those of light fighters), ensuring their cooperation and concentration of efforts.
So what else is new? The F-18 Super Hornet is doing it.
In addition, the SDU-10MK digital fly-by-wire control system makes it possible to use the Su-30MKI as a combat trainer.
Only now has the Russians got around to using fly-by-wire?
This so-called 'analysis' is nothing more than a feeble attempt to boost the image of Russian aircrafts for export. Nothing more.
have fun now they have something to work on the same way u stripped down MIG-25 except Russians have American stealth material up their sleeves..
