Project T10PM2
Upgrade of Su-27UB and Su-30 to
multirole fighter Su-30M2 (former Su-30KN)
K for Komyerchyeskiy = Commercial
M for Modifitsirovanniy = Modernised
N for ? (Naval or what?)
Manufacturer:
Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association (IAPO) and Russkaya Avyonika = Russian Avionics.
Goal:
In the begining of 2001 Russian air forces produces technical requirements for 1st stage of upgrade Su-27S/P, Su-27UB and Su-30 from its inventory. Upgrade aircrafts should be multirole with possibilities to use most advanced weapons: R-74, R-77, R-77M, Kh-29, Kh-31, Kh-59M, KAB-500, KAB-1500. Two programs was created since 1999: one by IAPO for Su-27UB and Su-30 (Su-30KN) and second by Sukhoi and KnAAPO for Su-27S/P (Su-27SM).
Near the mainstream projects, on March 2001 cheap and quick proposition of Su-27UB upgrade was proposed to air forces by Sukhoi, Irkut and United Consortium of Production of Air Equipment from St.Petersburg: Su-27UBM.
Current (2011) status:
Project Su-30KN was realised between 1999 and 2003. Then was canceled, after two prototypes, first preproduction aircraft and 4 aircrafts Su-27UB and Su-30 upgraded. Russian Air Forces declined from upgrade of Su-27UB and Su-30, due to lack of founds appropriated to more important upgrade of Su-27 to Su-27SM standard. Two Su-30 are in Lipyetsk air base.
Project Su-27UBM also was in 2003 was canceled, after one prototype built.
In 2010 project Su-30M2 was restarted, and four Su-30M2 were produced and delivered to Russian Air Force.
T10PUM2-1 ?
First prototype of Su-30KN was built in the begining of 1999 in Irkutsk - it was serial Su-27UB, first upgraded to Su-30 standard. First flight 03.1999. Testing (quick and successful) in air range at Akhtubinsk 1999-2000. Long time was unpainted, in stunning new painting (desinged in Irkutsk facilities) was displayed for the first time in 02.2000 at Gelendzhik air show. In 11.2001 state tests were ended.
Up to end of 2001 two aircrafts Su-27UB and two old Su-30 from Russian air force inventory were upgraded to Su-30KN standard.
First ptototype of Sukhoi Su-30KN (Su-30M2), 2000.
To speed up a military test of Su-30KN in Akhtubinsk conducted in 1999-2000, serial Su-27UB from Russian Air Force inventory (no. red 05) was converted to testbed on which weapons are firing and testing.
Used by LII (gromov Flight Research Intitute @ Zhukovskiy) old Su-27PU no. 597 built in 1992 was upgraded to Su-30KN standard and served as testbed and 2nd prototype. Aircraft was repainted in grey-blue scheme, renumbered to 02 and presented in 03.2001 at Zhukovskiy to high commander of Russian Air Force - general Anatoliy Kornuk. Also Su-30KN no. 302 and Su-27UBM no. 20 were displayed.
Later prototype was still used by LII as experimental plane Su-27LL.
Second prototype of Su-30KN (Su-30M2) in 2005 (then it was experimental plane Su-27LL).
Very little known aircraft, only from few photos (2002 and 2007) from Irkutsk facilities. It's a preproduction aircraft manufactured by IAPO before program Su-30KN failed. Camouflage like Su-30KN no 302, number: blue 07. After 2001 its purpose remains unknown, but still in Irkutsk facilities (2008 satellite photos showing that without any doubts).
Preproduction Sukhoi Su-30KN (Su-30M2), 2002
T10PUM2 ?
upgraded Su-30
2001
Informations collected about 2001 are totally unclear, indicating that two Su-27UB and two Su-30 are upgraded to Su-30KN standard.
That aircrafts are since 2006 in Lipyetsk air base (4 Cyentr Boyevovo Primyenyenya i Pyeryeuchivaniya Lyotnovo Sostava CBPiPLS [4th Center of Combat Applications and Re-training of Flying Personnel]), in service of 968 Isslyedovatyelskiy Instruktorskiy Smyeshanniy Avyatsyonniy Połk (IISAP) [968th Research and Instructor's Composite Aviation Regiment] (squadrons are equipped with Su-27, Su-30, MiG-29, Su-24 and Su-25).
Between 2006 and 2010 Su-30s in Lipyetsk were repainted two times! Aircraft #67 in 2006 and second time the same year (a problem with used white enamel, scrapped especially near canopy). Second aircraft #66 first time repainted in 2007 or 2008. Third #69 repainted in 2007 or 2008.
Since 2009 only #66 and #69 are flyable. Both were repainted second time in the begining of the year 2010. During Victory Day parade in May 2010 they have new, three-colours stars.
Also, we know only three Su-30 from Lipyetsk: #66, #67, and #69. Fourth aircraft probably have number 68, but I don't know any photo, or any proof that aircraft even exist. Many Russian sources said that three aircrafts from Lipyetsk are simply three of five Su-30 (Su-27PU), produced between 1992-1993, shifted from Savaslyeyka (#51 #52 #53 #54 #55), upgraded to KN standard or not.
Other stuff from Lipyetsk
One of the Su-30 from Lipyetsk air base, May 2006, number 66.
It's on of three Su-30 (66 67 69) in Lipyetsk. Overall blue painting soon was replaced by blue camouflage with white nose.
One of the Su-30 from Lipyetsk air base, 2006, number 67.
It's an upgraded serial Su-30 from Savaslyeyka (since 2005 3958th Air Base = ex. 54th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment), after all now a branch of Lipyetsk training center.
"Fashionable" false canopy underside.
One of the Su-30 from Lipyetsk air base, May 2010, number 66. Refreshed painting in 2010. Please note Russian star, painted before Victory Day parade.
One of the Su-30 from Lipyetsk air base, May 2010, number 69. Refreshed painting in 2010. Please note Russian star, painted before Victory Day parade.
One of the four MiG-29 from Lipyetsk air base, formed in 2006, Russian Falcons aerobatic team.
Overhauled Sukhoi Su-27UB, 968 IISAP from Lipyetsk center, 10.2007 - friendly visit in France (Colmar air base). This aircraft wear a President of the Russian Federation Standard, painted when March 20th, 2000 President of the RF Vladimir Putin was flight from Krasnodar AB to Grozniy-Syevyerniy AB in Chechnya (pilot Alyeksandr Kharchevskiy).
Sukhoi Su-27, Lipyetsk center, about 1994. Stripes in Russian national colors where worn by Lipyetsk's Sukhoi from begining of 90's.
