Page 20 - AirForces - Monthly (February 2020)

NEWS Russia & CIS

In Brief Armenian Flankers Heavy transport

Frazor reportedly model under test
back in Syria delivered
The Russian Aerospace
Forces have reportedly RUSSIA’S CENTRAL including changing the
deployed Su-57 stealth Aerohydrodynamic Institute shape of the nose and tail,
fighters to Syria for a (TsAGI) has revealed an fuselage, wingtips and
second time, following image of an aerodynamic undercarriage fairings.
initial combat trials in model showing the Testing in a T-106 variable-
February 2018. The configuration of a proposed density wind tunnel will
Russian military’s chief of new heavy-lift transport begin shortly, studying the
the general staff Valery aircraft, dubbed the aerodynamic characteristics
Gerasimov announced ‘Elephant’ and planned as in cruising mode. Testing will
the deployment in mid- Armenian Air Force Su-30SM an An-124 replacement. continue throughout 2020.
December 2019. ‘30 Red’ carries out a check flight The photograph was issued The Elephant is designed to
Mi-26T2V begins from Irkut. Andrey Neyman with a TsAGI press release carry heavy loads at ranges
joint state tests in November and shows a up to 4,350 miles (7,000km)
Russian Helicopters and the THE FIRST four Su-30SM all four were delivered to configuration not unlike the and at an airspeed of 528mph
Russian defence ministry fighters ordered for the Armenia the same month. An-124. Although the model (850km/h). Maximum
have launched joint state Hayastani Rrazmaodayin Last February 13, the lacks a tail section, TsAGI payload is intended to be
tests of the Mi-26T2V Uzher (Armenian Air Armenian defence minister, says it will have a single 180 tonnes, compared with
heavy-lift military helicopter. Force) have been handed David Tonoyan, stated that vertical tail with deflectable 120 tonnes for the An-124.
In 2018, Rostvertol over to the customer. four Su-30SMs were on two-section rudder. It will require a 9,843ft
produced a prototype Two of the jets – ‘30 order and that a further The model is reconfigurable (3,000m) runway. Powerplant
of the modernised Halo, Red’ and ‘31 Red’ – were order was expected soon, to enable testing in various is planned to be four PD-35
equipped with NPK90- seen undergoing pre- reportedly for another different configurations, turbofans. Dave Allport
2V integrated avionics, delivery flight testing at eight aircraft. The Flankers
and, following preliminary the Irkut Corporation’s are said to be assigned to The TsAGI aerodynamic model of the proposed ‘Elephant’
tests at the manufacturing factory airfield in Irkutsk in a newly established fighter heavy-lift transport aircraft. TsAGI
facility, trials will continue Siberia in December and unit based at Erebuni.
throughout the year.
Ministry takes delivery
of armed rotorcraft More on Russia’s

Last year, more than 20 Northern Fleet reshuffle
attack helicopters were
delivered to the Russian
defence ministry, Russian An-12 ‘14 Red’ is part of the
Helicopters has announced. 403rd Guards Independent
The statement adds their Composite Aviation
arrival “fully completes the Regiment based
state defence contract” at Severomorsk-1.
for the year. The rotorcraft Piotr Butowski the Northern Fleet’s aviation Il-18s, three An-26s and one
included examples of the has increased. The new An-12 and Tu-134 each), as
Ka-52, Mi-35M, Mi-28N and regiments are incomplete and well as between five and
Mi-28UB. In addition, the retain the same equipment seven Kamov helicopters
first of up to 98 modernised as the previous 7050th and two Mi-8 helicopters.
Mi-28NM helicopters Aviation Base. In the past This is insufficient to equip
were handed over. decade, only two Il-38Ns and two air regiments.
UAV units start several Ka-27Ms have been There are also non-airworthy
training in Armenia modernised at Severomorsk-1, types on the airfield – six
The Russian Ministry of and a single Ka-29 repaired. Il-38s, four An-26s, one
Defence has announced FURTHER DETAILS have 403rd Guards Independent According to the An-12 and one Be-12. At the
that a newly formed emerged of the reorganisation Composite Aviation Regiment latest satellite images, other end of the airfield lie
unmanned aerial vehicle of Russia’s Northern Fleet (403 OSAP) and 830th Severomorsk-1 abandoned helicopter hulls:
unit has begun training air arms (see Northern Fleet Independent Shipborne accommodates only six around 25 Kamovs (reduced
at Russia’s military base aviation regiments return, ASW Helicopter Regiment Il-38 ASW aircraft (including from 35 several years ago)
at Erebuni in Armenia. January, p20). The formation (830 OKPLVP) – does not two Il-38Ns) and seven and five (reduced from around
Servicemen have of two new units – the mean that the strength of transport aircraft (two ten) Mi-8s. Piotr Butowski
begun tests of Orlan-
10 and Navodchik-2 Kazakhstan orders four more Su-30SMs
reconnaissance
drones at the country’s
Kamkhud high-mountain A FURTHER four Su-30SMs year. A further contract in
training ground. have been ordered by the May 2018 involved an order
Kazakhstan plans Kazakhstan Air Defence for eight more. The latest
local assembly of Hips Force (KADF). The deal brings total orders to
Russian Helicopters is to contract was signed during 30 aircraft out of a currently
deliver 17 Mi-8AMTSh/ a bilateral conference planned total procurement
Mi-171E military helicopters held on November 6-7 of 36, although this may be
to Kazakhstan in ‘semi- between the Ministry of increased. As of December
knockdown’ kit form, Industry and Infrastructural 2018, when four more
following an agreement Development of the arrived (see More Su-30SMs
signed with the Kazakhstan Republic of Kazakhstan’s arrive in Kazakhstan,
Engineering and Aircraft RSE Kazspecsexport February 2019, p20), total
Repair Plant No 405. Under and Russia’s Irkut Two of the KADF’s first eight Su-30SMs, currently assigned to deliveries had reached 12,
a deal reportedly worth Corporation. Talks were the 604th Air Base at Taldykorgan. Rich Cooper with eight due to follow
US$460m, the first batch also held regarding further in 2019, although there
of eight helicopters will be co-operation between the The KADF took delivery 2016. In September 2017, an had been no confirmation
delivered this year, with two companies, including of an initial four Su-30SMs additional 12 were ordered, that any of these have
the remainder by 2026. future arms supplies to the in April 2015, followed by for delivery over a three-year been delivered as of
Kazakh armed forces. two more in December period at a rate of four per December. Dave Allport

20 // February 2020 #383 www.Key.Aero

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