Russian Naval Aviation: News

Baltic Fleet Aviation Returns to Chkalovsk Airfield

As the press service of the Western Military District reported on October 4, 2018, about 20 crews of the 72nd naval aviation base of the Baltic Fleet embarked on a flight from the Chernyakhovsk airfield to the Chkalovsk airfield [in Kaliningrad] after completing its large-scale reconstruction.



Su-24M and Su-30SM airplanes from the 72nd naval aviation base of the Baltic Fleet at Chkalovsk airfield (Kaliningrad), 10/05/2018 (c) “Vesti Kaliningrad”


In the course of the planned work on the reconstruction of the Chkalovsk airfield, a modern concrete pavement was laid on the runway, taxiways and aircraft parking areas, allowing all types of modern military and civil aircraft to land. The characteristics of the runway, improved during the renovation, now allow multiple aircraft to take off simultaneously.

The capabilities of the airfield for the placement of aviation equipment were also significantly expanded - parking and taxiways were significantly increased. Safety lanes are equipped.

During the reconstruction, a great deal of work was done on upgrading the drainage system, electricity supply and lighting networks, and communication systems.

Currently, the updated airfield can accommodate more than five different types of aircraft.

From the side of bmpd, we recall that the airfield Chkalovsk near Kaliningrad has traditionally been one of the main bases for combat aircraft in the Kaliningrad region. The reconstruction of the airfield Chkalovsk by the forces of FSUE "Spetsstroy" has been carried out since 2012. During the work, the aerodrome runway was reconstructed, the length of which was increased from 2,600 meters to 3,100 meters, which makes it possible to receive aircraft of any class, new aircraft parkings were made, modern communication lines and power lines were replaced, radio engineering and lighting equipment was built, a new one was built complex of ground structures.

During the reconstruction of the Chkalovsk airfield, the aviation of the 72nd naval aviation base of the Baltic Fleet stationed on it was relocated to the nearby Chernyakhovsk airfield.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3366189.html

They build very wide parking area in Chkalovsk. They couls easily build roofs for planes there.

hoom wrote:The EW pods are new for Su-33 also aren't they? (apologies if previously discussed)

Interesting that there is significant post-Syria upgrades happening, I thought Su-33s were supposed to be in process of being replaced by the MiG-29K Suspect

MiG-29K will replace Su-33 on the carrier deck and Su-33 will take the role of ground based fighter. We could see Su-33 jets in September naval exercise in Mediterranean sea near Syria, where they operate from Hmeimim air base together with naval Su-30SM, but no MiG-29K was present in exercise.

Regarding ECM pods, this is not really clear actually, but we could guess. We do not know, if Su-33 was capable to carry those Sorbtsia-S ECM pods after light modernization in KNAAPO, where they got Pastel RWR instead of old Beryoza. Fact is, that in Syria carrier operations, those ECM pods are used only on modernized Su-33 with SVP-24, two non-modernized Su-33 didn't have ECM pods. Modernized Su-33 after Syria also got additional underwing weapon pylons 11 and 12, which standard Su-33 didn't have.




Here we could see a cockpit of old Su-33. Under HUD we could see a weapon control pannel with 10 pylons on it. We could also notice on the right side, that Su-33 have the same RSBN navigational system as MiG-31 and not the same as Su-27. Installing of additiona 11 and 12 pylons need new or upograded FCS computer to integrate them and new control pannel. Actually all new jets with 11 and 12 pylon don't have this old weapon control pannel under HUD, but the weapon informations were shown on MFD. Su-33 upgraded with SVP-24 in time of Syrian operation still have only 10 pylons and old weapon control pannel, additional weapon pylons were added after Syria compaign, when they were modernized in ARZ.



Pylons 11 and 12 are usually meant for air to surface weapons. ECM pods and additional pylons show, that Su-33 didn't got only SVP-24-33 as it is only a subsystem for precision strikes with unguided ammunition and doesn't work with weapon pylons and with ECM equippment, but a new FCS complex to integrate them into a whole system. New or upgraded FCS could enable the use of anti-radar missiles Kh-31P as Su-33 is already equipped with L-150 Pastel RWR to program them. Without a problem they could add TV guided bombs KAB-500Kr and TV guided missiles Kh-29T. Only question now is radar and IRST. Did they modernize radar with modes against ground and surface targets as well as to use new R-77-1 air to air missiles and did they replace old IRST with OLS-30 with TV and laser target designating channels inside.

George1 wrote:Baltic Fleet Aviation Returns to Chkalovsk Airfield

Here https://twitter.com/Strike_Flanker/status/1048583727360696320

and severals others https://twitter.com/Strike_Flanker

medo wrote:

hoom wrote:The EW pods are new for Su-33 also aren't they? (apologies if previously discussed)

Interesting that there is significant post-Syria upgrades happening, I thought Su-33s were supposed to be in process of being replaced by the MiG-29K Suspect

MiG-29K will replace Su-33 on the carrier deck and Su-33 will take the role of ground based fighter. We could see Su-33 jets in September naval exercise in Mediterranean sea near Syria, where they operate from Hmeimim air base together with naval Su-30SM, but no MiG-29K was present in exercise.

Regarding ECM pods, this is not really clear actually, but we could guess. We do not know, if Su-33 was capable to carry those Sorbtsia-S ECM pods after light modernization in KNAAPO, where they got Pastel RWR instead of old Beryoza. Fact is, that in Syria carrier operations, those ECM pods are used only on modernized Su-33 with SVP-24, two non-modernized Su-33 didn't have ECM pods. Modernized Su-33 after Syria also got additional underwing weapon pylons 11 and 12, which standard Su-33 didn't have.



Here we could see a cockpit of old Su-33. Under HUD we could see a weapon control pannel with 10 pylons on it. We could also notice on the right side, that Su-33 have the same RSBN navigational system as MiG-31 and not the same as Su-27. Installing of additiona 11 and 12 pylons need new or upograded FCS computer to integrate them and new control pannel. Actually all new jets with 11 and 12 pylon don't have this old weapon control pannel under HUD, but the weapon informations were shown on MFD. Su-33 upgraded with SVP-24 in time of Syrian operation still have only 10 pylons and old weapon control pannel, additional weapon pylons were added after Syria compaign, when they were modernized in ARZ.



Pylons 11 and 12 are usually meant for air to surface weapons. ECM pods and additional pylons show, that Su-33 didn't got only SVP-24-33 as it is only a subsystem for precision strikes with unguided ammunition and doesn't work with weapon pylons and with ECM equippment, but a new FCS complex to integrate them into a whole system. New or upgraded FCS could enable the use of anti-radar missiles Kh-31P as Su-33 is already equipped with L-150 Pastel RWR to program them. Without a problem they could add TV guided bombs KAB-500Kr and TV guided missiles Kh-29T. Only question now is radar and IRST. Did they modernize radar with modes against ground and surface targets as well as to use new R-77-1 air to air missiles and did they replace old IRST with OLS-30 with TV and laser target designating channels inside.

Very good grapic it is your own ? CAB is free fall bombs not guided ?

I suspect another effect of the Il-20 being shot down over Syria that the self defence systems of all Russian aircraft will be re-examined and reevaluated... to make sure Russian air crew are as safe as they can be made to be...

Labrador wrote:Very good grapic it is your own ? CAB is free fall bombs not guided ?

No, graphic is from here:

https://www.558arp.by/en/products-and-services-eng/services-eng/modernization-aviation-materiel-eng/su-27-30-aircraft-eng

CAB is actually KAB like KAB-500Kr for TV guided bomb and KAB-500L for laser guided bomb.

Just had another look at the Su-33 photo at the top of this page... ie



And I noticed something... on the engine nacelles there is the usual weapon pylon but behind it and to the side there is a bulge... and there is a similar bulge on the opposite nacelle... it looks like it is part of the self defence suite or perhaps an optical system for air to ground use.

Note the MiG-35 also has pod type things on its engine nacelles, but they are for air to ground IRST systems and the optical ports are larger... so I assume this is some sort of DIRCMs...

Isn't that the new pylons 11 & 12 for heavy anti-ground weapons?

hoom wrote:Isn't that the new pylons 11 & 12 for heavy anti-ground weapons?

Yes, they are inside underwing pylons 11 and 12.

GarryB wrote:And I noticed something... on the engine nacelles there is the usual weapon pylon but behind it and to the side there is a bulge... and there is a similar bulge on the opposite nacelle... it looks like it is part of the self defence suite or perhaps an optical system for air to ground use.

Those bulges are standard in Flankers and are there to fix and stabilize the main undercarriage legs, when they are in use. But it is true, usuall Flankers have little smaller bulges. Su-33 have little different legs.



On this photo it could be seen, how the main leg is fixed with that bulge.

I hope here could be seen, how the main leg is locked in the bulge.

Those bulges are standard in Flankers and are there to fix and stabilize the main undercarriage legs, when they are in use. But it is true, usuall Flankers have little smaller bulges. Su-33 have little different legs.

Funny I never noticed those before... getting old...

Those bulges are standard in Flankers and are there to fix and stabilize the main undercarriage legs, when they are in use. But it is true, usuall Flankers have little smaller bulges. Su-33 have little different legs.


The Su-33 would need heavier support indeed for carrier landings.

Old video.

Nice vid Medo... thanks for posting...

Video from Baltic fleet exercise.


http://aviation21.ru/v-ejske-budet-dostroen-kompleks-nitka/

До конца 2018 года в Центре подготовки лётчиков морской авиации в Ейске будет достроен наземный испытательный учебно-тренировочный комплекс для морской авиации (НИТКА). Об этом пишет газета "Известия" со ссылкой на Министерство обороны РФ.

НИТКА - наземный испытательный тренировочный комплекс авиационный представляет собой часть взлётно-посадочной полосы, размеры которой соответствуют габаритам лётной палубы тяжёлого авианесущего крейсера «Адмирал флота Советского Союза Кузнецов». Первый такой комплекс был построен в 1982 году на аэродроме Новофёдоровка в городе Саки в Крыму. Направленная в сторону моря взлётно-посадочная полоса имеет длину 290 метров. ВПП оборудована стартовым трамплином с углом отрыва в 14 градусов и авиафинишёрами.

Из-за частого нарушения Украиной договорённостей по использованию тренажёра в Крыму планы боевой подготовки российских лётчиков неоднократно приходилось менять. Как следствие, было начато строительство российского комплекса в Ейске, а от крымского тренажёра планировали отказаться в 2014 году. Первые самолёты с нового учебно-тренировочного комплекса взлетели ещё в 2013-м. Однако с возвращением Крыма в состав России вернулся и сакский тренажёр, поэтому вопрос уже стоял — насколько целесообразно содержать два аналогичных объекта. В итоге было принято решение развивать оба комплекса, но определить им разные задачи.

Russian naval aviation training center NITKA in Yeysk will be finnished to the end of 2018. Russian MoD will use both NITKA centers in Yeysk and in Saki but for different tasks. Yeysk will be used for testings and for training of new Young pilots and Saki will be used for trainings of operational units.

I think a group of Su-25UTG trainers will be now stationed in Yeysk to train new young carrier pilots.

Hole wrote:Carrier version of Yak-130 would be great.

They already have twin seater su-25 that is similar to yak-130.

Russian naval aviation training center in Yeysk need new trainers, both Yak-152 and Yak-130 to train their own pilots. Yak-130 will do all advanced trainings for pilots of all types of combat planes like MiG-29K, Su-30SM and Su-33. But for carrier deck trainings like ski jump take off and arrester hook landings Su-25UTG is good enough. With MiG-29K taking carrier duty and Su-33 becoming ground based fighter, all Su-25UTG trainers could go to Yeysk as MiG-29K regiment have their own MiG-29KUB twin seaters.

AVIATION OF THE RUSSIAN NAVY. PALE SEMBLANCE OF FORMER MAGNIFICENCE

He's absolutely right. In the Soviet VMF the NAF, SSNs & SSGNs were the main striking forces, not the surface ships.

Russia's navy Aviation was pathetic during soviet times and 90's. Su-24's just do not hold a candle to Su-30SM and Su-34's.

miketheterrible wrote:Russia's navy Aviation was pathetic during soviet times and 90's.  Su-24's just do not hold a candle to Su-30SM and Su-34's.

Before 1991, it had bigger # of a/c & more power. Now the Russian NAF is still building up to hopefully that level.
There r no Su-34s in, & none r planned for the NAF so far: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-34#Operators

Su-34 production continues at a steady pace of 16-18 aircraft a year. Sixteen aircraft remain to be delivered. When the full order is completed in 2019, the Russian Air Force will have had nine operational squadrons of Su-34s. http://aviationweek.com/defense/russia-pursues-isr-and-electronic-warfare-versions-su-34-5

Typically for the mostly land based NAF, its inventory procurement is on the back burner.

Its sea going air power was rubbish compared with Su-33 and MiG-29KR today.... and I seem to remember landing support within range was given by Su-17s... not the most potent air support...