Overview

Overview

The Su-30KN (Korabelniy Nochnoy—"Carrier Night") was an experimental two-seat carrier-based fighter developed by Sukhoi in the late 1980s as an alternative to the Su-27K (later Su-33) for Soviet Navy carrier aviation. The project sought to create a dedicated nighttime/all-weather interceptor and strike aircraft for the Admiral Kuznetsov-class carriers, featuring improved avionics, aerial refueling capability, and enhanced maritime strike systems.

Only a single prototype was completed (Su-27KU converted to Su-30KN standard) before Soviet naval aviation priorities shifted toward the single-seat Su-27K. The Su-30KN program was cancelled in 1992, though its technologies influenced later Su-30 multi-role variants developed for export.

Historical context

Following the Soviet Navy's decision to develop carrier-based aviation for Project 1143.5 aircraft carriers (Admiral Kuznetsov), Sukhoi created the Su-27K single-seat fighter (later designated Su-33). However, naval commanders recognized the need for a two-seat variant to perform complex missions:

  • Long-range maritime strike against NATO carrier battle groups
  • Night/all-weather air defense beyond shipboard radar coverage
  • Electronic warfare/reconnaissance over contested waters
  • Crew coordination for anti-ship missile targeting and radar management

In 1988, Sukhoi proposed the Su-30KN, adapting the Su-27KU carrier trainer (itself derived from the Su-27UB two-seat land-based trainer) with:

  • Enhanced radar: N011M Bars phased-array system
  • Aerial refueling probe: Retractable for extended patrol endurance
  • Anti-ship missile compatibility: Kh-31A/Kh-41 "Moskit" capability
  • Improved navigation systems: Long-range maritime navigation, GPS integration
  • Night attack systems: FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared), night vision compatibility

The prototype underwent trials aboard the Nitka land-based carrier training facility in 1990-1991. While test pilots praised its mission capabilities, Soviet Navy budget constraints and preference for simplifying carrier air wing composition (single Su-27K type vs. mixed Su-27K/Su-30KN fleet) led to program cancellation in 1992.

Despite cancellation, Su-30KN research fed into the Su-30MK export program, particularly Su-30MKI (India), Su-30MKK (China), and Su-30SM (Russia) multi-role variants.

Specifications

Commonly cited specifications (Su-30KN prototype):

Dimensions:

  • Length: 21.94 m (72 ft) including refueling probe
  • Wingspan: 14.70 m (48 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 5.93 m (19 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 62.0 m² (667 ft²)

Weights:

  • Empty weight: 18,400 kg (40,565 lb)
  • Normal takeoff weight: 25,300 kg (55,776 lb)
  • Maximum takeoff weight: 33,000 kg (72,752 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 9,400 kg (20,723 lb) internal

Powerplant:

  • Engines: 2× Saturn/Lyulka AL-31F turbofans
  • Thrust (per engine):
    • Dry thrust: 76.5 kN (17,200 lbf)
    • Afterburner: 122.6 kN (27,560 lbf)
  • Thrust-to-weight: 1.07:1 at normal weight, 0.75:1 at max weight

Performance:

  • Maximum speed:
    • High altitude: Mach 2.35 (2,500 km/h / 1,550 mph) at 11,000 m
    • Sea level: Mach 1.1 (1,350 km/h / 839 mph)
  • Combat radius:
    • Air superiority: 1,500 km (932 mi)
    • Maritime strike: 1,100 km (684 mi) with 2× Kh-31A anti-ship missiles
    • With aerial refueling: 3,000+ km (1,864 mi)
  • Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,760 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 230 m/s (45,275 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 408 kg/m² (84 lb/ft²) at normal weight
  • Thrust loading: 0.74 kW/kg at max weight

Armament:

  • Gun: 1× GSh-30-1 30mm autocannon, 150 rounds
  • Hardpoints: 12 total (6 underwing, 4 fuselage, 2 wingtip)
  • Payload capacity: 8,000 kg (17,637 lb) ordnance

Typical loadouts:

  • Air superiority: 6× R-27R/ER, 4× R-73E, drop tanks
  • Maritime strike: 2× Kh-31A anti-ship, 2× R-27R, 2× R-73E, drop tanks
  • Long-range strike: 2× Kh-41 "Moskit" supersonic anti-ship, 2× R-73E
  • Multi-role: Mix of R-77 active radar AAM, guided bombs, rockets

Avionics:

  • Radar: N011M Bars phased-array multi-mode (180+ km detection range vs. fighter targets)
  • IRST: OLS-27 infrared search and track system
  • Navigation: Long-range maritime navigation suite, GPS/GLONASS receiver
  • Targeting: FLIR pod for night maritime strike
  • ECM: SPO-15 radar warning receiver, chaff/flare dispensers
  • Communications: Secure datalink, encrypted voice

Crew:

  • Complement: 2 (pilot, weapon systems officer/navigator)

Carrier modifications:

  • Reinforced landing gear: Arresting hook, heavy-duty main gear for carrier landings
  • Folding wings: Manual wing fold to reduce hangar footprint
  • Corrosion-resistant materials: Naval environment protection
  • Canards: Retractable forward canards for enhanced low-speed control during carrier approaches

Design characteristics

Naval carrier modifications

Arresting hook: Strengthened tail stinger for engaging carrier arresting cables, designed for 240 km/h touchdown speed

Reinforced landing gear: Main gear strengthened for carrier deck impacts (descent rate 5+ m/s)

Folding wings: Manual folding mechanism reduces wingspan from 14.7 m to ~7.4 m for carrier elevator/hangar storage

Canards: Small retractable foreplanes improve pitch authority at slow approach speeds (220-240 km/h)

Corrosion protection: Titanium alloy structure, protective coatings for saltwater spray environment

Deck handling equipment: Tie-down points, catapult bridle attachment (though Soviet carriers use ski-jump, not catapult)

Two-seat configuration

Tandem cockpits: Pilot in front cockpit, WSO (Weapon Systems Officer) in rear

Rear cockpit equipment:

  • Duplicate flight instruments for emergency piloting
  • Radar display and controls for targeting
  • Navigation systems management
  • Electronic warfare console

Crew coordination: WSO manages radar, navigation, weapons employment while pilot flies aircraft

Ejection system: K-36DM ejection seats, zero-zero capability, sequential ejection (rear seat fires first)

Refueling probe

Retractable aerial refueling probe on starboard side of nose enabled:

  • In-flight refueling from Il-78 "Midas" tankers
  • Extended patrol endurance (15+ hours with multiple refuelings)
  • Combat radius extension to 3,000+ km

Advanced avionics

N011M Bars radar: Phased-array system with:

  • Track-while-scan: 10 targets tracked, 4 engaged simultaneously
  • Look-down/shoot-down: Maritime target detection against sea clutter
  • Terrain-following radar mode
  • SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) for ground/ship mapping

OLS-27 IRST: Passive infrared search and track for radar-silent operations

Maritime strike systems: Kh-31A/Kh-41 anti-ship missile compatibility with targeting datalink

Variants and related aircraft

Su-30KN prototype

Single prototype: Converted from Su-27KU carrier trainer Status: Program cancelled 1992, prototype fate unknown (likely scrapped)

Related Su-30 variants (influenced by Su-30KN research)

Su-30MKI (India):

  • Two-seat multi-role fighter
  • Thrust vectoring AL-31FP engines
  • Bars radar (derived from Su-30KN's N011M)
  • Aerial refueling probe
  • Entered service: 2002, 260+ in Indian Air Force

Su-30MKK (China):

  • Two-seat strike fighter
  • Simplified avionics vs. MKI
  • No thrust vectoring
  • Anti-ship missile capability (Kh-31A)
  • Entered service: 2000, 73 delivered to China

Su-30SM (Russia):

  • Two-seat multi-role fighter
  • Based on MKI design
  • Bars-R radar
  • Russian Air Force standard from 2012
  • Current fleet: 110+ aircraft

Su-27KU / Su-33UB:

  • Two-seat carrier trainer
  • Simpler avionics than Su-30KN
  • Limited combat capability
  • Status: Prototypes only, not mass-produced

Su-27K / Su-33 (single-seat carrier fighter)

The Su-33 became Soviet/Russian Navy's standard carrier fighter:

  • Single-seat configuration
  • Folding wings, reinforced gear, arresting hook
  • Entered service: 1994, ~20 operational with Russian Navy
  • Primary carrier: Admiral Kuznetsov

Operational considerations

Mission profile

Long-range maritime patrol: Two-seat configuration enabled extended missions (WSO manages navigation/radar while pilot rests)

Anti-ship strike: Kh-31A/Kh-41 anti-ship missiles engage NATO carrier battle groups beyond ship-based SAM range

Fleet air defense: CAP (Combat Air Patrol) missions 200-400 km from carrier, intercept NATO bombers/maritime patrol aircraft

Night operations: FLIR and improved cockpit lighting for carrier landings in darkness

Advantages over Su-27K (Su-33)

Two-seat crew coordination: WSO manages complex radar/targeting tasks, reducing pilot workload

Aerial refueling: Probe enables extended range vs. Su-33 (no refueling capability until later upgrades)

Enhanced avionics: N011M Bars radar superior to Su-33's N001 system

Multi-role capability: Strike and air superiority missions vs. Su-33 air superiority focus

Why the program was cancelled

Budget constraints: Collapse of Soviet Union (1991) slashed naval aviation funding

Fleet composition: Soviet Navy preferred single aircraft type (Su-33) for simplified logistics and training

Limited carrier deployment: Only Admiral Kuznetsov operational (sister ship Varyag incomplete, sold to China); small air wing didn't justify two fighter types

Training requirements: Two-seat aircraft required separate WSO training pipeline

Su-33 sufficiency: Single-seat Su-33 adequate for fleet air defense missions

Legacy and influence

Though never entering service, the Su-30KN's technologies directly influenced:

Su-30MKI/MKK/SM series: All feature two-seat configuration, aerial refueling, advanced radar systems pioneered in Su-30KN research

Export success: Su-30 family became one of Russia's most successful fighter exports (600+ produced)

Bars radar: N011M Bars phased-array radar developed for Su-30KN became standard on Su-30MKI, Su-30SM, and Su-35S

Chinese carrier aviation: China's J-15 carrier fighter (based on Su-33) may incorporate Su-30KN avionics research

Russian Navy interest: Periodic proposals to develop two-seat Su-33 variant suggest ongoing interest in Su-30KN concept

The prototype's test flights at Nitka training facility validated carrier operations for two-seat Flanker variants, proving technical feasibility even though operational deployment never occurred.

Related equipment

Related sections

Technical glossary

WSO (Weapon Systems Officer) : Rear-seat crew member managing radar, navigation, electronic warfare, and weapons employment

Bars radar : N011M phased-array multi-mode radar with track-while-scan, maritime targeting, and SAR capabilities

FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) : Thermal imaging system enabling night/low-visibility target detection and navigation

Aerial refueling probe : Retractable nose-mounted tube connecting to tanker aircraft for in-flight refueling

Arresting hook : Tail-mounted hook engaging carrier deck cables to decelerate aircraft during landing