IAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKI (1 Viewer)

[shade2]

@randombully , its such a huge aircraft, super sukhoi upg can have full 100% internal ew suite? Pylons will be become free

No.

>6 pods

 

[liberalredditor]

View attachment 42369

No.

>6 pods

I hope this photo is ai

 

[shade2]

I hope this photo is ai

No it's the Chinese J-15.
That's a dedicated EW Su-30 copy like F-18 Growler.

I am not an exfart at EW but the pods are necessary

 

[randombully]

@randombully , its such a huge aircraft, super sukhoi upg can have full 100% internal ew suite? Pylons will be become free

Will require much more extensive work/modification on the airframe, extra cost, extra time to move and reorganize lru's, probably slightly reduced fuel, extra time for flight test to see any problems, extra time to certify the modified airframe once again.

Compared to that loosing two, wing root pylons is not a big deal, especially with the adevant of dual Rack adapters.
Except EW pods, you can only to air to air missiles on wing root pylons, not heavy air to ground missiles or bombs.
You can just use dual rack adapter.
Or even triple rack if IAF demands, like seen on f15.

 

[randombully]

View attachment 42369

No.

>6 pods

It's not an "ew suite", for self protection.

It's chinese equivalent of USN growler.
A standoff, high power jammer aircraft.