Project T10PU
Heavy interceptor fighter Su-27PU (Su-30)

PU for Punkt Upravlyeniya = Commanding Post
Su-30 it's the name of Su-27PU in service.

Manufacturer:
Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association (IAPO)
IAPO

Sukhoi Su-30, 1999, Fairford air show.

Heavy interceptor fighter, capable to identifying targets and to assign targets to other interceptors (up to four Su-27P, that's why manufacturers designation of project was 10-4PU) using a tactical data link. Su-27PU should retain a full possibilities of air-combat like ordinary Su-27P. Was planned to use on north border of Soviet Union by air forces of the Protivo-Vozdushnoy Oboroni (PVO = Air Defence Air Force), replacing Tu-128 and co-operating with defensives MiG-31.

Tactical data link 10-4PU
Tactical data link between commanding Su-27PU and four interceptors Su-27P.

Current (2012) status:

  • Since 2006 four Su-30 were in Lipyetsk air base, nos: 66, 67, 68, 69; maybe upgraded to Su-30KN standard. Ssince about 2009 only two are flyable: 66 and 69.


    One of the Su-30 from Lipyetsk air base, May 2010.

  • Few prototypes, rebuilded even two times, remain in hands of Sukhoi Design Bureau.

0225


Experimental T10PU; first flight: 1986.

Former 2nd prototype of the Su-27UB (T10U-2, built 1985, no. 02) was converted in 1986 into experimental plane with air refueling probe and arrested hook. It was used in two projects: T10K (Su-27K) and T10PU.

Between 1987 and 1988 aircraft performs long-distance flights with refueling from tankers Il-78 and Su-24 (with UPAZ-A refueling pod). In July 1987 a non-stop flight from Moskov to Komsomolsk-on-Amur (N. Sadovnikov and I. Votincev) - more than 13.000 km!

After finishing of the equipment in 1989, aircraft was renumbered to 25.


Experimental T10PU, 1986.

05


T10PU-5; 1st prototype of Su-27PU; first flight: December 1988.

Former 5th prototype of Su-27UB (T10U-5) was converted in Irkutsk to 1st prototype of Su-27PU, heavy interceptor fighter and commanding post. In 1990 get refueling probe. Camouflage was typical for Su-27UB, with green nose.


1st prototype of Su-27PU, 1990.

06


T10PU-6; 2nd prototype of Su-27PU; first flight: early 1989.

Former 6th prototype of Su-27UB (T10U-6) was converted in Irkutsk to 2nd prototype of Su-27PU. Camouflage was typical for Su-27UB, with green nose.


Few years later - at the end of 1997 - when contract to deliver Su-30 to India was realised, aircraft was converted - once again - to second prototype of indian Su-30MKI (number 06, manufacturers designation 10-4PMK-6), with canard foreplanes and AL-31FP (TVC nozzles) engines; first flight in March 1998.


Former 2nd prototype of Su-30PU as second prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI in 1998.


Repainted second prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI in 2001.

596


T10PU, 1st serial Su-27PU; numer 01-01 (79371010101); first flight: 14th February 1992.

First two of eight produced by IAPO interceptors were bought by insurance company "Jupiter" and shifted to LII and used to tests and display purposes (by "Test Pilots" aerobatic team leaded by Anatoliy Kvochur). First public appearance at MosAeroShow 1992. All military installations were removed, except air refueling probe.


Su-27PU, 1994, LII, Test Pilots display team.


59660307

Later aircraft was donated to Sukhoi bureau for Su-30MK tests program. In 1993 converted to prototype of Su-30MK, export version of Su-30.


1st prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MK (ex. Su-27PU no. 596) in 1994.

In 2001 aircraft was renumbered to 07 and repainted like Su-30MKI prototypes and used for tests in MKI programm and Su-30KN programm. In 2005 located in Irkutsk IAPO small museum as memorial (still it's there in 2013).


Rebuilded and repainted 596 / 603 in 2002. Called Su-30I-7, used in programm of Su-30MKI or Su-30KN.

597


T10PU, 2nd serial Su-27PU; numer 01-02 (79371010102); first flight: 1992.

First two of eight produced by IAPO interceptors were bought by insurance company "Jupiter" and shifted to LII and used to tests and display purposes (by "Test Pilots" aerobatic team leaded by Anatoliy Kvochur. First public appearance at MosAeroShow 1992. All military installations were removed, except in-flight refueling probe.


Su-27PU, about 1996, LII, Test Pilots display team.


59702

Later aricraft was used as testbed in test programs of satellite navigation systems, new radars for upgraded Su-27UB and Su-30 and new control systems. In 2001 converted to 2nd prototype of Su-30KN, in Irkutsk's upgrade program of Russia air force Su-27UB and Su-30.


Second prototype of Su-30KN (Su-30M2) in 2005 (then it was experimental plane Su-27LL, repainted and renumbered).

Serial Su-27PU (Su-30), T10PU

Serial Su-30 were not new aircrafts, but converted serials Su-27UB, even with folded screen above front seat used to flying without visibility.

Five serial Su-27PU were delivered in early nineties to 54 GIAP (54th Guards Fighter Air Regiment) of PVO at Savaslyeyka, where 148th TsBPiPLS was based (equipped with A-50 and MiG-31); after entering military service Su-27PU get official name Su-30. 54th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment was disbanded in 2005 and converted to 3958th Air Base. In 2006 Su-30s were shifted to Lipyetsk, where they were repainted and renumbered (66, 67 and 69).


148th Cyentr Boyevovo Primyenyenya i Pyeryeuchivaniya Lyotnovo Sostava (TsBPiPLS), now 4th Centre of Combat Apllications and Re-training of Flying Personnel.

Example of Sukhoi Su-27UB from 54th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment @ Savaslyeyka, 1998. Russian flags and St. George with dragon.

50

3rd serial Su-30
Factory numer 96310107035.
First flight: 1992
Russian flags on fuselage.



Sukhoi Su-30 from 54 GIAP@Savaslyeyka, about 1997.

51

4th serial Su-30
Factory numer 96310107037.
First flight 12.1992
First flight: G. Bulanov and W. Maksimyenkov from IAPO.
Russian flags on fuselage.



Sukhoi Su-30, 1993, 54 GIAP (54th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment) @ Savaslyeyka.

52

5th serial Su-30
Factory numer 96310107023.
First flight 1993
Later (1997) Russian flags on tail fins.



Example of Sukhoi Su-30 from Savaslyeyka's guards regiment, 1998.

53

6th serial Su-30
Factory numer 96310104007.
First flight: 1993 (G. Bulanov and W. Maksimyenkov from IAPO).
Later (1997) Russian flags on tail fins.



Sukhoi Su-30 from 54 GIAP@Savaslyeyka, about 1997.

54

7th serial Su-30
Factory numer 96310104010.
First flight 1993
Later (1997) Russian flags on tail fins.



Sukhoi Su-30, 1999, Fairford air show.

55

There's a gap between 54 and 56. I've never seen no. 55 on ANY photo.

56

8th serial Su-30;
First flight: 1993


In 1993 modernised to prototype of multirole Su-30M for Russian air force, still with number 56.


5601

Few years later - in 1996-1997 - when contract to deliver Su-30 to India was realised, aircraft was converted again, to first prototype of indian Su-30MKI (manufacturers designation 10-4PMK-1) with canard foreplanes (installed 07.1997) and AL-31FP (with TVC nozzles) engines; first flight December 1997; destroyed in Paris Air Show in June 1999 by Vyacheslav Avyeryanov (pilots ejected safetly).


Su-30 #56 rebuilded to first prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI in 1997.


First prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI in 1997, painted and renumbered to 01.


First prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI in 1998, repainted.

When 54th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment was disbanded in 2005, Su-30s were shifted to Lipyetsk, where they were repainted and renumbered, and stay until today (2012), aircrafts: 66, 67, 68 and 69.


© 2008-2018 Mariusz Wojciechowski, Słupsk (Poland)