Sukhoi is about to begin flight testing of an Su-27 Flanker fitted with a Phazotron multi-mode pulse-Doppler radar which could be fitted to future batches of Su-27s and, possibly, two-seat Su-30s for China.
Phazotron says that it has already delivered the radar, effectively the Zhuk-27, to the Komsolosk-on-Amur production site. Flight testing could begin as early as September, with further live firing trials to take place at Ahktubinsk.
The first two batches of Chinese air force (PLAAF) Su-27s were basic Su-27Ps fitted with the NIIP N-001 radar. The PLAAF wants future Su-27s to be fitted with a more advanced multi-mode radar, rather than a design optimised only for the air-intercept role. Existing Su-27s could also be upgraded.
The PLAAF is also discussing the purchase of an export variant of the active-radar-guided Vympel R-77 (AA-12 Adder) medium-range air-to-air missile.
The first export deliveries of the R-77 are expected to begin to Malaysia in late 1998. The Malaysian air force has purchased about 100 of the missiles for its MiG MAPO MiG-29 Fulcrum.
Alongside eventual licence manufacture of an upgraded single-seat Su-27, China continues to push for the acquisition of a fully combat-capable two-seat variant.
Phazotron is already providing the Zhuk-8II to Shenyang for its F-8IIM upgrade. According to the design bureau, this radar is now in flight test on a prototype aircraft. Phazotron is also working on another Zhuk variant, the Zhemchoug, proposed for China's F-10 next-generation-fighter project. It has also delivered two shipsets of its Kopyo multi-mode lightweight fighter radar to China.
Source: Flight International
