Description

The Sukhoi SU-30SM (NATO Reporting Name: Flanker-H) is a development to the Flanker family aircraft. The SM (Serial Modernized) is equipped with thrust-vectoring AL-31F engines, up-to-date avionics and can carry advanced weapons payload, weighing up to 8t. All these characteristics have resulted in this aircraft’s acclaim to the title of 4+ generation fighter.

The piece of metal in your possession belongs to Su-30SM with military designator 62 Red of the 14th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, part of the Central Military District based in Yekaterinburg. 62 Red was delivered to our team on 22ndof December 2018. It is known to have taken part in MAKS-2019 International Air Show, representing Russia’s Aerospace Forces and as a technology demonstrator to attract new customers.

On 15th of March of 2022, the aircraft took part in an actual combat mission. The crew of this Flanker, Captain Evgeny Kislyakov and Second Commander Alexander Pazynych were met by an unpleasant surprise in the form of gun fire from ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft autocannon of the 80th Separate Galician Air Assault Brigade (Anti-Aircraft Defence Battalion). This resulted in a fatal crash for the crew near the village of Bryhadyrivka, Izyum Raion, Kharkiv Oblast.

With liberation of Kharkiv Oblast, the wreckage was discovered by Ukrainian Defence Forces. The impact at the crash site was so powerful that the R-73 air to air missiles were buried in the ground. Additionally, a very important discovery was made at the crash site: the most advanced Electronic Warfare SAP-518SM ‘Reggata’ pod which Russians install on Flanker series fighters and Su-34’s. Reports state that the recovered EW pods were sent to the west for closer examination and studies.

Even the most modern defence technology did not protect the Flanker-H from traditional anti-aircraft autocannon, and thanks to Ukrainian Heroes, we are able to upcycle yet another SU-30SM.