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Hello!

I was playing one of the custom scenarios and noticed looking through the database, that Su-27 misses one feature, that might be very important in dogfight: its datalink system. Despite it being not as good as US countertypes, it could still help in combat.

It had coded radio exchange of tactical information (targets, wingman position etc) inside one squadron (note that now I'm referring to the export version, the one in use in RuAF, K-DlI, is still classified), however, newer versions are reported to be linked to SAM datalink (pic related - one of the examples of connection, explained below)



C2 center "Universal-1E" or "Krym-KE" sends data either directly to up to 10 interceptors (probably only coordinates as it is indicated in Su-27SK flight manual that the K-DlAE/K-DlUE datalink receivers/transmitters only receive/send coordinates, though newer system S-108, installed on Su-35, might differ), either to Fighter Regiment HQ (C2 post "Vertikal-E" or "Rubezh-ME"), which echanges data with airport C2 post "Servis-E" which links to "Gorizont-E" observation post and only then to 6-12 fighters.

Also, according to the aforementioned flight manual K-DlAE allows a network of 4 groups of up to 4 fighters. This isn't as advance as Link 16, for instance, but given its capability to receive ground data it might improve the interception quality.

Earlier (introduced in 1962) system "Vozdukh-1" (datalink called "Lazur'") could transmit from a ground station the heading toward target and target altitude to MiG-21 and later MiG-25 interceptors, and was linked even to autopilot (!) which allowed ground stations to control planes directly.

So, in general, it would be nice if that was implemented, at least. All the links I've posted are in Russian, as this subject doesn't seem to be popular abroad.

Data about K-DlAE can be found here:
http://www.radioscanner.ru/trx/military/k-dlae_ye/
http://www.cqham.ru/trx/k_dl.html

The entertainment version of the game pretty much datalinks aircraft to ground radars anyways (detection) although we could add this as link. Very interesting stuff!

Mike

ORIGINAL: mikmyk

The entertainment version of the game pretty much datalinks aircraft to ground radars anyways (detection) although we could add this as link. Very interesting stuff!

Mike

Thanks! Yes, I've noticed that they connect that way, but I forgot to mention, you see, in the upper right corner of the picture - the connection to A-50 AWACS planes (up to three). So it allows for proper situational awareness, even despite using SAM C2 station as an intermediate.

Also, forgot to mention, the Su-27 datalink doesn't have a name (unlike previous Lazur' "datalink"), in documents it's just referred as TLK (TeLeKodirovannaya Svyaz' - Telecoded Connection). In case you need ingame number of channels, the Su-27SK's K-DlAE uses 20 channels for this datalink (screenshot from avionics documentation included below).



Also, the manufacturer of said datalink equipment indicates that this system is installed on MiG-29SMTs, Su-30s, probably on Su-34, however for latter it might be the S-108, currently installed on Su-35 and, supposedly, on PAK FA prototypes, the T-50s.

And a small note, regarding the database names: "T" index is for Sukhoi's prototypes (T-10 became Su-27, for example), so T-50 is the name of the prototype, the resulting plane in serial production will be called PAK FA (perspective front aviation complex) or given a proper Su index (probably 41, since others before are occupied).

Ok thanks will add.

Mike