Sukhoi S-54
Encyclopedia
The Sukhoi S-54 is a series of three closely related aircraft proposals; the S-54 trainer aircraft, S-55 light fighter
designed for export, and the S-56 carrier-capable light fighter. All members of the family resemble the Sukhoi Su-27
in general form, or the Sukhoi Su-33
more closely, but built around a single example of the Saturn AL-31 engine instead of two, and scaled down accordingly to a smaller layout. The design was offered to several potential customers, including South Africa
and India
, but was turned down. Development is apparently on hold, awaiting a launch customer.
jet trainers, which were reaching the end of their service lives. The original Aero L-29 had originally been selected as a Warsaw Pact
-wide trainer in 1961, after beating out the Yak-30
and PZL TS-11 Iskra
. It started to be replaced in 1974 by the greatly updated L-39, powered by the new Ivchenko AI-25 engine. By 1990 the Soviet Air Force had about 1,000 L-39s on force, when the new Czech Republic
stated they would no longer be supplying spares.
The Soviet Air Force's commander-in-chief, Air Marshal Yefimov, issued a statement on the issue on 20 April 1990. On 25 June 1990 the first official RFP document was issued for the Uchebno-Trenirovochnyi Samolyot (UTS) program. Four companies responded with designs, the Mikoyan MiG-AT
, Yakovlev Yak-130
(then known as the Yak-UTS), the Myasischev M-200 and the S-54. Most of these designs were typical trainers; they were built to be docile in handling, low cost in operation, and were essentially all-new in design.
Sukhoi decided to take a different approach, and develop a true high-performance design closer to a fighter than a trainer. Advances in aerodynamics and flight controls allowed even the most advanced fighters have docile handling suitable for transition training, while at the same time the older generation aircraft had handling so different than modern aircraft to make them of limited utility. Given their extensive experience with upgraded versions of the original Su-27, Sukhoi chose to use much of this design in the new trainer. Versions with one AL-31 or two smaller engines were studied, with the single-engine version favoured throughout.
The design that emerged appeared to be a Su-33 with a fuselage plug removed behind the cockpit, giving it a cross-section similar to other advanced trainers of the era. The first design study, shown publicly not long afterwards, was upgraded and improved during 1992. A new version, with airframe enlarged by approximately 25 per cent, was revealed at 1996 Farnborough Air Show
.
The Yak-130 eventually won the UTS contract, and Sukhoi started looking for other markets.
. Shown in June 1997, the S-55 was a lighter, shorter-range fighter that complimented the Su-27 in the same way the F-16 compliments the F-15. Designed as a low-cost fighter, primarily for export, the S-55 was nevertheless a very advanced design compared to similar fighters that were "up-converted" from trainers.
Sukhoi also produced the S-56, essentially an S-55 adapted for carrier use. The design was deliberately tailored for the Admiral Kuznetsov, and was designed to fit into a 10 by 3 by 3 meter space, making it one of the most compact naval fighters ever designed. The small size, especially vertically, opened the possibility of adding another internal deck between the two existing aircraft decks in the Kuznetsov, increasing the total number of fighters that could be carried by two to three times. The S-56 was also offered to the Indian Navy in 1999, but was not purchased.
Light fighter
A light fighter or lightweight fighter is a type of fighter aircraft with a diminutive airframe, deliberately designed to fill a performance niche based on a high power-to-weight ratio...
designed for export, and the S-56 carrier-capable light fighter. All members of the family resemble the Sukhoi Su-27
Sukhoi Su-27
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability...
in general form, or the Sukhoi Su-33
Sukhoi Su-33
The Sukhoi Su-33 is an all-weather carrier-based air defence fighter designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by KnAAPO. It is a derivative of the Su-27 "Flanker" and was initially known as the Su-27K. The aircraft was first used in operations in 1995, aboard the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov...
more closely, but built around a single example of the Saturn AL-31 engine instead of two, and scaled down accordingly to a smaller layout. The design was offered to several potential customers, including South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, but was turned down. Development is apparently on hold, awaiting a launch customer.
Genesis
The project traces its origins to a 1990 requirement to replace the aging Aero L-39Aero L-39
The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia to meet requirements for a "C-39" during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfín...
jet trainers, which were reaching the end of their service lives. The original Aero L-29 had originally been selected as a Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
-wide trainer in 1961, after beating out the Yak-30
Yakovlev Yak-30 (1960)
The Yakovlev Yak-30 was Yakovlev's entry in a competition for the first military jet trainer aircraft designed for Warsaw Pact nations. Designed to succeed the Yak-17UTI, it also led to the development of the Yakolev Yak-32 sport jet...
and PZL TS-11 Iskra
PZL TS-11 Iskra
|-See also:-References:*"Poland's Veteran Spark". Air International, March 1979, Vol 16 No. 3. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll Publishing. pp. 126–131....
. It started to be replaced in 1974 by the greatly updated L-39, powered by the new Ivchenko AI-25 engine. By 1990 the Soviet Air Force had about 1,000 L-39s on force, when the new Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
stated they would no longer be supplying spares.
The Soviet Air Force's commander-in-chief, Air Marshal Yefimov, issued a statement on the issue on 20 April 1990. On 25 June 1990 the first official RFP document was issued for the Uchebno-Trenirovochnyi Samolyot (UTS) program. Four companies responded with designs, the Mikoyan MiG-AT
Mikoyan MiG-AT
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* http://www.aviation.ru/MiG/#AT*...
, Yakovlev Yak-130
Yakovlev Yak-130
The Yakovlev Yak-130 is a subsonic two-seat advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft or lead-in fighter trainer developed by the Yakovlev design bureau. Development of the plane began in 1991, and the maiden flight was conducted on 26 April 1996...
(then known as the Yak-UTS), the Myasischev M-200 and the S-54. Most of these designs were typical trainers; they were built to be docile in handling, low cost in operation, and were essentially all-new in design.
Sukhoi decided to take a different approach, and develop a true high-performance design closer to a fighter than a trainer. Advances in aerodynamics and flight controls allowed even the most advanced fighters have docile handling suitable for transition training, while at the same time the older generation aircraft had handling so different than modern aircraft to make them of limited utility. Given their extensive experience with upgraded versions of the original Su-27, Sukhoi chose to use much of this design in the new trainer. Versions with one AL-31 or two smaller engines were studied, with the single-engine version favoured throughout.
The design that emerged appeared to be a Su-33 with a fuselage plug removed behind the cockpit, giving it a cross-section similar to other advanced trainers of the era. The first design study, shown publicly not long afterwards, was upgraded and improved during 1992. A new version, with airframe enlarged by approximately 25 per cent, was revealed at 1996 Farnborough Air Show
Farnborough Air Show
The Farnborough International Airshow is a seven-day international trade fair for the aerospace industry which is held in even-numbered years in mid-July at Farnborough Airfield in Hampshire, England....
.
The Yak-130 eventually won the UTS contract, and Sukhoi started looking for other markets.
S-55 and S-56
Sukhoi then modified the design to allow it to mount the same radar as the Su-27, the Phazotron SokolZhuk radar
The Zhuk are a family of Russian all-weather multimode airborne radars developed by NIIR Phazotron for multi-role combat aircraft such as the MiG-29 and the Su-27. The latest versions are also known as the Sokol.- Description :...
. Shown in June 1997, the S-55 was a lighter, shorter-range fighter that complimented the Su-27 in the same way the F-16 compliments the F-15. Designed as a low-cost fighter, primarily for export, the S-55 was nevertheless a very advanced design compared to similar fighters that were "up-converted" from trainers.
Sukhoi also produced the S-56, essentially an S-55 adapted for carrier use. The design was deliberately tailored for the Admiral Kuznetsov, and was designed to fit into a 10 by 3 by 3 meter space, making it one of the most compact naval fighters ever designed. The small size, especially vertically, opened the possibility of adding another internal deck between the two existing aircraft decks in the Kuznetsov, increasing the total number of fighters that could be carried by two to three times. The S-56 was also offered to the Indian Navy in 1999, but was not purchased.
See also
External links
- "Sukhoi S-54 Trainer", globalsecurity.org
- "Sukhoi S-56 Shipborne Fighter", globalsecurity.org
- "Sukhoi Reveals Light Fighter Based on S-54", Jane's Defence Weekly, 25 June 1997