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MAKS emphasis is on renewed rather than new
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| 11 August 2003 |
By Henry Ivanov, JDW Correspondent, Moscow
The Russian International Aerospace Show (MAKS) in Zhukovsky, Moscow, from 19-24 August, will focus on technologies of four-plus and fifth-generation combat aircraft and upgrade solutions to third and fourth generations.
It is the inaugural appearance for the US Air Force - which is showing a B-52 bomber, a KC-135 tanker, a C-130 transport and pairs of F-15C, F-15E and F-16 fighters - adding new colour to a traditionally all-Russian and CIS affair.
MAKS' location at Russia's main test flight establishment, Gromov Flight Test Institute (LII), gives it a technologically sharper and more experimental edge than that found at most other shows. Numerous aircraft and technologies that are normally stationed at LII are rolled out for a focus on demonstration of technologies rather than trade and commerce.
Not a platform for order announcements, the show has been a powerful promotion tool for Russian aerospace equipment, particularly engines, avionics and sensors - a lot of which cannot be shown outside Russia.
One example is the Sukhoi S-37 'Berkut' experimental fifth-generation fighter. Russian Air Force-only aircraft such as Tupolev strategic bombers, including the Tu-22M3, will be displayed but not the Tu-160 or Tu-95.
There is not expected to be any grand unveiling of completely new aircraft types this year. However, expectations are high that some new unmanned air vehicles will be shown.
There are several new variants of in-service types, such as the Su-27SM, upgraded for the Russian Air Force. The Su-27SM includes glass cockpit and improved NIIP N-001 radar, which turns the single-seat aircraft from an interceptor into a multirole fighter with a choice of precision weapons, including Kh-25, Kh-29 and Kh-31 series air-to-surface missiles and KAB500 guided bombs.
The Su-27SM is based on design solutions trialled on the export Su-30MK series, notably the customised Chinese Su-30MKK. It uses an improved avionics package from Ramenskoye PKB originally developed for twin-seat aircraft.
Sukhoi is the largest exhibitor at MAKS. It has16 fighter and attack aircraft on display but, with the exception of the Su-47, all these are upgraded variants of in-service types. Among aircraft not yet displayed outside the country, there are the Su-27KUB (Su-33UB) twin-seat carrier multirole aircraft; Su-24 modified tactical bombers; Su-35UB twin-seat multirole fighter; and the Su-25SM attack aircraft. The Su-80GP turbo-prop, promoted as an armed sea and land patrol aircraft, will be flying in public for the first time after being a static display two years ago.
MAKS is a traditional platform for unveiling new anti-aircraft systems and Defense Systems is to display the Pechora-2M deep modernisation of the long-serving Almaz S-125 (NATO designation SA-3). There is a likelihood that the newest long-range surface-to-air missile, the Almaz S-400, will be displayed. Earlier this month it was announced that the system had successfully completed state acceptance trials.
This year's air show is expected to equal the previous MAKS in 2001 that attracted 537 companies from 34 countries, along with 80,000 trade visitors and 660,000 members of the public.
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