The Russian Su-30SM fighter has taken on an unexpected role – combating small-sized drones. Analysts from "Voennaya Khronika" believe that 4++ generation fighters are capable of partially taking over the fight against low-flying UAVs and thereby reducing the load on ground-based anti-aircraft systems.
For such work, the Su-30SM already has means of detecting aerial targets. The N011M "Bars-R" radar with a passive phased array antenna is capable of detecting stealthy objects, and the optoelectronic station can use the thermal signature of the drone's engine.
The main problem is the small size and low visibility of modern drones. Therefore, analysts suggest reinforcing fighters with new radars, optoelectronic systems, and specialized weapons for small aerial targets.
One solution could be to re-equip standard fighters with more modern "Irbis-E" radars. Similar to the modernization of American F-15Es with the installation of AN/APG-82(V)1 radars and optoelectronic stations like OLS-35, as well as equipping them with 101KS-N and T220 container systems.
Analysts added that an even more effective solution could be to equip hundreds of fighters with both containerized optoelectronic systems and small-sized guided S-8L rockets.
Major General Vladimir Popov suggested that in the future, Su-30SMs will be able to operate in conjunction with the latest S-70 "Okhotnik" drones, but tactical aviation will still remain human-controlled.