The To-201 Shikra is a multi-role/air-superiority fighter jet used by both CSAT forces and the Russian Spetsnaz in ArmA 3. It was added with the release of the Jets DLC.
Overview[]
- Roles:
- Air superiority
- Close air support
- SEAD
| « | The To-201 Shikra is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft. The aircraft was designed by CSAT and Russian joint syndicate. Primarily it is designed to operate as an air superiority fighter, but also has ground attack capabilities. Additional external hardpoints allow this aircraft to carry large variety of weapons configurations. Field Manual
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Design[]
The To-201 is a twin-engined stealth fighter that uses a semi-blended-wing-body fuselage. Primarily designed with supermanoeuvrability in mind, it incorporates all-moving horizontal and vertical stabilisers.
Non-stealthed To-201 pylon configuration
Armament
By default, the To-201 is armed with a 30 mm cannon that is loaded with 180 rounds of high-explosive (HE) ammunition.
The To-201 has thirteen (seven for the stealth variant) pylons that support dynamic loadouts.
- The top two of the hardpoints in the tandem internal bay on both sides of the fuselage (1-2) only support:
- R73 (1×)
- The bottom two of the hardpoints in the same tandem bay (3-4) only support:
- R77 (1×)
- The main internal bay located directly in the centreline of the fuselage (5-7) has three pylons. Both the left and right pylons (5-6) only support:
- R77 (1×)
- The main internal bay's middle pylon (7) can be fitted with the same missiles as the left and right pylons (5-6), but is primarily reserved for air-to-ground munitions:
- KH25 (1×)
- KAB-250 (1×)
- RBK-500F (1×)
- KH58 ARM (1×)
NOTE: The following pylons only apply to the non-stealthy variant of the To-201:
- Both the innermost and centre pylons on both wings (8-11) support:
- R73 (1×)
- R77 (1×)
- KH25 (1×)
- KAB-250 (1×)
- RBK-500F (1×)
- KH58 ARM (1×)
- The two outermost pylons on each wing (12-13) only support either of the following:
- R73 (1×)
- R77 (1×)
The targeting module also has an integrated laser designator which can be used to provide self-designation in conjunction with the To-201's KAB-250 bombs.
Taking off at night. Note the IRST sensor/targeting camera module.
Features
Like its NATO counterpart, it has both stealthy and conventional configurations; the stealth configuration stores up to seven weapons in internal bays but otherwise lacks external hardpoints.
When it comes to Within Visual Range (WVR) dogfights, the To-201 is far superior to the NATO Black Wasp in almost every aspect. Its agility is unrivalled and can easily out-turn and outmanoeuvre its NATO counterpart with ease. Having the outermost weapon stations reserved for air-to-air missiles ensures that even when outfitted for close air support, the To-201 is still deadly in a dogfight.
Although it is slightly inferior avionics-wise, the To-201 can make up for it by closing the distance gap between it and a Black Wasp by simply flying faster, nullifying the latter's radar advantage.
To-201 under pursuit from a Black Wasp. The To-201's supermanoeuvrability allows it to easily outpace its NATO counterpart in close range dogfights.
Notable Traits
The To-201 is the only fixed-wing jet in ArmA 3 that is actually capable of carrying more than two anti-radiation missiles for any given mission. Its NATO counterpart for instance, can only store two ARMs at a time (and only on the minimally-stealthed variant) while the To-201 can bring up to three into battle; two on the external wing hardpoints and one internally.
This makes the To-201 a particularly lethal SEAD aircraft, as its ARMs combined with its passive radar means that it can safely detect and engage SAM batteries at stand-off ranges without relying on other units to spot for it.
Drawbacks
The only real downside to the To-201 is its stealth variant, which has one less internal pylon and is restricted to carrying only four long-range AA missiles at a time internally. This is in contrast to the Black Wasp, which can be armed with up to six long-range AAMs at a time and loaded with two more short-range AAMs.
Crew Capacity
The To-201 has a maximum seating capacity of just one; the pilot themselves. It cannot transport any passengers.
Variants[]
Has a total of thirteen pylons (six external) that support dynamic loadouts, but are by default configured with a multi-role loadout.
Only has a total of seven internal pylons that support dynamic loadouts, but is also configured to use a multi-role loadout.
Camouflage[]
- Arid Hex: Light tan/dark tan/dark green cell pattern camouflage. Used by Mediterranean CSAT forces.
- Blue: Two-tone sky blue/charcoal blue paint scheme. Exclusive to Russian To-201s.
- Grey Hex: Light/dark grey cell pattern camouflage.
Protection[]
Both variants of the To-201 have base armour values of 65.
Hull[]
The jet's hull can withstand 227.5 points of damage. Will result in a total loss if the hull's "health" is depleted.
Engines[]
Both engines can take up to 162.5 points of damage before failing. The engines will take 400% additional damage from high-explosive (HE) munitions.
Destroying the engines will not result in a total loss, though 80% of damage is still shared with the To-201's main "health" pool. The To-201 can still potentially explode if the hull's integrity is at critical "health" status.
If damaged: Decreases thrust output and can prevent the To-201 from attaining its top speed.
If destroyed: Total engine failure; jet will lose its ability to maintain power completely.
Instruments[]
The To-201's flight instruments, Head Mounted Display (HMD) and Multi-Functional Displays (MFD) can take a maximum of 120 points of damage before they fail. All instruments take 400% additional damage from HE-type munitions.
If damaged: Causes periodic flickering of MFD screens and the pilot's HMD. Instruments remain fully functional.
If destroyed: Both the MFD and HMD will be disabled. Instruments will malfunction and do not provide proper readings.
Fuel tanks[]
The To-201's twin fuel tanks can withstand up to 227.5 points of damage before rupturing. It takes 350% increased damage from HE-type munitions, and at least 60% of incoming damage is also shared with the To-201's main "health" pool.
If damaged: Gradual fuel leaking; will lose up to a maximum of 60% of the remaining fuel supply.
If destroyed: Rapidly lose entire fuel supply over the course of several seconds.
Control surfaces[]
The To-201's control surfaces consist of six components:
- Ailerons (left/right)
- Elevators (left/right)
- Rudders (left/right)
All six components can withstand up to 130 points of damage before they begin failing (individually). They take 300% increased damage from HE-type munitions.
Depending on which specific control surface is hit, the jet's handling and agility will be degraded based on the severity of the component's damage. If multiple parts are hit, it may become impossible for the To-201 to perform any high-G manoeuvres.
Stealth[]
Both variants of the To-201 are notoriously poorer at remaining hidden from infrared/visual-based sensors due to its large size. They actually have increased visibility to both types of sensors:
RCS[]
The standard To-201 with external hardpoints retains no stealth capabilities against active radars. The dedicated stealth variant on the other hand, has an RCS rating of 0.6 and can only be detected at 60% of an opposing radar's maximum range (40% reduction).
IR[]
The To-201 is not masked against infrared sensors, and can be spotted at 120% of the sensor's range (factor of 1.2; increase of 20%).
Visual[]
The To-201 is easier to spot via visual sensor, and can be tracked at 120% of an opposing sensor's default range (factor of 1.2; increase of 20%).
Sensors[]
The To-201 has an array of sensors designed to allow it to operate effectively in both ground attack and air superiority roles:
| Sensor type | Max range (Air/Ground) | Min range (Air/Ground) | Affected by environment? | Target max speed (km/h) | Azimuth coverage (°) | Elevation coverage (°) | Friendly identification range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | A: 13,000 m G: 9,000 m |
A: 13,000 m G: 9,000 m |
Terrain clutter (200 m) | 1e+10 km/h | 60° | 60° | 6,000 m |
| Anti-Radiation | A: 16,000 m G: 16,000 m |
A: 16,000 m G: 16,000 m |
Nothing | 216 km/h | 60° | 180° | 12,000 m |
| Infrared | A: 5,000 m G: 3,000 m |
A: 500 m G: 500 m |
Fog (0.005%) | 1,800 km/h | 360° | 120° | 2,000 m |
| Laser | A: 6,000 m G: 6,000 m |
A: 6,000 m G: 6,000 m |
Nothing | 1e+10 km/h | 180° | 180° | 0 m |
| NV | A: 6,000 m G: 6,000 m |
A: 6,000 m G: 6,000 m |
Nothing | 1e+10 km/h | 180° | 180° | 0 m |
| Passive | A: 16,000 m G: 16,000 m |
A: 16,000 m G: 16,000 m |
Nothing | 1e+10 km/h | 360° | 360° | 12,000 m |
| Visual | A: 4,000 m G: 3,000 m |
A: 500 m G: 500 m |
Fog/Light (6%) | 360 km/h | 26° | 20° | 2,000 m |
Active Radar[]
The To-201's Active Radar is forward-facing only. Targets will only become lockable once they get within the bounds of the sensor cone (represented by the teal cone on the SENSORS panel).
Note that although ground targets at distances below 200 metres remain "invisible" to the radar due to terrain clutter, any targets that are moving at speeds of ~ 100 km/h or greater will immediately become visible on the To-201's radar.
Anti-Radiation Sensor[]
The To-201's Anti-Radiation Sensor is forward-facing only. Its elevation coverage is specifically three times the circumference compared to azimuth and is therefore optimised to detect ground targets.
Infrared Sensor[]
The To-201's IR Sensor is located in the IRST module (represented by the orange cone on the SENSORS panel). Although it is technically affected by heavy fog, the range reduction effect is so miniscule (-0.25 metre reduction) that it will be barely noticeable.
Laser Sensor[]
The To-201's Laser Sensor is forward-facing only. Any designated targets will become visible on the To-201's SENSORS panel only when the jet is (mostly) facing in the direction of the laser spot.
NV Sensor[]
The To-201's NV Sensor is forward-facing only. Any IR grenades on the ground will only become visible on the SENSORS panel when the To-201 is (mostly) facing in the direction of the grenade.
Passive Radar[]
The To-201's Passive Radar can detect Active Radar threats in any direction (regardless of the jet's facing direction).
Visual Sensor[]
The To-201's Visual Sensor is located in the IRST module (represented by the orange cone on the SENSORS panel). The Visual Sensor can be affected by heavy fog and can lose up to 6% of its range depending on its thickness. The Visual Sensor becomes completely blind at nighttime and very low-light conditions.
It should be noted that the Visual Sensor has an elevation offset of 1 degree.
Armament[]
NOTE: Only the weapons used on the default loadout for the To-201 are listed here. For full details on ordnance that can be mounted on the To-201, refer to the dynamic loadouts article.
Gsh Cannon[]
| Base damage value | Aerodynamic friction | Initial velocity (m/s) | Penetration depth (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | -0.0005 | 1,036 | 69.93 |
30 mm autocannon. Fires high-explosive (HE) based ammunition useful for WVR dogfights.
It can attain a fire rate of up to ~ 1,714 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 1,036 m/s. Accuracy-wise, it has a dispersion of 0.009 rad at distances of 1,500 metres.
Target Lead Indication is available for aiming on the pilot's Heads Up Display (HUD). Landing hits is accomplished by pointing the crosshair onto the circle.
R73 Archer[]
- Main article: Dynamic loadouts#R73 Archer
Short-ranged air-to-air infrared-guided missile.
Relies on the To-201's IR Sensor to function.
R77 Adder[]
- Main article: Dynamic loadouts#R77 Adder
Medium-ranged air-to-air radar-guided missile.
Relies on the To-201's Active Radar sensor to function.
KAB 250[]
- Main article: Dynamic loadouts#KAB 250
Laser-guided bomb. Relies on the To-201's Laser Sensor to function.
If no laser guidance is provided, KAB-250s can be dropped as free-falling bombs instead. Predicted Impact Point assistance is available to help with "aiming" in this manner.
Trivia[]
- The Shikra is based on a combination of two real-world airframes, the "Su-57" (formerly known as the "T-50 PAK FA") and "Su-35" fighter jets. Both are designed by Sukhoi, a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation.[1]
- Prior to the release of Game Update 1.72, the Shikra was very unstable in mid-flight and could immediately stall at certain angles of attack.[2]
- At its top speed, the Shikra actually flies faster than the bullets fired by every pistol and SMG in ArmA 3.
- Shikra (Accipiter badius) is the name of a small bird of prey species that can be found throughout Asia and Africa, though the name may just be another instance of tongue-in-cheek considering that the To-201 is one of the largest fighters in ArmA 3.
- Initially, the Shikra was exclusive to CSAT. The non-canonical First Contact campaign would depict Spetsnaz units calling in air support from Shikras operated by the Russian military as well.[3][note 1]
Gallery[]
Video[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Not available outside of the First Contact campaign.
References[]
- ↑ Carpenter, J 2017, OPREP - JETS DLC, Arma 3, viewed 6 May 2017, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/oprep-jets-dlc>.
- ↑ Kovařič, V 2017, SPOTREP #00069, Arma 3, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00069>.
- ↑ ARMA 3: Contact 2019 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., First Contact, Elimination Coda, "KRUPIN: Nagaika to Shashka, sighting! Over. SEVEROV: Copy that, we see him! Shikra - Baltic Fleet... [...] Ha, ha! v put', v put', v put'! Take it to them, let's finish this. Hang in there a little longer! Out."
External links[]
See also[]
Aircraft of comparable role and configuration[]
- F/A-181 Black Wasp II (NATO counterpart, ArmA 3: Jets only)
- A-149 Gryphon (AAF/LDF counterpart, ArmA 3: Jets only)
- Su-34 (Russian Armed Forces predecessor, ArmA 2 only)
 CSAT - Vehicles (ArmA 3)
| |
|---|---|
| Wheeled | Ifrit • MSE-3 Marid • Qilin • Quadbike • Tempest • UGV Saif • Zamak |
| Tracked | 2S9 Sochor • Akinaka ED-1D (Sayyah ED-1E) • BTR-K Kamysh • T-100 Varsuk (X Futura) • T-140 Angara (T-140K) • ZSU-39 Tigris |
| Rotor-wing | Jinaah AL-6 • Mi-48 Kajman • Mi-290 Taru • PO-30 Orca • Tayran AR-2 |
| Fixed-wing | K40 Abalil-3 • KH-3A Fenghuang • To-199 Neophron • To-201 Shikra • Y-32 Xi'an |
| Aquatic | Assault Boat (Rescue) • Speedboat HMG • SDV |
| Parenthesis denote variants. Helicopters DLC | Apex DLC | Jets DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC | |
 Russian Spetsnaz - Vehicles (ArmA 3)
| |
|---|---|
| Rotor-wing | Mi-48 Kajman • Mi-290 Taru • PO-30 Orca |
| Fixed-wing | To-201 Shikra |
| Helicopters DLC | Jets DLC | |