Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E / Super Flanker)

History

The Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO: "Flanker-E") is the latest (2013) variant of the successful Su-27 "Flanker" family of air superiority aircraft. The original Su-27 was born in the late 1970s in an initiative of the Soviet Air Force to counter the air superiority of the American McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle.

Since then, the type's tactical value in the ground attack role has expanded significantly, and the department has even spawned the ship-based navy-centric Su-33. Su-35 is used as a true 4./4. listed. The 5th generation multifunctional actuator, building on the strong and proven qualities of the Su-27 family - retaining its air-to-air capability while incorporating advanced ground-attack capabilities. The Su-35 was derived from the improved Su-27M development series, which received the final designation "Su-35" in 1993, although the aircraft was publicly displayed at the 1992 Farnborough Airshow. A total of ten Su-35 prototypes were built, four of which were modifications of the existing Su-27, and the rest were new builds that Russia began to formally evaluate in 1996.

The Su-35 differs from the original Su-27 by its inherent multi-role capability, highly modern avionics (including the new Tikhomirov NIIP Irbis phased antenna array), long-range endurance, thrust vectoring (and new) NPO Saturn 117S engine, and streamlined aerodynamics. The first flight was recorded in June 1998, and after a lengthy testing period it went into production and was accepted by the Russian Air Force as "Su-35S" in 2010.

The aircraft is equipped with an integrated aerial refueling probe, ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) pods, upgraded and more powerful engines, larger wing areas and front and rear phazotron radar systems capable of tracking 24 targets simultaneously, most Rough terrain up to 62 miles (100 km) away. An additional internal reserve fuel tank was also added to achieve the desired range. The cockpit features an updated color CRT display as well as a HUD (head-up display) and digital fly-by-wire (FBW) functionality with quadruple redundancy - the onboard computer is able to find four different paths to achieve the desired flight control action. Avionics include a passive Irbis-E phased array radar system.

The Su-35's advanced features have earned it an official classification as a "4th Generation Fighter" - although its true capabilities far exceed the original/current 4th generation mount, it is below the standard setting of a true mount of 5, Such as the US Lockheed F-22 Raptor series).

Externally, the Su-35 retains most of the clean, sleek lines of the Su-27. It was a very large plane, with swept wings, a long forward fuselage, and side-by-side engines. The Su-35 uses a nose cone to house its powerful tracking radar system. Two vertical stabilizers, each on top of the engine system, were mounted aft of the fuselage in the usual manner. Cockpit visibility is excellent for a machine of this class.

The engines are ejected through a thrust vectoring ring at the very rear of the fuselage, providing excellent maneuverability and allowing the Su-35 to perform movements beyond the limitations of other 4th generation installations. The Su-35 also has flanking stingers at the rear - an extension of the fuselage that accommodates a rear-facing radar array.

According to the manufacturer, propulsion is provided by 2 Saturn 1117S afterburning turbofan engines with the thrust vectoring described above. Each engine provides 32,000 pounds of thrust at full thrust and approximately 19,400 pounds each at dry thrust alone. The thrust vectoring system provides superior maneuverability compared to traditional Su-27 mounts, allowing the aircraft to make tighter turns to evade close combat or maneuver over incoming homing/guided missiles (the Russians in modern air combat). flexible approaches, such as opposing Western speed and stealth methods).

The Su-35S has a listed top speed of Mach 2. 25 At altitude, about 1,500 mph and range, using internal fuel, up to 1,900 nautical miles, while the Su-35S can translate up to 2,400 nautical miles. The Su-35S will be able to operate at a service ceiling of 60,000 feet and achieve a climb rate of 55,100 feet per minute.

As a multi-role combat platform, the Su-35S benefits from a variety of Russian-sponsored ordnance options through no less than 14 gun mounts, 12 lower wings and lower fuselage (all external). A 30mm GSh-30 internal cannon is standard for close combat (150 projectiles assigned), while the wingtips are reserved for the R-73 (AA-11 "Archer") short-range air-to-air missiles. Additionally, the wingtip rails can be removed and replaced with dedicated ECM pods if mission parameters require it.

The remaining hardpoints will accommodate a variety of air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-radiation missiles, anti-ship missiles, laser-guided bombs, missile pods, unguided missile pods and precision weapons as needed.

Two Su-27M aircraft were used in the improvement program and became Su-37 "Flanker-F". Similar to the Su-35 model, these systems employ thrust vectoring nozzles to assess increased agility. Only two prototypes were produced before the end of the experimental program - the test aircraft was converted into a full Su-35 variant. The two-seat trainer variant of the Su-35 will be the Su-35UB, while retaining some of the inherent combat capabilities of its single-seat sibling.

The Su-35BM represents an improved design over the original Su-35 offering, and the Su-35S is the product of that effort.

In September 2012, Russia announced that the Russian Air Force was moving forward with plans to acquire a large number of Su-35S after successfully completing aircraft tests. Delivery of the first production-grade Su-35S is expected in October 2012, totaling about 48 aircraft.

The Russian Air Force expects to procure a total of 90 Su-35S aircraft as its main multirole fighter jet in the short term.

The Su-30MKI variant exported to India is believed to utilize some of the aforementioned Su-35 systems and capabilities. The Su-27M is known to have been used in its early form by the Russian Knights Air Acrobatics.

While Russia remains the sole operator of the Su-35, it is known that Sukhoi intends to convince foreign operators to buy their products and directly communicate with existing and potential F-16/F-18s/F- 35 Competition/Gripen/Eurofighter/Rafale clients. To date, several countries have been mentioned as possible applicants for the F-35, although no formal agreement has been signed. A proposed deal with Libya for 12 examples fell through after the country plunged into civil war in 2011.

China and Brazil remain potential operators - the former does not yet have the capability to design, develop and produce its own combat turbofan engines, while the latter is currently evaluating its needs for next-generation fighter jets.

When the Su-35 was unveiled at the 2013 Paris Air Show (the first air show outside of Russia), it was a huge success on day one as it outperformed the crowd - and officially showed it to potential customers Capability of the Su-35. The Su-35 is seen as an excellent low risk, low cost alternative to the more expensive Lockheed F-35 in development and capable of outperforming all other existing 4th Generation design.

The Su-35 seems to be the better option every month for budget-conscious buyers and for countries reconsidering their bloated and delayed F-35 offerings. Its only real competitor is still the US F-22.

Specification

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