Sukhoi Su-35
Encyclopedia
The Sukhoi Su-35 (-35, NATO reporting name
: Flanker-E) is a single-seat, twin-engined supermaneuverability
multirole fighter. It is a derivative of the Su-27 'Flanker'
, and was initially known as the Su-27M. More than a dozen of these were built with some used by the Russian Knights
aerobatic demonstration team. The Su-35 had been offered to many countries, including India, Brazil
and South Korea
.
In the 1980s, Sukhoi was looking to upgrade its high-performance Su-27. The resultant Su-35 embodies aerodynamic refinements to give it more manoeuvrability, greatly enhanced avionics
, longer range, and a more powerful engine
. The first prototype, converted from a production Su-27, made its maiden flight
in June 1988. The Su-35 was further developed into the Su-37
, which has thrust-vectoring capabilities, and the Su-35BM, classed as 4++ generation fighter by its manufacturer. The new model entered into serial production as the Su-35S for the Russian Air Force
in 2010.
, Sukhoi was looking to develop a follow on variant. This variant, originally designated the "Su-27M", would be much more agile
and feature greatly improved avionics
than the aircraft considered to be the best contemporary fighter. It was also to carry more armament to improve its capacity as an air-to-ground platform.
Known within the design bureau as the "T10-M", development began in the early 1980s. The improved variant featured a host of changes regarding aerodynamic refinements, avionics and propulsion upgrades, construction methods, as well as increased payload carriage. High-strength composites
and aluminium-lithium
were used not only to reduce weight, but to boost internal fuel volume. Distinguishing features are the canard
s, which improve airflow over the wings, eliminating buffeting and allowing the aircraft to fly at a very high angle of attack
of 120°, i.e., past the vertical. The canards are governed by a new digital fly-by-wire
flight control system. It is outfitted with the Luylka Al-31FM engine, also found on the Su-34
tactical bomber. This powerplant is larger, more reliable, and with a thrust of 28218 lbf (125.5 kN) is more powerful.
Also new was the fire-control system
, at the heart of which is the more powerful N-011 Zhuk-27
pulse-Doppler radar
. The radar can track 15 aerial targets simultaneously and guide six missiles towards them. To exploit the improved radar, two additional underwing pylons
were added. In the aircraft "stinger" is the Phazotron N-012 rear-ward facing radar, which effectively provides the aircraft impunity from attacks from behind. The aircraft can carry a variety of bombs and both air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. Among the weapons it can carry include the R-27, R-73, R-77, Kh-29
, Kh-59
, Kh-31
, KAB-500 and KAB-1500, along with napalm
, dumb and cluster bomb
s. The cockpit was modernised, equipped with multi-function colour LCD screens, and the pilot sits on the K-36DM ejection seat inclined at 30° to improve g-force
tolerance. Range is increased to 4,000 km (2,222 nmi) through additional fuel capacity; with the fitting of an aerial refuelling probe, range can be further extended. The aircraft is characterized by its twin nose wheel – as a result of higher payload – and larger tail fins with horizontal carbon fibre square-topped tips.
, along with minor differences. Designated T10M-1 to T10M-10, the first 10 prototypes were built by KnAAPO in conjunction with Sukhoi, as the Soviet aerospace system was different from Western structure. They slightly differed from another. Four were converted Su-27s and the others being new-builds. The second prototype started flight testing in January 1989, while the third followed in mid-1992. The prototypes were used to validate the new flight-control system and canard fore-planes.
In 1990, the first prototype was displayed to senior Ministry of Defence officials at Kubinka Air Base
. The aircraft's first flying demonstration came on 13 February 1992, before the leaders of the CIS republics at Machulishi
, Minsk
. Later in the year it made its public debut at the Farnborough Airshow. The third prototype, T10M-3, appeared at the Dubai Airshow
in 1993, by which time Sukhoi had re-designated its fighter the Su-35. T10M-3 performed an aerobatic display, demonstrating its dogfighting capabilities and tricks, including the Pugachev's Cobra
, to potential export customers. Viktor Pugachyov
subsequently piloted the prototype in a mock fight with an Su-30MK. The Su-35 performed at numerous air show
s during the following years, including the 1993 and 1995 MAKS Airshow
s and the 1994 ILA. In addition to Su-27 conversions, three production Su-35s were completed in 1996 and delivered to Russian Air Force (VVS) for testing.
During the flight test programme of the Su-35, the aircraft performed manoeuvres such as the Pugachev's Cobra and tailslide. It was discovered that active controls during these performances could not be achieved. The 11th prototype Su-27M, T10M-11, was built by KnAAPO
and delivered in 1995 for the installation of exclusive systems and equipments. The resultant aircraft was re-designated Su-37
. With thrust vectoring
capabilities, it made its first flight in April 1996. A second Su-35 was modified into a Su-37 in the late 1990s.
In total, 15 flight-capable Su-35 (Su-27M) aircraft were produced, including a Su-35UB two-seat prototype. The original Su-35 never entered serial production due to a lack of funding, and the Russian Air Force continued to use its Su-27 fleet. The Su-35's automatic control of canards and the Su-37's thrust-vectoring engine nozzles with some changes were applied to the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.
has also opened its prospects to replace ageing Su-27 fighters in the Russian Air Force's fleet. The modernized Su-35 will serve as an interim design until the fifth generation Sukhoi PAK FA
fighter enters service. The modernized Su-35 is considered to be 4++ generation by Sukhoi.
The modernized Su-35 was presented at the 2007 MAKS Airshow. The new features of the aircraft include a reinforced airframe
with a more extensive use of titanium alloy
s, thus increasing the airframes durability to some 30 years or 6,000 service hours, a reduced radar signature from the front, and an improved passive electronically scanned array
radar. It is now capable of supercruise
. The aircraft featured many other upgrades to its avionics
and electronic systems, including digital fly-by-wire
and a rear-looking radar for firing semi-active radar homing
missiles. The new Su-35 omits the canard and speedbrake
; to maintain manoeuvrability equal to or greater than canard-equipped fighters, the Su-35 uses the new 117S engine with fully rotating vectoring thrust nozzles.
The new Su-35 version first flew on 19 February 2008. On 14 April 2009, a Su-35BM prototype crashed during a high-speed ground test. The test pilot escaped unharmed. According to Sukhoi, the fighter's brakes failed during landing, resulting in the speeding aircraft going off the runway and the left engine catching fire. On 18 August of the same year, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a contract for 48 Su-35S (Serial) fighters along with 16 Su-27/30 fighters to be delivered by 2015. Sberbank
agreed, in September 2010, to provide funding for the Su-35 program. In November 2009, Sukhoi started manufacturing on the first serial aircraft. On 14 October 2010, Sukhoi announced that the first production Su-35S had completed general assembly and that the first aircraft would be delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense by the end of the year. In May 2011, the first production model Su-35S was flown for the first time. In 2009, Sukhoi estimated that the Su-35 would be manufactured at a rate of 24 to 30 aircraft each year from 2010 to 2020.
display team.
The Su-35BM was demonstrated at the 2009 MAKS Airshow on 18 August 2009. At the same show, the Russian Air Force signed a contract for the delivery of 48 Su-35S fighters by 2015, along with 12 Su-27SM and four Su-30M2 fighters, representing the first production order for the Su-35. In January 2011, Russian Air Force planned to receive 50 Su-35s by 2015.
was viewed in the early stages as a potential operator. Russia launched its Su-35 bid for South Korea's fighter procurement programme at the 1996 Seoul Air Show, and included the Su-37 in the proposal as well. For the bid, the proposed Su-35 would have used both a phased grid radar and AL-31FP vectoring-thrust engines; the aircraft would have been assembled in South Korea. The contract, worth roughly $5 billion, may have been partially financed through a debt reduction deal on money owed by Russia to South Korea. In the end, the F-15K was chosen.
Both the Brazilian Air Force
, and Venezuelan Air Force have expressed interest in purchasing Su-35s to replace older aircraft. On 23 May 2006, it was reported that Venezuela planned to purchase dozens of Su-30 and Su-35 fighters, and as many as 100 T-90 tanks; an order for 24 Su-35s was placed in October 2008. The Su-35 participated in Brazil's F-X and F-X2 contests, the decision of which has been delayed several times. In October 2009, Anatoly Isaikin, general director of Rosoboronexport, declared that the company would provide 120 fighters and a full technology transfer
deal to Brazil. In mid-2008, the Brazilian Air Force selected three finalists, none of them the Su-35, however in January 2011, President Dilma Rousseff
again postponed the acquisition.
Since the early 1990s, an extensive sales arrangement of the Su-35 to China has been discussed; in 1995 Sukhoi officials announced their proposal to co-produce the Su-35 with China, on the condition that China agreed to purchase 120 aircraft. However it has been alleged that the Russian Foreign Ministry had blocked both the sale of the Su-35 and Tupolev Tu-22M
bombers over concerns regarding the arrangements surrounding Chinese production of the base Su-27. In November 2010, it was reported that Rosoboronexport was ready to hold talks with China on the sale of advanced Su-35 fighters.
In July 2008, Russia offered the Su-35 for sale to India, Malaysia and Algeria. In late 2010, Libya was expected to sign a contract for the purchase of 12 Su-35s. The civil war in Libya and the resulting military intervention
caused Rosoboronexport to lose $4 billion in arranged contracts, including the Su-35. Sukhoi approached US-aligned Australia
in 2002, offering Su-30 family aircraft, and the Su-35 targeted as the prime "export" fighter. Since 2008, other nations in the region have either acquired the Su-30 or exhibited interest in the Su-35 with Australia concerned that the RAAF F-35 will be "overmatched" if the Su-35 becomes the dominant opposition. Indonesia is also interested in the Su-35BM as a replacement for its F-5 E/Fs.
Su-35UB : Two-seat fighter and trainer. Features taller vertical stabilizers and a forward fuselage similar to the Su-30
.
Su-35BM : Single-seat fighter with upgraded avionics and various modifications to the airframe. Su-35BM is informal name.
Su-35S : Russian domestic version of Su-35BM.
Su-37
: Thrust-vectoring demonstrator.
NATO reporting name
NATO reporting names are classified code names for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc...
: Flanker-E) is a single-seat, twin-engined supermaneuverability
Supermaneuverability
Supermaneuverability is the quality of aircraft defined as a threshold of attitude control exceeding that which is possible by pure aerodynamic maneuverability; in other words, a controlled loss of control beyond normal abilities...
multirole fighter. It is a derivative of the Su-27 'Flanker'
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...
, and was initially known as the Su-27M. More than a dozen of these were built with some used by the Russian Knights
Russian Knights
The Russian Knights is an aerobatic demonstration team of the Russian Air Force. Originally formed on April 5, 1991 at the Kubinka Air Base as a team of six Sukhoi Su-27s, the team was the first to perform outside the Soviet Union in September 1991 when they toured the United Kingdom...
aerobatic demonstration team. The Su-35 had been offered to many countries, including India, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
.
In the 1980s, Sukhoi was looking to upgrade its high-performance Su-27. The resultant Su-35 embodies aerodynamic refinements to give it more manoeuvrability, greatly enhanced avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
, longer range, and a more powerful engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
. The first prototype, converted from a production Su-27, made its maiden flight
Maiden flight
The maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. This is similar to a ship's maiden voyage....
in June 1988. The Su-35 was further developed into the Su-37
Sukhoi Su-37
The Sukhoi Su-37 is an experimental single-seat, supermaneuverable multirole jet fighter, designed by Sukhoi. A further development of the original Su-27 'Flanker', it was modified from the first-generation Su-35 prototypes...
, which has thrust-vectoring capabilities, and the Su-35BM, classed as 4++ generation fighter by its manufacturer. The new model entered into serial production as the Su-35S for the Russian Air Force
Russian Air Force
The Russian Air Force is the air force of Russian Military. It is currently under the command of Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin. The Russian Navy has its own air arm, the Russian Naval Aviation, which is the former Soviet Aviatsiya Voyenno Morskogo Flota , or AV-MF).The Air Force was formed from...
in 2010.
Upgraded Su-27
In the early 1980s, as the Su-27 was entering service with the Soviet Air ForceSoviet Air Force
The Soviet Air Force, officially known in Russian as Военно-воздушные силы or Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily and often abbreviated VVS was the official designation of one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces...
, Sukhoi was looking to develop a follow on variant. This variant, originally designated the "Su-27M", would be much more agile
Supermaneuverability
Supermaneuverability is the quality of aircraft defined as a threshold of attitude control exceeding that which is possible by pure aerodynamic maneuverability; in other words, a controlled loss of control beyond normal abilities...
and feature greatly improved avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
than the aircraft considered to be the best contemporary fighter. It was also to carry more armament to improve its capacity as an air-to-ground platform.
Composite material
Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...
and aluminium-lithium
Al-Li
Al-Li alloys are a series of alloys of aluminium and lithium, often also including copper and zirconium. Since lithium is the least dense elemental metal these alloys are significantly less dense than aluminium...
were used not only to reduce weight, but to boost internal fuel volume. Distinguishing features are the canard
Canard (aeronautics)
In aeronautics, canard is an airframe configuration of fixed-wing aircraft in which the forward surface is smaller than the rearward, the former being known as the "canard", while the latter is the main wing...
s, which improve airflow over the wings, eliminating buffeting and allowing the aircraft to fly at a very high angle of attack
Angle of attack
Angle of attack is a term used in fluid dynamics to describe the angle between a reference line on a lifting body and the vector representing the relative motion between the lifting body and the fluid through which it is moving...
of 120°, i.e., past the vertical. The canards are governed by a new digital fly-by-wire
Fly-by-wire
Fly-by-wire is a system that replaces the conventional manual flight controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface. The movements of flight controls are converted to electronic signals transmitted by wires , and flight control computers determine how to move the actuators at each control...
flight control system. It is outfitted with the Luylka Al-31FM engine, also found on the Su-34
Sukhoi Su-34
The Sukhoi Su-34 is a Russian twin-seat fighter-bomber. It is intended to replace the Sukhoi Su-24.- Beginnings and testing :The Su-34 had a somewhat muddied and protracted beginning...
tactical bomber. This powerplant is larger, more reliable, and with a thrust of 28218 lbf (125.5 kN) is more powerful.
Also new was the fire-control system
Fire-control system
A fire-control system is a number of components working together, usually a gun data computer, a director, and radar, which is designed to assist a weapon system in hitting its target. It performs the same task as a human gunner firing a weapon, but attempts to do so faster and more...
, at the heart of which is the more powerful N-011 Zhuk-27
Zhuk 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 :...
pulse-Doppler radar
Pulse-doppler radar
Pulse-Doppler is a 4D radar system capable of detecting both target 3D location as well as measuring radial velocity . It uses the Doppler effect to avoid overloading computers and operators as well as to reduce power consumption...
. The radar can track 15 aerial targets simultaneously and guide six missiles towards them. To exploit the improved radar, two additional underwing pylons
Hardpoint
A hardpoint, or weapon station, is any part of an airframe designed to carry an external load. This includes a point on the wing or fuselage of military aircraft where external ordnance, countermeasures, gun pods, targeting pods or drop tanks can be mounted.-Rail launchers:Large missiles and...
were added. In the aircraft "stinger" is the Phazotron N-012 rear-ward facing radar, which effectively provides the aircraft impunity from attacks from behind. The aircraft can carry a variety of bombs and both air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. Among the weapons it can carry include the R-27, R-73, R-77, Kh-29
Kh-29
The Kh-29 is a Soviet air-to-surface missile with a range of 10–30 km. It has a large warhead of 320 kg, has a choice of laser, infrared, active radar or TV guidance, and is typically carried by tactical aircraft such as the Su-24, Su-30, MiG-29K as well as the "T/TM" models of the...
, Kh-59
Kh-59
The Kh-59 Ovod is a Russian TV-guided cruise missile with a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and 115 km range. The Kh-59M Ovod-M is a variant with a bigger warhead and turbojet engine...
, Kh-31
Kh-31
The Kh-31 is a Russian air-to-surface missile carried by aircraft such as the MiG-29 or Su-27. It is a sea skimming cruise missile with a range of or more and capable of Mach 3.5, the first supersonic anti-ship missile that could be launched by tactical aircraft.There are several variants, it is...
, KAB-500 and KAB-1500, along with napalm
Napalm
Napalm is a thickening/gelling agent generally mixed with gasoline or a similar fuel for use in an incendiary device, primarily as an anti-personnel weapon...
, dumb and cluster bomb
Cluster bomb
A cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller sub-munitions. Commonly, this is a cluster bomb that ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles...
s. The cockpit was modernised, equipped with multi-function colour LCD screens, and the pilot sits on the K-36DM ejection seat inclined at 30° to improve g-force
G-force
The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall. This acceleration experienced by an object is due to the vector sum of non-gravitational forces acting on an object free to move. The accelerations that are not produced by gravity are termed proper accelerations, and...
tolerance. Range is increased to 4,000 km (2,222 nmi) through additional fuel capacity; with the fitting of an aerial refuelling probe, range can be further extended. The aircraft is characterized by its twin nose wheel – as a result of higher payload – and larger tail fins with horizontal carbon fibre square-topped tips.
Testing
The Su-27M (T-10S-70) prototype first flew on 28 June 1988 at the hands of Sukhoi Chief Test Pilot Oleg Tsoi. The first prototype differed slightly from later examples in: retaining standard Su-27 vertical stabilizers without the cropped top; lacking a fire-control system; having an unusual three-tone grey/blue camouflage schemeAircraft livery
Aircraft livery is a paint scheme applied to an aircraft, generally to fuselage, wings, empennage , or jet engines. Most airlines have a standard paint scheme for their aircraft fleet, usually prominently displaying the airline logo or name. From time to time special liveries are introduced, for...
, along with minor differences. Designated T10M-1 to T10M-10, the first 10 prototypes were built by KnAAPO in conjunction with Sukhoi, as the Soviet aerospace system was different from Western structure. They slightly differed from another. Four were converted Su-27s and the others being new-builds. The second prototype started flight testing in January 1989, while the third followed in mid-1992. The prototypes were used to validate the new flight-control system and canard fore-planes.
Kubinka (air base)
Kubinka is an air base in Moscow Oblast, Russia located 5 km northwest of Kubinka. In close proximity to Moscow, the Kubinka facility showcases the best of the Russian Air Force to the general public....
. The aircraft's first flying demonstration came on 13 February 1992, before the leaders of the CIS republics at Machulishi
Machulishi
Machulishi is a municipality and urban-type settlement in Belarus, located in the Minsk Region. It is part of the Minsk Raion and its population, as of 2010, was of 7,300.-History:The town was first mentioned in 1590...
, Minsk
Minsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
. Later in the year it made its public debut at the Farnborough Airshow. The third prototype, T10M-3, appeared at the Dubai Airshow
Dubai Airshow
The Dubai Airshow is a biennial show held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is organized by "Fairs & Exhibitions Ltd" since the year 1989; in cooperation with the Government of Dubai, the Department of Civil Aviation and Dubai International Airport in collaboration with the UAE Union Defense...
in 1993, by which time Sukhoi had re-designated its fighter the Su-35. T10M-3 performed an aerobatic display, demonstrating its dogfighting capabilities and tricks, including the Pugachev's Cobra
Pugachev's Cobra
In aerobatics, Pugachev's Cobra is a dramatic and demanding manoeuvre in which a plane flying at a moderate speed suddenly raises the nose momentarily to the vertical position and slightly beyond, before dropping it back to normal flight. It uses a potent engine thrust to maintain approximately...
, to potential export customers. Viktor Pugachyov
Viktor Pugachyov
Viktor Georgiyevich Pugachyov is a Russian test pilot who was the first to show the so called Pugachev's Cobra maneuver of Su-27 to the general public. He was named Hero of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s. He graduated from Yeysk military aviation school in 1970. Test-pilot school and MAI...
subsequently piloted the prototype in a mock fight with an Su-30MK. The Su-35 performed at numerous air show
Air show
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
s during the following years, including the 1993 and 1995 MAKS Airshow
MAKS Airshow
MAKS is an International Air Show held near Moscow, Russia on Zhukovskiy LII air field. The first show, Mosaeroshow-92, was held in 1992. Since 1993, it was renamed to its current name and is held on odd years .MAKS is an important event in Russian business...
s and the 1994 ILA. In addition to Su-27 conversions, three production Su-35s were completed in 1996 and delivered to Russian Air Force (VVS) for testing.
During the flight test programme of the Su-35, the aircraft performed manoeuvres such as the Pugachev's Cobra and tailslide. It was discovered that active controls during these performances could not be achieved. The 11th prototype Su-27M, T10M-11, was built by KnAAPO
Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association
Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association , based in Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Russian Far East, is the largest aircraft-manufacturing company in Russia.- Overview :...
and delivered in 1995 for the installation of exclusive systems and equipments. The resultant aircraft was re-designated Su-37
Sukhoi Su-37
The Sukhoi Su-37 is an experimental single-seat, supermaneuverable multirole jet fighter, designed by Sukhoi. A further development of the original Su-27 'Flanker', it was modified from the first-generation Su-35 prototypes...
. With thrust vectoring
Thrust vectoring
Thrust vectoring, also thrust vector control or TVC, is the ability of an aircraft, rocket or other vehicle to manipulate the direction of the thrust from its engine or motor in order to control the attitude or angular velocity of the vehicle....
capabilities, it made its first flight in April 1996. A second Su-35 was modified into a Su-37 in the late 1990s.
In total, 15 flight-capable Su-35 (Su-27M) aircraft were produced, including a Su-35UB two-seat prototype. The original Su-35 never entered serial production due to a lack of funding, and the Russian Air Force continued to use its Su-27 fleet. The Su-35's automatic control of canards and the Su-37's thrust-vectoring engine nozzles with some changes were applied to the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.
Further development
From the mid-2000s, Sukhoi and its KnAAPO division further developed the Su-35 concept and improved it with additional cutting-edge technologies eyeing potential foreign sales, marketing it as Su-35BM (Bolshaya Modernizatsiya, or "Big Modernization"). The experiences of 2008 South Ossetia war2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
has also opened its prospects to replace ageing Su-27 fighters in the Russian Air Force's fleet. The modernized Su-35 will serve as an interim design until the fifth generation Sukhoi PAK FA
Sukhoi PAK FA
The Sukhoi PAK FA is a twin-engine jet fighter being developed by Sukhoi OKB for the Russian Air Force. The Sukhoi T-50 is the prototype for PAK FA. The PAK FA is one of only a handful of stealth jet programs globally...
fighter enters service. The modernized Su-35 is considered to be 4++ generation by Sukhoi.
The modernized Su-35 was presented at the 2007 MAKS Airshow. The new features of the aircraft include a reinforced airframe
Airframe
The airframe of an aircraft is its mechanical structure. It is typically considered to include fuselage, wings and undercarriage and exclude the propulsion system...
with a more extensive use of titanium alloy
Titanium alloy
Titanium alloys are metallic materials which contain a mixture of titanium and other chemical elements. Such alloys have very high tensile strength and toughness , light weight, extraordinary corrosion resistance, and ability to withstand extreme temperatures...
s, thus increasing the airframes durability to some 30 years or 6,000 service hours, a reduced radar signature from the front, and an improved passive electronically scanned array
Passive electronically scanned array
A passive electronically scanned array , contrary to its active counterpart AESA, is a phased array which has a central radiofrequency source , sending energy into phase shift modules, which then send energy into the various emitting elements in the front of the antenna...
radar. It is now capable of supercruise
Supercruise
Supercruise is sustained supersonic flight of an aircraft with a useful cargo, passenger, or weapons load performed efficiently and without the use of afterburners ....
. The aircraft featured many other upgrades to its avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
and electronic systems, including digital fly-by-wire
Fly-by-wire
Fly-by-wire is a system that replaces the conventional manual flight controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface. The movements of flight controls are converted to electronic signals transmitted by wires , and flight control computers determine how to move the actuators at each control...
and a rear-looking radar for firing semi-active radar homing
Semi-active radar homing
Semi-active radar homing, or SARH, is a common type of missile guidance system, perhaps the most common type for longer-range air-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems. The name refers to the fact that the missile itself is only a passive detector of a radar signal – provided by an external ...
missiles. The new Su-35 omits the canard and speedbrake
Air brake (aircraft)
In aeronautics, air brakes or speedbrakes are a type of flight control surface used on an aircraft to increase drag or increase the angle of approach during landing....
; to maintain manoeuvrability equal to or greater than canard-equipped fighters, the Su-35 uses the new 117S engine with fully rotating vectoring thrust nozzles.
The new Su-35 version first flew on 19 February 2008. On 14 April 2009, a Su-35BM prototype crashed during a high-speed ground test. The test pilot escaped unharmed. According to Sukhoi, the fighter's brakes failed during landing, resulting in the speeding aircraft going off the runway and the left engine catching fire. On 18 August of the same year, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a contract for 48 Su-35S (Serial) fighters along with 16 Su-27/30 fighters to be delivered by 2015. Sberbank
Sberbank
Sberbank Rossii is the largest bank in Russia and Eastern Europe. The company's headquarters are in Moscow and its history goes back to Cancrin's financial reform of 1841...
agreed, in September 2010, to provide funding for the Su-35 program. In November 2009, Sukhoi started manufacturing on the first serial aircraft. On 14 October 2010, Sukhoi announced that the first production Su-35S had completed general assembly and that the first aircraft would be delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense by the end of the year. In May 2011, the first production model Su-35S was flown for the first time. In 2009, Sukhoi estimated that the Su-35 would be manufactured at a rate of 24 to 30 aircraft each year from 2010 to 2020.
Russia
Three production Su-27Ms were completed and delivered to Russian Air Force (VVS) in 1996 for testing. Five Su-35s have been used by the Russian KnightsRussian Knights
The Russian Knights is an aerobatic demonstration team of the Russian Air Force. Originally formed on April 5, 1991 at the Kubinka Air Base as a team of six Sukhoi Su-27s, the team was the first to perform outside the Soviet Union in September 1991 when they toured the United Kingdom...
display team.
The Su-35BM was demonstrated at the 2009 MAKS Airshow on 18 August 2009. At the same show, the Russian Air Force signed a contract for the delivery of 48 Su-35S fighters by 2015, along with 12 Su-27SM and four Su-30M2 fighters, representing the first production order for the Su-35. In January 2011, Russian Air Force planned to receive 50 Su-35s by 2015.
Potential operators
South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
was viewed in the early stages as a potential operator. Russia launched its Su-35 bid for South Korea's fighter procurement programme at the 1996 Seoul Air Show, and included the Su-37 in the proposal as well. For the bid, the proposed Su-35 would have used both a phased grid radar and AL-31FP vectoring-thrust engines; the aircraft would have been assembled in South Korea. The contract, worth roughly $5 billion, may have been partially financed through a debt reduction deal on money owed by Russia to South Korea. In the end, the F-15K was chosen.
Both the Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
, and Venezuelan Air Force have expressed interest in purchasing Su-35s to replace older aircraft. On 23 May 2006, it was reported that Venezuela planned to purchase dozens of Su-30 and Su-35 fighters, and as many as 100 T-90 tanks; an order for 24 Su-35s was placed in October 2008. The Su-35 participated in Brazil's F-X and F-X2 contests, the decision of which has been delayed several times. In October 2009, Anatoly Isaikin, general director of Rosoboronexport, declared that the company would provide 120 fighters and a full technology transfer
Technology transfer
Technology Transfer, also called Transfer of Technology and Technology Commercialisation, is the process of skill transferring, knowledge, technologies, methods of manufacturing, samples of manufacturing and facilities among governments or universities and other institutions to ensure that...
deal to Brazil. In mid-2008, the Brazilian Air Force selected three finalists, none of them the Su-35, however in January 2011, President Dilma Rousseff
Dilma Rousseff
Dilma Vana Rousseff is the 36th and current President of Brazil. She is the first woman to hold the office. Prior to that, in 2005, she was also the first woman to become Chief of Staff of Brazil, appointed by then President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva....
again postponed the acquisition.
Since the early 1990s, an extensive sales arrangement of the Su-35 to China has been discussed; in 1995 Sukhoi officials announced their proposal to co-produce the Su-35 with China, on the condition that China agreed to purchase 120 aircraft. However it has been alleged that the Russian Foreign Ministry had blocked both the sale of the Su-35 and Tupolev Tu-22M
Tupolev Tu-22M
The Tupolev Tu-22M is a supersonic, swing-wing, long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber developed by the Soviet Union. Significant numbers remain in service with the Russian Air Force....
bombers over concerns regarding the arrangements surrounding Chinese production of the base Su-27. In November 2010, it was reported that Rosoboronexport was ready to hold talks with China on the sale of advanced Su-35 fighters.
In July 2008, Russia offered the Su-35 for sale to India, Malaysia and Algeria. In late 2010, Libya was expected to sign a contract for the purchase of 12 Su-35s. The civil war in Libya and the resulting military intervention
2011 military intervention in Libya
On 19 March 2011, a multi-state coalition began a military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which was taken in response to events during the 2011 Libyan civil war...
caused Rosoboronexport to lose $4 billion in arranged contracts, including the Su-35. Sukhoi approached US-aligned Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 2002, offering Su-30 family aircraft, and the Su-35 targeted as the prime "export" fighter. Since 2008, other nations in the region have either acquired the Su-30 or exhibited interest in the Su-35 with Australia concerned that the RAAF F-35 will be "overmatched" if the Su-35 becomes the dominant opposition. Indonesia is also interested in the Su-35BM as a replacement for its F-5 E/Fs.
Variants
Su-27M/Su-35 : Single-seat fighter.Su-35UB : Two-seat fighter and trainer. Features taller vertical stabilizers and a forward fuselage similar to the Su-30
Sukhoi Su-30
The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat military aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions.The Su-30 started out as an internal development project in the Sukhoi Su-27 family...
.
Su-35BM : Single-seat fighter with upgraded avionics and various modifications to the airframe. Su-35BM is informal name.
Su-35S : Russian domestic version of Su-35BM.
Su-37
Sukhoi Su-37
The Sukhoi Su-37 is an experimental single-seat, supermaneuverable multirole jet fighter, designed by Sukhoi. A further development of the original Su-27 'Flanker', it was modified from the first-generation Su-35 prototypes...
: Thrust-vectoring demonstrator.
Specifications (Su-35S)
See also
External links
- JSC Su-35 page at Knaapo.ru
- Su-35 page on Globalsecurity.org
- Su-35 photos on Aviapedia.com
- Stealth design Su-35 at Fighter-planes.com
- Su-35 all-weather counter-air fighter at Warfare.ru