Su-35S: News

Su-35 bridges gap between current and next-gen fighters

By: John North

June 16, 2009
Aircraft


Sukhoi believes it is within two years of making first deliveries of its new Su-35 fighter as it prepares to add a third prototype to the flight-test program before the end of this month. The famous Russian design bureau is pinning its hopes on what it bills as a bridge between fourth-generation combat aircraft technology and the long-anticipated fifth-generation fighter that it expects will enter service in the second half of the next decade.


The flight test program started in February 2008 and passed the 100-flight mark on March 19 this year. The three test aircraft are due to make up to 160 flights among them. This year, Sukhoi expects to conclude static and super-agility tests en route to first deliveries in 2011.


Working largely at the KnAAPO factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Sukhoi has already completed static tests to prove the Su-35’s flight capabilities in critical modes and the stability performance of the aircraft. It has also tested the fighter’s integrated control systems, navigation equipment and other aircraft systems.


According to Sukhoi, the Su-35 is a “4++ generation” fighter that represents the early integration of some aspects of fifth-generation technology. The aircraft, which made its public debut almost two years ago at Moscow’s August 2007 MAKS airshow, is billed as an interim step between existing Su-30 models and an as-yet not fully specified fifth-generation offering from the Russian defense industry.


So what is actually new about the Su-35? Well, first, the new fighter features an improved airframe that promises a dramatically increased service life of 6,000 flight hours or 30 years of operation. Time between overhaul is to increase to 1,500 hours or 10 years in operation.


Aerodynamically, the Su-35 is similar to the existing Su-27 and unlike the more recent Su-30MKI, it does not have a canard. All three channels have an electrical fly-by-wire system without mechanical cabling.


The fully fly-by-wire fighter uses a new integrated control system, developed by Moscow-based MNPK Avionika, which simultaneously handles several systems, including remote control, automatic control and the braking system to enhance the
aircraft’s handling capability and maneuverability. Also absent from the Su-35 design is the overhead brake flap, which is a standard feature of the Su-27, with its functions performed instead by an active rudder.


The Su-35 chassis has been reinforced to support the aircraft’s increased takeoff and landing weights. For the same reason, the front bearing has two wheels.


Sukhoi’s new fighter is powered by a new 117S version of NPO Saturn’s earlier AL-31F powerplant to provide additional thrust. The engine features a new fan, high- and low-pressure systems and improved digital controls.


The upgrade has boosted the AL-31F’s maximum thrust rating by 16 percent to just under 32,000 pounds. In maximum, afterburner-free mode, it generates just over 19,000 pounds of thrust. The new engine, which is to be built by Ufa-based Motor Building Association (UMPO), also promises significantly improved reliability with mean time between overhaul tripled from 500 to 1,500 hours


New Onboard Systems
The Su-35’s cockpit features a new information management system, which integrates functional, logical, informational and software subsystems into a single core to facilitate the interaction between crew and equipment. The new unit includes two central digital computers and all-glass displays.


The core of Su-35 cockpit suite is a pair of two 9- by 12-inch, multifunction liquid-crystal displays; a multifunction panel with a built-in display processor; a wide-angle collimated display on the windshield and a control and indication panel.
The displays can show video images and on these it can overlay synthesized alphanumeric and other symbology. The cockpit computer also can produce and send digital video signals to a video recording unit.


The onboard systems and armaments for the Su-35 are controlled by buttons and switches on the joystick, from where the pilot can also activate engine controls. There are duplicate control buttons on the multi-function displays.


Eyes and Ears
The Su-35 also promises to be markedly stealthier than its Sukhoi predecessors. The fighter’s radar signature has been reduced both in the X-radio waveband and also in the angle range of plus or minus 60 degrees.


The core of the Su-35’s armaments package is a new radar control system with an Irbis-E phased-array antenna (Irbis-E). It was developed by V.V.Tikhomirov Instrument Research Institute and promises improved target detection capability.


The X-waveband multi-functional passive phased-array antenna (PPAA) radar is mounted on a two-step hydraulic drive unit (azimuth and roll). The antenna device scans via an electronically controlled beam in azimuth and angle of elevation in sectors not smaller than 60 degrees. The two-step electrohydraulic drive unit additionally turns the antenna by mechanical means to 60 degrees in azimuth and 120 degrees in roll.


The control system detects and tracks up to 30 air targets at a time, retaining continuity of space scanning and engaging up to eight targets simultaneously. The Irbis-E unit detects, selects and tracks up to four ground targets in several mapping modes with various resolutions at a range of almost 220 nm, without stopping to monitor the airspace. Over the same range, the radar can detect air targets with a radar cross section of just over 32 sq ft.


Other new onboard systems of Su-35 include modern navigation and radio communication packages and a new electronic countermeasures suite. Finally, the Su-35 is equipped with new types of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, including long-range weapons.

http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/su-35-bridges-gap-between-current-and-next-gen-fighters/

The Su-35 has alot of new gadgets on it but without AESA the Irbis E will not outperform its Western analogues.

Russian Air Force promised fifty fighters Su-35
08.07.2009

Military Russia has decided to procure for the Air Force 48 multi-purpose fighter Su-35. This, as reported by Interfax, said senior official of the Defense Ministry, whose name the agency is not disclosed. According to sources, the new combat aircraft will be taken by the year 2015.

Sobesednik agency also said that officially announce the contract with the company "Dry" will be one of the first days of the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2009. It will be held from 18 to 23 August at Zhukovsky near Moscow.

Note that at the end of March 2009 a new Russian fighter Su-35 made a hundredth flight, which took place last minute test flight control systems. In the second quarter of 2009, the developer had planned to connect to another flight test aircraft, and through the use of three vehicles to bring the number of flights up to 150-160.

Nevertheless, on April 26 at the airport "Dzemgi" during the crash test one of the Su-35 fighter jets. Outside steering wheel pilot managed to shoot and was not injured. But preliminary data, the cause of the accident was the refusal of the braking system of the aircraft. The manufacturer reported that the collapse of the Su-35 test dates are not sorvet.

Su-35 belongs to a generation "4 + +", but in its design technology used by the fifth generation. The aircraft is equipped with a new set of modern avionics and a radar station, which has long-range detection of air targets and can simultaneously accompanied by a large number of them. At Su-35 engines are installed with the increased traction and turning thrust vectoring.

In addition to the Air Force of Russia, the supply of new combat aircraft Su-35 is also planned in South-East Asia, Africa, Middle East and South America.
07.07.2009

Права на данный материал принадлежат Lenta.ru

MOSCOW, July 7. (ARMS-TASS). Russia Air Force announced plans to form a 2-3 regiment of Su-35 fighter jets. In turn, the Defense Ministry believes that in the Air Force before fifth-generation fighter for the Air Force of Russian Federation for the transition period from 2011 to 2015. will need to purchase 48 Su-35 fighter jets, which constitute a fighter generation "4 + +".

Su-35 - is deeply modernized sverhmanevrenny multipurpose fighter. It used the fifth-generation technology, providing superior to fighters of similar class.

When saving aerodynamic characteristics, typical of the aircraft family Su-27/30, fighter Su-35 represents a qualitatively new car. In particular, it is reducing the radar visibility, a new set of avionics based on the information management system, a new airborne radar with a phased array with an increased number of both accompanied and beaten with the goals of long-range detection.

At Su-35 engine installed 117S with controlled thrust vector. This engine was created as a result of deep modernization of AL-31F and has cravings 14.5 tons, 2 tons higher than the base engine. Engine 117S is a fifth generation prototype engine.

On the plane Su-35 company "Sukhoi" connects his immediate future in the global fighter aircraft market. This machine must take place between the multifunctional fighter Su-30MK aircraft, and prospective 5 th generation.

Planes Su-35 will allow the company "Sukhoi" remain competitive until the entry of fighter 5 th generation. The bulk of export deliveries of Su-35 can be predicted for the period 2011-2020 he worked. Series production is scheduled to begin in late 2010.

Deliveries of Su-35 are planned for export to South-East Asia, Africa, Middle East and South America. Among possible buyers of the first Su-35 experts known as Venezuela, China and Libya.

By test flights of Su-35 company "Sukhoi" began in February 2008

I think it was 48 to purchase. I read an article saying PAK FA was going to be late so this is why we buy it but it is a good plane. We have to be producing something until PAK FA comes out and there is no 4++++ plane that can compete with it.

Vladislav wrote:The Su-35 has alot of new gadgets on it but without AESA the Irbis E will not outperform its Western analogues.

That's right, no AESA or stealth. It is no match for our hundreds of F-16 Block 50s. American planes are way better than Russian. When we get F-35 we will defeat you over Georgia and invade Armenia.

Turk1 wrote:

Vladislav wrote:The Su-35 has alot of new gadgets on it but without AESA the Irbis E will not outperform its Western analogues.

That's right, no AESA or stealth. It is no match for our hundreds of F-16 Block 50s. American planes are way better than Russian. When we get F-35 we will defeat you over Georgia and invade Armenia.

Wow… this is so Western... blind, arrogant, and incompetent: a true sign of a genius. If I were you I wouldn't so blindly and arrogantly overestimate the US fighter planes, including the well advertised F-35 and even F-22 because they too have weaknesses and shortcomings, nothing in this world is perfect, even the most invincible (from the first sight) weapon has a weak point which can be exploited.

Similarly, I wouldn’t underestimate the Russian capabilities: as reality clearly demonstrates, Russians are not the idiots that are being demonstrated in most Hollywood movies (like Rambo or something, where a single American “super soldier” defeats an entire Russian/Soviet army). The real world is quite different from the one you see in movies and propaganda as well. As for the Russians, to every “supper weapon” made in the west Russia has always found an asymmetrical answer: a much simpler, inexpensive, at least no less decent or effective, and most importantly, absolutely extraordinary measure that no one in the West would anticipate. You just wait, the Su-35BM with its current capabilities is just the very beginning, soon Russians will install on their 4, 4+ and 4++ generation aircraft a stealth tracking radar – much superior than the current Irbis-E radar (“E” stands for export, that is, it is much weaker than what the Russians will have for their own air force) – capable of “seeing” all these extremely complex and expensive F-35s and F-22s. The history has clearly demonstrated, simplicity combined with uniqueness have always defeated complexity and expensiveness. The Russians are preparing for serial production their anti-stealth radars that will largely diminish the advantages the F-35s and F-22s in many aspects. When “seen” by these radars, both F-35s and F-22s will loose most of their advantages, especially, taking into account that in terms of flight characteristics they are significantly inferior to Su-35BM, especially the F-35.

In other words, wise men never underestimated their foes, and never overestimated themselves, obviously Napoleon and Hitler were not among them… you wanna join them too.

Oh yes… one more thing: in terms of invading Armenia I would recommend you to put your “great Ottoman” ambitions aside… we are not in 1915… the world has changed since that times, and things are very different now, try to remember that.

levon1981 wrote:
Wow… this is so Western... blind, arrogant, and incompetent: a true sign of a genius. If I were you I wouldn't so blindly and arrogantly overestimate the US fighter planes, including the well advertised F-35 and even F-22 because they too have weaknesses and shortcomings, nothing in this world is perfect, even the most invincible (from the first sight) weapon has a weak point which can be exploited.

So blind and incompetent? The F-22 has no rival in the world and the F-35 right behind it. You really think Russian/Armenian tactics are going to stop a NATO invasion?

levon1981 wrote: You just weight, the Su-35BM with its current capabilities is just the very beginning, soon Russians will install on their 4, 4+ and 4++ generation aircraft a stealth tracking radar – much superior than the current Irbis-E radar (“E” stands for export, that is, it is much weaker than what the Russians will have for their own air force) – capable of “seeing” all these extremely complex and expensive F-35s and F-22s. The history has clearly demonstrated, simplicity combined with uniqueness have always defeated complexity and expensiveness. The Russians are preparing for serial production their anti-stealth radars that will largely diminish the advantages the F-35s and F-22s in many aspects. When “seen” by these radars, both F-35s and F-22s will loose most of their advantages, especially, taking into account that in terms of flight characteristics they are significantly inferior to Su-35BM, especially the F-35.

The Irbis is their so called stealth tracking radar... there is only so far you can go with non-AESA technology and their PESA junk is at the limit. If they start installing a high module count AESA radar I might be worried. That would run rings around our F-16s, but still not up to par with an F-35. I wouldn't put too much stock in Russian radards picking up stealth aircraft at any great range. By the time they pick them up they will already be dead. Having PAK FA is the only way to save themselves but watching the Russian industry crumble doesn't look like that is going to happen.

levon1981 wrote:
In other words, wise men never underestimated their foes, and never overestimated themselves, obviously Napoleon and Hitler were not among them… you wanna join them too.

Oh yes… one more thing: in terms of invading Armenia I would recommend you to put your “great Ottoman” ambitions aside… we are not in 1915… the world has changed since that times, and things are very different now, try to remember that.

Oh, you are Armenian, so now I see where the hostility comes from. Since we embargoed your country you have become so poor troops are defecting to Azerbaijan. Your military can't afford to protect its own borders so you have the Russians do it for you. When we come rolling over the border your Russian allies won't be able to stop us with junk Mig-29As as your first line of defense.

Turk1 wrote:

levon1981 wrote:
In other words, wise men never underestimated their foes, and never overestimated themselves, obviously Napoleon and Hitler were not among them… you wanna join them too.

Oh yes… one more thing: in terms of invading Armenia I would recommend you to put your “great Ottoman” ambitions aside… we are not in 1915… the world has changed since that times, and things are very different now, try to remember that.

Oh, you are Armenian, so now I see where the hostility comes from. Since we embargoed your country you have become so poor troops are defecting to Azerbaijan. Your military can't afford to protect its own borders so you have the Russians do it for you. When we come rolling over the border your Russian allies won't be able to stop us with junk Mig-29As as your first line of defense.

First of all, if we would have been as weak as you think, we would have lost our lands and country a long time ago. We can protect ourselves, as a matter of fact. Earlier I recommended you not to underestimate your foes and not to overestimate yourself but you appeared to be not only blind, arrogant, and incompetent but deaf as well. I see now… you really are a “genious”.

Secondly, there is nothing wrong with us using the protection of the Russian allies, we did it throughout centuries and we do it now. By the way, you are using your American allies for protection as well. Without the protection of Americans and NATO you would have become a Russian province a long time ago, at least since the end of WW2.

Lastly, it is not the numbers that matter but the quality. Our northern neighbor, for that matter, thought the same way you do: he thought he can solve all of its problems with his neighbor by means of brutal force. As a result, he was given a very harsh lesson that he will remember for the rest of his life. One really should be blind or deaf not to understand that this was a lesson for everybody in this region. To put it bluntly, war is not an option

However, since you clearly demonstrate that you really are a “genius”, and you are not capable of carrying out a civilized and peaceful discussion: the only things you talk about is how great you are, and that you are craving to invade and destroy your neighbors, it is pointless for me to continue arguing with you: reasonable people do not argue with “geniuses”. And since you are a true “genius”, I am afraid all above said, as always, will be beyond your understanding.

Oh..so there was a pissing contest going in here... and it's started by Turks... well hehe.. it was also happened in forum where i used to post turks were notorious of spilling cum of their "superiority" there....

In my opinion however The Su-35 would become the Ultimate Flanker... High Power RADAR, RCS reductions and wide array armaments + long range would be its main selling points... in world market. her primary competitor would likely be the F-15SE variants which also pose pretty similar capability

Turks are always starting trouble... occupation of Cyprus, closing Armenian border, invading Iraq, flying into Greek airspace, crashing into Greek fighters... the list is endless.

Vladislav wrote:The Su-35 has alot of new gadgets on it but without AESA the Irbis E will not outperform its Western analogues.

Are you sure about that? the AESA main advantage over Irbis E is it allows aircraft to broadcast powerful radar signals while still remaining stealthy.
Su35 is not an stealth aircraft, so it dosen`t need AESA.
Another advantage of AESA is it`s lower probability of intercept. F22`s AESA could jam the Irbis E but this woudn`t prevent the Su35 to launch BVR missiles. irbis E also allows for an longer range and can simoustanley track and engage more targets. Irbis E also has an larger radar aperture
Another advantage of the Sukhoi are the different types of missiles it carries. Multiple missiles with different types of seekers make it impossible for american fighter to defend against. As American fighters use the AIM 120D. Since all AIM 120D are similar it should`n be hard for the Sukhoi to protect against them. An Sukhoi carries 3-4 times the ammount of missiles that every american aircraft carries. This is also a great advantage, especially in missile kinematics (if you know what I mean)

Turk1 wrote:

Vladislav wrote:The Su-35 has alot of new gadgets on it but without AESA the Irbis E will not outperform its Western analogues.

That's right, no AESA or stealth. It is no match for our hundreds of F-16 Block 50s. American planes are way better than Russian. When we get F-35 we will defeat you over Georgia and invade Armenia.

F16 are cheap "obsolete" fiof F16, equivalent to the ammount of missiles it carries. Your F16 would be destrayed before they reach our borders. ghters. Their only advantage is their cheap price and its small maintenance costs. An Su35 would shot down an ammount of F16, equivalent to the ammount of missiles it carries.

State tests are coming

The company "Sukhoi" completes preliminary testing of a new multipurpose fighter Su-35 and plans this fall to provide an aircraft for the state joint tests (ICG). Su-35 as a promising Complex Frontal Aviation (PAK FA), will ensure the safety of the sky of Russia in the new century.

According to Interfax-AVN director of the Su-35, the chief designer of the Sukhoi Design Bureau Igor Demin, bringing the aircraft to the ICG can be expected in September or October. According to him, now in flight testing involved two Su-35 fighter. At the stage of ICG their number will be increased to six. The third car will take off in the fourth quarter of this year.

As Igor Demin, a program of flight tests of the Su-35 provides for the implementation of a fairly large number of flights. This is due to the fact that this machine set a lot of new systems and components, apply the most modern aircraft weapon.

Earlier it was reported that during the preliminary tests multi-purpose fighter Su-35 is fully confirmed the declared characteristics. In particular, it has been a top speed at sea level 1.400 km / h, at a height - 2.500 km / h, ceiling - 19 thousand meters range target detection in the "air - air - more than 400 km, which is significantly higher than figure standing in the arsenal of aircraft.

Su-35 along with promising aviation complex tactical aircraft (PAK FA) will largely determine the level of Russia's defense capability in the foreseeable future. In accordance with a prisoner in the 2009 state contract to supply the Ministry of Defence in 2015, 48 Su-35 factory Sukhoi in Komsomolsk-on-Amur serial production of fighter aircraft, the first of which will be commissioned later this year. Production deliveries will start in 2011.

Technology embodied in the Su-35 program, will allow a relatively short period of time to conduct a partial upgrade of the air forces of the country and quickly master the technique of the next generation.

Company Sukhoi is also negotiating with foreign clients interested in re-equipping its air force. Production deliveries of Su-35 for export are planned for 2012.

Su-35 - deeply modernized super maneuverable multifunctional fighter generation "4 + +". It uses a fifth-generation technology, providing superiority fighter class.

Distinctive features of the aircraft are new avionics based on digital information management system that integrates avionics systems, new radar station (radar) with a phased array with long-range detection of air targets with an increased number of simultaneously tracked and fired targets. The airplane is the new engines with increased thrust and turning thrust vector.

Su-35 has the broad nomenclature of weapons large, medium and short range. It can be operated air attack antiRLS, antikorabl general purpose, adjustable, bombs, and unguided weapons.

Radar visibility fighter planes compared with the fourth generation is reduced by several times due to an electrically conductive coating cockpit, causing the radio absorbing coatings and reduced the number of speakers sensors. Resource aircraft - 6 thousand flight hours, lifetime - 30 years of operation, the designated resource engines with controlled nozzle - 4 thousand hours.

13/08/2010
Red Star

Any idea on the RCS reduction they managed to achieve with Su-35 ?

The Su-35 are already supercruising , they have yet to release the data of the aircraft managed to supercruise with useful load.

I wanted to see some of the specs for SU-35BM and when I looked at it on wiki(wasn't going for serious things, just basics) I saw that price is around 40 mil. $, is that true??? If it is than it is the best airplane ever built because it is an extremely powerful aircraft with a low price, wich is just the best offer ever, plus it's a Su!!! XD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-35BM

Wouldn't trust the Wiki estimate till aircraft have been sold.

Once they are selling them we will still see a variation in cost because some will just be aircraft while other sales might be to customers that don't already operate Flankers so they will need infrastructure and training and logistics etc etc.
And of course the weapons it uses will not be cheap with new digital models of the R-77 and R-73 and later weapons.

GarryB wrote:Wouldn't trust the Wiki estimate till aircraft have been sold.

Once they are selling them we will still see a variation in cost because some will just be aircraft while other sales might be to customers that don't already operate Flankers so they will need infrastructure and training and logistics etc etc.
And of course the weapons it uses will not be cheap with new digital models of the R-77 and R-73 and later weapons.

The plane (Su-35S/BM) was recently offered to Greece ( I know,I know crisis and all, but defence budgets must be planned, there is no nation without defence) for $50m each +weapons ... so the price sounds right..

I've heard forum nerds from a bunch of other forums estimate it's RCS to be about 1 m^2 - 0.1 m^2 so it's gonna be a tougher aircraft to detect, which is good because then the Su-35 can get into mad dog ranges where it reigns supreme.

The plane (Su-35S/BM) was recently offered to Greece ( I know,I know crisis and all, but defence budgets must be planned, there is no nation without defence) for $50m each +weapons ... so the price sounds right..

That is quite frankly astounding considering the Aussies paid something like double that for their Super Hornets.

Sure the SH is a sophisticated aircraft with all the bobs and whistles but there are a lot of people not very happy about it... like Carlos Kopp.

If they can keep it to that price they should be able to afford quite a few of them.

Im curious what are production capabilities of Su-35 per year? ... Indonesia recently announced it wants 180 Su fighters till 2020 so I guess large portion of it will be Su-35, if they menage to find money for it? (Carlo Copp predictions are coming true)

The various factories that make Flankers are reasonably healthy through exports so I would think their capacity for production would be pretty good.

The Su-35 is going through some minor testing and will probably start production in 2011 for the Russian AF, most of the new technologies have been in testing for some time and would not need too much time in the air.

With firm orders with money down I am sure they could ramp up production pretty quickly.

Yeah, and there has been talk about a 2 stage long range high maneuverability missile, would pretty much end Western Air Supremacy.