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Further Reading

SU-35BM (Bolshaya Modernizatsiya - Big Modernization)

The Su-35BM is a new project, and not a Su-27M. The original Su-35 was produced in response to the requirements of the Soviet Air Force, with a preliminary series units being manufactured. Sukhoi assigned the designation Su-35 to the export version of the Su-27M (T-10M) in 1992. This fighter was fitted with canards and the N011 radar. The financial crisis in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union precluded the Russian Air Force from buying this model in significant numbers. Production of the Su-27M had started in Komsomolsk during the last days of the Soviet Union, and a total of 15 aircraft (including the prototypes) were ultimately manufactured. The Su-35 was offered without sucess to several countries including South Korea, UAE and Malaysia. This model was part of the FX competition for for the new multi-function fighter for Brazil, despite of the lack of tradition of use of Russian military material for Brazil.

But fifteen years later the financial circumstances have changed and the requirements for updating the fighter plane forces of the Russian Air Force are concrete and pressing.

The Su-35 fighter, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems. The aircraft features the new Irbis-E radar with a phased antenna array, which allows the pilot to detect and track up to 30 air targets, while simultaneously engaging up to eight targets. It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon with 150 rounds and can carry up to eight tons of combat payload on 12 external mounts.

The Sukhoi-35BM is designed on the base of the engineering solutions applied for creation of the fifth-generation aircraft taking into account the experience of operation of the Su-30MK2 (Su-27SM) multipurpose aircraft family. The Su-35 combines both characteristics necessary for a modern fighter, such as: supermaneuverability, sophisticated active and passive sensor systems, high supersonic flight speed, high flight range, possibility to arrange aircraft interaction; and characteristics of a good combat aircraft, namely: high combat load, wide range of the "air-to-surface" missiles, sophisticated multichannel electronic warfare system, reduced radar observability, air-defense break capability at a low level flight.

Principle design features include:

• Aerodynamic cleanness, application of the integral aerodynamic layout with a lift fuselage
• Multifunctionality and combat effectiveness: high-performance solution of a wide range of "air-to-air", "air-to-surface" tasks and reconnaissance
• High agile capabilities supporting super-maneuverability implemented by a new-generation power plant with thrust-vector control and new flight control system
• Reduced radar observability due to application of radar-absorbing materials and coating
• Combat survivability - two spaced engines, onboard systems redundancy, fuel tanks explosion protection, sophisticated electronic attack systems
• Target data distribution system (Air Force, Army and Navy network coordination)
• Highly integrated onboard equipment with a centralized control from an open architecture information-management system providing pilot intelligent support, using a "dark cockpit' concept
• Passive and active detection system with high range of action, monitoring of aerial, ground and surface space at a long distance from the main air base
• Effective penetration of area and point air defense systems by implementation of modern electronic countermeasures and weapons systems
• New approaches to the aircraft operation and maintenance system - auxiliary powerplant, onboard oxygen generator, built-in systems operability test facilities
• Training aids including full mission simulator, special trainers, and PC-based training system

The Su-35BM (Bolshaya Modernizatsiya - Big Modernization), undertook alterations in its fuselage, weight, RCS, embarked avionics, radar and bombs. The Su-35 aircraft is designed by "Sukhoi Design Bureau", but its production is mastered at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association named after Gagarin.

On the world fighter market Russia's Sukhoi is pinning its hopes, in the near future, on a substantially modernized Su-35 multi-role fighter. The model must be an interim type between today's Su-30MK in various configurations and a prospective fifth-generation fighter, whose deliveries may start after 2015. The Su-35 is a 4++ generation aircraft employing technologies of the fifth generation. Sukhoi claims they make it superior to all other 4th generation fighters now under development worldwide.

Program Status

The Su-35 has long been a brand name in the aviation world. Since 1992, an export version of the Su-27 fighter (created under the order of the Russian Air Force) has been demonstrated at international air shows. At the turn of the millennium, Su-35 fighters participated in the tenders of Korean and Brazilian air forces. By the mid-decade of the new century, a general concept emerged of a considerably modified Su-27 fighter, which retained the name of Su-35.

The first flight tests were foreseen for August of 2007, being operational in the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010. The first experimental Su-35, completed in summer 2007 at Komsomolsk-na-Amure Aviation Production Association (KnAAPO) first appeared at Russia's MAKS-2007 air show. Nowadays, the first flying prototype of Su-35 is undergoing ground tests. Its first flight took place on February 19, 2008. The first demonstration fight of the Su-35 on July 7, 2008 attracted much attention to this aircraft, which has been undergoing tests since February.

The latest addition to the large T-10 (Su-27) family is to become the interim fighter for the Russian Air Force before fifth-generation aircraft are launched into mass production. Following the first prototype, now on the assembly line of KnAAPO (Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Production Association) are a further two examples of Su-35. Those will join the tests this year. The production and delivery of Su-35s to customers are scheduled for 2010. They will continue with the emergence of a fifth-generation fighter on the market.

The state armament program for 2006-2015, adopted in 2006, envisages mass production of the Su-35BM for the Russian Air Force, and the Defense Ministry is expected to purchase 182 of these aircraft. In addition, technology developed within the Su-35 project will be used to upgrade the Su-27s to the Su-27SM2 standard. With the Su-35 launched into mass production in 2011, the 182 aircraft ordered by the Defense Ministry would be delivered by 2020. By that time the Russian Air Force would have between 120 and 140 upgraded Su-27s and 30-40 fifth-generation fighters, enabling the Air Force to maintain its combat potential in the next 2-3 decades.

The Su-35 was offered without sucess to several countries including South Korea, UAE and Malaysia. Beyond the Russian Air Force two other countries already had demonstrated interest for the modernized Flanker monoplace, Brazil and Venezuela. It may be that it goes to obtain customers with the same ability of the Su-30. It may be that China and India will turn into customers. This model was part of the FX competition for for the new multi-function fighter for Brazil, despite of the lack of tradition of use of Russian military material for Brazil. As of early June 2002 Sukhoi's Su-35 fighter jet was said to have a "close to 90 percent" chance of being the winner in a Brazilian tender to buy up to 24 new supersonic fighters for $700 million. Sweden's Saab bid in the contest together with BAE with its Gripen fighter, while Embraer and Dassault were offering a version of Dassault's Mirage strike plane.

Sukhoi said in 2008 it planned to start deliveries of the new aircraft, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," to the Russian Air Force and foreign clients in 2011 and produce Su-35s over a period of 10 years up to 2020. The company is planning to export at least 160 Su-35 fighters in the future to a number of countries, including India, Malaysia and Algeria.

On 02 October 2008 Sukhoi started flight tests of the second Su-35 Flanker multirole fighter to expedite the completion of the testing program. "The addition of the second aircraft to the testing program will speed up its completion and ensure the beginning of deliveries to our customers in 2011," Sukhoi said in a statement. The first Su-35 successfully completed its first 6-minute demonstration flight on 07 July 2008 and had made over 40 test flights since then. All of them confirmed superior technical and combat characteristics of the aircraft.

Different regimes of the work of power plant and integrated system for control were perfected for the hour. The stability parameters and aircraft handling, power plant were checked. There are no observations to the work of engines, systems and equipment. The deserved test pilot of the Russian Federation Sergey Bogdan piloted the aircraft. Specifically, under his control on 19 February 2008 the Su-35 for the first time was detached away from the earth.

Connection to the tests of the second aircraft will make it possible to accelerate the execution of program and to ensure the beginning of series deliveries Su-35 to Russian and foreign customers in 2011. The entering of fighter for the armament of Russian VVS will contribute to strengthening the defense capability of the country, and it will also allow Sukhoi to preserve competitive ability to the output to the market for the fighter of the fifth generation. Deliveries Su-35 for the export are planned to the countries of southeastern Asia, Africa, Near East and South America.