Sukhoi Su-35

Sukhoi Su-35
Su-35S, the second draft of the Su-35
Type:	Air superiority fighter Multipurpose fighter
Design country:	Soviet Union (until 1991)  Russia (since 1991)
Manufacturer:	Sukhoi
First flight:	Su-27M / Su-35: June 28, 1988 Su-35S: February 19, 2008
Commissioning:	2014
Production time:	In series production since 2009
Number of pieces:	Su-27M / Su-35:15 Su-35S: 111 series aircraft + 2 prototypes (as of October 16, 2019)

Suchoi Su-35 ( Russian Сухой Су-35 , NATO code name : Flanker-E ) is the name of two heavily upgraded versions of the Su-27 ( Flanker ). These aircraft are sometimes also referred to as Super Flankers .

The first variant was developed in the Soviet Union as early as the 1980s. The version, initially referred to as the Su-27M, had a revised airframe, duck wings , an enlarged radome for the N-011 radar and improved avionics. Financial problems in the 1990s and a lack of export demand contributed to the fact that the first Su-35 design was not developed to series production level despite numerous prototypes. Some machines were used by the Russian aerobatic team " Russkije Witjasi ".

In 2003, Suchoi began to modernize the Su-27 again extensively in order to create an interim solution until the Su-57 was introduced . The duck wings and the air brake of the first Su-35 draft were omitted, the airframe was reinforced and the avionics and radar improved. The more powerful engines have a thrust vector control and should allow supersonic speeds without afterburner . The Russian Air Force ordered a total of 48 machines bearing the type designation Su-35S. Another 50 aircraft were ordered in January 2016.

Based on the operational experience in Syria , among other things, the air inlets of the engines are modified to improve protection against foreign objects. Hardware and software of the avionics are to better combat ground targets adjusted.

History and Development

Su-35 in the Russian aerobatic team "Russkije Vitjasi"

First draft

Even before the Su-27 was put into service, Sukhoi thought about developing an entire family of aircraft from this type. This should consist of a long-range interceptor, an air superiority fighter, a fighter-bomber and a multi-role fighter. Sukhoi called the series 30, with the Su-35 representing the air superiority fighter .

Su-35 prototype T-10M-1 in the Air Force Museum Monino

Work on the Su-27M (internal T-10M) began in 1984; on June 28, 1988 the first (T-10M-1) of a total of ten prototypes had its maiden flight. The aircraft now known as the Su-35 (this was the third prototype T-10M-3) had its first public appearance in 1992 at the Farnborough International Airshow . It turned out that the machine had been fundamentally developed. Outwardly, the aircraft differs from its predecessors in that it has duck wings and a much larger radome . In the further development, the focus was placed on greater maneuverability in order to increase the combat power. Therefore the stability of the machine was reduced and at the same time a digital electrical control was installed for the first time. In combination with the duck wings, the machine was significantly more agile than the very stable flying Su-27 . The dry thrust of the engines was increased, but not enough for a supercruise capability of the machine. The fuel consumption could also be reduced; However, it remained very high compared to American and European engines. The limitation of the angle of attack could be increased to 30 ° and the use of composite materials and aluminum-lithium alloys made it possible to keep the weight within acceptable limits.

The N-011 multi-range radar was housed in the greatly enlarged radome. Its range is specified as 160 km for targets with a radar reflective surface of 3 m². It can locate up to 20 targets and allows you to fight six of them at the same time. The Su-35 was equipped with a rear-facing radar, the range of which is specified as up to 50 km, although the target size remains unclear. Theoretically, it could also be used to control guided missiles fired backwards. The ECM systems were housed at the wing tips .

A total of ten single-seat prototypes of the Su-35 and two further Su-35UB double-seaters were built for training purposes. An eleventh prototype (T-10M-11) was equipped with a 2D thrust vector control and was named Su-37 Terminator .

Second draft Su-35S / BM

After the first draft of the Su-35 failed to show any export success, the development of a new Su-35 began in 2003. The Su-35S (internal code: BM) was presented in 2007 and completed its maiden flight on February 19, 2008. The machine is based on the Su-27SM, which is why the Russian air force initially used the designation Su-27SM2. During flight tests on April 14, 2009, the third prototype was lost. The test pilot was able to save himself with the ejection seat and was uninjured. Nonetheless, at the end of 2009, series production for the Russian air force began. They initially planned the acquisition of 24 to 36 machines. At MAKS 2009, at which the Su-35S was also demonstrated, the Russian Air Force finally ordered 48 machines, which were to be delivered between 2012 and 2015. Another contract followed in summer 2014 for the delivery of an additional 56–64 machines. Thus, the number of machines ordered for Russia will initially amount to 104–112. The first production machine took off on May 3, 2011 in Komsomolsk am Amur with Sergej Bogdan at the controls for its maiden flight.

Construction and technology

Airframe

The standard airframe of the Su-27 series was largely retained in order to maintain the same aerodynamic configuration as the Su-27. The changes included the more frequent use of titanium alloys to increase cell life to 6000 hours without excessively increasing curb weight. An overhaul is necessary every 1500 flight hours. The air brake has been removed, its task is now taken over by the opposite movement of control surfaces. Since an increase in the curb weight could not be avoided, the landing gear was reinforced and the nose landing gear was equipped with a double wheel. The internal fuel capacity has been increased to 11,500 kg. For air refueling, there is a fold-out refueling probe on the left side of the cockpit. To improve maneuverability, a four-fold redundant fly-by-wire system of the type KSU-35 from MNPK Avionika was installed, which also automatically removes the fighter jet . For the first time, the effective radar reflective surface (RCS) was reduced in a series machine from the Su-27 series . The cockpit hood was given a reflective coating, and edges visible from the front were coated with magnetic absorber material. The compressor blades and air inlets of the engines were also coated, which significantly reduced the RCS of the inlets compared to the Su-27.

cockpit

The cockpit has been completely revised and is now designed as an EFIS . It mainly consists of two large MFI-35 color displays, each measuring 229 × 305 mm and 1400 × 1050 pixels each, on which sensor and flight data can be displayed. There are input keys on the edges of the screens, and the HOTAS concept was also implemented. The IKSh-1M head-up display has a field of view of 20 × 30 °. The pilot sits on a Zvezda-K-36D-3.5E ejection seat with zero-zero capability.

Avionics

The Irbis-E-Radar

The main sensor is the mechanically swiveled passive phased array radar Irbis-E (snow leopard), which is based on the N011M Bars of the Su-30MKI, has an antenna diameter of 900 mm and transmits in the X-band. The problem of loss of power with electronic swivel angles of over 40 ° has been solved, so that the full swivel range of ± 60 ° in elevation and azimuth can now be used. Since the mechanical tracking was retained, the antenna can still be swiveled by ± 60 ° in azimuth and rotated by 120 °. The signal processing processor has been replaced by the Solo 35 digital computer, which allows up to 30 targets to be tracked in Track-While-Scan mode and eight of them to be engaged in simultaneously. In air-to-ground mode, four targets can be pursued and two of them can be fought at the same time. The bar's original 7 kW traveling wave tube has been replaced by two 10 kW tubes. The usable frequency band is said to have doubled compared to the bars. The official detection range is given as 90 km against a target with a radar reflecting surface of 0.01 m². Since this corresponds roughly to the detection range of an E-3 Sentry without a RISP upgrade, the information is very unreliable. If, on the other hand, the antenna gain of the bar and its pulse power of 4.8 kW with a 7 kW feed is taken as a reference, a pulse power of 13.7 kW can be calculated for the Irbis-E with the same losses. If the location range of about 140 km for a target with an RCS of 1 m² for the bar is taken as a reference, a location range of 182 km can be calculated using the radar equation . Like all machines in the Su-27 family, the Su-35BM has a rear radar to improve the pilot's awareness of the situation. This NIIP N012 was adopted by the SU-27/30 and achieves a detection range of 20 NM (37 km) against a target with a radar reflective surface of 1 m². The radar scans ± 60 ° in azimuth and elevation and is also used to coordinate active and passive countermeasures.

The OLS-35 consists of an infrared sensor, a video camera and a laser range finder and is located at the front right in front of the cockpit. In a search range of ± 90 ° in azimuth and + 60 / −15 ° in elevation, up to four aerial targets can be tracked simultaneously. The detection range against subsonic targets is given as 50 km on approach and 90 km in pursuit. The laser rangefinder is used to precisely track individual targets. The measurement accuracy for air targets at a distance of 20 km and ground targets at a distance of 30 km is ± 5 meters.

For electronic countermeasures , interference containers of the type SAP-518 can be mounted on the wing tips, which work in the frequency range from 5 to 18 GHz. The antennas of the radar detector (ESM) L150 from Pastel in Omsk are located on the left and right of the tail unit and on the side of the air inlets. They cover the frequency range from 1.2 to 40 GHz and allow a location with an accuracy of 5 °. In addition, a rocket detector working on an infrared basis with six sensors, which is supposed to cover the entire airspace within a radius of 30 km, and a laser warning system with two sensors complement the self-protection equipment. Export machines of the Su-30 series such as the Su-30MKM, for example, are equipped with the MAW-300 missile detector from Saab Avitronics.

Engines

117S engines from behind

Two 117S turbofan turbines from Saturn are used as propulsion . Due to the limited budget of the Russian air force, the development of the engine was carried out by the companies Suchoi (40%), Saturn (30%) and UMPO (30%) from their own resources. The engine is based on the AL-31F . The fan was enlarged by 3% from 903 mm to 932 mm, new high and low pressure turbines were installed and a new FADEC was installed. The thrust vector nozzle is based on the AL-31FP and can deflect the exhaust jet at a rate of 30 ° / s by ± 15 ° in one axis. Compared to the original model, the service life of the engine has been more than doubled from 1500 hours to 4000 hours. The MTBO value could be increased from 500 to 1000 hours, whereby the time until the first overhaul is 1500 hours. The MTBO value of the thrust vector nozzle could be adapted to the engine, while the nozzles of the Su-30MKI already have to be overhauled every 500 hours. KnAAPO specifies the thrust per engine as 8800  kp dry and 14,000 kp wet as well as 14,500 kp in "special mode".

There is no statement from Suchoi or KnAAPO that the Su-35S can reach supersonic speed with this engine without an afterburner. According to Igor Dyomin, head of the Su-35 project, the Su-35S reached supersonic speed with these engines in the first flight tests without the use of the afterburner. The final speed as well as the possible weapon mountings should be determined in further tests.

Versions

Two-seat Su-35UB

Su-27M / Su-35
prototype series of a single-seat air superiority fighter.

Su-35UB
Two-seat version of the Su-35.

Su-35S
Modernized multipurpose fighter .

Su-35BM
Internal manufacturer's designation of the Su-35S.

Su-37
prototype; Version of the first Su-35 with more powerful AL-37FU engines and 2D thrust vector control.

Technical specifications

Su-35S at the MAKS 2009

Su-35S when maneuvering

Su-35S at a flight demonstration

Parameter	Data of the Su-27M / Su-35	Data from the Su-35S
Type	Air superiority fighter	Multipurpose fighter
length	22.18 m	21.94 m
span	14.70 m	15.30 m
Wing area	62.04 m²	62.04 m²
Wing extension	3.48	3.77
Wing loading	minimum (empty weight): 297 kg / m² nominal (normal take-off weight): 430 kg / m² maximum (max. takeoff weight): 548 kg / m²	minimum (empty weight): 306 kg / m² nominal (normal take-off weight): 408 kg / m² maximum (max. takeoff weight): 556 kg / m²
height	6.32 m	5.93 m
Empty mass	18,400 kg	approx. 19,000 kg
normal takeoff mass	26,700 kg	25,300 kg
Max. Takeoff mass	34,000 kg	34,500 kg (with overload: 38,800 kg)
maximum fuel capacity	7,500 kg (internal)	11,500 kg (internal)
Fuel ratio	0.29	0.38
charges	−3 g to +9 g	−3 g to +9 g
Top speed	2095 km / h or Mach 2.00 (at 10,975 m) 1396 km / h or Mach 1.14 (at sea level)	Mach 2.25 (at 11,000 m altitude) approx. 1400 km / h or Mach 1.14 (at sea level)
Service ceiling	approx. 18,000 m	19,000 m
maximum rate of climb	k. A.	> 280 m / s
Use radius	k. A.	1580 km
Max. Range	3680 km	4500 km
Engines	two Saturn / Ljulka-AL-31FM - turbofans	two Saturn 117S turbofan engines
Thrust	with afterburner: 2 × 122.60 kN without afterburner: 2 × 79.43 kN	with afterburner: 2 × 142.97 kN without afterburner: 2 × 86.27 kN
Thrust-to-weight ratio	maximum (empty weight): 1.36 nominal (normal take-off mass): 0.94 minimum (max.starting mass): 0.74	maximum (empty weight): 1.53 nominal (normal take-off mass): 1.15 minimum (max.starting mass): 0.84

Armament of the Su-27M / Su-35

Permanently installed armament in the bow
1 x 30 mm automatic cannon GRYAZEV-SHIPUNOV GSH-301 (9A-4071K) with up to 150 rounds of ammunition

Gun loading of 8000 kg at 14 external load stations

Air-to-air guided missile
2 × launch rails for each 1 × Nowator KS-172 Mod.1 / Mod. 2 AAM-L (R-72) - radar-controlled for ultra long range
6 × AKU / APU-470 launch rails for each 1 × GosMKB Wympel R-27ER (AA-10C "Alamo") - semi-active radar-guided for extended medium distances
2 × AKU / APU-470 start rails for 1 × GosMKB Wympel R-27ET (AA-10D "Alamo") - infrared controlled for extended medium distances
6 × AKU / APU-470 start rails for 1 × GosMKB Wympel R-27R (AA-10 "Alamo") - semi-active radar-guided for medium-haul routes
6 × AKU / APU-470 start rails for 1 × GosMKB Wympel R-27T (AA- 10 "Alamo") - infrared
controlled for medium distances 6 × AAKU / APU-170 start rails for 1 × GosMKB Wympel R-77MP (RWW-AE or AA-12 "Adder") - radar-guided for medium distances
6 × P-12- 1-D start rails for 1 × GosMKB Wympel R-73E / R-74 (RWW-MD or AA-11 "Archer") - infrared controlled for short distances

Cruise missiles
4 × AKU-58 launch rails for a MKB Raduga Ch-59ME "Owod" (AS-18 "Kazoo")
6 × Zvezda Ch-35 "Uran" (3M24 or AS-20 "Kayak") - anti-ship guided missiles

Air-to-ground guided missile
6 × AKU-58M launch rails for 1 × GosMKB Wympel Ch-29L (AS-14 "Kedge")
each - laser-guided 6 × AKU-58M launch rails for 1 × GosMKB Wympel Ch-29T (AS- 14 "Kedge") - TV-controlled
4 × AKU-58 starting rails for a Zvezda-Strela Ch-31P "Taifoon" (AS-17 Krypton) - passive location for radar control
4 × AKU-58 starting rails for a Zvezda-Strela Ch- 31A "Taifoon" (AS-17 Krypton) - actively radar-guided for fighting ships

Guided bombs
3 × BD-4 suspension for each 1 × region JSC KAB-1500 L-F ( laser-guided 1500 kg bomb)
3 × BD-4 suspension for each 1 × region JSC KAB-1500S-E (satellite navigation- guided 1500 kg Bomb)
6 × BD-3U suspension for each 1 × GNPP KAB-500 KR (television-controlled 500 kg bomb)
6 × BD-3U suspension for each 1 × GNPP KAB-500S-E (satellite navigation- guided 500 kg bomb) Bomb)
6 × BD-3U suspension for 1 × GNPP KAB-500L each (laser-guided 500 kg bomb)

External containers
3 × additional tanks for 3000 liters of kerosene each
1 × Tekon / Elektron APK-9E data transmission container for Ch-29, Ch-59
1 × EloKa and reconnaissance container

Armament of the Su-35S

Permanently installed armament in the bow
1 x 30 mm automatic cannon GRYAZEV-SHIPUNOV GSH-301 (9A-4071K) with up to 150 rounds of ammunition

Gun loading of 8000 kg at twelve external load stations

Air-to-air guided missiles
5 × R-37 - long-range air-to-air missiles
8 × Wympel R-27 ER (AA-10C Alamo) - medium-range air-to-air missiles, semi-active radar seeker
4 × Wympel R-27ET (AA -10D Alamo) - Medium-range air-to-air missiles, infrared seeker head
12 × Wympel R-77 (RWW-AE, RWW-SD, AAM-AE or AA-12 Adder) - Medium-range air-to-air missiles, more active Radar seeker head
6 × Wympel R-73 E (RWW-MD or AA-11 Archer) - short-range air-to-air missiles, infrared seeker head

Air-to-ground guided missiles
6 × Ch-29 L / T (AS-14 Kedge) - laser or video-guided
6 × Ch-31 P (AS-17 Krypton) - anti-radar missiles
6 × Ch-31A (AS-17 Krypton) - Anti-ship missile
5 × Zvezda Ch-35 "Uran" / 3M24 (AS-20 "Kayak") - Anti-ship guided missile
5 × Raduga Ch-59MK (AS-18 Kazoo) - Multipurpose guided missile
5 × Raduga Ch-58UShKE ( AS-11 Kilter) - anti-radar missiles

Guided bombs
3 × BD-4 suspension for each 1 × region JSC KAB-1500L-F ( laser-guided 1500 kg bomb with HE, aerosol and a bunker-breaking warhead)
8 × BD-3U suspensions for each 1 × region JSC KAB-500L / Kr (laser / video-guided 500 kg bomb)
8 × BD-3U suspensions for 1 × region each JSC KAB-500S-E (satellite navigation-guided 500 kg bomb)

External container
2 × additional tanks for 2000 liters of kerosene each

commitment

At the end of January 2016, four Su-35S of the Russian Air Force were relocated to Latakia as part of the Russian military operation in Syria .

User states

•  Egypt - In 2018, Egypt ordered 24 Su-35s priced at $ 2 billion . The delivery is to take place from 2021.
•  Indonesia - 2 Su-35s have been in service with the Air Force since October 2018 . The order includes a total of 11 aircraft, the negotiations of which were announced in 2015.
•  Russia - At the end of 2019 there were 111 Su-35S in service with the Air Force .
•  People's Republic of China - At the end of 2018 there were 24 Su-35s in service with the Air Force .

Web links

Commons : Sukhoi Su-35  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• KnAAPO - advertising brochure for the Su-35S (PDF; 2.3 MB)
• Sukhoi Su-35 - On the official Sukhoi website

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Archive link ( Memento from February 12, 2014 in the web archive archive.today )
2. ↑ Su-35S production started. FliegerWeb, December 4, 2009, accessed November 7, 2010 . 
3. ↑ Скорое обновление. (No longer available online.) Sukhoi.org, September 1, 2010, archived from the original on February 25, 2014 ; Retrieved November 7, 2010 (Russian). 
4. ↑ Archive link ( Memento from November 15, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
5. ↑ So it becomes even more deadly: Russian Su-35 gets upgrade after Syria mission
6. ↑ FliegerRevue August 2008, p. 20, Flügge finally: Su-35
7. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h} Suchoi News - Su-35 A STEP AWAY FROM THE FIFTH GENERATION ( Memento from July 28, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 2.1 MB)
8. ↑ Sukhoi Su-35-1 makes first flight. Flightglobal, February 25, 2009, accessed November 7, 2010 . 
9. ↑ Sukhoi confirms the Su-35 prototype crash. Flightglobal, April 27, 2009, accessed November 7, 2010 . 
10. ↑ Russian air force seeks 24-36 Su-35 fighters. Flightglobal, July 12, 2008, accessed November 7, 2010 . 
11. ↑ Russia signs $ 2.5 billion deal for 64 Sukhoi fighters. Flightglobal, August 20, 2009, accessed November 7, 2010 . 
12. ↑ Минобороны России может получить до 64 Су-35 по новому контракту с ОАК. RIA, June 28, 2014, accessed July 3, 2014 (Russian). 
13. ↑ FlugRevue July 2011, p. 16, Su-35S in flight test
14. ↑ globalsecurity: SU-35BM
15. ↑ ^{a b c} KNAAPO - Su-35 multifunctional super-maneuverable fighter (PDF; 2.3 MB)
16. ^ Carlo Kopp: Russian fighters. (PDF; 766 kB) capability assessment. In: Defense today. Strike Publications, January 2008, pp. 28–31 , accessed November 28, 2017 . 
17. ↑ Overscan's Guide to Russian Military Avionics ( Memento of the original from July 7, 2012 in the web archive archive.today ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
18. ↑ FlugRevue December 2011, pp. 46–51, Generation 4 ++
19. ^ Airforce technology: Su-30MK
20. ^ Defense Technology International: Afterburners Operational , 2008
21. ↑ ^{a b} Su-35 basic specifications. (No longer available online.) KNAAPO, archived from the original on January 16, 2007 ; accessed on November 7, 2010 (English). 
22. ↑ "Сухой" завершает предварительные испытания многофункционального истребителя Су-35. Sukhoi.org, July 20, 2010, accessed November 7, 2010 (Russian). 
23. ^ Jefim Gordon : Soviet / Russian Aircraft Weapons since World War Two. Midland Publications, 2004, p. 175.
24. ^ Jefim Gordon: Soviet / Russian Aircraft Weapons since World War Two. Midland Publications, 2004, p. 175.
25. ↑ Russian military confirms: Su-35S fighter jets already in Syria. In: de.sputniknews.com. February 1, 2016, accessed February 1, 2016 . 
26. ^ Defense-Aerospace.com: Russia Launches Production of Su-35 Fighter Jets for Egypt
27. ^ Forecastinternational.com: Su-35 Production for Egypt Begins
28. ^ Joanne Stocker: Russia and Indonesia finalize contract for 11 Su-35 fighter jets. In: Globe Post network - The Defense Post. thedefensepost.com, February 15, 2018, accessed July 22, 2019 . 
29. ↑ Военным передали сотый серийный истребитель Су-35С. In: Mil.Press Военное. военное.рф, December 12, 2018, accessed December 28, 2018 (Russian). 
30. ↑ Тверской авиаполк получил первую пару новейших истребителей Су-35. In: Mil.Press Военное. военное.рф, January 10, 2019, accessed on January 11, 2019 (Russian, including another 2 Su-35S were delivered). 
31. ↑ Под Тверью сформирована эскадрилья новейших истребителей Су-35С. In: Mil.Press Военное. военное.рф, July 31, 2019, accessed on August 2, 2019 (in Russian, a total of 6 Su-35S were handed over to the air force in July 2019). 
32. ↑ Аркадьев, Андрей: Авиаполк под Тверью усилен новейшими истребителями Су-35. In: ОАО «ТРК ВС РФ« ЗВЕЗДА ». tvzvezda.ru, October 16, 2019, accessed on October 18, 2019 (in Russian, among others another 3 Su-35S were handed over to the air force). 
33. ↑ Россия поставила все купленные Китаем истребители Су-35. In: Интерфакс. interfax.ru, November 26, 2018, accessed on July 22, 2019 (Russian).