Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E / Super Flanker) Multirole Fighter - History, Specs and Pictures

Authored By Staff Writer | Last Updated: 9/4/2012

Development of a more advanced version of the Su-27 Flanker produced the impressive Su-35 Flanker-E - now beginning to enter service in noticeable numbers.

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The Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO: "Flanker-E") is a variant of the successful Su-27 "Flanker" family of air superiority aircraft. The original Su-27 was born in a late 1970s Soviet Air Force initiative to counter the American McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority mount. Since then, the type's tactical value has broadened considerably in the ground attack role and the line has even spawned the navy-centric carrier-based Su-33. The Su-35 is marketed as a true 4th Generation multirole performer built upon the strong qualities of the Su-27 line - retaining its air-to-air prowess while incorporating advanced ground attack features. The Su-35 emerged from the modified Su-27M developmental series. The "Su-35" designation came about in 1993 though the aircraft was already publically displayed at the 1992 Farnborough Air Show. Ten total prototypes of the Su-35 were built, four being conversions from existing Su-27s while the rest were new-build aircraft while official Russian evaluation began in 1996. The Su-35 differs from the original Su-27 in its inherent multirole capabilities, modernized avionics, long range endurance and streamlines aerodynamic qualities. First flight was recorded in June of 1998 and, after an extended period of testing, formally entered production after adoption by the Russian Air Force as the "Su-35S in 2010".

The aircraft features an integrated in-flight refueling probe, provision for ECM (Electronic CounterMeasure) pods, upgraded and more powerful engines, larger wing surface areas and a forward and rear-facing Phazotron radar system capable of simultaneous tracking of 24 targets up to 62 miles (100km) away over uneven terrain. An additional auxiliary internal reserve fuel tank has been added as well. The cockpit sports an updated color CRT display as well as a HUD (Heads-Up Display) and digital fly-by-wire with quadruple redundancy capable of finding four different ways for the onboard computer system to achieve the desired flight control action. Avionics include an Irbis-E passive phased array radar system. The advanced nature of the Su-35 nets it the classification of 4th Generation Fighter - with capabilities beyond the original/current crop of 4th Generation mounts and below the standard of a true 5th Generation mount (such as the American Lockheed F-22 Raptor series).

Outwardly, the Su-35 retains much of the clean sleek lines of the Su-27. It is a noticeably large aircraft with well-swept wings, a long running forward fuselage and side-by-side engine layout. The Su-35 makes use of a nose cone housing its powerful radar array and twin vertical tails, each sitting atop the engine installations. The engines exhaust through thrust vectoring rings at the extreme aft section of the fuselage. The Su-35 also features the Flanker-style stinger - an extended portion of fuselage housing a rear-looking radar facility.

Power is served through 2 x Saturn 1117S afterburning turbofan engines with thrust vector control. The engines output at 32,000lbs thrust each on full open throttle and roughly 19,400lbs each on dry thrust alone. The thrust vectoring system will allow for excellent agility when compared to the conventional Su-27 mount, able to make tighter turns for evasion in a dogfight or out maneuvering homing/guided missiles. The Su-35S lists a top speed of Mach 2.25 at altitude, roughly 1,500 miles per hour. Operational range on internal fuel is out to 1,900 nautical miles while the Su-35S can ferry out to 2,400 nautical miles. The Su-35S will have the capability to operate at service ceilings of 60,000 feet and sport a 55,100 feet per minute climb rate.

As a multirole fighter platform, the Su-35S will benefit from the full array of Russian-sponsored ordnance options across no fewer than 14 weapon hardpoints, 12 underwing and underfuselage. A 30mm GSh-30 internal cannon will be standard for close-in fighting (150 projectiles allocated) while the wingtips will be reserved for the R-73 (AA-11 "Archer") short-range air-to-air missile system. Additionally, the wingtip rails can be removed and replaced with specialized ECM pods. The remaining hardpoints will be home to various air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, anti-radiation missiles, anti-ship missiles, laser-guided bombs, guided rocket pods, unguided rocket pods, and precision weapons as needed.

Two Su-27M aircraft were utilized in another improvement program becoming the Su-37 "Flanker-F". Similar to the Su-35 model, these systems featured thrust vectoring nozzles for increased agility. Only the two examples were ever produced before the experimental program was shelved - the test aircraft being converted into full Su-35 variants. The two-seat trainer variant of the Su-35 will be the Su-35UB while retaining some of the inherent combat capabilities of the single-seat brethren. The Su-35BM represents an upgraded design from the original Su-35 offering while the Su-35S is the product of this endeavor.

In September of 2012, it was announced that the Russian Air Force was proceeding with its plans to procure the Su-35S in number after successful testing of the system began wrapping up. Deliveries of the first production-quality batch Su-35S is expected in October of 2012 and, in all, will number some 48 aircraft. The Russian Air Force expects to procure a total of 90 Su-35S aircraft to field as its primary multirole fighter for the short term.

The Indian-exported Su-30MKI variant is thought to utilize some of the reported Su-35 systems and ability mentioned above. Early-form Su-27Ms were known to have been used by the Russian Knights aerial acrobatic team.

While Russia remains the sole operator of the Su-35, it is no secret that the Sukhoi concern intends to convince foreign operators to purchase their product in time. To date, several nations have been entertained though no formal deal has been reached. A proposed deal for 12 examples with Libya fell through after the country fell into civil war in 2011. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Picture of Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E / Super Flanker)

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Specifications for the
Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E / Super Flanker)
Multirole Fighter

Country of Origin: Russia
Manufacturer: Sukhoi OKB - Soviet Union / Russia
Initial Year of Service: 2011
Production: 48

Focus Model: Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E / Super Flanker)
Crew: 1

Length: 71.85ft (21.9m)
Width: 50.20ft (15.30m)
Height: 19.36ft (5.90m)
Weight (Empty): 40,565lbs (18,400kg)
Weight (MTOW): 77,162lbs (35,000kg)

Powerplant: 2 x Saturn 117S TVC-nozzled turbofan engines with afterburner delivering 31,900lbf each.

Maximum Speed: 1,491mph (2,400kmh; 1,296kts)
Maximum Range: 2,237miles (3,600km)
Service Ceiling: 59,055ft (18,000m; 11.2miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 55,100 feet per minute (16,794m/min)

Hardpoints: 14 (including wingtips)
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
1 x 30mm GSh-30 internal cannon

Mission-specific weaponry across 12 underwing and underfuselage hardpoints to include any of the following (wingtip launchers reserved for R-73 missiles or ECM pods):

R-27 air-to-air missiles
R-40 air-to-air missiles
R-60 air-to-air missiles
R-73 air-to-air missiles
R-77 air-to-air missiles
Kh-25ML air-to-surface missiles
Kh-25MP air-to-surface missiles
Kh-29 air-to-surface missiles
Kh-31 air-to-surface missiles
Kh-59 air-to-surface missiles
S-25 IR rockets
GBU-500 laser-guided bombs
GBU-1000 laser-guided bombs
GBU-500T TV-guided bombs
GBU-1000T TV-guided bombs
Anti-Radiation Missiles
Guided Rockets
Unguiaded Rockets

Variants:
Su-27 (Flanker) - Base Single-Seat Air Superiority Model Designation.

Su-27M (T-10S-70) - Prototype Su-35 billed as "improved" Su-27 design.

Su-35 (Flanker-E) - 2 x Saturn 117S TVC-nozzled turbofans of 31,900lbf with afterburner; foreplane canards; Digital Fly-By-Wire systen; Phazotron N011 Zhuk 27 radar element; rearward facing N012 radar; In-flight refueling probe; Color HUD and three CRTs; provisions for ECM pods; single-seat.

Su-35UB - Two-Seat Fighter/Trainer; increased vertical fin height; forward portion similar to that of the Su-30 variant.

Su-35BM - Export Designation; single-seat fighter based on SU-27SM2 but with Su-35 system software; 2 x LCD screens; helmet-mounted displays; "Fly-by-Optics"; upgraded avionics; revised airframe for reduced radar cross-section; sans canards; satellite navigation system.

Su-37 (Flanker-F) - Experimental Multi-Role Fighter; single seat; thrust vector control; 2 examples produced but eventually converted to Su-35 form.

Operators:
Russia

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