Su-35

Su-35
Name	Su-35
Type	Multirole fighter
Manufacturer	Sukhoi
First flight	1988
Introduced	2008
Status	In service

Su-35 The Su-35 is a Russian fourth‑generation++ multirole fighter developed by Sukhoi as an advanced derivative of the Sukhoi Su-27 family to compete with Western designs such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. It combines redesigned airframe elements, powerful engines, and modern avionics to perform air superiority, interception, and limited strike roles for operators including the Russian Aerospace Forces and export customers such as the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The type has participated in force modernization programs alongside platforms like the Sukhoi Su-57 and systems integration with sensors from Russian developers including Tikhomirov NIIP and KRET.

Development

Development began within the Soviet Union during the late 1980s as an effort to upgrade the Sukhoi Su-27 line after lessons from conflicts like the Gulf War and the First Chechen War. The program passed through organizations such as Sukhoi Design Bureau and KnAAPO with prototypes flying from facilities near Komsomolsk-on-Amur and testing at Akhtubinsk air base. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, funding and priorities shifted through the 1990s; revival of the project in the 2000s involved coordination with the Russian Ministry of Defence, procurements under the State Armament Program 2020, and certification influenced by regulations of the Interstate Aviation Committee. Export campaigns targeted regional partners like Indonesia and Egypt, while negotiations involved defense contractors such as ROSOBORONEXPORT and industrial groups like United Aircraft Corporation.

Design

The Su-35 airframe integrates structural advances derived from the Sukhoi Su-27M concept, employing relaxed static stability, canards omission, and thrust vectoring with engines developed by NPO Saturn (AL-41F1S). Its avionics suite combines radar systems from Tikhomirov NIIP (Irbis-E) with electronic warfare equipment from KRET and navigation sensors linked to GLONASS. Weapons integration includes compatibility with air-to-air missiles like the R-77 and R-27, and air-to-surface ordnance such as the Kh-31 and guided bombs used in missions shared in exercises with units of the Russian Navy and Russian Aerospace Forces. The cockpit incorporates multi-function displays and a helmet-mounted sight similar in concept to systems used on Western fighters like the Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, while flight controls harmonize inputs with fly-by-wire systems developed under Soviet-era research institutes including TsAGI.

Operational history

The Su-35 entered serial production and operational use with the Russian Aerospace Forces in the 2010s, participating in deployments related to the Syrian Civil War logistics and air campaigns where it operated alongside Sukhoi Su-24 and Sukhoi Su-34 types. It featured in air policing and patrol missions over regions like the Arctic and the Black Sea, interacting with NATO assets including aircraft from Luftwaffe, Royal Air Force, and the United States Air Force during intercepts and scrambles. Export deliveries to nations such as China (for evaluation) and Egypt influenced regional capability balances and led to training cooperation with air forces formerly equipped with platforms like the Mikoyan MiG-29 and McDonnell Douglas F-15. Accidents and incidents involving the type have been investigated by bodies including the Military Prosecutor's Office and aviation safety authorities in recipient countries.

Variants

Primary production versions reflect incremental upgrades from prototypes derived from the Sukhoi Su-27M demonstrators. Key variants include versions tailored for domestic service with avionics packages from Tikhomirov NIIP and export standards adjusted through contracts handled by ROSOBORONEXPORT. Specialized proposals and demonstrators explored sensor package swaps with firms like Almaz-Antey and propulsion improvements from NPO Saturn. Conversion and upgrade proposals paralleled modernization pathways similar to those applied to the Sukhoi Su-27, with retrofit kits managed by United Aircraft Corporation facilities and maintenance support from Russian Aircraft Corporation "MiG" supply chains.

Operators

Current operators include the Russian Aerospace Forces as the principal service operator, with assets based at airfields such as Khrabrovo and deployed via regiments including those formerly under the Air Force and Air Defence Forces. Export customers have included states that procured types through agreements brokered by ROSOBORONEXPORT and government-to-government arrangements involving ministries of defense of recipient states like Egypt and negotiated trials with the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Potential buyers have engaged in talks mediated by delegations from United Aircraft Corporation and intergovernmental commissions concerning offsets and industrial cooperation.

Specifications

General characteristics - Crew: 1 (single-seat) or 2 (twin-seat trainer variant) - Length: similar to Sukhoi Su-27 family dimensions - Wingspan: comparable to Sukhoi Su-27 derivatives - Powerplant: twin turbofan engines by NPO Saturn (thrust vectoring) - Avionics: radar by Tikhomirov NIIP (Irbis-E family), EW suite by KRET, inertial navigation tied to GLONASS - Armament: internal cannon and multiple hardpoints compatible with missiles such as R-77, R-27, and air-to-surface munitions including Kh-31; integration with targeting pods similar to systems used with Sukhoi Su-34.

Category:Russian fighter aircraft