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Su-35 Sukhoi
Su-35
ASCC codename: Flanker
Multi-Role Fighter

DESCRIPTION:
The original Su-35 was a derivative of the Su-27 and essentially a ground-based variant of the Su-33. While the official Russian Air Force designation for the aircraft remained the Su-27M, Sukhoi rechristened the model as the Su-35 in the hopes of attracting foreign customers.
The Su-35 design was largely identical to the Su-27 but incorporated the canards of the Su-33 and more powerful engines plus a new digital fly-by-wire control system. The Su-35 was also equipped with a new multi-mode radar, infrared detectors, and upgraded weapons. The Su-35 development program experienced many delays due to the collapse of the Soviet economy, and the Russian military ultimately chose not to purchase any. Sukhoi instead used the eleven prototypes as technology demonstrators to interest the export market in funding a production model.
The most likely chance for success appeared to be Brazil's strong interest in co-producing the Su-35 that lasted for several years. Brazil required a replacement for its aging Mirage III fighters, and the Su-35 was considered the front-runner over the competing Mirage 2000, Gripen, and F-16. The Su-35 deal came quite close to being finalized in November 2004, but Brazil declined to sign over cost concerns. Russia later offered second-hand Su-27 aircraft as a cheaper alternative to the new-build Su-35, but Brazil opted to purchase twelve refurbished Mirage 2000 fighters from France instead.
The Brazilian decision appeared to have ended the Su-35 program once and for all since Sukhoi had little success finding other customers. Hopes were briefly revived in May 2006 when Venezuela announced interest in the Su-35, but the nation instead chose a variant of the Su-30. The move is largely politically-motivated given recent tensions between Venezuela and the United States over America's ban on providing support for the Venezuelan F-16 fleet.
However, the Su-35 was revived at least in name in 2007 when Sukhoi announced the aircraft had entered production for the Russian Air Force. This incarnation is also a derivative of the Su-27 but does not appear to be directly related to the earlier Su-27M/Su-35 prototypes. The new Su-35, sometimes referred to as the Su-35BM, is instead an upgraded variant of the Su-30 series with a more powerful engine, an improved 2D thrust vectoring nozzle, and larger air intakes. The Su-35BM lacks the canards of the original Su-35 prototypes, although some sources indicate these can be fitted at customer request. Other upgrades include an improved radar, glass cockpit displays, compatibility with additional weapons, and incorporation of newer electronics.
Last modified 26 February 2008

HISTORY:

First Flight (T-10-24) May 1985
(T-10S-70) 28 June 1988
(Su-35BM) 18 February 2008

Service Entry

(Su-35BM) planned for 2010

CREW: one: pilot

ESTIMATED COST:

unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root unknown

Wing Tip

unknown

DIMENSIONS:

Length 72.83 ft (22.22 m)

Wingspan 48.17 ft (14.70 m)

Height 21.08 ft (6.43 m)

Wing Area 666 ft² (62.0 m²)

Canard Area

unknown

WEIGHTS:

Empty 40,565 lb (18,400 kg)

Normal Takeoff 56,660 lb (25,700 kg)

Max Takeoff 74,955 lb (34,000 kg)

Fuel Capacity 29,540 lb (13,400 kg)

Max Payload

17,640 lb (8,000 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant (Su-35) two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-31F afterburning turbofans
(Su-35BM) two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-41FA afterburning turbofans with 2D thrust vector control

Thrust (Su-35) 61,730 lb (274.6 kN)
(Su-35BM) 66,090 lb (294 kN)

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: 1,555 mph (2,500 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m), Mach 2.3
at sea level: 895 mph (1,435 km/h), Mach 1.18
cruise speed: 870 mph (1,400 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m)

Initial Climb Rate 45,235 ft (13,800 m) / min

Service Ceiling 59,055 ft (18,000 m)

Range typical: 1,730 nm (3,200 km)
ferry: 3,505 nm (6,500 km)

g-Limits +10

ARMAMENT:

Gun one 30-mm GSh-301 cannon (149 rds)

Stations twelve external hardpoints and two wingtip rails

Air-to-Air Missile R-40/AA-6 Acrid, R-60/AA-8 Aphid, R-27/AA-10 Alamo, R-73/AA-11 Archer, R-77/AA-12

Air-to-Surface Missile Kh-25ML/AS-10 Karen, Kh-25MP/AS-12 Kegler, Kh-59/AS-13 Kingbolt, Kh-29/AS-14 Kedge, Kh-55/AS-15 Kent, Kh-15P/AS-16 Kickback, Kh-31/AS-17 Krypton

Bomb FAB-100/250/500/750/1000, KAB-250, KAB-500L, KAB-1500

Other rocket pods, ECM pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:

T-10-24 Experimental Su-27 prototype with canards

T-10S-70 Prototype

Su-27M 'Flanker-E' Official Russian Air Force designation for the Su-35

Su-35 'Flanker-E' Production model with a new radar, improved fire-control system, glass cockpit featuring multi-function displays, and redesigned fly-by-wire system; 11 prototypes built

Su-35BM Production model with improved engines and thrust vectoring nozzles, larger air intakes, larger flaperons, a more powerful radar, an improved electronic warfare system, upgraded fly-by-wire control system, and better glass cockpit displays

Su-27SM2 Official designation for the Su-35BM in the Russian Air Force

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD: none

KNOWN OPERATORS: Russia, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Russian Air Force)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

Su-35

SOURCES:

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 868, Sukhoi Su-27 and derivatives.

Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 416-417, Sukhoi Su-27M/Su-35.

FAS Su-35 site

Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 268, Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker'.

Gunston, Bill, ed. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1995, p. 369-370, Su-35.

Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 181.

Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 226-227, Sukhoi Su-35 'Flanker'.

Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery

Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 104, Sukhoi Su-33/35/37 Flanker.

Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 82-87, Sukhoi Su-27, -35 and -37 Flanker.

Spohrer, Jennifer. Jane's Combat Simulations: USNF '97 Users Manual. San Mateo, CA: Electronic Arts, 1996, p. 9.32-9.33.

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 95-96, Sukhoi Su-35 (Su-27M) and Su-37 (NATO name Flanker).

Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 76-77, Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-37, or Su-27M (NATO name Flanker).

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DESCRIPTION: The original Su-35 was a derivative of the Su-27 and essentially a ground-based variant of the Su-33. While the official Russian Air Force designation for the aircraft remained the Su-27M, Sukhoi rechristened the model as the Su-35 in the hopes of attracting foreign customers. The Su-35 design was largely identical to the Su-27 but incorporated the canards of the Su-33 and more powerful engines plus a new digital fly-by-wire control system. The Su-35 was also equipped with a new multi-mode radar, infrared detectors, and upgraded weapons. The Su-35 development program experienced many delays due to the collapse of the Soviet economy, and the Russian military ultimately chose not to purchase any. Sukhoi instead used the eleven prototypes as technology demonstrators to interest the export market in funding a production model. The most likely chance for success appeared to be Brazil's strong interest in co-producing the Su-35 that lasted for several years. Brazil required a replacement for its aging Mirage III fighters, and the Su-35 was considered the front-runner over the competing Mirage 2000, Gripen, and F-16. The Su-35 deal came quite close to being finalized in November 2004, but Brazil declined to sign over cost concerns. Russia later offered second-hand Su-27 aircraft as a cheaper alternative to the new-build Su-35, but Brazil opted to purchase twelve refurbished Mirage 2000 fighters from France instead. The Brazilian decision appeared to have ended the Su-35 program once and for all since Sukhoi had little success finding other customers. Hopes were briefly revived in May 2006 when Venezuela announced interest in the Su-35, but the nation instead chose a variant of the Su-30. The move is largely politically-motivated given recent tensions between Venezuela and the United States over America's ban on providing support for the Venezuelan F-16 fleet. However, the Su-35 was revived at least in name in 2007 when Sukhoi announced the aircraft had entered production for the Russian Air Force. This incarnation is also a derivative of the Su-27 but does not appear to be directly related to the earlier Su-27M/Su-35 prototypes. The new Su-35, sometimes referred to as the Su-35BM, is instead an upgraded variant of the Su-30 series with a more powerful engine, an improved 2D thrust vectoring nozzle, and larger air intakes. The Su-35BM lacks the canards of the original Su-35 prototypes, although some sources indicate these can be fitted at customer request. Other upgrades include an improved radar, glass cockpit displays, compatibility with additional weapons, and incorporation of newer electronics. Last modified 26 February 2008
HISTORY:
First Flight	(T-10-24) May 1985 (T-10S-70) 28 June 1988 (Su-35BM) 18 February 2008
Service Entry	(Su-35BM) planned for 2010
CREW:	one: pilot
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	72.83 ft (22.22 m)
Wingspan	48.17 ft (14.70 m)
Height	21.08 ft (6.43 m)
Wing Area	666 ft² (62.0 m²)
Canard Area	unknown
WEIGHTS:
Empty	40,565 lb (18,400 kg)
Normal Takeoff	56,660 lb (25,700 kg)
Max Takeoff	74,955 lb (34,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity	29,540 lb (13,400 kg)
Max Payload	17,640 lb (8,000 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	(Su-35) two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-31F afterburning turbofans (Su-35BM) two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-41FA afterburning turbofans with 2D thrust vector control
Thrust	(Su-35) 61,730 lb (274.6 kN) (Su-35BM) 66,090 lb (294 kN)
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 1,555 mph (2,500 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m), Mach 2.3 at sea level: 895 mph (1,435 km/h), Mach 1.18 cruise speed: 870 mph (1,400 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m)
Initial Climb Rate	45,235 ft (13,800 m) / min
Service Ceiling	59,055 ft (18,000 m)
Range	typical: 1,730 nm (3,200 km) ferry: 3,505 nm (6,500 km)
g-Limits	+10
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 30-mm GSh-301 cannon (149 rds)
Stations	twelve external hardpoints and two wingtip rails
Air-to-Air Missile	R-40/AA-6 Acrid, R-60/AA-8 Aphid, R-27/AA-10 Alamo, R-73/AA-11 Archer, R-77/AA-12
Air-to-Surface Missile	Kh-25ML/AS-10 Karen, Kh-25MP/AS-12 Kegler, Kh-59/AS-13 Kingbolt, Kh-29/AS-14 Kedge, Kh-55/AS-15 Kent, Kh-15P/AS-16 Kickback, Kh-31/AS-17 Krypton
Bomb	FAB-100/250/500/750/1000, KAB-250, KAB-500L, KAB-1500
Other	rocket pods, ECM pods
KNOWN VARIANTS:
T-10-24	Experimental Su-27 prototype with canards
T-10S-70	Prototype
Su-27M 'Flanker-E'	Official Russian Air Force designation for the Su-35
Su-35 'Flanker-E'	Production model with a new radar, improved fire-control system, glass cockpit featuring multi-function displays, and redesigned fly-by-wire system; 11 prototypes built
Su-35BM	Production model with improved engines and thrust vectoring nozzles, larger air intakes, larger flaperons, a more powerful radar, an improved electronic warfare system, upgraded fly-by-wire control system, and better glass cockpit displays
Su-27SM2	Official designation for the Su-35BM in the Russian Air Force
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	none
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Russia, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Russian Air Force)
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 868, Sukhoi Su-27 and derivatives. Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 416-417, Sukhoi Su-27M/Su-35. FAS Su-35 site Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 268, Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker'. Gunston, Bill, ed. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1995, p. 369-370, Su-35. Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 181. Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 226-227, Sukhoi Su-35 'Flanker'. Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 104, Sukhoi Su-33/35/37 Flanker. Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 82-87, Sukhoi Su-27, -35 and -37 Flanker. Spohrer, Jennifer. Jane's Combat Simulations: USNF '97 Users Manual. San Mateo, CA: Electronic Arts, 1996, p. 9.32-9.33. Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 95-96, Sukhoi Su-35 (Su-27M) and Su-37 (NATO name Flanker). Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 76-77, Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-37, or Su-27M (NATO name Flanker).