Su-35 Russian Fighter Jet

 

Su-35 Russian Fighter Jet

The Sukhoi Su-35 is a Russian-made 4th generation, single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable multirole fighter jet. It is a heavily upgraded version of the Su-27, and features improved avionics, weapons systems, and engines. It has a maximum speed of 1,915 km/h (1,193 mph) and a combat range of 3,600 km (2,237 miles) without refueling. The Su-35 has been in service with the Russian Air Force since 2008 and has also been exported to countries such as China and Indonesia.

History 

The Sukhoi Su-35 is a heavily upgraded version of the Su-27, which was developed in the Soviet Union during the 1970s and 1980s. The Su-35 first flew in February 1988 and it was developed as an advanced version of the Su-27 to counter the latest fourth-generation fighters such as the F-15 and F-16.

In the late 1990s, Sukhoi began developing an upgraded version of the Su-27, designated the Su-35. The Su-35 featured improved avionics, weapons systems, and engines, as well as increased maneuverability and supercruise capability. The Su-35 made its first flight on 19 June 2008 and was officially unveiled at the MAKS airshow in Moscow in August 2009.

The Su-35 entered service with the Russian Air Force in 2008. Russia has ordered a total of 96 Su-35s, deliveries of which began in 2015. In addition to Russia, China also operates Su-35 and Indonesia also ordered some units of it.

It is considered as one of the most advanced and capable fighter jets in the world, with advanced avionics, weapons systems, and engines. It is also considered to be one of the most maneuverable aircraft in the world, with the ability to perform supermaneuvers such as the Pugachev's Cobra.

Range

The Sukhoi Su-35 has a combat range of 3,600 km (2,237 miles) without refueling. This range can be extended with the use of in-flight refueling or by carrying external fuel tanks.

The Su-35 has a maximum speed of 1,915 km/h (1,193 mph), and it is equipped with a powerful radar system, advanced avionics, and a wide variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, making it a formidable multirole fighter jet. The aircraft also has a long-range air-to-air missile system and highly advanced avionics, making it a formidable opponent in air-to-air combat.

Power 

The Sukhoi Su-35 is powered by two Saturn AL-41F1S turbofan engines, which are derivatives of the AL-31F engine used on the Su-27. The AL-41F1S engines provide the Su-35 with a thrust of 14,500 kgf (31,965 lbf) each, giving it a high thrust-to-weight ratio and allowing it to perform advanced maneuvers such as supermaneuvers. The engines also have an integrated thrust vectoring nozzle, which allows for greater control during high-speed maneuvers and improves the aircraft's supermaneuverability.

The engines are also equipped with a digital control system that allows for increased performance and improved reliability. The engines also have a built-in self-diagnostic system that allows for quick identification and repair of any issues that may arise.

The Su-35 is also equipped with an advanced fly-by-wire control system, which allows for greater control during high-speed maneuvers and improves the aircraft's supermaneuverability. The aircraft's advanced avionics and weapons systems are also powered by a powerful onboard computer system, which allows for quick and accurate processing of data.

Speed 

The Sukhoi Su-35 has a maximum speed of 1,915 km/h (1,193 mph) or Mach 1.9. This makes it one of the fastest fighter jets in the world. The aircraft's high thrust-to-weight ratio, advanced engines, and integrated thrust vectoring nozzle allow it to achieve high speeds and perform advanced maneuvers such as supermaneuvers.

The Su-35 also has a high-altitude ceiling of about 18,000 m (59,055 ft) and is equipped with a powerful radar system, advanced avionics, and a wide variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, making it a formidable multirole fighter jet.

It's important to note that the maximum speed is not the only factor that makes a jet a good fighter, speed is not the only attribute that matters in air-to-air combat, and the ability to supercruise (to fly supersonically without afterburner) is also an important aspect to consider.

Cost price 

The cost of the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet is not publicly disclosed by the Russian government, but it is believed to be in the range of $70-$80 million per unit.

This cost can vary depending on the specific configuration and equipment of the aircraft, as well as the number of units being procured.

It is considered as one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world, due to its advanced avionics, weapons systems, engines, and supermaneuverability capabilities.

It's also worth mentioning that cost is not the only factor to consider when buying a fighter jet, countries also take into account performance, capabilities, and the needs of their airforce.

Fuel capacity 

The Sukhoi Su-35 has an internal fuel capacity of approximately 11,500 liters (3,044 gallons) which allows it to have a combat range of 3,600 km (2,237 miles) without refueling. This range can be extended with the use of in-flight refueling or by carrying external fuel tanks.

The internal fuel tanks are located in the fuselage and wings of the aircraft, and the fuel is distributed to the engines through a complex system of pipes and valves.

The fuel system also includes a reserve fuel tank, which can be used in case of an emergency or if the aircraft needs to extend its range.

It's worth mentioning that the Su-35 has a supercruise capability, which allows it to fly supersonically without afterburner, This helps to save fuel and increases the aircraft's combat range and endurance.

Unique properties 

The Sukhoi Su-35 has several unique properties that set it apart from other fighter jets:

Supermaneuverability: The Su-35 is equipped with an integrated thrust vectoring nozzle, which allows for greater control during high-speed maneuvers and improves the aircraft's supermaneuverability. This makes the Su-35 one of the most maneuverable aircraft in the world.

Supercruise: The Su-35 has a supercruise capability, which allows it to fly supersonically without afterburner. This helps to save fuel and increases the aircraft's combat range and endurance.

Advanced avionics: The Su-35 is equipped with a powerful radar system, advanced avionics, and a wide variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, making it a formidable multirole fighter jet.

Long-range air-to-air missile system: The Su-35 is equipped with a long-range air-to-air missile system, which allows it to engage enemy aircraft at long ranges.

Stealth technology: The Su-35 has a reduced radar cross-section (RCS) and infrared signature due to its advanced materials and design, which makes it harder to detect by enemy radar.

High altitude performance: The Su-35 has a high-altitude ceiling of about 18,000 m (59,055 ft) which allows it to operate in high-altitude environments and engage aircrafts at high altitude.

Digital control system: The engine control system is fully digital, allowing for increased performance and improved reliability.

Self-diagnostic system: The engines also have a built-in self-diagnostic system that allows for quick identification and repair of any issues that may arise.

Blocks of su-35 

The Sukhoi Su-35 has several different "blocks" or versions, each with its own unique features and capabilities.

Su-35 (Flanker-E): The original Su-35 version, also known as the Flanker-E, is a heavily upgraded version of the Su-27. It features improved avionics, weapons systems, and engines, as well as increased maneuverability and supercruise capability.

Su-35S (Flanker-E): The latest and most advanced version of the Su-35, also known as the Flanker-E. It features further improvements over the original Su-35, including an improved radar, electronic warfare systems, and weapons systems.

Su-35BM (Flanker-E): Developed for export, it features a number of changes and improvements over the Su-35S, such as a new radar and electronic warfare systems, an enhanced engine, and improved avionics.

Su-35M: a proposed upgrade that would include new engines, avionics and weapons, with the aim of increasing the aircraft's capabilities and extend its service life.

It's worth mentioning that some of these versions were proposed by Sukhoi, but not all of them were produced or put into service.