Sukhoi Su-35

Su-27M / Su-35
A Russian Aerospace Forces Su-35S
General information
TypeMultirole fighter, air superiority fighter
National originSoviet Union (Russia since 1991)
ManufacturerUnited Aircraft Corporation (for Su-35S)
DesignerSukhoi Design Bureau
Built bySukhoi
StatusIn service
Primary usersRussian Aerospace Forces
Number builtSu-27M: 12[1]
Su-35S: >151[2][3][4][5]
History
ManufacturedSu-27M: 1987–1995
Su-35S: 2007–present
Introduction dateFebruary 2014
First flightSu-27M: 28 June 1988; 36 years ago (1988-06-28)
Su-35S: 19 February 2008; 16 years ago (2008-02-19)
Developed fromSukhoi Su-27
VariantsSukhoi Su-37

The Sukhoi Su-35 (Russian: Сухой Су-35; NATO reporting name: Flanker-E/M) is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable air superiority fighters, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by Sukhoi.

The type was originally developed by the Soviet Union from the Su-27 and was known as the Su-27M. It incorporated canards and a multi-function radar giving it multi-role capabilities. The first prototype made its maiden flight in June 1988. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union Sukhoi re-designated it as the Su-35 to attract export orders. Fourteen aircraft were produced and used for tests and demonstrations; one example had thrust-vectoring engines and was in turn redesignated the Su-37. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was also built in the late 1990s that resembled the Su-30MK family.

In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second "deep" modernization of the Su-27 to serve as an interim export aircraft awaiting the development of the Sukhoi PAK FA (Su-57) program. Also known as the Su-35, this version incorporates technology from the PAK FA program and has a redesigned cockpit and weapons-control system and features thrust-vectoring engines in place of the canards.[6] The type made its first flight in February 2008. Although it was designed for export, the Russian Air Force became the launch customer in 2009, with the production version designated Su-35S. China's People's Liberation Army Air Force has also placed orders.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Butowski 2004 p38 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Su-35_Russia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Su-35_China was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Su-35_Egypt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Партия новых самолетов Су-35с поступила в Липецкий авиацентр ВКС : Министерство обороны Российской Федерации". Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  6. ^ Butowski, Piotr (22 June 2004). "Halfway to PAK FA: the latest addition to the Su-27 family seeks to bridge the gap to the fifth generation combat aircraft". Interavia Business & Technology. Aerospace Media Publishing. OCLC 71365085. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2013.