Su-35. Failed improvement
Work on the modernization of the Su-27 began in the mid-80s, in fact, immediately after the start of their serial production. The improved machine was supposed to differ from the original by a digital fly-by-wire control system (EDSU), a more powerful radar and a set of weapons, including guided air-to-surface weapons (the basic Su-27 carried exclusively air-to-air missiles, and could strike on the ground only unguided ammunition). The R-27 air-to-air missiles were also planned to be replaced by promising RVV-AE missiles.
The pilot's cabin of the Su-27M (such an index was first received by the updated fighter) was supposed to be equipped with multifunctional displays. The appearance of the fighter also changed - the Su-27M received a forward horizontal tail. The range of the Su-27M was to be increased through the use of an air refueling system (which was absent on the base vehicle) and outboard fuel tanks.
Su-27SM tests began in 1988. In April 1992, the first production model of the fighter, which received the Su-35 index, took off, but large-scale production was never launched. In total, in 1992-95, the Russian Air Force received 12 aircraft of this type, which were used for various tests and demonstration flights.
Subsequently, on the basis of the Su-35, the Su-37 was developed (not to be confused with the experimental C.37 / Su-47!). The Su-37 differed from the original mainly in the use of engines with a controlled thrust vector. The machine, also known as the "711", made a splash due to its outstanding maneuverability, but remained in a single copy.
Su-35BM. Reincarnation
The "second coming" of the Su-35 began in the late 90s, when the question of updating the Russian Air Force fleet was raised again. For the new machine, it was decided to keep the Su-35 index, and to distinguish it from the first "thirty-fifth", the abbreviation BM ("Big Modernization") is sometimes added to the index. Unlike the first Su-35, the new machine is practically indistinguishable from the Su-27 in appearance - there is no forward horizontal tail.
According to the concept - a deeply modernized aircraft based on the previous design - the Su-35BM is a twin of the American Super Hornet fighter, however, the excellent aerodynamic characteristics of the Su-27 airframe made it possible to preserve the appearance of the aircraft, in contrast to the F / A-18E / F, which compared to the originals - F / A-18C / D - have been heavily reworked.
In addition, the new aircraft from the very beginning was created with an "export" sight - the Su-35BM was supposed to become an alternative to the Su-30, replacing it due to better flight characteristics and on-board equipment, which made it possible to abandon the second crew member. It is known that part of the funds received from the export of Sukhoi Design Bureau machines to foreign buyers was spent on the design of the aircraft.
The new aircraft has a reinforced airframe structure, however, due to the lightweight onboard radio equipment, the weight of a dry aircraft practically does not differ from the Su-27 - 16.5 tons. Strengthening the airframe, in turn, made it possible to increase the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft to 38.8 tons. The increase in take-off weight made it possible to significantly increase the fuel reserve - in the internal tanks the Su-35BM carries 11.5 tons versus 9.4 on the Su-27. In addition, the Su-35 can use outboard fuel tanks, with the use of which the fuel supply increases to 14.5 tons. Like the first Su-35, the Su-35BM is equipped with an air refueling system.
The main difference between the Su-35 and its predecessors is the use of new engines - the 117S engines developed by NPO Saturn represent a deep modernization of the original AL-31F, differing from them in increased thrust, long service life and efficiency. In addition, the new engines have a controlled thrust vector, which provides the Su-35 with higher maneuverability compared to its progenitor.
The new Su-35 finally received the Irbis phased array radar, which significantly increased the aircraft's combat capabilities. The fire control system allows the Su-35 to track up to 30 air targets and simultaneously fire on eight of them. The detection range of air targets reaches 400 kilometers. "Invisible", built using stealth technologies, the new radar is capable of detecting at a distance of up to 90 kilometers.
The combat load of the Su-35BM remained the same as on the Su-27 - 8 tons. The number of hardpoints increased from 10 to 12. The armament control system allows the aircraft to use almost all modern guided and unguided Russian-made aviation ammunition, with the exception of heavy bombs and missiles developed for use by strategic bombers.
The first flight copy of the Su-35BM (with AL-31FU engines) was demonstrated in 2007. In 2008, the Su-35 with 117C engines should take off, which will allow the state testing of the machine to begin. The state armament program for 2006-15, adopted in 2006, provides for the serial production of the Su-35 for the Russian Air Force.
In addition, the improvements included in the design of the Su-35 will also be used to modernize the existing Su-27 aircraft according to the CM2 standard. Like the serial production of the Su-35, the modernization of the Su-27 according to this standard will begin after the completion of the tests of the new aircraft - in 2009-10. Currently, as you know, the Su-27s are being improved according to the Su-27SM project.
Fighter Su-27 (in brackets differing data of the Su-35BM)
# wingspan - 14, 7 meters
# length - 21, 9 meters
# height - 5, 9 meters
# wing area - 62, 00 m2
# empty aircraft weight - 16, 3 (16, 5) tons
# normal takeoff weight - 22.5 (25.5) tons
# maximum takeoff weight - 30 (38, 8) tons
# power plant - 2 turbojet engines AL-31F with nominal / afterburner thrust 7, 5/12, 5 tons (2 turbojet engines 117С, with afterburner thrust 14.5 tons and controlled thrust vector)
# maximum speed at altitude - 2500 (2600) km / h
# cruising speed - about 1000 km / h
# range depending on the load and flight profile - from 800 to 1600 (up to 2000) kilometers
# practical ceiling - 18.500 meters
# maximum operational overload - 9g
#crew - 1 person
# armament - built-in: 1 30mm GSh-301 cannon. Suspended: up to 8 tons of weapons on 10 external hardpoints (up to 8 tons on 12 hardpoints).
