The Sukhoi company is completing preliminary tests of the new Su-35 multifunctional fighter and plans to present the aircraft for state joint tests (GSI) this fall. The Su-35, like the promising front-line aviation complex (PAK FA), will ensure the safety of the skies of Russia in the new century.
As the director of the Su-35 program, chief designer of the Sukhoi Design Bureau Igor Demin told Interfax-AVN, "the aircraft can be expected to be presented to the GSI in September-October." According to him, two Su-35 fighters are currently taking part in flight tests. At the GSI stage, their number will be increased to six. The third aircraft is scheduled to take off in the fourth quarter of this year.
According to Igor Demin, the Su-35 flight test program provides for a fairly large number of flights. This is due to the fact that a lot of new systems and assemblies are installed on this machine, the most modern aviation weapons are used.
Earlier it was reported that during preliminary tests, the Su-35 multifunctional fighter fully confirms the declared characteristics. In particular, the maximum speed at the ground was 1,400 km / h, at an altitude of 2,500 km / h, the ceiling was 19,000 m. The target detection range in the air-to-air mode was over 400 km, which significantly exceeds the same indicator of aircraft in service.
The Su-35, along with the promising front-line aviation complex (PAK FA), will largely determine the level of Russia's defense in the foreseeable future. In accordance with a government contract signed in 2009 for the supply of 48 Su-35s to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation until 2015, the Sukhoi plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur has launched serial production of fighters, the first of which will be commissioned at the end of this year. Serial deliveries will begin in 2011.
The technologies implemented in the Su-35 program will allow in a relatively short time to carry out a partial rearmament of the country's Air Force and quickly master the next generation equipment.
The Sukhoi company is also negotiating with foreign customers interested in re-equipping their air forces. Serial export deliveries of the Su-35 are planned for 2012.
The Su-35 is a deeply modernized super-maneuverable multi-functional fighter of the 4 ++ generation. It uses fifth-generation technologies to provide superiority over fighters of a similar class.
Distinctive features of the aircraft are a new avionics complex based on a digital information and control system that integrates airborne equipment systems, a new radar station (radar) with a phased antenna array with a long detection range for air targets with an increased number of simultaneously tracked and fired targets. The aircraft is equipped with new engines with increased thrust and rotary thrust vector.
The Su-35 is distinguished by a wide range of long-range, medium-range and short-range weapons. It is capable of carrying anti-radar guided aircraft weapons, a general-purpose anti-ship, corrected aerial bombs, and unguided weapons.
The fighter's radar signature is reduced by several times compared to the fourth generation aircraft due to the electroconductive coating of the cockpit canopy, the application of radio-absorbing coatings and a reduced number of protruding sensors. The service life of the aircraft is 6 thousand flight hours, the service life is 30 years of operation, the assigned service life of engines with a controlled nozzle is 4 thousand hours.
