The Sukhoi Su-35 Multirole Fighter
The Sukhoi Su-35, designated as ‘Flanker-E’ by NATO, is a Russian-made single seat, twin-engine multirole fighter. It is based on the previous existing design of the Su-27 Flanker. The Su-35 entered service in 2007 and has proven itself a very capable adversary to the current generation of American-made fighters such as the F-15 Eagle, the F-18, and even the F-35 Lightning II. The biggest confusion surrounding the Sukhoi Su-35 is the fact that conflicting reports suggest it is actually the label of two separate fighter jet aircraft. The first is a heavily modified Su-27 and the other features much more aggressive canards reminiscent of the Eurofighter and the Saab Gripen.
4.5 Generation Fighter
Many defense analysts concluded the Sukhoi Su-35 is a stop-gap measure for Russia. It will serve until full line production and release of a heavily anticipated fifth-generation stealth multirole-fighter known as the Sukhoi PAK FA. The Su-35 was designed in the late 1980s to rival and match existing fourth generation fighter aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle, the F-14 Tomcat, and F/A-18 Super Hornet.
![Su-35](https://militarymachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/photo35-1024x683.jpg)
Plans for production were delayed by the fall of the Soviet Union due to funding and budgetary allocations. The Russian Federation has renewed interest in the aircraft. It is not a stealth fighter by design, but appears to be an air superiority aircraft. In many ways, the Su-35 matches the F-15 Eagle’s capacity to carry advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles across 12 weapons slots.
![Su-35 Thrust Vectoring Nozzle](https://militarymachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Su-35-Thrust-Vectoring-300x169.jpg)
Sukhoi Su-35 vs F-22 Raptor
One thing that makes it a modern generation of fighter aircraft are the independently movable nozzles on the exhaust of its Saturn AL-41F1S turbofans. These gives the Su-35MK fantastic maneuverability. With the ability to quickly redirect thrust, the Su-35 can match or exceed the evasion techniques of existing fourth generation fighter aircraft and even rival newer models such as the F-22 Raptor.
Deployment
According to 2016 estimates, 48 Su-35 aircraft have been delivered. There is approximately 184 F-22 Raptor’s in service currently. But because the F-22 Raptor program was scrapped in favor of the upcoming F-35 Lightning II, that fleet is not expected to grow any more.
Performance
Between the F-22 Raptor and the Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E, the Su-35 is a little slower but it beats the F-22 Raptor in maneuverability. Unfortunately for the Su-35 Flanker-E, it would need to be close with the F-22 Raptor to be effective.
![Irbis Electronically Scanned Array Su-35](https://militarymachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Irbis-Radar-Su-35-270x300.jpg)
Beyond-Visual-Range Targeting
The F-22 Raptor’s radar cross section is theorized to be approximately the size of a marble. This insane stat is according to defense analysts cited in a Business Insider review. The Su-35’s long-range air-to-air options are quite ineffective against this size of cross-section. Also, the F-22 Raptor’s avionics suite can engage counterparts long before eyes can lock on to an enemy.
Quoted from defense analyst Justin Bronk
Whilst the Su-35 does have the hypothetical capability to detect the F-22 at close ranges using its IRST (Infa-Red Search and Tracking) and potentially the Irbis-E radar, both sensors would have to be cued to focus on exactly the right part of sky to have a chance of generating a target track. By contrast, the F-22 will know exactly where the Su-35 is at extremely long range and can position for complete control of the engagement from the outset with superior kinematics.
Thus, the Su-35 Flanker-E, while more than a match for existing fourth generation fighters, would be hard-pressed to effectively engage F-22 Raptors. And, being outnumbered at a ratio of 1:6, would quickly find itself outgunned. That said, the predominant aircraft in NATO is not an F-22 or even an F-35 Lightning II. The Su-35MK may still prove a more than adequate adversary for years to come.
See Su-35 Specifications
Length: 72 feet 9 inches |
Height: 22 feet 5 inches |
Wingspan: 49 feet 9 inches |
Max Speed: 1,550 mph |
Ceiling: 59,050 feet |
Maximum Weight: 74,956 pounds |
Combat Range: 2,237 miles |
Engine: Two Lyulka AL-31FM afterburning turbofans, 30,855 lb thrust each |
Crew: One |
Armament:One GSh-30-1 30mm cannon with 150 rounds, plus up to 17,636 lbs. payload on eleven external points |