Subject:  C.14.  What's an Su-35?

Formerly known as the Su-27M, the Sukhoi Su-35 is an advanced derivative of
the Su-27 "Flanker".  The first Su-27M prototype was displayed at the 1992
Farnborough Air Show.  The Su-35 is expected to enter service in 1995.

Changes from the Su-27 include a new radar, requiring a somewhat larger nose;
foreplanes, as on the naval Su-33; more powerful engines (also originally
developed for the Su-33); an enlarged and improved infrared search and track
unit in front of the cockpit; an infrared missile-warning scanner on the
fuselage spine; numerous internal electronic improvements; larger tail fins
(required by aerodynamic changes imposed by the enlarged nose); and a large
"spine" between the engines containing a rearward-facing air-to-air radar,
allowing the use of rear-firing semi-active radar guided missiles.  Not
present on the prototype, but expected to be on the production version, are
two-dimensional thrust-vectoring engine nozzles (as on the F-15SMTD
demonstrator and YF-22).

The interesting concept of rearward-firing missiles has apparently been tested
on Su-27s, using modified R-73 missiles mounted on rotating pylons that can
fire missiles in either direction.  The production version apparently has a
"nose cone" over the rocket engine (jettisoned on launch), and modified fins
to prevent instability problems while briefly flying backwards after launch.
The launch rails are fitted with gas cartridges to boost the missile
backwards, so its own engine doesn't have to overcome the aircraft's full
forward speed.  It isn't clear whether the missiles will be mounted on fixed
rearward facing rails, or rotating pylons similar to those used during
development.  How well any of this will work in practice remains to be seen.

Besides being a better fighter, the Su-35 also has greatly improved ground
attack capability compared to the original Su-27, which was more specialised
for the air-to-air role.

Other Su-27 derivatives include the tandem two-seat Su-30 in interceptor
(Su-30, formerly Su-27PU, intended to supplement the more capable but more
expensive MiG-31) and fighter-bomber (Su-30M, equivalent to the F-15E, and
export Su-30MK) versions; Su-33 (formerly Su-27K) carrier-borne multirole
fighter; and Su-34 (formerly Su-27IB/KU) side-by-side two-seat strike aircraft
(intended to replace the MiG-27, Su-17, and Su-24 in the interdiction/strike
role, probably entering service in 1996).  The Su-30MK has been offered for
export to India and China. The Su-34 shares the Su-35's tail radar and
rear-firing AAMs.

Vital statistics (Su-35):  length 21.96 m, span 14.70 m, empty weight 18400
kg, normal TO weight 25700 kg, max speed 2440 km/h (Mach 2.30), ferry range
3500 km; power plant:  two 137.30 kN Lyulka AL-31MF augmented turbofans;
armament:  one GSh-30 30mm cannon, 14 hardpoints, max external load 8200 kg.

[My main source here is Steven Zaloga's _Russian Falcons_; thanks also to
Rustam Yusupov for posting additional details]

Please E-Mail me at johansson@ctrl-c.liu.se