Top: The
uncluttered
cockpit of the
Su-35 complete
with a pair of 15in
MFI-35 multi-
function displays.
Right: The thrust-
vectoring nozzles
of the AL-41F1S
engines, plus
the ‘sting’ tail
with chaff/fl are
dispensers and
sensors for the
ECM suite.
Bottom: Su-35S
have been
on regular
deployments to
Syria, acting as
a useful shop
window for the
new ‘Flanker’.
Russian MoDSUKHOI Su-35 AT A GLANCE
Wingspan 14.7m (48ft 2in)
(15.3m [50ft 2in] over wingtip pods)
Length 21.9m (71ft 10in)
Height 5.9m (19ft 4in)
Weight (empty) 19,000kg (41,888lb)
Weight (max take-o ) 34,500kg (76,059lb)
Max speed (at 11,000m (36,089ft)) Mach 2.25
Service ceiling 18,000m (59,055ft)
Max range with full internal fuel at sea
level and Mach 0.71,580km (1,000nm)Max range with two 2,000-litre
(440-Imperial gallon) external tanks4,500km (2,430nm)An interesting feature of the Irbis is the
so-called ‘long-range detection’ mode,
using peak power in a narrow sector.
Here, it can detect a ghter-sized target
from 350-400km (189-216nm) head-on or
150km (81nm) from a tail-on position.
The OLS-35 IRST comprises mid-
range infra-red and TV cameras using
a common optical module, and a laser
range nder and target designator.
The re ector scans a sweep of +/-90°
in azimuth and -15/+60° in elevation.
A target the size of a Su-30 can bedetected from 90km (49nm) tail-on, or
35km (19nm) head-on; four airborne
targets can be tracked simultaneously.
The Su-35 can also carry the KOEP-35
targeting pod for ground-attack missions.
In contrast with the Su-30MKI, which
is an international program, the Su-35
features entirely Russian equipment.
Therefore, it isn’t handcu ed by Western
export regulations. Indeed, the Sura-M
HMS, which is manufactured by Ukrainian
company Arsenal, has gone after Ukraine
ceased deliveries. Now, a Russian-foe). The N135 Irbis is an evolution of the
N011M Bars radar from the Su-30MKI
and employs a PESA. The IFF interrogator
has AESA sensors located along the
wing leading edges. Advantages of
the Irbis when compared to its Bars
predecessor include a wider range
of operational frequencies, a greater
angular search zone in azimuth of up to
+/-125°, increased range (due to a more
powerful transmitter) and improved
resistance to jamming. The radar has an
aperture su cient to specify the number
of targets in a group from a distance of
50km (27nm); the Irbis-E can reportedly
distinguish targets located 50-100m
(160-320ft) from each other. The Irbis is
capable of tracking-while-scanning up
to 30 air targets, eight of which can be
quasi-continually tracked with accuracy
su cient for simultaneous engagement
by medium-range active-radar AAMs. Two
targets can be engaged simultaneously
with semi-active radar-guided missiles
(requiring target illumination). In air-
to-ground mode, the Irbis is capable
of simultaneous engagement of four
surface targets.http://www.combataircraft.net // February 2018 75
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