Characteristics of the Su-35. Aircraft Su-35: specifications, fighter photo. Comparative characteristics of the Su-35 and F-22

In 2003, the Sukhoi Design Bureau started the second stage of modernization of the Su-27 fighter to create the Su-35. The characteristics achieved in the modernization process make it possible to call it the fighter of the 4 ++ generation, which means the maximum approximation of the capabilities for the fifth generation aircraft of the PAK FA.

Background of the development

In the early 1980s, while the Su-27 was only being mastered by the Soviet Air Force, its general designer Pavel Sukhoi had already conceived the development of a modernized version. Initially designated as Su-27M, it was equipped with significantly improved avionics, which gave reason to consider it the best fighter of those years. It was also equipped with a more diverse array of weapons, which allowed the Su-27M (see in the photo below) to carry out the objectives of the defeat and ground targets.

The upgraded version was characterized by a variety of changes in aerodynamics, avionics, power plant design, and also had an increased carrying capacity. High-strength composite materials and aluminum-lithium alloys have been used to reduce weight and increase fuel reserves.

The Su-27M was equipped with a turbojet engine with a thrust of 125 kN, more powerful than the Su-27. The Su-27 modernization program itself was designated "Su-35BM", where the letters meant "a great modernization". Much of what was done at that time absorbed and modern aircraft Su-35, the technical characteristics of which significantly exceed its original prototype Su-27M.

Further modernization

In 2003, a project was launched to manufacture a fighter to bridge the gap between the modernized versions of the Su-27M and the Su-30MK and the fifth generation PAK FA combat vehicle. The aim of the project was the second modernization of the Su-27 airframe (hence its classification as a 4 ++ fighter) in such a way that the Su-35 characteristics corresponded to the level realized at the PAK FA. In addition, the aircraft was to become an alternative to the Su-30 family in export deliveries.

The development of the aircraft continued until 2007, when it became available for sale. Somewhat later, the Sukhoi Design Bureau reported that the Su-35 program was launched due to concerns that the PAK FA project might face a lack of funding.

Horizontal plumage update

The characteristics of the Su-35 in terms of the design of its airframe include numerous differences from the Su-27M, although outwardly the aircraft retains a strong external resemblance to its predecessor.

One of the distinctive features of the design of the Su-27M airframe was the aerodynamic scheme for constructing control devices of the "duck" type, which allows the aircraft to fly at maximum attack angles up to 120 °. Under such a scheme, the horizontal plumage of the aircraft - stabilizers with elevator wheels - is located in front of its wings.

However, with this arrangement of the horizontal tail, the radar signal reflected from the surface of the aircraft is greater than in the traditional scheme behind the wings. This facilitates the detection of the aircraft. Therefore, modern low-visibility aircraft for radar (F-22 Raptor, PAK FA, and Su-35) have a traditional arrangement of horizontal tail - behind the wings. In order to retain the advantage of using the front horizontal plumage, along with the main plumage behind the wings, they also have swivel areas of sagging on the wings.

What was new about the Su-35 airplane's appearance? The characteristics (the photo below shows the differences in its appearance from the Su-27M) fighter turned out to be as close as possible to the 5th generation aircraft, with the exception of its greater radar visibility and the lack of an active on-board radar.

Other modifications of the glider

The characteristics of the Su-35 in the part of its braking method differs from the Su-27M in the absence of an air brake (shield). The method of braking the Su-35 is that its rudders, located in the rear parts of two vertical keels, are deflected in different directions during landing, which creates a braking force. Other aerodynamic improvements include a reduction in the height of the vertical stabilizers, a smaller projection of the cockpit lantern, and its coating with conductive spraying for masking when the aircraft is irradiated with radar.

Strengthening of the glider's strength was achieved due to the wide use of titanium alloys, which increased its service life to about 30 years of operation with an increase in the maximum take-off weight to 34.5 tons. The internal fuel reserve was increased by more than 20% to 11.5 tons and can be raised to 14.5 tons by additional tanks.

Advanced avionics

Sukhoi Design Bureau has done its best to characterize the Su-35 in the avionics part only excellent. The operation of all units and devices of the aircraft is managed by an information management system equipped with two on-board computers. It collects and processes data from various tactical and flight control systems and presents relevant information to the pilot through two main multifunction displays (MFDs) that together with the three secondary MFDs form the cabin glass. The aircraft has many other updates for its avionics and electronic systems, including a digital wireless flight control system, and the pilot is equipped with a helmet information screen and night vision goggles.

Radar and aiming system

In this part, the characteristics of the Su-35 include the presence of an Irbis radar with a passive phased array that forms an important component of the aircraft's fire control system. The radar is capable of detecting an air target of 3 square meters. M at a distance of 400 km and can give target designations for 30 air targets, and conduct eight of them.

The radar can also reproduce a map of the earth using various modes, including the aperture synthesis mode. The Irbis radar is supplemented with an optronic-electronic aiming system that uses the functionality of a laser range finder, TV, infrared target detector.

Aircraft Armament

What kind of weapon can a Su-35 fighter carry? The characteristics of its weapons systems involve the use of multiple long-range and short-range air-to-air missiles, an accurate and unmanaged air-to-ground weapon, which includes missiles, volumetric blast bombs and conventional bombs. The maximum useful weapon load is 8 tons, which can be carried on fourteen points of suspension. The fighter can use missiles with a range of up to 300 km.

Fighter's engines

The Su-35 is equipped with a pair of turbojet engines, the thrust vector of which is controlled in one plane. This engine is a simplified version of the power plant type "Saturn-117" fighter fifth generation PAK FA. Its thrust is estimated at 145 kN, which is 20 kN more than the Su-27M. It has a service life of 4000 hours. A pair of aircraft engines has the ability to control the resulting thrust vector. Each of the nozzle thrust vectors has its axis of rotation inclined to the vertical plane. In this case, the deviation of the thrust vector of each nozzle can be represented as a result of the deviation of the nozzle itself in the direction of down-in and up-out. If the thrust vectors of both nozzles deflect synchronously, then the aircraft position can be controlled only by the pitch angle, but with different deviations of the thrust vectors of the nozzles, it is possible to control both the yaw and roll angles. Such a control system is also carried out on the PAK FA fighter.

The engine allows the Su-35 to achieve a steady supersonic speed without the use of afterburner. A radio-absorbing coating is used for engine parts to reduce the radar signal reflected from the aircraft.

Comparative characteristics of the Su-35 and F-22

To date, the only F-5 fighter in the world is the American F-22 Raptor. As is known, the basis of the "Stealth" technology, implemented in its design and providing low-visibility aircraft radar, are two principles:

• The airplane is specially designed geometric shape, which ensures the reflection of the radar signal in the direction opposite to the direction of its arrival;
• Scattering (absorption) of the energy of the radar signal in the materials making up the surface of the aircraft in order to weaken it to such a level that the detection of the reflected signal becomes unlikely.

According to American data, the reflecting ability of the F-22 is equivalent to a golf ball, according to Russian data, it is 0.3-0.4 m ² . For comparison: in MiG-29 it is equal to 5 m ² , and for Su-27 - 12 m ² . Is it possible, at least partially, to achieve the performance of the "Raptor" on the Su-35? Characteristics (comparison with F-22 given below) of the Russian aircraft allow us to express cautious optimism in this matter.

Russian designers and scientists developed materials and methods that significantly reduced the reflectivity of the Su-35. Russian scientists have created mathematical tools that make it possible to calculate the scattering of electromagnetic waves by bodies of complex configuration, such as Cy-35, breaking them into shallow faces and adding the effects of edge waves and surface currents. The antennas are modeled separately, and then added to the entire calculation model.

A new radio-absorbing material was developed, which covers the engines of the aircraft. It does not interfere with the operation of anti-ice systems and can withstand high-speed air flows and temperatures up to 200 ° C. A radio absorbing layer 0.7-1.4 mm thick is applied to the engine surfaces and to the front stages of a low-pressure compressor using a robotic spray system.

The Su-35 also has a treated cab light, which reflects radar waves, reducing the contribution to the image tube from the metal components of the cabin. Russian technologists developed the process of plasma deposition of alternating layers of metallic and polymeric materials. In this way, a coating is created that blocks electromagnetic waves of the radio frequency range, is resistant to cracking, and does not delay solar heat in the cabin.

Of course, all these events only approximate the characteristics of the Su-35 to the capabilities of the F-22 Raptor, but do not make them identical. This parity (and possibly superiority) will be achieved after the adoption of the Russian fighter of the 5th generation PAK FA.

As for the other flight characteristics, their comparison for Su-35 and F-22 gives the following picture. The Russian airplane is four meters longer (21.9 m versus 18.9 m) and almost a meter higher (5.9 m vs. 5.09 m) American with a larger wingspan (14.75 m vs. 13.6 m). The weight of the Su-35 (empty) is almost equal to the weight of the F-22 (19,500 kg versus 19,700 kg), but the maximum weight of the "American" is two and a half tons larger (34,500 kg vs. 38,000 kg). The maximum speed for both aircraft is almost the same - about 2400-2500 km / h, as well as the practical lifting ceiling - 20 000 m.

But the flight range of the Su-35 with two suspension tanks is higher (4600 km compared to 2,960 km), without tanks "drying" will also fly further "Raptor" (3600 km against 3220 km).