Su-35 fighters continue flight tests program
Su-35 fighters carried out more than 300 flights on flight tests program. At present, the first and second Su-35 fighter aircraft were delivered to the 929th State Flight Test Center (GLITS) for the state joint tests (SJT), and on August 15 this year they started to implement the agreed program. At the same time the first serial production Su-35S-1 fighter has also joined the program. The first and second Su-35 fighter aircraft carried out preliminary flight tests. The basic set of flight and technical specifications of the onboard equipment and the characteristics of super maneuverability, stability and control characteristics, the characteristics of the power plant, the work of the navigation system were fully confirmed during the tests.
The maximum ground-level speed is 1,400 km/h, speed at altitude — 2400 km/h, the ceiling — 18 thousand meters. The detection range of targets in the “air-to-air” mode is over 400 km. This is significantly higher than that of the combat aircraft currently in service. The onboard OLS (optical locator station) can detect and track multiple targets at ranges exceeding 80 km. The complex is ready to undergo testing for operational use.
The analysis of the amount of work already performed allows a conclusion that Su-35/Su-35S has a much better flight and technical characteristics compared to the analogue aircraft in service, and the installed onboard equipment allows it to solve a wider range of tasks defined by the tactical and technical mission. The potential characteristics incorporated in the aircraft will enable it to exceed all tactical fighters of the generation 4 and 4 + (Rafale and EF 2000 type, upgraded fighter jets such as F-15, F-16, F-18 and Mirage 2000), and to counteract the F-22A, as well as F-35A tactical fighter.
The technological advance that is implemented in a perspective fifth-generation fighter aircraft (PAK FA) is used to the maximum in the development and testing of the Su-35. It will allow to lower costs and in shorter time to complete its development and to add it to the Russian Air Force armory.
