Sunday, March 22, 2009

Russia's Su-35 Fighter Prototype Makes 100th Test Flight

Russia's Su-35 Fighter Prototype Makes 100th Test Flight
(NSI News Source Info) March 22, 2009: A prototype of the advanced Su-35 Flanker multi-role fighter plane has conducted its 100th test flight, to complete testing of flight control systems, the Sukhoi aircraft maker said on Friday. According to the company, successful flight tests involving two prototypes have confirmed the earlier-announced timeframe for deliveries of the aircraft to Russian and foreign customers in 2011. Sukhoi is planning to add a third prototype to the testing program in the second half of 2009, and to boost the current number of test flights to 150-160. The Su-35 is intended to destroy existing and prospective remotely piloted vehicles, cruise missiles and other maneuverable targets against the earth background, day and night and in all weathers, to deliver preemptive strikes at any air enemy, including hardly discernible visual objects, to engage ground (and water surface) targets by carrying out standoff attacks with diverse guided weapons, including high-precision ones. The installation of a new set of airborne equipment and additional (as compared to the Su-27) weapon systems on the aircraft required more hardpoints, a robust airframe, and called for changes in many airborne and airframe systems. The main landing gear struts have been modified and the two-wheel nose leg ruggedized. For better agility and takeoff/landing performance, the aircraft was provided with a canard. In terms of aerodynamic layout, the Su-35 is an unstable integral triplane (wing + horizontal tail + canard). The required stability and control are assured by a remote control system. The canard notably assists in controlling the aircraft at large angles of attack and bringing it to a level flight condition. The Su-35 fighter, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems. The aircraft also features the new Irbis-E radar with a phased antenna array, which allows the pilot to detect and track up to 30 air targets, while simultaneously engaging up to eight targets. It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon with 150 rounds and can carry up to eight tons of combat payload on 12 external mounts. The company earlier said it planned to produce the new aircraft, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," over a period of 10 years up to 2020. Sukhoi is expecting to export at least 160 Su-35 fighters to a number of countries, including India, Malaysia and Algeria.

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