The serial multi-role fighter Su-35S-3 has performed its first flight from the airfield of Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association named after Y.A. Gagarin (KnAAPO), based in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Sukhoi Company reports. AEX.ru
Different operating modes of the powerplant and integrated control system have been being developed for more than two hours. The characteristics of aircraft stability and sensitivity have been checked. There were no criticism on work of engines, systems and equipment. The aircraft has been piloted by the test-pilot Taras Artsebarskiy, the company noted.
More than 400 flights have been performed in the network of flight test program of Su-35 fighters. Su-35-1,2 aircraft have been delivered to the 929 State Proving Flight Center for joint state testing and started the performance of approved program on August 2011. The serial Su-35S-1 is also taking part in this program.
The preliminary flight testing carried out using Su-35-1,2 has confirmed the general performance of avionics and super-maneuverability characteristics, the stability and controllability have also been verified along with performance of powerplant and navigation system. The maximum flight speed is 1400 km/h (near the ground) and 2400 km/h – at the altitude the ceiling is 18 km. The acquisition range in air-to-air mode is over 400 km. It is significantly excels the similar parameter of the jets, which are operated at present in Russia. The board radar allows detecting and tracing several targets at the distance of more than 80 km. The system is ready for testing for operational use.
Su-35 is a deeply modernized super-maneuverable multi-role 4++-generation fighter. The fifth-generation technologies have been used during its development providing its superiority over the same class fighters. Among the key features of the aircraft are: the new avionics based on digital management information system, aircraft equipment integration system, new active phased antenna array with a long range of target acquisition, increased number of tracked and beaten targets (tracing of 30 and attack of 8 air targets, and tracing of 4 and attack of 2 ground targets), new engines with increased thrust and turning thrust vector.
Su-35 has a wide weapon list of long, medium and shorter-range. It is capable of carrying controlled air-launched anti-radar, anti-ship, general-duty weapons, glide bombs and uncontrolled air-launched weapons. The radar visibility of the jet has been decreased several times as compared to the fourth-generation fighters due to electrocoating of aircraft canopy, application of electromagnetic wave absorption coating and decrease of the number of protruding sensors. The jet’s endurance is 6000 flight hours; the operational endurance is 30 years, the service life limit of engines with vectored nozzle – 4000 hours.