First installed on the third prototype, the radar transformed the Su-27M from simply being an air-defence fighter into a multi-role aircraft capable of attacking ground targets. The centrepiece of this system was the multi-function N011 Bars (literally "Leopard") phased-array radar with pulse-Doppler tracking that allowed it to detect targets below the horizon. īesides the increase in manoeuvrability, another feature that distinguished the Su-27M from the original design was the new weapons-control system. Other notable visible changes compared to the T-10S design included taller vertical tails, provisions for in-flight refuelling and the use of two-wheel nose undercarriage to support the heavier airframe. Because of this, theoretically, during combat the pilot could pitch the Su-27M up 120 degrees in under two seconds and fire missiles at the target. More importantly, when working with the relaxed-stability design and the accompanying fly-by-wire flight-control system, the aerodynamic layout improved the aircraft's manoeuvrability and enabled it to briefly fly with its nose past the vertical while maintaining forward momentum. First tested in 1985 using an experimental aircraft, the canards, in complement with the reshaped wing leading-edge extension, redirected the airflow in such a way so as to eliminate buffeting at high angles of attack and allowed the airframe to sustain 10- g manoeuvres (as opposed to 9 g on the Su-27) without additional structural reinforcement. While sharing broadly the blended wing-body design of the Su-27, the Su-27M is visibly distinguished from the basic version by the addition of canards, which are small lifting surfaces, ahead of the wings. Nikolay Nikitin would lead the design effort throughout much of the project's existence, under the oversight of General Director Mikhail Simonov, who had been the chief designer of the Su-27 along with Mikhail Pogosyan. Having begun work on an upgraded Su-27 variant in 1982, the Sukhoi Design Bureau was instructed in December 1983 by the Soviet Council of Ministers to use the Su-27 as the basis for the development of the Su-27M (T-10M). The following year, this Su-27 version reached initial operational readiness with the Soviet Air Defence Forces. The definitive production version of the Su-27, which had the factory code of T-10S, started mass ("serial") production with the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO) in 1983. The first aircraft design to receive the Su-35 designation had its origins in the early 1980s, at a time when the Su-27 was being introduced into service with the Soviet Armed Forces. China's People's Liberation Army Air Force has also placed orders.ĭesign and development Upgraded Su-27 Although it was designed for export, the Russian Air Force became the launch customer in 2009, with the production version designated Su-35S. The type made its first flight in February 2008. Also known as the Su-35, this version has a redesigned cockpit and weapons-control system and features thrust-vectoring engines in place of the canards. In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to serve as an interim aircraft awaiting the development of the Sukhoi PAK FA (Su-57) program. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was also built in the late 1990s that resembled the Su-30MK family. Fourteen aircraft were produced and used for tests and demonstrations one example had thrust-vectoring engines and was in turn redesignated the Su-37. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union Sukhoi re-designated it as the Su-35 to attract export orders. The first prototype made its maiden flight in June 1988. It incorporated canards and a multi-function radar giving it multi-role capabilities. The type was originally developed by the Soviet Union from the Su-27 and was known as the Su-27M. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by Sukhoi. The Sukhoi Su-35 (Russian: Сухой Су-35 NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter.
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