WISE INVESTMENT China PLA Air force buys 24 Su 35 Aircraft

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• published: 23 Nov 2015
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The Chinese PLA Air Force agrees to buy 24 Su-35 Aircraft from Moscow. The Sukhoi Su-35 (Russian: Сухой Су-35; NATO reporting name: Flanker-E[N 1]) is a designation for two separate, heavily upgraded derivatives of the Su-27 'Flanker'. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable multirole fighters, designed by Sukhoi and built by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO). The first variant was designed during the 1980s, when Sukhoi was seeking to upgrade its high-performance Su-27, and was initially known as the Su-27M. Later re-designated Su-35, this derivative incorporated aerodynamic refinements to increase manoeuvrability, enhanced avionics, longer range, and more powerful engines. The first Su-35 prototype, converted from a Su-27, made its maiden flight in June 1988. More than a dozen of these were built, some of which were used by the Russian Knights aerobatic demonstration team. The first Su-35 design was later modified into the Su-37, which possessed thrust vectoring engines and was used as a technology demonstrator. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was built in the late 1990s that strongly resembled the Su-30MK family. In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to produce what the company calls a 4++ generation fighter that would bridge the gap between legacy fighters and the upcoming fifth generation Sukhoi PAK FA. This derivative, while omitting the canards and air brake, incorporates a reinforced airframe, improved avionics and radar, thrust-vectoring engines, and a reduced frontal radar signature. In 2008 the revamped variant, erroneously named the Su-35BM in the media, began its flight test programme that would involve four prototypes, one of which was lost in 2009. The Russian Air Force has ordered 48 production units, designated Su-35S, of the newly revamped Su-35. Both Su-35 models are marketed to many countries, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and South Korea; China ordered the Su-35 in late 2015. Sukhoi originally projected that it would export more than 160 units of the second modernized Su-35 worldwide. Design and development[edit] Upgraded Su-27[edit] A Russian Knights Su-35 in 2007 In the early 1980s, while the Su-27 was entering service with the Soviet Air Forces, Sukhoi looked to develop a follow-on variant. Originally designated "Su-27M" and known internally as the "T10-M", it would be much more agile and feature greatly improved avionics compared to the aircraft considered to be the best contemporary fighter.[11] It was also to carry more armament to improve its Air-to-ground weaponry capabilities.[12] The improved variant, the development of which began in the early 1980s,[13] featured a host of changes in aerodynamics, avionics, powerplants, and construction methods, as well as increasing payload capacity. High-strength composites and Aluminium-lithium alloys were used to reduce weight and boost internal fuel volume.[14] One of the distinguishing features of this early design were the canards, which improved airflow over the wings, eliminating buffeting and allowing the aircraft to fly at an angle of attack of 120°. These canards were governed by a new digital fly-by-wire flight-control system.[11] The aircraft was fitted with the Luylka AL-31FM(AL-35F) turbofan engine which is larger, more reliable and, with a thrust of 125 kN (28,200 lbf), more powerful than those found on the Su-27.[11] Also new was the fire-control system, at the heart of which is the N011 pulse-Doppler radar, which could track up to 15 aerial targets simultaneously and guide up to six missiles simultaneously.[15] The tail "stinger" houses the Phazotron N-012 rear-facing radar.[14] The aircraft could carry various bombs (including napalm, dumb and Cluster munitions) and both air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles; and had two additional underwing pylons.[15] The cockpit was modernized, equipped with multi-function colour LCD screens, and fitted with a K-36DM ejection seat inclined at 30° to improve pilot g-force tolerance.[15] Range was increased to 4,000 km (2,222 nmi),[16] the adoption of an aerial refuelling probe enables further range extension. The aircraft was characterized by its twin nose wheel – as a result of higher payload – and larger tail fins with Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer square-topped tips. Testing and demonstration[edit] The Su-27M (T-10S-70) prototype first flew on 28 June 1988 piloted by Sukhoi chief test pilot Oleg Tsoi.[15][19] The first prototype differed slightly from later examples in: retaining standard Su-27 vertical stabilizers without the cropped top; lacking a fire-control system; having a three-tone grey/blue camouflage scheme, along with minor differences.[15] Designated T10M-1 to T10M-10, the first ten prototypes were built by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO) in conjunction with Sukhoi