Sukhoi Su-35 Vs. General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon [HD]-2014
The
Sukhoi Su-35 (
Russian: Сухой Су-35;
NATO reporting name: Flanker-E)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 marketed to many countries, including
Brazil,
China,
India,
Indonesia, and
South Korea, but so far have not attracted any export orders. Sukhoi originally projected that it would export more than 160 units of the second modernized Su-35 worldwide.
The General Dynamics (now
Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by
General Dynamics for the
United States Air Force (
USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,
500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in
1976.Although no longer being purchased by the
U.S. Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers. In
1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the
Lockheed Corporationwhich in turn became part of
Lockheed Martin after a
1995 merger with
Martin Marietta.The
Fighting Falcon has key features including a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system helps to make it a nimble aircraft. The
F-16 has an internal
M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 locations for mounting weapons and other mission equipment. The F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", but "
Viper" is commonly used by its pilots, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the
Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper starfighter.