Alexander Mladenov assesses the Su-35, the ultimate single -seat, multi -role Flanker derivative, which boasts thrustvectoring engines and much refined aerodynamics combined with an all-new Russian-only mission avionics suite and an expanded weapons ar ray.
Su-35 FLANKER
The first Su-35 prototype, ‘901’, originally developed as an export fighter, took to the air for the first time on February 19, 2008 with Sukhoi’s chief test pilot Sergey Bogdan at the controls.Sukhoi
The second prototype, ‘902’, in a light air-to-air configuration featuring a pair of R-73 and a pair of R-77-1 dummy missiles.Sukhoi
REFERRED TO as a ‘generation 4++ fighter’ by its manufacturer, Sukhoi, the Su-35 was conceived in the early 2000s as a thoroughly reworked Flanker with extensive improvements to enhance performance and overall combat potential.
