Su-35: Russian-Korean version of superiority
Alexander Javorsky
As of today Republic of Korea Air Forse (RoKAF) requirements for new fighter aircraft has decreased from 120 to 40-60 aircraft with further delivery in 2004-2006. The greatest world-wide developers like USA, France, European alliance “Eurofighter” are taking part in the tender, which was announced within the frame of Korean FX program.
Russia offers RoKAF the Su-35 aircraft developed by Sukhoi Design Bureau and produced at KnAAPO. This company has great experience not only in serial production of similar aircraft for further delivery to the South-East Asia countries (China, Vietnam) but also in transfer of technologies.
Su-35 is a multipurpose fighter intended for engagement with air targets such as aircraft, cruise missile, UCAV and others, air and ground countermeasure means, for destruction of communication, military industrial targets and strategic targets (for example launchers for enemy operational-tactical missile of “Scud” type) in adverse weather conditions when active and passive electronic countermeasures are applied. As a tactical striker, Su-35 is capable for all aspect attack of air targets at low and medium ranges and will be able to take-up both air-to-ground and air-to-sea missions.
This aircraft has unsurpassed manoeuvrability, unreachable for all existing and fighters under development, which allows the aircraft to take a favourable position for attack and for evasion manoeuvre at low and medium ranges and extend its capabilities to escape combat. The aircraft’s manoeuvrability has been displayed in many international air shows. Even the basic version of - Su-27 displayed superiority over F-15C during combat competition in 1992 at Langley AFB, Va., where 1st FW with the best crew are usually located.
Su-35, participating in Seoul Airshow 1996, “was extended” for another 10 days after show as per request of MOD of South Korea at Chongju airbase for detailed acquaintance with the aircraft. During that time 4 Korean pilots had been trained and awarded the certificates confirming their skill in piloting. As that much time were enough for primary training, this indicates that Su-35 is indeed easy in piloting. During the same visit the Russian Side suggested to perform combat competition with F-5 and F-16 but this idea was kindly refused due to the clear-cut advantage displayed by Su-35.
Su-35 suits the concept of mixed fighters fleet, which is a fleet of larger number of light and smaller number of heavy fighters. This concept is very popular today and has acquired world-wide support, regardless of the air-space size and territory of operation. The best example of this concept is Israel AF which has both F-15 and F-16 in service.
Su-35 in air combat is more manoeuvrable than both aircraft mentioned above and even more manoeuvrable than MiG-29, which is as per estimation of German pilots operating it, the winner of all combat training with Western fighters.
Su-35 is capable of performing long time Combat Air Patrol (CAP) mission in internal zones with capability of quick forwarding in danger directions to enhance light fighters capacity in case of enemy air offensive actions. In addition the enemy can also be encircled from the flanges. RoKAF already has sufficient number of light F-16s.
Su-35 is manufactured in accordance with the proven Sukhoi aerodynamic integral scheme called triplane with low wing loading, high trust to weight ratio. The integral fly by wire system ensures automatic interaction of all control surfaces and as an option TVC with movable nozzles, can also be installed on the aircraft on the request of the Customer. This combination allows to use supermaneuverable modes at the low, close to zero speeds and high angles of attack.
Two AL-31F engines is fitted on the aircraft with the separation and this has enhanced survivability. Alternatively, to improve aircraft performance, two Russian AL-37FV engines with TVC with all- aspect nozzle, or engines (both Russian and foreign) with higher trust can also be installed on the aircraft.
HOTAS concept is used for aircraft control system and allows pilot to handle the mission and use the weapon with hands on aircraft controls. Fly-by-wire system has 4 levels redundancy and remains operational even in case of two sequence failures.
Su-35’s electronic equipment include an on-board radar capable of searching air and ground simultaneously, with range of detection for fighter type threats at 150 km. Radar can track up to 10 air targets with simultaneous attack of two targets. “Air-to-ground” radar modes ensure operation in 5 modes on ground targets and 4 modes on sea targets. Radar has other additional capabilities, which enables detection and track of air and ground targets under countermeasures conditions with minimal performance degradation.
Additional search system (OLS), inform of infra-red search and track system (IRST), is also installed on-board the aircraft. OLS capabilities include searching, detection and automatic tracking of targets with thermal image. Su-35 is equipped with a basic EW set including RWR, CMDS with automatic and manual operation modes and active electronic countermeasure system.
The fighter has powerful weapon used for air and ground targets, which can be enhanced by foreign samples as per request of the Customer.In addition to 30mm single barrel rapid-firing gun, the aircraft can also carry several rockets of different calibre, 100 - 500 kg HE, general-purpose and concrete-piercing bombs, 500 - 1500kg corrected bombs (GBU) with TV and laser guidance.
To destroy air targets Su-35 can be equipped with up to 12 guided missiles with different guidance systems and 30-50 km launch ranges. Destroying of ground (including different radar types) and sea targets is obtained with missiles with combined, TV and laser guidance systems. Max. aircraft combat load is 8200 kg. Aircraft has 12 suspension points. To increase its range, the aircraft is equipped with flight refuelling system, which allows to receive necessary fuel (until tanks are full) from tanker-aircraft, equipped with Russian or Western “probe-drogue” refuelling system.
Su-35 take-off and landing performance (with or without movable nozzle) ensure aircraft’s operation from any NATO standard airbase and other country airfield, and also makes it possible to operate aircraft from high-ways (roads). As per Customer request, Su-35 can be equipped with light arrester hook for emergency breaking, which will not result in any major design changes and in weight increase.
World-wide aircraft operation approves of the aircraft compatibility with all airfield maintenance equipment including ground power unit, cooling, conditioning, refuelling equipment and servicing tankers for liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen and spirit.
Su-35 purchase has many latent capabilities including enhancement of combat abilities in all modes of operation, realization of transport abilities for new purposes, provision of repair shops and service centre arrangement for aircraft maintenance at Korean factories.
It seems prudent to establish mini design bureau for inspection and analysis of future nation aircraft upgrade programs, on it’s own base.
The most important feature is that aircraft has all necessary qualities for superiority over any potential enemy in XXI century.