Problems with the promotion of the Su-35 and the development of the PAK FA

July 31 2010 21 580 1

Russia is in a hurry to find new customers to export the latest Su-35 fighter jets. The Russian Air Force will receive the first production aircraft at the end of this year, it was also promised in the near future to organize the production of aircraft for export. But there are some problems. The fact is that in the foreign market there is a very strong competition from such fighters as the F-15 and F-16, Rafale, Eurofighter and Gipen. Fifth generation F-35 fighter is also moving to the world market.

However, the Su-35 is an impressive aircraft. The airframe is designed for 6000 flight hours (compared to 2500-4000 for early model aircraft). The fighter is equipped with modern airborne equipment, in particular, a phased-array radar capable of detecting large AWACS class air targets or B-52 bombers at a distance of up to 400 km, as well as an infrared station with a target detection range of 80 km. The radar is capable of tracking ground targets and ensuring the use of guided bombs. Su-35 has a higher maneuverability than Su-30.

At one time, the Su-35 was advertised as a counterweight to the F-22. But this does not mean that the Su-35 will be a competitor to the fifth-generation fighter PAK FA, whose flight tests began in January of this year. Only three prototypes of the Su-35 were built, one of them was lost due to problems with one of the engines. Russia hoped to demonstrate this prototype at the May parade. The crash of the aircraft was a very bad PR of the Su-35, as it turned out that the traditional unreliability of the Russian engines had not yet been eradicated.

Su-35 made the first flight two years ago. Progress in its creation was very slow. The development of the aircraft was carried out with 1990 year. For a while, it was called Su-37, then it acquired the Su-35 index again. In 1990-s, prototypes of two different versions were built. There were numerous differences in which direction to develop this aircraft, and at the end of 90's, the program was suspended due to lack of funding.

Su-35 has a take-off weight of 34 t, more maneuverable than the 33-ton original Su-27, and has more advanced electronic equipment. The aircraft can perform cruising at supersonic speeds. In addition, Su-35 is about 50% more expensive than Su-27. The price of one aircraft is approximately 60 million (approximately equal to the cost of the latest F-16 modifications). Su-35 equipped with 30 mm cannon with 150 ammunition shells, can carry a combat load of 8 t mass on 12 suspension units.

Russia's drive to develop an F-22-class fighter, the PAK FA, will face a major workload. The T-50 prototype is clearly based on the Su-27 airframe, with stealth shapes to reduce the radar cross-section and an internal compartment for missiles and bombs. But much more needs to be done to approach the F-22's stealth level. It took 15 years for the F-22 prototype to go from first flight to operational capability. The PAK FA could have developed more quickly, learning from the F-22's experience, especially given that some of the Internet spying was done by Russia. But that kind of speed is not a Russian trait.

Another problem is the engines that were not ready for the first flight. Old engines were used, since at the first test stage the task was only to confirm the airworthiness of the airframe. New engines, as well as those used on the Su-35, suffer from various kinds of design problems. Russians have always encountered difficulties in developing high-tech engines, and this tradition continues. Now Russians say it will take several years to create a new engine.

Russia also needs to develop a new family of air-to-air missiles. Existing missiles are too large to fit into the PAK FA prototype's internal compartment. New missiles along with more compact air-to-surface ammunition are already being developed. Add to this the problems with electronics, and you have a complete picture of the difficulties with the development of the PAK FA.