The command of the Russian Aerospace Forces sends supersonic fighter-bombers Su-34 on combat missions escorted by multirole fighters Su-35S. Consequently, the Su-34 is a "particularly valuable asset", writes Bulgarian Military.
The use of the Su-35S as a combat escort for the Su-34, and not the more advanced Su-35SM, can be explained by several reasons. The Su-35S is an effective fighter equipped with a powerful radar. It provides reliable protection for the bomber. In addition, the Russian Aerospace Forces has more Su-35S fighters than Su-35SM.
Probably, the leadership of the Russian Aerospace Forces keeps the more advanced Su-35SM for other tasks, suggested the author of Bulgarian Military Boyko Nikolov.
About the Su-35S fighter
The Su-35S is an "evolution of the Su-27 family". The fighter received an improved airframe and new avionics. It is designed to gain air superiority, defeat ground targets in the face of strong enemy resistance.
The Su-35S is equipped with a "Zhuk-A" radar with a phased antenna array, which provides long-range detection and tracking of targets. The radar is capable of detecting targets at a distance of more than 400 kilometers.
The Su-35S is equipped with AL-41F1S engines, which allow the fighter to reach speeds of up to Mach 2.25.
Su-35S characteristics:
- Wingspan — 14.70 m
- Length — 21.9 m
- Height — 5.9 m
- Maximum take-off weight — 34500 kg
- Fuel weight — 11300 kg
- Maximum weight of combat load — 8000 kg on 12 suspension points
- Thrust without afterburner — 2 x 8800 kgf, afterburner — 2 x 14500 kgf
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