The command of the Russian Aerospace Forces sends Su-34 supersonic fighter-bombers on combat missions escorted by Su-35S multirole fighters. Consequently, the Su-34 is an"especially 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.
Presumably, the leadership of the Russian Aerospace Forces retains the more advanced Su-35SM for other tasks, suggested Bulgarian Military author 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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