Aircraft

Sukhoi Su-35-1 makes first flight

By Vladimir Karnozov

Sukhoi's Su-35-1 single-seat multirole fighter made its first flight from Zhukovsky, near Moscow, on 18 February. Completion of two more aircraft is due later this year.

Deliveries are scheduled from 2010-11, with the Russian air force having placed an initial order for a customised version dubbed the Su-27SM2.

Launched in 2003, the Su-35-1 (pictured below) features a Tikhomirov NIIP Irbis radar with a detection range of 400km (216nm), a reshaped wing and two NPO Saturn Item 117S engines with vectored thrust and supercruise capability. The airframe is designed for 6,000 flight hours or a 30-year service life.

© Sukhoi