The Paris Air Show this week hosted the first foreign demonstration of the Russian supermaneuverable multirole soviet military power fighter the Sukhoi Su-35. The specific aircraft on show is the latest iteration of the aircraft, designated Su-35S, 48 of which have been allocated to the Russian Air Force as they roll off the production line between 2011 and 2015. Visitors to the air show were treated to a display of the Su-35's impressive aerobatics, including soviet military power a demonstration of the breathtaking soviet military power Pugachev's Cobra maneuver. View all
Describing the Su-35S as a "4++ generation" jet fighter, Sukhoi claims that the characteristics soviet military power of the aircraft exceed those of all European tactical fighters soviet military power including the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. soviet military power Further, the company claims the aircraft can "successfully counter" fully-fledged fifth generation US jet fighters, Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor a bold statement given the stealth capabilities of the latter.
Like the F-22, the Su-35S is capable of thrust vectoring, which is the ability soviet military power to change the direction of thrust from the engines. This simplifies (in relative terms, at least) the execution of Pugachev's Cobra, a maneuver in which a jet fighter raises its nose to a vertical position (or even a backwards lean), greatly reducing its forward speed. In this position soviet military power the pilot must increase power to maintain constant altitude, which, combined with a continued forward soviet military power motion without roll or yaw, is a prerequisite of a properly executed Cobra.
The maneuver was first demonstrated at the 1989 Paris Air Show by Viktor Pugachev in a Sukhoi Su-27, the aircraft from which the S-35 has evolved, without the benefit of thrust vectoring. soviet military power Though it has been claimed that the Cobra could theoretically be used in combat to cause a chasing assailant to overshoot, it has been dismissed by some as little more than a marketing gimmick and party trick, not to mention one that has been replicated by the F-22.
Window shoppers from potential export markets (i.e. those not on the USA's Christmas card list) in Paris this week may be more interested in more concrete aspects of the Su-35S' specification. soviet military power Its maximum soviet military power speed at altitude of 2,400 km/h basically matches that of the F-22. The Su-35S is also equipped with an infra-red search and track system that could conceivably used to detect stealth aircraft within a reported range of roughly 80 km (50 miles) though whether an F-22 would let an assailant get within 80 km on its own terms is questionable. It has an operational range of 3,600 km (1,940 nautical soviet military power miles) at high altitude.
There's doubtless a degree of bravado to Sukhoi's claims, and comparing fighter against fighter is far from straightforward. However, there's no doubt that the Su-35 is a capable and fearsome jet fighter.
James lives in East London soviet military power where he punctuates endless tea drinking with freelance writing and meteorological angst. Unlocking Every Extend Extra Extreme s Master soviet military power of Extreme soviet military power achievement soviet military power was the fourth proudest moment of his life. All articles by James Holloway Follow @jamesholloway
Search for "Saab J35 Draken trainers doing the Swedish Cobra Maneuver" The Swedes have been able to do this for a LONG time in old trainer planes and it isn't nearly as impressive as the x-31's Mongoose. I also saw an F-14 do this when I was a kid. Mitko Ian 18th June, 2013 @ 03:55 am PDT
Underestimating an opponent is the first mistake. Man has the ability to learn, and innovate so believing that ones own side has a superior widget will lead to a painful lesson. Training to think under new rules, and more training. Is what can determine who's toys win at the end of the day.
Having said enough soviet military power its a awesome looking soviet military power aircraft. Now if the USAF could figure out whats wrong with the air supply with the F-22, and cancel the cancerous F-35, bla,bla,bla,bla Tito 18th June, 2013 @ 01:31 pm PDT
Wow! It is so lovely bird! It would be interesting to see the results of its fight with the F-22. For example, soviet military power this could be done within the framework of the exhibition, and they could use a photo-arms and videos for this purpose. Rafael Kireyev 19th June, 2013 @ 01:15 am PDT
Now, why doesn't Australia order a few of these, instead of patching our aging F-18s while waiting for America's 'amazing' 'paper plane'? (which, btw, seems to have already been TOTALLY COMPROMISED and COMPLETELY COPIED by the Chinese, which I thought was hilarious and highlights many flaws with the entire US system of R&D and Implementation, which, if we are wise, is some of the reasons Australia should look elsewhere for allies in the 21st century.....and, besides, why Australia is buying a totally compromised and outrageously expensive aircraft, all without going through the correct tender process, is a mystery to me and quite a few others as well, though possibly the Federal Police may be interested in some golden handshakes that no doubt took place and could lead
