Hobby Master HA5711 | SU-35S Flanker E, 9213, Egyptian Air Force, August 2020

General Background:

The Sukhoi Su-35S Flanker E is a highly modified and improved derivative of the Su-27. In the 1980s modifications were made to the Su-27 (Su-27M) also referred to as Su-35. About 20 years later a heavily modified member of the Flanker family was produced and given the title of Su-35S Flanker E. Considered by many to be the most capable fourth generation fighter in the sky and equipped with many fifth generation technologies. This probably will be the last of the Flanker family when the fifth generation Russian aircraft arrive.

The Aircraft:

Egypt became the first air force in the region and the second country behind China to sign a contract for the Su-35. Both countries had contracted 24 aircraft each. The first delivery of the 24 Egyptian aircraft was planned for 2020 and completed by 2023. In July 2022 five Su-35s, believed to be built for Egypt were seen at the Sukhoi Aircraft Company in Novosibirsk. The Americans warned Egypt of possible sanctions if the purchase of any Russian aircraft was completed. 9213 was still flying in Russia without any national marking in 2021.

Specifications (Su-35S) Export Variant of the Su-35 Flanker E
Country of origin – Russia
Designer - Sukhoi
Role – Multi-Role Fighter
Crew - 1
Dimensions
Length - 21.9 m (72.9 ft)
Wingspan - 15.3 m (50.2 ft, with Wingtip Pods)
Height - 5.90 m (19.4 ft)
Weights
Empty Weight - 18,400 kg (40,570 lb)
Loaded Weight - 25,300 kg (56,660 lb) With Half Fuel Load
Maximum Takeoff Weight - 34,500 kg (76,060 lb)
Performance
Powerplant
2 × Saturn 117S (AL-41F1S) Afterburning Turbofan with 3D Thrust Vectoring Nozzle Dry Thrust - 8,800 kgf (86.3 kN, 19,400 lbf) Each
Thrust with Afterburner - 14,500 kgf (142 kN, 31,900 lbf) Each
Fuel capacity - 11,500 kg (25,400 lb) Internally
Speed
Maximum
@ Altitude - Mach 2.25 (2,780 km/h, 1,726 mph)
@ Sea Level - Mach 1.15 (1,400 km/h, 870 mph)
Range
@ Altitude - 3,600 km (1,940 nmi)
@ Sea Level - 1,580 km (850 nmi)
Ferry Range - 4,500 km (2,430 nmi) With 2 External Fuel Tanks
Service Ceiling - 18,000 m (59,100 ft)
Rate of Climb – 280+ m/s (55,000+ ft/min)
Maximum G – 9+ G
Armament
Guns – 1 × 30 mm GSh-301 Internal Cannon With 150 Rounds
Hardpoints – 12
2 x Wingtip Rails
10 x Wing and Fuselage Points
The 12 Points Can Carry - Maximum of 8,000 kg (17,630 lb) Of Ordnance In Varying Combinations Of
Rockets
S-25L Laser-guided Rocket
S-25 Unguided Rocket
B-8 Unguided S-8 Rocket Pods
B-13 Unguided S-13 Rocket Pods
Missiles
Vympel R-73E/M
Vympel R-74M
Vympel R-27R/ER/T/ET
Vympel R-77
Vympel R-37M
Kh-29T/L
Kh-31P/A
Kh-59ME
Bombs
KAB-500L Laser-guided Bomb
KAB-1500L Laser-guided Bomb
FAB-250 250-kg (550 lb) Unguided Bombs
FAB-500 500-kg (1,100 lb) Unguided Bombs
Other - Buddy Refueling Pod
Avionics
Irbis-E Passive Phased Array Radar
OLS-35 Infra-red Search and Track System
L265 Khibiny-M Electronic Warfare Pod