Russia's Su-35SM is upgraded and equipped with Su-57 Felons capabilities instead of building more 5th-generation fighters like the US and China. One of the add-ons is radar-absorbing paint which is the same as used for stealth fighters.
Su-35SM Upgraded With Su-57 Capabilities
Sources say that the management of the Aviation Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur indicates a workshop is under construction. It will allow 30 of the Su-57 Felon to be built by 2025, reported Bulgarian Military.
Compared to the same number of fighters that can be produced in the final assembly plant devoted to Su-35S, the Felon is also built simultaneously, noted UAC.
Few numbers of the Su-57 Felon need a stopgap to counter its analogues like the F-22, states Military Today. Until that time, it is the upgraded Su-35S that will counter the US 5th gen planes. The first batch of modernized versions of the heavy Sukhoi Flanker SM variant, though secret a little is out of the bag, cites Red Star.
The basis of the new variant is getting the system from the Felon to sharpen the Flanker's dangerous aspects.
Russia's Edge Over Most 4++ Gen Warplanes
An improved AL-41FM engine for the Felon, which has a modern digital automatic control system, distributed parameter elements, with the plasma ignition system, according to AIN.
It enables starting the engine without oxygen, more fly height and no oxygen engine system will affect the plane's cargo. Loss of 6 tons compared to the S Flanker gives more power and more agility than ever before.
The airframe has changed with lighter materials and coated in radar-absorbing paint, but nothing specific. Such a complex of measures allows less weight and less radar visibility nearer the Felon stealth fighter.
Equipped with advanced radar and avionics suite in the SM-variant with a unified cockpit, wider screens used on the Su-30SM2. A few are in the VKS (Russian Air Force), with the new glass cabin.
Rumors that its radar will be an active phased array antenna with AFAR X and L-band radars, placed on the wings for more lateral and rear scanning of targets. It's an updated Irbis-E used on the 5-gen Felon, which detects targets small as1 m² up to 400 km, per Deagel.
Based on a statement from the United Instrumentation Corporation, Alexander Yakunin stated the S-111's data transmission rate for all info is 34 Mbps. Target tracking via the OLS-35M with infrared tracking and thermal sensors for tracking stealth fighters. A plus is no to radiating targets for a stealthier approach at 90 km.
Russian Air Force Expects from SM-variant
Modification noted by United Aircraft Corporation experts enables it to give the F-35 and F-22 a run for its money. Western magazines said the addition of advanced systems allowed it to be the best of the 4++ generation, even better than its western contemporaries.
An added plus is the more advanced SM variant can quarterback other jets, aerial recon, and warning, with aircraft control bundled into its capabilities. That exceeds the NATO war jets it can face in Ukraine.
Russians cannot mass produce the Felon yet, but the RuAF knows its Flanker-based fighters will benefit from the system trickled down from the Felon. Even modified 4++ fighters in numbers can succeed against a few 5th gen planes.
The VKS (RuAF) is confident that Russia's Su-35SM improved Su-57 capabilities and is still a lethal system with new weapons and systems to survive.
