The Su-35BM (Bolshaya Modernizatsiya - Big Modernization), undertook alterations in its fuselage, weight, RCS, embarked avionics, radar and bombs. Originally the Su-35 project did not contemplate the adoption of canards, however during the development of the aircraft at the beginning of the 1990s, the radar was installed then in development N-011M “Bars” in a prototype of the T-10 / Su-27. At the beginning it was noticed that the extreme weight of N-011M Bars affected the center of gravity of the aircraft, the radar was much heavier than the N-001 radar of the original Su-27. This compelled the designers of the aircraft to adopt some system that supported the frontal surface of the aircraft. The solution of canards appeared to reequilibrate the center of gravity of the aircraft. It was noticed in the flight of tests of the Su-35 that canards had improved the stability of the aircraft, improved the sustentation capacity, in closed maneuvers with very great angles of attack. This change made as much “success” that was adopted in other variants of the Su-27. The down side was that it increased the aerodinamico drag in supersonic regimen and even more increased the wing area of the aircraft, which resulted in an increase of the RCS of the aircraft.
The Sukhoi-35BM is designed on the base of the engineering solutions applied for creation of the fifth-generation aircraft taking into account the experience of operation of the Su-30MK2 (Su-27SM) multipurpose aircraft family. The Su-35 combines both characteristics necessary for a modern fighter, such as: supermaneuverability, sophisticated active and passive sensor systems, high supersonic flight speed, high flight range, possibility to arrange aircraft interaction; and characteristics of a good combat aircraft, namely: high combat load, wide range of the “air-to-surface” missiles, sophisticated multichannel electronic warfare system, reduced radar observability, air-defense break capability at a low level flight.
And yes, the new AL-41F1A engine will be the new standard for new Su-35BM coming out of the Komsomolsk Factorys!
They testet the first AL-41F1A in 2004 on a Su-30, and has build some 8-10 of them by now.
The Su-35BM is powered by a pair of the new AL-41 F1A turbofans, which provide 142 to 147 kN [36,000 pounds (approx)] of thrust each. The final production engine for the PAK-FA (T-50) will be the AL-41F1 fitted - when compared with the present A version - with a new core. Having installed in the nozzles the system of 3D vectored thrust, having useful life of 6,000 hours. The TVC possesss movement of deflection in the three axes of supersonic flow with amplitude of +-15°e in the horizontal plan of +-8°, with the made deflection being in a speed of 60°/second. The movement is carried through through a mobile ring, which the supersonic nozzle is set in motion, and that is set in motion by three located hydraulical actuators around of the nozzle axle. In turn, the proper actuators are fixed in a “located fixed brace” around of the post-combustion chamber (to afterburner).
