Haavarla
Active Member
They are banking on Supercruise engines for the SU35BM. Currently the works are ongoing to get the thrust up to their expected power, and make it reliable enough to have a very good TBO. But in any case, even if it doesnt achieve supercruise because of its external loadout and non optimised airframe for the supersonic regime, it will still boost its ability in A2A alot, as no other fighter other than the typhoon and F22 have supercruise engines.
Conserning supercruise capability on the Su-35BM, they made som modernization on the airframe such as the tailfins are lowered a bit and the "sting" potrouding out between the Nozzle's is shorter, bigger intakes. they used a lot of coposites to lower the weight.
They remowed the airbrake on top for more fuel volum.
Lighter systems inside.
Some state the aircraft is 10% other 20% lighter than it predosessor..
Anyway, considering the extra fuel i think they did a very good job reducing the weight.
Extended high-lift devices with large flaperon occuping the full trailing edge of the wing and they extended the nose a bit for the new radar.
I' am sure they manage to reduce the overall drag a little. With the extra thrust it remains to see if the aircraft really can make supercruise with a light mission configuration(4 missile)..
Well i sure hope they do
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