I believe it's the third prototype built. I don't imagine this will set the program back for very long though, seeing the Russians are pretty determined to get some new planes for their airforce. On the bright side, they proved their ejection seats are second to none.Sukhoi has confirmed the company’s third prototype for the Su-35 programme crashed at Komsomolsk-on-Amur during high-speed ground tests.
Test pilot Yevgeni Frolov escaped uninjured after ejecting, a Sukhoi statement says.
Statement of the “Sukhoi” Company” Press-Service
(Source: Sukhoi KNAAPO; issued April 28, 2009)
The third prototype of the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter (second prototype seen above), was written off after leaving the runway during high-speed taxi trials on April 26. (Knaapo photo)On the 26th of April at Dzyemgi airfield in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, the accident occurred with the third flying prototype of the Su-35 fighter while taxiing and rapid running due to the aircraft coming out of the runway.
The test-pilot Evgeny Frolov safely bailed out and is uninjured.
The special board has been organised to investigate the causes of the accident.
The third Su-35 prototype has been planned to join two prototypes which are under testing and up to now have made more than 100 flights.
Taking to account the successful testing of two flying prototypes the schedule of the Su-35 testing program stays invariable.
Arms-tass explicitly states it's the 4th one. Most other articles seem to think the same. Anyone else have any info on which prototype this is?
INTERFAX: ULAN-BATOR, May 13.
"The Sukhoi company will deliver more than additional 60 new fighter jets to the Russian Air Force until 2015, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying.
"We took the decision to upload the orders of the factory in charge of this, and it will additionaly deliver more than 60 of the most modern fighter planes to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation until 2015"
V.Putin was quoted as saying at a press briefing in Ulan-Bator.
He also stressed that the fifth-generation fighter programme was progressing "according to plan" at the aforementioned factory.
Putin must be refering to 60 units of Su-35, since he was attending at Sukhois in this press briefing.
Thanks
Strange that Putin would imply such, just after a tour in KNAAPO facilities..Crusader2000;174957]Sorry, just the usual promises..................for all we know the 60 new units could mean a number of things. Maybe, more upgrade or remanufactured Su-27SM's, returned Mig-29's, etc. etc. etc.
Yep, i'm on it.You need to find another source with specifics...............
Apparently not.. but then again hardly a change of routine is it?Really, this is why I have such little respect for Russian Sources. Always making promises with little or no details.............Can't they ever give a direct answer???
Strange that Putin would imply such, just after a tour in KNAAPO facilities..
Knowing Putin by reputation, he rarely stick his neck out in this manner.
Yep, i'm on it.
Apparently not.. but then again hardly a change of routine is it?
Thanks
I find India and specialy China main customers for Su-35BM ...
Agreed, Venezuela on the other hand..Very unlikely..................India is involved in the PAK-FA, MCA, and mite even purchase F-35's at some point. China on the otherhand is developing the J-13 and J-14....
Either way no need for Su-35's..........
Agreed, Venezuela on the other hand..
The Su-30MK2 Vietnam are getting, are those from Irkutsk plant?
Reading the other posts I agree there's no easy market for this platform. I do not think its automatic for other Flanker uses to make the switch too much has been invested by the current uses on the maintenance side.
I think Russia's Air Force should be the best customer for the Su-35, they many aircraft to replace. There could be no better beginning for this aircraft then Russia buying itself.
From Russia's own Air Force using the Su-35 new customer will spring up. I think this is very important and think Russia could do well if they take the lead.
There will be future customers who can't afford or not allowed to buy the F-35. Others who can't afford Rafale's, EF2000, F-15SG/K types, all in the $90/100+ mil range with goodies. Russia could capture a piece of the market if they keep this platform in the $70/80 mil range. Russia shouldn't charge any less no other 4th++ generation fighter is lower in price,Russia shouldn't under price itself.