Sukhoi Su-35 Facts for Kids

Su-35 during an air-show

The Sukhoi Su-35 is a powerful Russian fighter aircraft. It's a type of jet plane built for fighting other planes in the sky and attacking targets on the ground. This impressive aircraft first joined the Russian Air Force in 2010. It's known for being very fast and agile, making it a top-tier military jet.

What is the Su-35?
History of the Su-35
- When Was the Su-35 First Built?
  - What is the Su-35S?
Inside the Su-35 Cockpit
- What is HOTAS?
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What is the Su-35?

The Su-35 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet fighter. It was designed by the Sukhoi company in Russia. This aircraft is an improved version of the famous Su-27 fighter jet. It has many upgrades that make it more capable in modern air combat.

How Does the Su-35 Fly?

The Su-35 is known for its amazing maneuverability. This means it can turn, climb, and dive very quickly. It uses special engines with "thrust vectoring" nozzles. These nozzles can move, helping the pilot steer the plane in ways other jets cannot. This makes it very hard for enemy planes to target the Su-35.

What are Thrust Vectoring Nozzles?

Thrust vectoring nozzle on a Sukhoi Su-35S

Imagine the engine's exhaust pushing the plane forward. With thrust vectoring, the part where the exhaust comes out can actually tilt. This tilting changes the direction of the push, allowing the plane to make sharper turns or even fly sideways for a moment. It's like having extra rudders that work with the engine's power.

What Weapons Does the Su-35 Carry?

The Su-35 can carry many different types of weapons. It has a built-in cannon for close-range fights. It can also carry various missiles. These include air-to-air missiles to shoot down other planes and air-to-ground missiles to hit targets on the ground. It can also carry bombs.

How Does the Su-35 Find Targets?

Irbis-E radar for the modernized Su-35 at MAKS Airshow 2009

The Su-35 uses a very advanced radar system called the Irbis-E. This radar can find targets from far away. It can track many targets at once, both in the air and on the ground. This helps the pilot know what is happening around them and decide how to attack.

Who Uses the Su-35?

Map with Sukhoi Su-35 operators in blue

The main user of the Su-35 is the Russian Air Force. Other countries have also bought this fighter jet. This shows that the Su-35 is a highly respected aircraft around the world.

History of the Su-35

The idea for the Su-35 came from the Su-27, which was a successful fighter jet from the 1980s. Engineers wanted to make an even better version. They added new technology and improved the design.

When Was the Su-35 First Built?

The first version of what would become the Su-35 flew in 1988. It was called the Su-27M back then. Over the years, it went through many changes and upgrades. The modern Su-35, which we know today, first flew in 2008.

What is the Su-35S?

The Su-35S is the most common version of the Su-35. The "S" stands for "serial," meaning it's the version produced in large numbers for the Russian military. This is the jet that entered service in 2010.

Inside the Su-35 Cockpit

Su-35S cockpit layout: a head-up display, two multi-function liquid crystal displays, and a control stick with HOTAS controls

The cockpit of the Su-35 is very modern. It has large digital screens instead of many old-fashioned dials. These screens show the pilot all the important information. The pilot also has a "head-up display" (HUD). This projects information onto the windshield, so the pilot can see it without looking down.

What is HOTAS?

HOTAS stands for "Hands-On Throttle And Stick." This means the pilot can control many important functions without taking their hands off the throttle (which controls speed) or the control stick (which steers the plane). This helps the pilot react very quickly in a fight.