101
well as by a button array on multi-function displays. Thus the HOTAS concept is
realized on this type of aircraft. The displays and some other avionics systems of Su-
35 are developed by Instrument Design Bureau of Ramenskoye and affiliated
companies of Tekhnokompleks Research and Production Association.
Eyes and ears
The core of the Su-35 armament is a new radar control system with a phased
antenna array (Irbis-E). It features unique capabilities in terms of the target detection
range. This is a development V V Tikhomirov Research Institute of Instrument
Production. In design, this is an X-waveband multi-role radar with a passive phased
antenna array (PAA) mounted on a two-step hydraulic drive unit (in azimuth and
roll). The antenna device scans by an electronically controlled beam in azimuth and
angle of elevation in sectors not smaller than 60°. The two-step electro-hydraulic
drive unit additionally turns the antenna by mechanic means to 60° in azimuth and
120° in roll. Thus, in using the electronic control and mechanical additional turn of
the antenna, the maximum deflection angle of the beam grows to 120°.
Irbis-E radar control system detects and tracks up to 30 air targets, retaining
continuity of space observation and engaging up to eight targets. The system detects,
chooses and tracks up to four ground targets in several map-making modes with
various resolution at a range of up to 400 km, without stopping to monitor the
airspace.
Irbis-E radar detects air targets with an absolute cross section of 3 m2 on a
head-on course at a range of up to 400 km.
Being an improvement on radars with a PAA, Irbis has much better
capabilities: expanded (by more than twice) operating frequency band, increased
from 70о to 120о target detection and tracking zone in azimuth, substantially (by 2-
2.5 times) increased effective range, improved anti-jamming capability, etc. In this
aspect, Irbis is comparable to the best foreign counterparts, outperforming most of the
US- and Wes-European-made radars with passive and active PAA.
The Research Institute has been developing Irbis since 2004. By now, the
engineering prototypes of the system have passed the required bench trials. The first
of them has been installed on the Su-30MK2 flying laboratory and is undergoing
flight tests. The first flight of the flying laboratory with Irbis onboard occurred in
early 2007 at Gromov Flight Test Institute. During the flight, the laboratory proved
the superior performance of the new radar in the air-to-surface operating mode.
Among other new onboard systems of the Su-35 is modern navigation and
radio communication equipment, systems maintaining fighters operation in a
formation and a highly efficient electronic countermeasures suite. The component
package of the latter and its complementation with specific jamming devices can be
determined by the customer.
Armament
In addition to the armaments onboard the modern Su-30MK, it is planned to
additionally arm the Su-35 with new types of air-to-air and air-to-surface guided
