Posted on 04/27/2009 8:53:29 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Russian Su-35 fighter jet prototype destroyed during testing
10:20 | 27/ 04/ 2009
KHABAROVSK, April 27 (RIA Novosti) - A prototype of the advanced Su-35 Flanker multi-role fighter plane burst into flames during take-off procedures at a testing ground in Russia's Far East, a spokesman for the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft plant said on Monday.
"The accident occurred at 09.55 Moscow time [05.55 GMT] on Sunday at the Dzemgi airfield during the Su-35 prototype's take-off," Vitaly Tyulkin said, adding that the pilot ejected safely.
"We will announce the details of the accident later in the day," he said.
Sources earlier said the accident could have been caused by a faulty fuel pump.
The aircraft was one of the three prototypes to test the new fighter, which has been billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology."
The Sukhoi aircraft maker said in March that successful flight tests involving two prototypes had confirmed the earlier-announced timeframe for deliveries of the aircraft to Russian and foreign customers in 2011.
The company had planned to add a third prototype to the testing program in the second half of 2009, and to boost the current number of test flights to 150-160.
Su-35 fighter, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.
The aircraft also features the new Irbis-E radar with a phased antenna array, which allows the pilot to detect and track up to 30 air targets, while simultaneously engaging up to eight targets.
It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon with 150 rounds, and can carry up to eight metric tons of combat payload on 12 external mounts.
Sukhoi plans to export at least 160 Su-35 fighters to several countries including India, Malaysia and Algeria.
That looks like one bad MF.
gloopy
I wonder where they found that?\s
It is. It will eat our F-15’s and F-16’s for lunch and ask for seconds. This aircraft, and others currently being fielded by both the Russians and the Chinese are reasons why killing the F-22 is suicidal.
No F-22, no US air superiority. No US air superiority then equates to annihilation of the US ground forces and navy.
China? Wal*mart?
If this is the pane is saw a video of, it’s is indeed a monster!
I hate it when that happens.
This thread is worthless without a cool video of the crash
After the "creative writing team" has a chance to get their story straight?
That is a wierd camo pattern. I’ve never seen territory
on this planet that resembles that.
You must not be familiar with Paul Cezanne...
At least they are consistent. They’re planes go down just like their subs and neither come back up.
ROFLOL!!
Needs more duct tape :)
So much for our vaunted pilot training programs.
Well, our pilot training is still superior—unlike the Russians, we can actually afford to give our pilots enough flight hours per month to keep their skills sharp. But planes like the Su-35 are why we do need the F-22 and F-35, even with the expense. No techonological lead lasts forever, and the F-15 and F-16 are equal to, but not hugely better than, even the latest current international designs. Up until now, we’ve kept our edge because our pilots are among the best in the world and we’ve gone up against third-world air forces like Iraq’s. Planes like that Su-35 will close that gap, if not reverse it.
}:-)4
Maybe we should bring the Tomcats back with vectored thrust.......
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.