Russia's R-77M Missile and AESA Just Made the Su-35E a Nightmare

The Sukhoi Su-35, a single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable, 4.5 generation air superiority fighter, has recently become even more formidable with the integration of the R-77M missiles and an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system.

The R-77M is an upgraded version of the Vympel NPO R-77 missile, also known by its export designation RVV-AE. This beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile features an active radar homing system, allowing it to engage multiple targets simultaneously.

The R-77M boasts improved range, speed, and maneuverability compared to its predecessor, making it a highly effective countermeasure against enemy aircraft.

One of the key enhancements of the R-77M is its advanced guidance system, which enables the missile to engage targets at longer ranges and with greater accuracy.

This increased capability significantly expands the Su-35’s combat envelope, allowing it to engage enemy aircraft from a safe distance while minimizing the risk of counterattack.

The AESA radar system integrated into the Su-35 is another significant upgrade that enhances the aircraft’s combat capabilities.

AESA radar systems use a large number of small, electronically steered antenna elements to scan a wide area and track multiple targets simultaneously.

This allows the Su-35 to detect and track multiple targets at long range, providing the pilot with a comprehensive air picture and enabling more effective targeting.

The combination of the R-77M missiles and AESA radar system makes the Su-35 an extremely potent air superiority fighter. Its ability to detect and engage multiple targets at long range, while also defending against incoming threats, makes it a valuable asset on the battlefield.

Some of the key features of the Su-35 with R-77M missiles and AESA radar include the AESA radar system which enables the Su-35 to detect and track multiple targets at long range, providing the pilot with a comprehensive air picture.

The upgraded R-77M missiles which offers improved range, speed, and maneuverability, allowing the Su-35 to engage enemy aircraft with greater effectiveness.

The combination of the R-77M missiles and AESA radar system significantly expands the Su-35’s combat envelope, making it a highly effective air superiority fighter.

The advanced radar system and R-77M missiles provide the pilot with a comprehensive air picture, enabling more effective targeting and decision-making.

Overall, the integration of the R-77M missiles and AESA radar system has significantly enhanced the Su-35’s combat capabilities, making it a formidable opponent in the skies.

The Sukhoi Su-35 features upgraded AL-41F1S thrust-vectoring engines, an Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar, and increased use of composite materials for a lighter airframe.

It can compete closely with 4.5 generation western jets in raw speed and close-range dogfights, but lags behind modern western radar, stealth, and electronic warfare standards.

Thr Su-35 is Equipped with 3D thrust-vectoring AL-41F1S engines that provide super-maneuverability and faster acceleration.

This jet uses the N035 Irbis-E PESA radar, offering a detection range up to 400 km. It also incorporates lightweight composite materials, increasing internal fuel capacity and extending combat range.

In terms of Competition With Western Counterparts in Close Combat situations, the Su-35’s thrust-vectoring agility and helmet-mounted cueing systems give it a strong edge in a traditional visual-range dogfight against non-stealth jets.

However, its beyond Visual Range and Sensors Capabilities is still behind its Western 4.5 generation counterparts like the F-15EX Eagle II that use advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and sophisticated sensor fusion that outmatch the Su-35’s PESA architecture.

Against fifth-generation stealth fighters like the F-35 Lightning II, the non-stealth Su-35 is at a major situational awareness and detection disadvantage.

A total of four foreign countries, China, Iran, Algeria, and Ethiopia have active or recently fulfilled procurement deals to buy the Sukhoi Su-35 (often referred to in export configurations as the Su-35E/SE).

China, the first international customer, acquiring 24 jets via a $2 billion contract signed in 2015.

Iran ordered a large contingent of 48 fighters, partially utilizing airframes initially built for an unfulfilled Egyptian order.

Algeria placed orders and began receiving its initial batches of Su-35 fighters while Ethiopia confirmed contract procurement for 16 fighter aircraft.

The Sukhoi Su-35 has been extensively tested in real-life combat operations, primarily during military campaigns in Syria and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Combat Deployments In Syria

The Russian military deployed Su-35S fighters to Hmeimim Air Base to provide air cover, escort strike packages, and perform patrol missions.

In Ukraine, the Su-35s have seen heavy operational use for air superiority, flying defensive counter-air patrols, escorting bombers and strike jets, and conducting suppression of enemy air defenses.

Russian sources and defense analysts report that the Su-35 has logged significant air-to-air employment against Ukrainian assets using long-range weaponry like the R-77-1 and R-37M missiles.

While operating in contested airspace, a small number of Su-35s have been lost to ground-based air defense systems. Notably, an aerial engagement resulted in a Su-35 being shot down by a Ukrainian F-16.

When you ask of a recommendation for the Sukhoi Su-35, note that this jet is a powerful, highly maneuverable 4.5-generation jet, but whether to recommend it depends entirely on your need for raw kinetic performance versus modern stealth and network capabilities.

It excels in speed of Mach 2.25, payload capacity of up to 8,000 kilograms and close-range dogfighting via thrust-vectoring engines, but lacks true stealth and advanced AESA radar found in fifth-generation competitors.

The Sukhoi Su-35 remains a non-stealth fourth-generation design, making it vulnerable to modern integrated sensor networks. It relies on an Irbis-E Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) radar rather than newer Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) systems.