The Su-35SM will use the AESA radar and the Himalayan EW system

The Su-35SM will use the AESA radar and the Himalayan EW system

January 13, 2023 / by Author Poetra

What Russian fighter jet lovers have been waiting for may soon come true in the next few years. This is in line with the Russian Defense Ministry's program to upgrade the Su-35S fighter jet to the Su-35SM.

This step was taken in an effort to balance the production of the Su-57 Felon and the increasing need for front-line combat aircraft.

Several Russian sources said the process of upgrading the Su-35S was under way. It is hoped that this new variant of the aircraft will have various advantages that it does not currently have. There has been no official statement from the company regarding the details of the increase in the Super Flanker's capabilities.

However, a number of leaks have been circulating. A number of features were mentioned will get a replacement. To support modern combat, the Ibris-E radar currently used on the Su-35S will reportedly be replaced with the AESA radar used on the Su-57. AESA radars are important for increasing mastery of modern air combat that is growing.

In terms of armament, the Su-35SM will also be equipped with the new K-77M (Izdeliye 180) missile which features its own AESA seeker radar and trimmed fins. This missile has been tested on the Su-57 where the missile is placed on a hanger under the wing.

The K-77M is capable of reaching a distance of 400 km with a warhead weighing 60 kg and a speed of Mach 6. By carrying this missile the Su-57 will significantly increase its capabilities.

Meanwhile, the L175M Khibiny-M KNIRTI electronic warfare system, which provides radio-electronic protection for fighter aircraft from surface-to-air or air-to-air missile attacks, will be replaced by the Himalayan electronic warfare protection (EW) system found throughout the Su-35SM body.

The Himalayan EW system was tested on the Su-57 Felon in 2014. The Su-35SM will also be equipped with a new communications, data exchange, navigation and identification system (OSNOD). This system was tested in 2019.

OSNOD system provides encrypted communication and anti-jamming function. OSNOD will allow the Su-35SM to function as part of a larger fighter network. The OSNOD system can control various types of aircraft in real time during combat operations.

The Su-35SM will also be equipped with a laser beam emitter that can blind infrared from enemy missiles. This system is mainly used in close combat when there is visual contact between two fighters.

-Poetra-

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