Russia's Su-35 fighter makes first demonstration flight
Russia's new state-of-the-art Su-35 Flanker multirole air superiority/strike fighter successfully completed its first demonstration flight on Monday.
During the six-minute flight it carried out a number of stunts and maneuvers.
The demonstration was attended by Vladimir Mikhailov, former commander of Russia's Air Force.
Deliveries of the new aircraft, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," to foreign clients will start in 2011, the chief executive of the Sukhoi aircraft maker said earlier on
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Monday.
"We have a large number of orders for this aircraft. Deliveries will be made both for the Russian Air Force and foreign clients... We will start deliveries in 2011," Mikhail Pogosyan said.
The manufacturer said previously the Su-35 would enter service with the Russian Air Force in two to three years.
Russia's Air Force commander Alexander Zelin said that Russian Air Force regiments could receive the new aircraft.
"We plan to train two to three regiments to fly the Su-35 aircraft," he said.
The Su-35, powered by two AL-37F engines, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.
The Su-35 prototype made its maiden flight on February 18, and two more aircraft are being prepared for similar tests at an aircraft manufacturing plant in Russia's Far East.
Sukhoi, which is part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, is planning to export more than 40 combat aircraft in 2008.
In 2007, Sukhoi exported about 50 Su-30MK2, Su-30MKM and Su-30MKI aircraft to countries including Algeria, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Venezuela.
The company also announced that its 2007 sales had grossed over 50 billion rubles ($2 billion).
Russia's new state-of-the-art Su-35 Flanker multirole air superiority/strike fighter successfully completed its first demonstration flight on Monday.
