Aircraft
Su-35 bridges gap between current and next-gen fighters
Sukhoi believes it is within two years of making first deliveries of its new Su-35 fighter as it prepares to add a third prototype to the flight-test progr

Sukhoi believes it is within two years of making first deliveries of its new Su-35 fighter as it prepares to add a third prototype to the flight-test program before the end of this month. The famous Russian design bureau is pinning its hopes on what it bills as a bridge between fourth-generation combat aircraft technology and the long-anticipated fifth-generation fighter that it expects will enter service in the second half of the next decade.

The flight test program started in February 2008 and passed the 100-flight mark on March 19 this year. The three test aircraft are due to make up to 160 flights among them. This year, Sukhoi expects to conclude static and super-agility tests en route to first deliveries in 2011.