The Russian Su-35 fighter jet is armed with unique hypersonic weapons

World 11:15 02.04.2020

Unique Russian super-maneuverable fighters armed with hypersonic missiles. The arsenal of fourth-generation Su-35 aircraft will replenish the R-37M air-to-air ammunition, EDNews reports citing Bulgarian Military News.

Thanks to the novelty, the “thirty-fifth” will be able to destroy targets in a radius of more than 200 km in a matter of seconds. This will give him an advantage over the most modern foreign military counterparts, experts noted.

Thanks to the R-37M aircraft will be able to shoot down “flying radars” of the enemy, designed for long-range radar detection. Su-35s will also be able to intercept carriers of cruise missiles even before they are launched.

Chasing the fifth generation

Test flights of Su-35 fighters with ultra-long-range R-37M air-to-air missiles (also known as RVV-BD) began, sources in the military-industrial complex told Izvestia. Test launches are expected by the end of this year. In the meantime, there is a development of electromagnetic compatibility with aircraft equipment and the integration of the latest ammunition in the airborne weapons system.

Earlier, Izvestia already wrote that the R-37M entered the arsenal of domestic fifth-generation fighters Su-57. In September 2018, Boris Obnosov, CEO of Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation, confirmed this information. Also, the RVV-DB will replenish the arsenal of “warships” – heavy supersonic interceptors MiG-31.

Thus, the Su-35 will become the third type of aircraft, the equipment of which will receive a novelty. A powerful radar mounted on the fighter, and communication equipment with automated air defense systems make it possible to effectively use missiles with such a range.

The new weapons will significantly increase the characteristics and combat capabilities of the “thirty-fifths,” said the former commander of the 4th Army Air Force and Air Defense, Hero of Russia, Lieutenant General Valery Gorbenko.

“This will allow him to solve a wide range of tasks in various types of military operations, both offensive and defensive,” he told Izvestia – “Our machines will be able to hit AWACS aircraft, bombers, tactical aircraft. In any case, it will be much more difficult for the enemy to evade such missiles: they will have very little time to maneuver from the moment a threat is detected.”

One Su-35 will be able to carry from two to four RVV-BDs, which will bring it closer in combat capabilities to the Su-57. With a maximum range of over 200 km, the ammunition surpasses modern and promising models of American AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, which are the main armament of long-range air combat for NATO aircraft. It is also twice as high as that of the R-77 – the longest-range of the missiles that the “thirty fifths” are equipped with today.

Until the adoption of promising fifth-generation fighters, the Su-35 will remain the most modern of our air fighters. Under two contracts concluded in 2009 and 2015, the aerospace forces should receive 98 such vehicles. The final batch of 10 aircraft will enter the troops this year. Then announced the purchase of additional fighters of this type.

Hypersonic sniper

Initially, the heavy R-37M halftone rockets were designed for the upgraded MiG-31BM interceptors to replace the aging R-33s. But then they were adapted to equip the promising Su-57 fighter. They will become the “long arm” of an ultra-modern combat vehicle, giving it a clear advantage over foreign analogues.

Long-range R-37M operates on the principle of “shot and forgot.” It is equipped with a highly sensitive active homing head, which detects targets without the need to constantly “illuminate” it with fighter radar, as on older models with semi-active guidance.

Compared with the predecessor R-33, which was designed to hit the same targets, the RVV-DB is capable of withstanding twice as much overload. This allows her to overtake not only large aircraft, but also maneuverable enemy fighters.

A very high, almost hypersonic speed, six times faster than sound, allows the ammunition to overcome the distance to the target even at maximum range in two to three minutes. The inertial navigation system, built on high-precision laser gyroscopes, conducts it most of the flight along the route. If the object suddenly changes course, the missile trajectory can be corrected from the fighter via a radio channel.

Directly in the target area, the homing radar is activated. Its exact characteristics are not announced. But previously, the developer revealed for his new products the opportunity to aim at fighters from a distance of 40–70 km. For stealth aircraft or cruise missiles, this distance will be less, for large bombers – more. Having found the target, the rocket carries out the final course correction. Only then can it be detected by radar radiation. But at short ranges it is already very difficult to react to ammunition flying at hypersonic speed and to evade it.

In the future, we can expect equipment of the R-37M and other modern modifications of the fourth generation fighters. In particular, it was stated about the possibility of their adaptation for the Su-30SM.

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Brazil’s president sounds alarm over multilateralism crisis, condemns Gaza genocide at BRICS summit
11:30 08.07.2025
Protest Held in London Backing Pro-Palestine March Organizers Accused of Offences
11:15 08.07.2025
Japan to make diplomatic efforts to ensure implementation of Israel-Iran ceasefire: Top diplomat
11:00 08.07.2025
Trump Holds Talks with Netanyahu at the White House
10:45 08.07.2025
Trump says US has 'scheduled Iran talks'
10:30 08.07.2025
Trump says US will supply weapons to Ukraine
10:15 08.07.2025
Priorities of Azerbaijan's international development policy discussed
10:00 08.07.2025
US to impose 25% duties on imports from Kazakhstan from August
09:45 08.07.2025
Plans for border delimitation, demarcation with Armenia discussed in Baku
09:30 08.07.2025
Israel wants to coordinate with US on possibility of new strikes on Iran
09:15 08.07.2025
Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
09:00 08.07.2025
Geno rejects signing of 38-year-old Jamie Vardy
21:00 07.07.2025
Gaza death toll passes 57,500 as Israeli attacks continue unabated
20:45 07.07.2025
Russian emergencies minister arrives in Baku
20:25 07.07.2025
Trump due to meet Netanyahu at White House
20:15 07.07.2025
Russia attacks recruitment centers in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia
20:00 07.07.2025
Pezeshkian says Israel attempted assassination against him
19:45 07.07.2025
Iran has military capability to strike Israel daily for 2 years, IRGC adviser says
19:20 07.07.2025
US envoy says ‘satisfied’ with Lebanese response on roadmap to disarm Hezbollah
19:00 07.07.2025
Peskov: Russia, Azerbaijan should remain close partners, allies
18:45 07.07.2025
The Gulf Observer: Armenians' destruction of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage - vandalism against all humanity
18:30 07.07.2025
Official: Nearly 1M foreigners arrived in Azerbaijan in 5 months of 2025
18:15 07.07.2025
Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijan Army visits Saudi Arabia
18:00 07.07.2025
Israeli PM approved Yemen airstrikes during his flight to US
17:45 07.07.2025
Expert: ECO Summit in Khankendi confirmed member countries' desire for inclusive, multipolar world
17:30 07.07.2025
AZAL introduces new online service
17:15 07.07.2025
Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
17:00 07.07.2025
Saudi Arabia raises August oil prices for Asia, Europe buyers
16:45 07.07.2025
EU Reporter: Karabakh region became platform for int'l forums
16:15 07.07.2025
Georgian PM says direct foreign interference in democratic elections failed
16:00 07.07.2025
Typhoon Danas kills two in Taiwan, injures over 500
15:45 07.07.2025
'Coalition of the Willing' may fall apart over Starmer-Macron conflict
15:30 07.07.2025
Former Adjara head hospitalized with gunshot wound in Georgia
15:15 07.07.2025
Scientists reveal how caffeine slows down aging
15:00 07.07.2025
Thailand to offer US more trade concessions to avert 36% tariff
14:45 07.07.2025
Putin dismisses transport minister
14:30 07.07.2025
Israel carries out strikes on Houthi-controlled power station, ports across Yemen
14:15 07.07.2025
UK to name Iran as one of its biggest threats
14:00 07.07.2025
Armenia rejects possibility of using country's territory for military purposes
13:45 07.07.2025
Mexico defeats US for second consecutive Gold Cup title
13:30 07.07.2025
Hamısı