Watch The Sukhoi Su-35 "UFO" Fighter Jet Dance On Air

Sukhoi Su-35 (Photo: Reuters/Pascal Rossigno)

June 21, 2013 - Russia's Sukhoi Su-35 has such incredible maneuverability and grace that it has been nicknamed the "UFO." (Watch Below)

The Su-35 version of the Sukhoi is even more maneuverable than its predecessors, "New engines enable Su-35 to perform all kinds of stunts," reports Russia Today, "including Pugachev's Cobra, the Frolov Chakra, the Dead Leaf, and the unprecedented Pancake, which is an horizontal 360-degree made turn without losing speed." The Sukhoi is designed for tight, close air support.

A report at Military.com says that the Sukhoi Su-35 "is a Russian heavy class, long-range, multi-role one-seat fighter. Developed from the original Su-27 air superiority fighter, it was originally designated Su-27M and later named Su-35. Due to the similar features and components it contains, the Su-35 is considered a close cousin of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, a modernized Su-30 variant for India."

The video here shows a "UFO" at the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. The air show runs from June 17-23. The show was the first time that a Sukhoi showed off its advanced maneuverability on foreign soil, says Engineering.com. More below video...



The Su-35, says Engineering.com, "is meant to match the speed and maneuverability of the United States’ 5th generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor" (made by Lockheed-Martin). The Su-35's amazing maneuverability is due largely to its ability to change the direction of its engine thrust. "Known as thrust vectoring, this engine technology gives the Su-35 greater control over its angular velocity and altitude." For total geek info about the Su-35, visit Milavia.com. Continuted below video...



The Su-35 is "not a fifth-generation plane like the F-35, with all the attendant problems," reports Business Insider. "It is a 4++ generation plane with all the tried and true basics overlaid with cutting edge avionics and navigation equipment. It's hard to tell which is the better jet, but one of them has no problem flying and that's an issue the F-35 can't seem to shake."

Sukhoi Su-35 (Photo: Reuters/Pascal Rossigno)

Lockheed-Martin's F-35 has had a long and bitter struggle to get approval. It has been criticized as being extremely expensive, and still suffers from a number of technical problems. Even so, reports BreakingDefense.com, "the Marines need the F-35 badly because it would replace their F/A-18s, EA-6Bs and AV-8Bs, all of which are at or over their expected service life." And there is no other viable choice at this time.

Sukhoi is Russia’s major aircraft holding company, employing more than 26,000 people. All of the stock of the Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company (JSC) belongs to the United Aircraft Corporation (JSC), says the Sukhoi website. "The Company is Russia's major manufacturer of export aircraft, placed 3rd in the world in terms of the numbers of modern fighters produced."