The Russian Ministry of Defense’s military newspaper Red Star (Krasnaya Zvezda) reported on the incident over the Ukrainian front lines. A Russian Su-35 fighter jet was hit by a surface-to-air missile, but the pilot was able to take the aircraft to a Russian airfield and land safely.
The newspaper did not give the exact date of the incident, but did mention the pilot’s name. His name was Maxim Stefanov, who was 50 years old at the time of the incident. “During a mission in the special military operations zone, Stefanov’s Su-35 received a direct hit from an anti-aircraft missile. Usually in such situations the pilot ejects. The Russian hero chose an unconventional solution. He managed to maintain control of the aircraft and successfully landed. The mechanics counted 28 holes in the Su-35, ”Red Star wrote.
According to the newspaper, Stefanov’s crew destroyed 120 enemy targets and more than 180 Ukrainian military personnel. For his achievements, he was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. Stefanov’s combat accomplishments caught the attention of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who personally awarded him the title of “Hero of Russia.”
According to some aviation experts, such accidents can occur under several circumstances where the pilot can maintain control of the situation despite severe damage.
One of the main factors is the ability of modern fighter jets like the Su-35 to withstand significant damage. The Su-35 is designed with high resilience to various types of attacks, thanks to special protection systems that minimize the impact of strikes. The missile may have hit some parts of the aircraft, but did not destroy key systems needed for flight and control.
Another important factor is the pilot’s experience and skill. In situations where the aircraft is severely damaged, an experienced pilot is more likely to assess the aircraft’s condition and make a quick decision to make an emergency landing. Under extreme stress and with limited reaction time, a pilot’s critical ability to adapt maneuvers and maintain aircraft stability is critical.
Additionally, modern fighters are equipped with multiple backup systems that can be activated as needed. These include backup electrical and hydraulic networks that ensure minimal functionality for a safe landing even if the primary systems are damaged.
In some situations, damage may occur that does not affect critical components such as the engine or navigation system, allowing the aircraft to continue flying. In such cases, pilots take advantage of the available opportunity to make an emergency landing at a nearby airfield.
All these factors taken together can explain how the Su-35 was able to land after being hit by a surface-to-air missile, despite severe damage.
The Su-35 is a fifth-generation fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi Corporation and is designed for a variety of combat missions, including air superiority, attacking ground targets, and airspace defense. The Su-35 is an enhanced version of the previous Su-27 model and is considered one of the most advanced and powerful fighter aircraft in the world.
Its main feature is the integration of new technologies and improved avionics, making it more maneuverable, reliable and easier to maintain compared to previous generation fighters.
The Su-35 model is equipped with the latest active radar system, which allows the aircraft to detect, track and engage targets at long ranges, even under complex weather conditions.
The most important radar system is Irbis-E, which is very powerful, can detect and track up to 30 air targets simultaneously, and has a detection range of up to 400 kilometers.
The radar is an active phased array antenna (AESA) that operates on a variety of frequencies and can evade detection by enemy radar systems.
In addition to radar technology, the Su-35 is equipped with integrated sensors to detect infrared signals and a real-time data transmission system. One of the key sensors is the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, which is part of the electronic warfare suite.
The system also allows aircraft to detect and track targets, such as missiles and other combat aircraft, using their thermal signatures and take action to counter threats.
The Su-35’s armament is very diverse and includes both air and ground targets. For air defense, the aircraft is equipped with a 30 mm automatic gun system, which can be used to repel attackers at close range.
The main weapons for attacking air targets are air-to-air missiles such as the R-73 and R-77, which can attack targets at a wide range of distances. The Su-35 can also carry and use air-to-ground missiles, including laser-guided weapons, to help carry out strike missions against ground targets.
One of its notable features is its ability to carry and use a variety of cluster munitions and bombs, including precision-guided munitions that allow pilots to attack strategic targets such as radar stations, command centers, and military infrastructure.
The Su-35 is capable of conducting attacks at both low and high altitudes due to its high maneuverability and stability under various conditions.
In addition to its armament, the Su-35 has advanced electronic protection and maneuvering systems that allow it to evade enemy missiles and become invisible to enemy radar systems.
Electronic systems include active and passive countermeasures against missile attacks, such as systems to jam enemy radars and missiles and automatically avoid threats. The Su-35 is also equipped with a missile defense system that can alter the aircraft’s trajectory to avoid surface-to-air missile attacks.
In terms of engines, the Su-35 uses two powerful next-generation engines that provide excellent maneuverability and high flight speeds.
This engine has thrust vectoring capabilities, allowing it to perform complex maneuvers such as vertical climbs and high-speed turns beyond the capabilities of many other fighter aircraft. This makes the Su-35 highly maneuverable in combat situations and gives it an advantage in close combat.
Despite its high maneuverability and new technology, the Su-35 is not without its limitations. Aircraft control systems still rely on the pilot’s experience and skill, as they require a high degree of alertness and quick decision-making in combat situations.
Additionally, while this aircraft is much more advanced than previous aircraft, its cost and maintenance complexity could pose challenges for smaller air forces.
These characteristics, as well as the high efficiency and reliability of its control and maintenance systems, make the Su-35 the preferred fighter aircraft of the modern air force and a strategically important element of Russia’s defense capabilities .
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