Hey everyone!
Since the Su-35 keeps appearing in discussions, I wanted to take a closer look at the version that is often mixed together with the Su-35S: the Su-35BM (Bolshaya Modernizatsiya — “Big Modernization”).
Visual reference — Su-35BM 901
Su-35BM prototype 901 — Aleksander Markin, CC BY-SA 2.0.
What exactly is the Su-35BM?
This was not simply a Su-27 with a new paint job. The BM project was a deep modernization of the Flanker concept, introducing a redesigned airframe, more powerful AL-41F1S engines, thrust-vectoring, modern avionics and the Irbis-E radar.
In simple terms: it is the Flanker after a serious gym membership.
The biggest changes are the engines, flight-control system, avionics and radar. That combination matters in War Thunder because it affects acceleration, energy retention, target detection and the way the aircraft can be balanced through its final equipment standard.
Key characteristics
- Single-seat heavy multirole fighter based on the Su-27 family
- Canard-free airframe, unlike the Su-30MKI/SM family
- Two AL-41F1S engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles
- Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar
- 12 weapon stations and a 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon
- Designed to use weapons from the R-27 and R-77 families, with guided air-to-ground options depending on the chosen standard
Su-35BM vs Su-35S
The name can be confusing. Su-35BM is generally used for the T-10BM / “Big Modernization” development standard, while Su-35S is the later series-production designation. They are closely related, but every weapon and upgrade should not automatically be treated as belonging to one identical configuration.
Configuration notes
- Su-35BM: useful as a discussion name for the development and modernization standard.
- Su-35S: the later production designation, with the exact standard depending on the aircraft and weapons being represented.
- Why this matters: a coherent aircraft package is easier to balance than a mixture of upgrades from different periods.
Visual reference — Su-35BM in flight
Su-35BM 901 in flight — Aleksandr Markin, CC BY-SA 2.0.
How could it fit War Thunder?
I would personally prefer an early, clearly defined Su-35BM configuration instead of giving it every modern weapon on day one.
A reasonable starting package could focus on the Irbis-E radar, R-73 and R-27 variants, an early R-77 option and conventional guided weapons.
More advanced missiles could be considered later if the matchmaking and countermeasures environment can support them. The aircraft would be extremely strong in acceleration, radar awareness and high-speed combat, but it would still be a large fighter that loses energy in a prolonged low-speed fight.
The thrust-vectoring would look spectacular, but doing a Cobra in the middle of a missile fight is probably a very expensive way to become a forum screenshot.
War Thunder already has the Su-30SM2, which is a useful in-game reference because it combines AL-41F1S engines, an Irbis radar, a large weapon load and a two-seat airframe:
My personal preference
I would like to see the Su-35BM/Su-35 family added as a properly defined aircraft rather than as a “give it every missile available” package. The single-seat layout, canard-free design and powerful radar would already give it a distinct identity next to the Su-30SM2.
Would you prefer the early Su-35BM configuration, the later Su-35S standard, or both as separate vehicles?
Also, should it enter the regular USSR tech tree, or would you rather see it as a high-rank event or squadron aircraft?
References
Feel free to correct anything I got wrong or add details about the different BM/S standards. I would genuinely like to hear how you would balance it in-game.
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