The Sukhoi Su-35S Flanker E is a highly modified and improved derivative of the Su-27. In the 1980s modifications were made to the Su-27 (Su-27M) also referred to as Su-35. About 20 years later a heavily modified member of the Flanker family was produced and given the title of Su-35S Flanker E. Considered by many to be the most capable fourth generation fighter in the sky and equipped with many fifth generation technologies. This probably will be the last of the Flanker family when the fifth generation Russian aircraft arrive.
In 2011 the first Su-35S (export version of the Flanker E) arrived at Akhtubinsk which is the State Flight Test Center. Here aircraft undergo rigorous testing by military pilots to make certain the aircraft meet specifications before new aircraft enter full production. The Russian T-50 stealth aircraft will be tested here. The site’s formal name is 929th State Flight Test Center of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation named after V. Chkalov that was a test pilot in the 1930s and was killed during a test flight.