Sukhoi Su-37

infobox Aircraft
name = Su-37
type = Multirole fighter
manufacturer = Sukhoi



caption = Su-37 in flight
designer =
first flight = 2 April 1996
introduced =
retired =
status =
primary user = Russian Air Force
more users =
number built = 1

unit cost =
developed from = Sukhoi Su-27
variants with their own articles =

The Sukhoi Su-37 (NATO ) is a Russian multi-role jet fighter aircraft. It is a single seat all-weather fighter derived from the Su-27 "Flanker".

Development

The Su-37 is derived from the Su-35, which was initially designated Su-27M. The Su-27M development began in the early 1980s.Eden, Paul. "Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker'". "Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft". Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1904687849.] A Su-27M prototype (T-10S-70) first flew in 1988. Changes from the Su-27 include canards, upgraded engines, new radar, and a digital fly by wire flight control system.Frawley, Gerald. "Sukhoi Su-35 & Su-37". "The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003". Aerospace Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.] Sukhoi changed the Su-27M's designation to Su-35 in 1993. Later Su-35 prototypes added a glass cockpit and modified tailfins.

The Su-37 added 2D thrust vectoring nozzles. The Su-37 test aircraft made its maiden flight in April 1996 equipped with vectoring nozzles. The Su-37 appeared at the 1996 Farnborough airshow piloted by Sukhoi test pilot Eugeny Frolov.

Design

The Su-37 is a single-seat, all-weather fighter and ground attack prototype aircraft, derived from the Su-27. The Su-37 includes several updates over the Su-27, including all-weather multi-mode passive electronically scanned array radar with synthetic aperture, terrain avoidance, terrain mapping and a rear-facingFact|date=April 2008 radar. The airframe includes a percentage of parts made from composites, unlike the all-metal Su-27. Additionally, the Su-37 incorporates the AL-37FU engines equipped with thrust vectoring. The Su-37’s nozzles are variable in pitch and travel plus or minus 15 degrees, they can be operated differentially to provide a rolling moment.

Cockpit

In the cockpit the aircraft is the first Russian fighter with the Hands On Throttle and Stick, or HOTAS, system and the first with side-stick. The weapon system shares much with the Su-30"MK", but it lacks the large display in the rear cockpit occupied by the weapons system officer. The cockpit features four multi-function displays (MFDs) instead of traditional dial-type analogue instruments and has an ejection seat inclined 30 degrees backwards to help counter the effects of high g-forces. The two-grip flying control configuration was designed to prevent the pilot from flailing around when the aircraft engaged in fast vectored-thrust manoeuvres. Both the fixed throttle and the side-stick controller provide secure points for the pilot to brace his hands. [ [http://www.sci.fi/~fta/Su-27.htm Fighter Aircraft, Su-37] ]

Avionics and propulsion

The engine not only incorporates a new generation 3D TVC but also is tough and resistant to engine surge even during classic, inverted and flat spins, giving better reliability and maneuverability, such as when the AOA is as high as 180 degrees.

The Su-37 can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons on 12 stations. The number of missiles and bombs carried can be increased to 14 with the use of multi-payload racks.

Operators

;RUS
*Russian Air Force

pecifications (Su-37)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=jet

ref= Gordon and DavisonGordon and Davison 2006, pp. 92, 95-96.]

crew=One pilot
length main=22.183 m
length alt=72 ft 9 in
span main=14.7 m
span alt=48 ft 3 in
height main=6.43 m
height alt=21 ft 1 in
area main=62.0 m²
area alt=667 ft²
empty weight main=18,500 kg
empty weight alt=40,790 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main=35,000 kg
max takeoff weight alt=77,160 lb
engine (jet)=Lyulka AL-37FU
type of jet=turbofans
number of jets=2
thrust main=145 kN
thrust alt=32,000 lbf
max speed main=Mach 2.5 (2,500 km/h at high altitude)
max speed alt=1,550 mph [ [http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/vvs/su37-01.htm Sukhoi Su-37 ] ]
range main=3,700 km
range alt=2,230 mi
ceiling main=18,000 m
ceiling alt=59,100 ft
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=)