David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:38pm
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Su-27 Flanker-B
Function: High performance air combat and air superiority fighter.
History: Developed in the late 1960s as a dedicated air superiority fighter, the Flanker combines the maneuverability of the MiG-29 Fulcrum with the precision "fly-by-wire" flight controls found on Western fighters as well as an incrediable payload of ten Air to Air Missiles (AAM). Entering service in 1984, the basic Su-27 design has produced a number of variants, including the Su-27IB (or Su-34), a side by side tandem seat tactical fighter bomber similar in function to the American FB-111 Aardvark, and the Su-27UB Flanker-C (or Su-30) another tandem designed used as a long range interceptor and trainer. Additionally, the Su-27 has been converted for use on Russian aircraft carriers as the Su-27K (or Su-33) which incorperates strengthined landing gear, folding wings, a retractable in-flight refueling probe, an arrestor hook assembly, and movable forward mounted canards.
Though currently in service with the Russian Airforce and available for export, the Su-27 is being replaced by the much improved Su-35 and the vectored thrust Su-37.
General Characteristics, Su-27 Flanker-B
Designer:
Sukhoi Design Bureau
Power Plant:
Two Lyulka AL-31F afterburning turbofans
Thrust:
27,557 pounds each
Length:
21.94 meters (71.98 feet)
Height:
5.93 meters (19.45 feet)
Wingspan:
14.7 meters (48.22 feet)
Speed:
2,500 kmh (1,553 mph) at 30,000 feet
Ceiling:
18,000 meters (59,055 feet)
Weight:
20,774 kilograms (45,801 pounds) empty
Maximum Takeoff Weight:
30,000 kilograms (66,138 pounds)
Range:
4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles)
Crew:
One (two in some variants)
Armament:
One GSh-30-1 30mm internally mounted cannon with 150 rounds of ammunition
6,000 kilograms (13,228 pounds) of external ordinance including missiles, rockets, gravity bombs, and guided munitions carried on 10 hardpoints
Date Deployed:
1984
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:38pm
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Su-37 Flanker
Function: Multi role air superiority, ground attack fighter.
Description: Developed as an improved version of the basic Su-27 Flanker designed, the Su-37 is based on the Su-35 airframe but with thrust vectoring nozzles to give it unsurpassed maneuverability. In addition to providing more power than previous engines, the engines on the Su-37 utilize steerable nozzles which can vector the engine thrust through +/- 15 degrees of travel in the vertical axis. This thrust vectoring is fully intigrated with the aircraft's flight control systems, and requires no input or manipulation by the pilot. In the event of a system failure, an emergency system will return the nozzles to their normal position. Other modifications to the Su-37 include improved offensive and defensive avionics, an improved pulse doppler phased array radar in the nose as well as the rearward facing radar already present on the Su-34 and 35.
General Characteristics, Su-37 Flanker
Designer:
Sukhoi Design Bureau
Power Plant:
Two Lyulka AL-37FU vectored thrust afterburning turbofans
Thrust:
30,855 pounds each
Length:
21.94 meters (71.98 feet)
Height:
6.84 meters (22.44 feet)
Wingspan:
15.16 meters (49.73 feet)
Speed:
2,440 kmh (1,516 mph) at 30,000 feet
Ceiling:
18,000 meters (59,055 feet)
Weight:
18,400 kilograms (40,565 pounds) empty
Maximum Takeoff Weight:
33,999 kilograms (74,956 pounds)
Range:
3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles)
Crew:
One
Armament:
One GSh-30-1 30mm internally mounted cannon with 150 rounds of ammunition
8,200 kilograms (18,075 pounds) of external ordinance including missiles, rockets, gravity bombs, and guided munitions carried on 11 hardpoints
Date Deployed:
Still under development
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 9:38pm
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Su-47 (S-37) Berkut
Function: The Su-47 (initially known as the S-37) Berkut (Golden Eagle) is a testbed for developing technologies for the next generation of aircraft.
Description: The basic dimensions and weight of the Su-47 "Berkut" are similar to those of Su-37, although they are different aircraft, and the tail, nose and canopy are similar to those of the Su-35. The first two prototypes of this aircraft were evidently designated the S-32, and the S-37 designation was previously applied to an unrelated fighter project for a smaller delta wing single aircraft that was cancelled due to lack of funding.
The Su-47 features forward-swept wings, which promises a range of benefits in aerodynamics at subsonic speeds and at high angles of attack. The forward-swept wing, which enables the aircraft to increase its range and its manoeuvrability at high altitude, makes extensive use of composite materials. The aircraft has large canards mounted on the intake side, close to the leading edge of the wing. The vertical stabilizers are canted slightly outward [not inward, as previously believed], and two large auxiliary intake doors are visible on the center fuselage section. It is unclear which engines are used on this aircraft. The two powerplants are at the moment D-30F6 turbojets which are normaly used at the MiG-31M, while the second prototype uses the Ljulka AL-37FU turbojet with thrust vectoring. The Su-47 is an experimental program for developing fifth-generation technologies.
The Su-47 is a better performer at high angles of attack in post-stall manoeuvring much needed in close-in dogfight. Having the edge in manoeuvring, the Su-47 is clearly catching up in stealth with US and European new-generation fighters. However even with its internal weapon bay and RAM coating, the new Sukhoi is a very different concept than F-22. The heavy accent on RAM rather than radar absorbing structures (RAS) is obvious. The major components of radar stealth -- RAM coatings and surface quality -- are subject to the production and maintenance tolerance as it was shown by USAF F-117 and B-2 operational experience. Untightened screws, scratches or unfastened access panels were known to greatly deteriorate the RCS of the aircraft, reducing the engineering efforts put into aircraft design. It remains to be seen how Sukhoi will overcome the looser production standards of the Russian aircraft plans.
General Characteristics, Su-47 (S-37) Berkut
Designer:
Sukhoi Design Bureau
Power Plant:
* 2 Perm Aviadvigatel D-30F6 (34,170 lbst), or
* 2 Saturn/Lyul'ka AL-37FU afterburning 142.2 kN (31,966 lb st) with afterburning thrust-vectoring in pitch -20o to 20o at 30o per second
Length:
22.2 m - 22.6 m (72.83 ft - 74.15 ft)
Height:
6.36 m - 6.40 m (20.87 ft - 21.00 ft)
Wingspan:
15.16 m - 16.7 m (49.74 ft - 54.8 ft)
Max Speed:
2,500km/h (1,350 knots)
Ceiling:
18,000 meters (59,055 feet)
Weight:
* Empty: 24,000 kg (52,910 lb)
* Equipped: 26,000 kg (57,320 lb)
Maximum Takeoff Weight:
34,000 kg (74,960 lb)
Range:
1,782 nm (3,300 km/2,050 miles)
Crew:
One
Hardpoints:
14: 2 wingtip, 6-8 underwing, 6-4 conformal underfuselage
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