Sukhoi SU-37 Super Flanker

A derivative of the Su-27 'Flanker', the Su-37 is a super-maneuverable thrust vectoring fighter. Designed from an Su-35 prototype, the Su-37 test aircraft (designated T10M-11) made its maiden flight in April 1996 from the Zhukovsky flight testing center near Moscow.

The Su-37 powerplant features more standard thrust than all earlier 'Flanker' variants, including the Su-35. In addition, the hydraulically actuated nozzles of its Lyulka/Saturn AL-37FU (Forsazh Upravlaemoye meaning 'afterburning steerable') engines are steerable -15 to +15 degrees along the vertical plane. Thrust control is fully integrated into the flight control system, requiring no input from the pilot. An emergency system can automatically return the nozzles to level flight in the event of an onboard failure.

The Su-37 has the newer, more powerful, NIIP NO-11M pulse-Doppler phased-array nose radar. A rearward-facing missile system and NIIP NO-12 rear-radar will give the pilot the ability to fire at enemy aircraft behind the Su-37, in addition to the front.

While the Su-37 is the first Russian aircraft to feature thrust vector control comparable to that of the American F-22, it may not be the last. A new axisymmetrical (three-dimensional) nozzle is currently being developed by Lyulka for the future Sukhoi S-55 aircraft, a single-engined version of the Su-35. Nozzles are also being readied to make current Su-35s TVC capable.

Prime Contractor: Sukhoi Design Bureau
Nation of Origin: Russia
Function: Multi-role fighter
Crew: 1
Year: 1996
In-service year: ?

Engine: Two Lyulka AL-37FU vectored-thrust afterburning turbofans, 30,855 lbs thrust each

Dimensions
Wing span: 15.16 m / 49 ft 9 in
Length: 21.94 m / 72 ft
Height: 6.84 m / 22 ft 5 in
Weight: 40,565 lb empty / 74,956 lb max. take off
Ceiling: 59,055 ft
Speed: 2,440 km/h / 1,516 mph
Range: 3,500 km / 2,175 miles

Armament: One GSh-30-1 30mm cannon, plus up to 18,075 lb including R-73/R-77 AAMs, ASMs, bombs, rockets, drop tanks, and ECM pods carried on fourteen external points