Sukhoi Su-47
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The Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut (Russian: Су-47 "Беркут" - golden eagle), designated S-32 and/or S-37 during initial development, is an experimental supersonic jet fighter developed by the Sukhoi Corporation. The NATO reporting name for this aircraft is "Firkin".
The distinguishing feature of the aircraft is its forward swept wing, similar to that of the Grumman X-29.
Originally known as the S-37, Sukhoi redesignated its advanced test aircraft as the Su-47 in 2002. The change reflected the company's decision to market the design as a production fighter rather than as an experimental prototype. Also commonly referred to as the Berkut (Golden Eagle), the Su-47 was originally built as Russia's principal testbed for composite materials and sophisticated fly-by-wire control systems. The aircraft makes use of forward-swept wings allowing superb maneuverability and operation at angles of attack up to 45° or more. The advantages of forward sweep have long been known as such wings offer lower wave drag, reduced bending moments, and delayed stall when compared to more traditional wing shapes. Unfortunately, forward sweep also induces twisting strong enough to rip the wings off an aircraft built of conventional materials. To solve this problem, the Su-47 makes use of composite materials carefully tailored to resist twisting while still allowing the wing to bend for improved aerodynamic behavior.
To reduce development costs, the S-37 borrowed the forward fuselage, vertical tails, and landing gear of the Su-27 family. Nonetheless, the aircraft includes reduced radar signature features (including radar absorbent materials), an internal weapons bay, and space set aside for an advanced radar. Though similar in overall concept to the American X-29 research aircraft of the 1980s, the Su-47 is about twice the size and far closer to an actual combat aircraft than the US design. Like the X-29 though, the S-37 was primarily a technology demonstrator, one intended to lay the foundation for the next Russian fighter. Such a fighter must not only be as advanced as the US F-22 and Eurofighter Typhoon, but must also compete for funding with the more conventional MiG 1.42. However, Sukhoi is now attempting to market the Su-47 to the Russian military and foreign customers as a production fighter in its own right. Initial reaction was not good, but the aircraft's performance has been so impressive that the Russian government has made funds available for further testing of the design.
Recent reports have suggested that the Su-47 will eventually emerge as Russia's "5th Generation" fighter, which is seen as a competitor to the American Joint Strike Fighter. However, Sukhoi has apparently decided to abandon the forward-swept wings of the S-37, and the future production model will return to a more conventional wing layout. If true, Sukhoi may have reached the same conclusion as NASA did following testing of the X-29--the benefits of forward-swept wings are just not worth the extra cost and complexity associated with their design and manufacture.
Most of the reasearch and development of the aircraft will be funded by India. The aircraft is set to go into production for the Russian Airforce and the Indian airforce around 2009.
S-37 Berkut Specifications
Primary Function: N/A
Contractor: Sukhoi
Crew: One
Unit Cost: N/A
Powerplant: two Aviadvigatel D-30F6 afterburning turbofans at 68,340 lb (303.8 kN) each (original) two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-37FU afterburning turbofans at 63,930 lb (284.4 kN) each w/ afterburner (planned)
Dimensions
Length: 72.83 ft (22.60 m)
Wingspan: 74.00 ft (16.70 m)
Height: 19.33 ft (5.90 m)
Weights
Empty: N/A
Maximum Takeoff: 74,955 lb (34,000 kg)
Performance
Speed: 1,555 mph (2,500 km/h)
Ceiling: 61,680 ft (18,800 m)
Range: 2,100 nm (3,880 km) -- typical
Armament:14 hard points designed for AA-11 Archer missles, 37mm single-barrell cannon
Su-47 Berkut (http://www.fighter-planes.com/info/s37.htm)
Designation sequence: Su-27 - Su-28 - Su-29 - Su-30 - Su-31 - Su-32 - Su-33 - Su-34 - Su-35 - Su-37 - Su-47
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