SUKHOI SU-37

The new multirole all-weather super-agile fighter  SUKHOI SU-37( FLANKER F) with thrust vector control (TVC) represents a logical step forward in the steady implementation by the Sukhoi EDB of a development program of fourth and fifth generation of tactical aircraft from the basic Su-27 fighter for the Russian Air Force. As announced by General Designer Mikhail Simonov, the new fighter is related to "the fourth with two pluses" generation. This is the latest, although far from the last, Sukhoi's development. 
Its An aircraft which created a new term in aircraft technology called Super Maneuverability.

The Su-37 has a lot of new features when compared to its earlier models this include better fly-by-wire system, two dimensional thrust vectoring system and a digital cockpit. .The new feature of the super-maneuverable Su-37 fighter is the two-dimensional thrust vector control engines, which allow the aircraft to recover from spins and stalls at almost any altitude, while it is also equipped with full digital fly-by-wire controls.

According to Mikhail Simonov, the aircraft has virtually no angle-of-attack limitations. It can fly flatwise to the air stream, with its tail forward, i. e., with 90 and even 180 deg angles of attack. It can locate targets with its radars and attack them with its weapons from any position. This feature is extremely important for both air combat and the evasion of enemy missile attacks. "The Su-37 is a multirole, all-weather fighter aircraft demonstrator."

SU 37 -01

Engines:

The Sukhoi designs are famous for their efficient engines which are capable to withstand any situation during flight and their fuel efficiency. The Su-37 is powered by two AL-31FU TVC (thrust vector control) turbofan engines. This engine was developed by the Lyulka Engine Design Bureau (NPO Saturn) and is a derivative of the AL-31F twin-shaft turbofan engine on the Su-27.

Each engine provides 83.36kN thrust and 142kN with the afterburner and is steerable from -15° to +15° along the vertical plane. This allows the Su-37 to recover form stalls with relative ease. Both the nozzles of the engines can be deflected in the same direction or in different direction which gives the Su-37 much greater manoeuverability and agility.

SU 37

Avionics

The Su-37 is fitted with a NO-11M pulse Doppler phased array  radar which is manufactured by NIIP. This radar can track up to 15 targets simultaniously and designate them. The Su-37 also has a rear looking NO-12 radar for fire control and surveillance. There are also systems for terrain-following and terrain-avoidance, mapping and multichannel employment of guided weapons.

The following features clearly set this aircraft apart from the others: 
   - capability to deliver a preemptive strike at any air target, including hard-to-detect ones; 
   - exceptionally high performance; 
   - phenomenal agility; - multichannel redundancy and algorithmic protection of all information and aiming systems; 
   - ground target attack standoff range capability; 
   - terrain following and ground obstacle avoidance capability; 
   - automated group actions during attacks at air and ground targets; 
   - ability to counteract enemy ECM and optronic means; 
   - automation of all phases of flight and combat employment. 

General characteristics

• Crew :    1
• Length :        21.935 m (72 ft 9 in)
• Height : 5.932 m (21 ft 1 in)
• Empty weight:     18,500 kg (40,790 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,160 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × AL-37FU afterburning turbofans
• Dry thrust: 7,600 kgf (74.5 kN, 16,750 lbf) each
• Thrust with afterburner: 145 kN (32,000 lbf) each

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.35
• Range:   3,300 km (1,833 nmi)
• Service ceiling:    18,000 m (59,055 ft)