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Su-37 Sukhoi
Su-37
ASCC codename: Flanker
Multi-Role Fighter

DESCRIPTION:
The Sukhoi Su-37 (not to be confused with the S-37) was developed as yet another advanced derivative of the Su-27 family. The Su-37 project was funded entirely by Sukhoi and consisted of two Su-35 prototypes that were modified with several additional improvements. The Su-37 design incorporated the canards and digital fly-by-wire control system of the Su-35 while also adding axisymmetric steerable nozzles to provide thrust vectoring capability and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) pilot controls.
The resulting Su-37 design achieved a level of super-maneuverabilty unmatched by any contemporary fighter. A test pilot reported that the controls were so effective that the aircraft could recover from spins and stalls at almost any altitude. Although the two Su-37 prototypes demonstrated impressive maneuverability, Sukhoi was unable to attract any customers for the design. The Russian Air Force expressed interest in the remarkable abilities of the Su-37 but indicated it would not purchase a production model due to the service's financial difficulties. Sukhoi instead focused on the export market but no sales have resulted and the Su-37 has not entered production. It is believed Sukhoi has cancelled further work on the Su-37 due to lack of funding and the two prototypes were reportedly converted back into Su-35 models. Some of the advanced features tested on the Su-37 appear to have been incorporated into the Su-35BM production variant.
Last modified 13 September 2009

HISTORY:

First Flight 2 April 1996

Service Entry

did not enter service

CREW: one: pilot

ESTIMATED COST:

unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root unknown

Wing Tip

unknown

DIMENSIONS:

Length 72.83 ft (22.22 m)

Wingspan 48.17 ft (14.70 m)

Height 21.08 ft (6.43 m)

Wing Area 666 ft² (62.0 m²)

Canard Area

unknown

WEIGHTS:

Empty 40,785 lb (18,500 kg)

Normal Takeoff 56,590 lb (25,670 kg)

Max Takeoff 74,955 lb (34,000 kg)

Fuel Capacity 29,540 lb (13,400 kg)

Max Payload

17,640 lb (8,000 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-31FU afterburning turbofans

Thrust unknown

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: 1,490 mph (2,400 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m), Mach 2.3
at sea level: unknown
cruise speed: 870 mph (1,400 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m)

Initial Climb Rate 45,235 ft (13,800 m) / min

Service Ceiling 59,055 ft (18,000 m)

Range typical: 1,730 nm (3,200 km)
ferry: 3,505 nm (6,500 km)

g-Limits +9

ARMAMENT:

Gun one 30-mm GSh-301 cannon (149 rds)

Stations twelve external hardpoints and two wingtip rails

Air-to-Air Missile R-27/AA-10 Alamo, R-73/AA-11 Archer, R-77/AA-12

Air-to-Surface Missile unknown

Bomb unknown

Other rocket pods, ECM pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:

Su-37 'Flanker-F' Prototypes were modified from Su-35 airframes, but the aircraft did not enter production; 2 converted

(?) A two-seat model was apparently planned but the designation is unknown

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:

none

KNOWN OPERATORS:

did not enter service

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

Su-37

SOURCES:

Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 418, Sukhoi Su-37.

Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery

Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 104, Sukhoi Su-33/35/37 Flanker.

Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 82-87, Sukhoi Su-27, -35 and -37 Flanker.

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 95-96, Sukhoi Su-35 (Su-27M) and Su-37 (NATO name Flanker).

Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 76-77, Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-37, or Su-27M (NATO name Flanker).

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DESCRIPTION: The Sukhoi Su-37 (not to be confused with the S-37) was developed as yet another advanced derivative of the Su-27 family. The Su-37 project was funded entirely by Sukhoi and consisted of two Su-35 prototypes that were modified with several additional improvements. The Su-37 design incorporated the canards and digital fly-by-wire control system of the Su-35 while also adding axisymmetric steerable nozzles to provide thrust vectoring capability and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) pilot controls. The resulting Su-37 design achieved a level of super-maneuverabilty unmatched by any contemporary fighter. A test pilot reported that the controls were so effective that the aircraft could recover from spins and stalls at almost any altitude. Although the two Su-37 prototypes demonstrated impressive maneuverability, Sukhoi was unable to attract any customers for the design. The Russian Air Force expressed interest in the remarkable abilities of the Su-37 but indicated it would not purchase a production model due to the service's financial difficulties. Sukhoi instead focused on the export market but no sales have resulted and the Su-37 has not entered production. It is believed Sukhoi has cancelled further work on the Su-37 due to lack of funding and the two prototypes were reportedly converted back into Su-35 models. Some of the advanced features tested on the Su-37 appear to have been incorporated into the Su-35BM production variant. Last modified 13 September 2009
HISTORY:
First Flight	2 April 1996
Service Entry	did not enter service
CREW:	one: pilot
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	72.83 ft (22.22 m)
Wingspan	48.17 ft (14.70 m)
Height	21.08 ft (6.43 m)
Wing Area	666 ft² (62.0 m²)
Canard Area	unknown
WEIGHTS:
Empty	40,785 lb (18,500 kg)
Normal Takeoff	56,590 lb (25,670 kg)
Max Takeoff	74,955 lb (34,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity	29,540 lb (13,400 kg)
Max Payload	17,640 lb (8,000 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-31FU afterburning turbofans
Thrust	unknown
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 1,490 mph (2,400 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m), Mach 2.3 at sea level: unknown cruise speed: 870 mph (1,400 km/h) at 32,780 ft (10,000 m)
Initial Climb Rate	45,235 ft (13,800 m) / min
Service Ceiling	59,055 ft (18,000 m)
Range	typical: 1,730 nm (3,200 km) ferry: 3,505 nm (6,500 km)
g-Limits	+9
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 30-mm GSh-301 cannon (149 rds)
Stations	twelve external hardpoints and two wingtip rails
Air-to-Air Missile	R-27/AA-10 Alamo, R-73/AA-11 Archer, R-77/AA-12
Air-to-Surface Missile	unknown
Bomb	unknown
Other	rocket pods, ECM pods
KNOWN VARIANTS:
Su-37 'Flanker-F'	Prototypes were modified from Su-35 airframes, but the aircraft did not enter production; 2 converted
(?)	A two-seat model was apparently planned but the designation is unknown
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	none
KNOWN OPERATORS:	did not enter service
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Donald, David and Lake, Jon, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2000, p. 418, Sukhoi Su-37. Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 104, Sukhoi Su-33/35/37 Flanker. Spick, Mike. Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment. Washington, DC: Brassey's, 2000, p. 82-87, Sukhoi Su-27, -35 and -37 Flanker. Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 95-96, Sukhoi Su-35 (Su-27M) and Su-37 (NATO name Flanker). Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 76-77, Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-37, or Su-27M (NATO name Flanker).