Sukhoi S-37 Berkut

Type (Muster)
Experimental aircraft, representing a fifth-generation fighter (Versuchsflugzeug für einen Kampfjet der fünften Generation)

Country (Land)
Russia (Russland)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
OKB Sukhoi
Ulitsa Polikarpova
125284 Moskva

Phone: 007-095/945-6525
Fax: 007-095/200-4243

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1

Weapons (Bewaffnung): None yet, but there seems to be an internal weapons bay in the fuselage and certainly room for underwing stores pylons. The S-37 could certainly use all the weapons now associated with the "Flanker" family.

Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x Aviadvigatel D-30F6 turbofans
Thrust (Schub): 2 x 93,1 kN (20930 lbs) maximum dry thrust, 2 x 151,9 kN (34170 lbs) with reheat (mit Nachbrenner)

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 22,6 m
Span (Spannweite): 16,7 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): approx. 56 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Take-off weigth (Startmasse): 25670 - 34000 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): 2200 km/h
Operational ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 18000 m
Range (Reichweite): approx. 3300 km
g-limit (g-Limit): +9

Customers (Kunden)
None yet. There exists just one flying prototype at the moment.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The S-37 is an effort by the Suchoi design bureau to test new configurations for the next fighter generation, with an emphasis on supermanouevrability in close-in combat situations. The forward-swept wing configuration was apparently choosen on the basis of years of research at the TsAGI institute, which was presumably triggered after the US had built their Grumman X-29A experimental aircraft in the early 80s.
Few hard facts are available, but the Berkut programme was probably begun when the Soviet Union still existed. After the break-up of the country, state funding was non-existent, and Suchoi decided to finance the S-37 by its own means, generating cash from exports of the "Flanker" family of fighters.
Originally, three S-37 were supposed to be built, but only one airframe was completed and then used for load tests first. Preparations for the first flight were conducted at Zhukovski, and after taxi tests in July 1997, Igor Votintsev took off for the maiden flight on 25 September. A few flights followed, before the Berkut was grounded for modifications. Flight tests then resumed in the spring of 1998. By the time of the first public appearance at the Moscow International Air Show in August 1999, the S-37 had made about 50 flights.
It is not clear whether the Berkut is just an "X-plane" or whether it will form the basis for an operational aircraft. If it fulfills the expected performance, it certainly has the potential to become a powerfull "fifth-generation" fighter well after the year 2000. All depends on how much money becomes available from the Russian state.
It is assumed that a possible production Berkut would feature Saturn (Lyulka) AL-41F engines with thrust vectoring nozzles and variable bypass ratio. Also, a new radar would be fitted and radar-absorbent material applied to confer some stealth features.

Last updated 29. September 1999

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