While not intended to be developed into a battle-ready, fully functional military fighter, the Su-47 (also designated S-35 and S-37) incorporates several original and potentially important features that bear close watching.
Much of what is learned from the test flights of the Su-47 will be incorporated into Russia’s production of new fifth-generation aircraft. The Su-47 Berkut (Golden Eagle) transitioned to ‘white’ status in January 2000. One aircraft has been built at a cost estimate of Russian rubles 1.67 billion ($70 million).
Innovative features of the Su-47 include: an aluminum / titanium fuselage whose components are 13% state-of-the-art composite materials and sophisticated fly-by-wire control.
Forward swept and inverted wings allow for exceptional maneuverability and attack angles up to 45°. The quick turn ability of the Su-47 may have no equal. Lower minimum flight speed allows for use of short runways. Thrust vector engines of +/– 20 to 30 degrees/second further enhance the maneuverability capacity that derives from the high angle inverted wings.
Its maximum speed is Mach 2.34 (2,500 km/h, 1,552 mph), range is 3,300 km (2,050 mi), ceiling is 18,000 m (59,050 ft) and rate of climb is 233 m/s (46,200 ft/min).
The swept-forward wing, compared to a swept-back wing of the same area, provides a number of advantages:
* higher lift-to-drag ratio
* higher capacity in dogfight maneuvers
* higher range at subsonic speed
* improved stall resistance and anti-spin characteristics
* improved stability at high angles of attack
* a lower minimum flight speed
* a shorter take-off and landing distance
General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Length: 22.6 m (74 ft 2 in)
* Wingspan: 15.16 m to 16.7 m (49 ft 9 in to 54 ft 9 in)
* Height: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
* Wing area: 61.87 m² (666 ft²)
* Empty weight: 16,375 kg (36,100 lbs)
* Loaded weight: 25,000 kg (55,115 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,162 lbs)
* Powerplant: 2× Lyulka AL-37FU(planned) Flying prototypes used 2 Aviadvigatel D-30F6 afterburning, thrust-vectoring (in PFU modification) turbofans with digital control
o Dry thrust: 83.4 kN (18,700 lbf) each
o Thrust with afterburner: 142.2 kN (32,000 lbf) each
* Thrust vectoring: ±20° at 30° per second in pitch and yaw
Performance
* Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 (Achieved in test flights [2]) (1,717 km/h, 1,066 mph)
* At sea level: Mach 1.14 (1,400 km/h, 870 mph[1])
* Range: 3,300 km (2,050 mi)
* Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,050 ft)
* Rate of climb: 233 m/s (46,200 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 360 kg/m² (79.4 lb/ft²)
Armament
Number of hardpoints: 14: 2 wingtip, 6-8 under wing, 6-4 conformal under fuselage
* Guns: 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
* Missiles: 14 hardpoints (2 wingtip, 6-8 underwing, 4-6 conformal under the fuselage)
o Air-to-air: R-77, R-77PD, R-73, K-74
o Air-to-surface: X-29T, X-29L, X-59M, X-31P, X-31A, KAB-500, KAB-1500
Thrust vectoring
The thrust vectoring (with PFU engine modification) of ±20° at 30°/second in pitch and yaw will greatly support the agility gained by the forward-swept-wings.
Potential lead overseas end user: India
.
