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Su-47 "Berkut" Technical Data

DESCRIPTION: Originally known as the S-37, Sukhoi redesignated its advanced test aircraft as the Su-47 in 2002 reflecting the 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 principle 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 significant wing twist that would shear most wings off the aircraft. 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. Su-47 has shown far superior manuvering in the air to any aircraft known to this date. Like the X-29 though, the Su-47 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 MiGs. 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. Still, the low budgets of the Russian military and the aircraft's high price tag make it unlikely that the Su-47 will be purchased any time in the near future. Data below subject to change as more details of the S-37 become available
HISTORY:
First Flight	25 September 1997
Service Entry	not yet in service
CREW:	1 pilot
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	72.83 ft (22.60 m)
Wingspan	74.00 ft (16.70 m)
Height	19.33 ft (5.90 m)
Wing Area	666 ft^2 (62.0 m^2)
Canard Area	unknown
WEIGHTS:
Empty	unknown
Typical Load	57,320 lb (26,000 kg)
Max Takeoff	74,955 lb (34,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: unknown external: unknown
Max Payload	unknown
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	two Aviadvigatel D-30F6 afterburning turbofans (original) two Saturn/ Lyul'ka AL-37FU afterburning turbofans (planned)
Thrust	68,340 lb (303.8 kN) [D-30F6] 37,480 lb (166.7 kN) [AL-37U] 63,930 lb (284.4 kN) [AL-37U] with afterburner
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 1,555 mph (2,500 km/h) at sea level: 870 mph (1,400 km/h)
Initial Climb Rate	45,275 ft (13,810 m) / min
Service Ceiling	61,680 ft (18,800 m)
Range	typical: 2,100 nm (3,880 km) ferry: unknown
g-Limits	unknown
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 30-mm GSh-30 cannon (150 rds)
Stations	one internal weapons bay
Air-to-Air Missile	R-27/AA-10 Alamo, R-73/AA-11 Archer (presumably)
Air-to-Surface Missile	unknown
Bomb	unknown
Other	unknown
KNOWN VARIANTS:
S-32	Original designation seen on the first prototype
S-37	New designation for an experimental single-seat fighter prototype; 1 built
Su-47	Redesignation for the design as marketed by Sukhoi which has promoted the aircraft as a production fighter
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	not yet in service
KNOWN OPERATORS:	none