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Su-37 Terminator

The Su-37 is Russia's reply to today's advanced fighters. The Su-37 can be considered as the best air dominance fighter in the Eastern hemi sphere. Though it may not be capable of matching the F-22 it can easily outperform the EF-2000. The Su-37 is a multi-role all weather strike fighter which is a part of a family of advanced fighters being developed at the Sukhoi OKB. It is quiet visible that the Su-37 is the predicissor of the Su-27. An aircraft which created a new term in aircraft technology called Super Manoeuverability. The Sukhoi OKB has also designed several varients of the Su-27 which include the Su-30, the Su-32, the Su-33, the Su-34 and Su-35. All of which have been designated by NATO as Flanker.

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 for better control of the aircraft and a digital cockpit. The Su-37 is capable of performing manoeuvers like the Super Cobra which makes the aircraft rotate 180 degrees to the side while in almost zero velocity. Such manoeuvers are not possible by any of the western air dominance fighters loke the F-22 or the EF-2000. Though the Russian federation is undergoing economic crisis the Su-37 project did not suffer any major setbacks though the funding was cut for a short time it was restored. The Su-37 has made its appearance at few air shows and is currently undergoing intensive testing at Zhukovsky airforce base near Moscow.

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 equipped with two AL-31FU turbofan engines which are capable of thrust vectoring(TVC-thrust vector control). The engines were designed and developed by Lyulka. The AL-31FU is an advanced version of the engine used in the Su-27. These engines are capable of delivering a thrust of 83.36 kN of thrust while cruising and 142 kN of thrust while in afterburner. The engine has a four stage low pressure compressor and a nine stage high pressure compressor.

The engines of the Su-37 also features thrust vectoring system which allows the engine nozzles to be steered to an angle of +15 degrees. 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. The thrust vectoring system is controlled by the onboard digital flight system and the onboard computed. The Su-37 also allows the pilot to manually control the thrust vectoring system. This system allows the Su-37 to have no limits in its angle of attack even at zero speeds.

Cockpit

The Su-37 is also equipped with a side short travel control stick rather than the central control stick which was used in earlier versions of the Su-27. The cockpit of the Su-37 is more advanced and user friendly than that of the Su-27. The cockpit is equipped with four LCD multi functional display for a better situational awareness of the pilot. The MFDs' are used for purposes like onboard systems monitoring, operating condition, weapons status and navigational information.

Weapons

The Su-37 carries a GSh-30 30mm cannon which can carry upto 130 rounds of ammo and has a firing rate of 1500 rounds per minute. The Su-37 has 12 hard points in which it can carry up to 14 air to air missiles. The 12 hardpoints can also be used for carrying many other ordinances and electronic warfare systems. The Su-37 also has the capability to carry air-to-surface missiles, guided/un-guided bombs and different kind of rockets.

The Su-37 is capable of carrying short range missiles like the R-73E and many long range missiles with active radar homing. The R-73 is regarded as the worlds best short range missile and can engage targets anywhere from 2 meters to 20 Km away. The Su-37 also carries the R-77 air-to-air missiles which has a range of 25 Km. The Su-37 can also be fitted with many air to surface missiles for anti ship as well as anti tank warfare.

Avionics

The Su-37 is fitted with a NO-11M pulse Doppler 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. The Su-37 is also equipped with a terrain avoidance radar and a weapons control system.