Sukhoi Su 47 Berkut

The Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut, also known as the S-37, is a Russian experimental supersonic jet fighter developed by Sukhoi, a major Russian aircraft manufacturer. The Su-47 is a fifth-generation fighter jet that features a unique forward-swept wing design, which provides enhanced maneuverability and stability. The Berkut, meaning "golden eagle" in Russian, is designed to be a highly advanced, multirole fighter aircraft capable of performing a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance.
Design and Development

The development of the Su-47 began in the late 1980s, with the first prototype rolling out in 1995. The aircraft made its maiden flight on September 25, 1997, and underwent extensive testing and evaluation throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The Su-47 features a unique forward-swept wing design, which provides improved stability and control at high angles of attack. The aircraft is powered by a pair of Lyulka AL-41F1S turbofan engines, each producing 14,000 kgf (31,000 lbf) of thrust. The Su-47 has a maximum takeoff weight of 25,000 kg (55,000 lb) and a maximum speed of over Mach 2.0 (twice the speed of sound).
Aerodynamic Characteristics
The Su-47’s forward-swept wing design is its most distinctive feature, providing improved maneuverability and stability at high angles of attack. The wing is designed to produce a significant amount of lift, even at high speeds, allowing the aircraft to maintain control and stability during tight turns and high-G maneuvers. The Su-47 also features a number of other advanced aerodynamic characteristics, including a blended wing-fuselage design, which helps to reduce drag and improve stability. The aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics are summarized in the following table:
Characteristic | Value |
---|---|
Wing sweep | Forward 20° |
Wing area | 27.9 m² (300 ft²) |
Aspect ratio | 3.3 |
Maximum lift coefficient | 1.4 |

The Su-47's aerodynamic characteristics make it an extremely maneuverable aircraft, capable of performing tight turns and high-G maneuvers with ease. The aircraft's forward-swept wing design also provides improved stability at high angles of attack, allowing the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft even in the most extreme flight regimes.
Avionics and Electronics

The Su-47 features a highly advanced avionics suite, including a phased array radar system, which provides improved detection and tracking capabilities. The aircraft is also equipped with a helmet-mounted sight, which allows the pilot to target enemy aircraft with ease. The Su-47’s avionics suite includes a number of other advanced systems, including a digital flight control system, a navigation system, and a communication system. The aircraft’s avionics characteristics are summarized in the following table:
System | Description |
---|---|
Radar system | Phased array radar with 150 km (93 mile) range |
Helmet-mounted sight | Provides targeting information to the pilot |
Flight control system | Digital fly-by-wire system with quadruple redundancy |
The Su-47's avionics suite is highly advanced, providing the pilot with a wide range of information and capabilities. The aircraft's phased array radar system provides improved detection and tracking capabilities, while the helmet-mounted sight allows the pilot to target enemy aircraft with ease.
Armament and Performance
The Su-47 is designed to be a highly versatile aircraft, capable of performing a wide range of missions. The aircraft is equipped with a pair of 30mm cannon and can carry a variety of air-to-air missiles, including the R-73 and R-77. The Su-47 can also carry air-to-ground missiles, such as the Kh-25 and Kh-59. The aircraft’s performance characteristics are summarized in the following table:
Characteristic | Value |
---|---|
Maximum speed | Mach 2.0 (twice the speed of sound) |
Maximum altitude | 18,000 m (59,000 ft) |
Range | 3,300 km (2,050 miles) |
The Su-47's performance characteristics make it an extremely capable aircraft, capable of performing a wide range of missions. The aircraft's high speed and maneuverability make it an effective air superiority fighter, while its range and payload capacity make it a capable ground attack aircraft.
What is the primary purpose of the Su-47 Berkut?
+The primary purpose of the Su-47 Berkut is to serve as a multirole fighter aircraft, capable of performing a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance.
What is the unique feature of the Su-47’s wing design?
+The unique feature of the Su-47’s wing design is its forward-swept configuration, which provides improved maneuverability and stability at high angles of attack.
What is the maximum speed of the Su-47 Berkut?
+The maximum speed of the Su-47 Berkut is over Mach 2.0 (twice the speed of sound).