| The Su-47 "Berkut" is a 5th generation test bed aircraft designed to demonstrate features to be present on the upcoming Su-50. The Su-47 is not, and will not be a production aircraft (atleast that is what we have been told) It was released in 2002 after Sukhoi redesigned it from the S-37 airframe. It was built as Russia's principal testbed for composite materials and sophisticated fly-by-wire control systems. It's forward sweeping wings allow for superb manuverability at sub-sonic speeds which is where dogfights usually take place. With a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 the Berkut is fast, and deadly. The forward swept wings and vectored thrust engines enable the Berkut to alter its angle of attack quikly without sacrificing its manuverability at subsonic speed. + 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 The Su-47 retains all of these. The cockpit of the Su-47 is also revolutionary in its own right, as it is designed around pure pilot comfort. The motivation behind this is, that the pilot will be capable of firing offensive missiles or defense and evasive manuvering while sustaining high G-forces. The aircraft is equipt with a new ejection seat and life support system which will be present on the soon to come Su-50. Su-47 is a stealth designed ... |
