Light front-line fighter Su-37

first one with this name.

Light front-line fighter jet of the OKB Sukhoi, a competitor of PRL MiG .

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Article from the book

Ildar Bedretdinova "Su-25 and its modifications"

In January 1986 came the MIC decision to the Council of Ministers of the USSR to create a new clock and all-weather versions of the Su-25T - Su-25TM (factory designation T8-TM). But work began were crossed with a promising new project C-37.
In 1989, pursuant to Resolution of the CPSU Central Committee and USSR Council of Ministers on the machine-building plant named after PO Dry was developed conceptual design multipurpose fighter-bomber, who was awarded the designation C-37. The aircraft was intended to replace the park tactical strike aircraft types: the Su-7, Su-17, Su-20, Su-22, Su-25 and MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27, located in the Air Force of the Soviet Union and set in the Warsaw Pact, Yugoslavia, China, North Korea, Afghanistan, Peru. Finland, India and others.

Based on studies of operational and tactical situation 90 years, it was determined that the solution of problems in direct support of ground troops should be tactical strike aircraft to a depth of 150 km, that is the area of ​​the reserves of the first echelon. The basis of the military doctrine of the 90's is an "air-ground operation, which is a joint action of the Army and Air Force. In this case, the Air Force should play a very active and sometimes decisive role in achieving success.
The C-37 was designed for reconnaissance and hitting the ground (surface) moving armored and still small and area targets, military defense systems, day and night and adverse weather conditions, and the destruction of shock, transport aircraft and the confrontation with tactical and army aviation the enemy, including the highly maneuverable combat anti-tank helicopters and tactical aircraft.

Work on the design of airplane C-37 was conducted under the leadership of VP Babak. Analysis of tactical and technical requirements as well as the experience of combat employment and operation of the Su-17 and Su-25 is taken into account when forming the shape of the new aircraft.
In order to reduce time and cost for design, construction and commercial production of C-37, provided for the installation of systems, equipment and engine, designed and developed at that time.
Sensor-based sighting and navigation system were onboard multifunction radar and opto-electronic system that allows us to solve the aircraft combat missions during the day and night, and adverse weather conditions.
The navigation system provided high precision aircraft entering the goal. On an airplane provided for the installation of a powerful electronic warfare system designed for personal protection against weapons of radio and infrared systems, guidance and targeting anti-radar missiles.

Aircraft weapon system included various types of air attack weapons, both managed and unmanaged.
Draft Project C-37 was considered branch institutes of the MAP and USSR Ministry of Defense and received a positive conclusion.
The questions about the possibility of mass production of aircraft in one of the aircraft factories to the development of a feasibility study. In addition, explored the possibility of joint development and construction of the aircraft with foreign partners. CB ready to develop a working draft, but the prevailing political and economic situation associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union, not allowed to carry out this project.
However, work on the project C-37 is not in vain, and the chief designer VP Babak set the task to consider the use developments, obtained by projecting C-37 for the shock of the complex of the Su-25TM, work on which ran parallel to the strong pace.
Features assigned to aircraft problems (a reliable overcoming enemy air defense and effective combat use of weapons in the area of finding the target), which differ significantly from the Su-25T, not to mention the Su-25, which required the introduction of the sighting and navigation system on-board multi-function radar station, which, moreover, was to ensure the safe flight of aircraft at low altitude with rounding terrain. Originally, it was assumed the use of radar an 8-millimeter "Dagger" as a wall container, development of the St. Petersburg Research Institute of Radio Electronic Systems (NIIREK) NGOs Leninets. The development team headed by chief designer, MA Gramagin. Active part in taking: deputy. Chief Designer - BV Sukonin, leading specialists VI Deep, LA Drukker, DD Boxes and other
At the enterprises of the holding company Leninets was manufactured in August of prototypes radar "Dagger", intended for the state of flight and laboratory tests. Flight tests of several modes of radar "Dagger" were held in LII. MM Gromov and landfill GK NII VVS, but due to the high financial costs

The first article about the Su-37 .

"AeroHobbi" № January 1992

The main purpose of the Su-37 - fighter-bomber capable of striking at ground targets day and night in any weather, maintain a defensive dogfight is far behind the front line. It is also intended to act as an interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. Its high combat effectiveness provided a completely new set of REO and weapons, as well as a new approach to ensure the flight characteristics of the aircraft and its survivability.
   Though modern fighters are better suited for multi-use than previous generations of aircraft, though their effectiveness in each role is much lower than that of the specialized aircraft. So today a superpower in the face of shrinking military budgets face a choice between multi-purpose and highly specialized aircraft. Perhaps the refusal of Americans from attack aircraft program stealth A-12 indicates that the balance is tilting in favor of multi-purpose machines. If so, then the Su-37 great future.
   It is likely that the Su-37 will be developed by the USSR in cooperation with the countries with less developed aviation industry. This will allow partners to obtain relatively inexpensive multi-purpose or special (based on the Su-37) aircraft in accordance with their needs.
   At the same time it can be assumed that the basic version of the Su-37 for the Soviet air force would strike aircraft to replace the Su-25. With increased by 40% take-off weight impact version of the Su-37 can carry 88% more payload than a replacement aircraft. But as the Su-25 is still responsible for their purpose, and the Soviet Union is experiencing considerable difficulties, we should not expect a change in the next 5-8 years.

The choice of parameters.

Designers Bureau named. Sukhoi aircraft in its last use so-called concept of the three lifting surfaces, but the Su-37 decided to apply the usual scheme of "duck". Selected aerodynamic configuration is similar to those used in the modern European fighter aircraft (Rafale, Eurofighter, "flu"). In the aerodynamic configuration of the plane felt a noticeable influence of his predecessor - the Su-27 interceptor, reflected in the strong integration of the middle part of the fuselage with well-developed wings.
   Starting from the main purpose of the Su-37 as an attack aircraft designed to fly near the ground in the area with heavy anti-aircraft fire, it is surprising choice of single-engine power plant.From the standpoint of survival increase the choice of two engines would be preferable. 
   It is known that the Su-37 is accelerated from 600 to 1100 km / h at an altitude of 1000 m for 14 s, and acceleration up to 1300 km / h requires an additional 7.2 s, assuming its maximum speed at sea level of approximately 1500 km / h come to the conclusion that the aircraft will require propulsion system with a maximum thrust (in afterburner mode) of about 180 kN. The same number required thrust is obtained from the assumption that the maneuverability of the Su-37, no worse than other modern interceptors, as well as from its intended normal takeoff weight of 16-18 tons and a maximum of 25 tons Even the last American F-119 engine firm Pratt Whitney selected for fighter ATF, does not possess such a high thrust, as nothing is yet known about the existence of such an engine in the USSR. Required value of thrust, although you can get the installation of two engines. And yet, the designers decided to leave the single-engine scheme.It gives the right to assume that they are counting on the new engine, which is found only in the development stage.
   Geometric and aerodynamic characteristics of wing Su-37 were estimated by successive approximations, based partly on incomplete data and partly on the available power equations in the method of similarity-wing Su-27.
   Given the maximum speed of the Su-37 at sea level, and bearing in mind that the drag due to the increased influence of end effect of the wing should be slightly larger than the Su-27, we obtain the wing area of about 45 m ² . However, this means that the overload 9g load on the wing will be about 3000 kg / m ² , which is 10% higher than the similar parameter of the Su-27.Therefore, the most probable area of the wing is equal to 50 m ² . Wing this area would provide a suitable unit load (500 kg / m ² at maximum takeoff weight and 360 kg / m ² in normal) and as a result of excellent maneuverability of a fighter.

Trump card

Development of complex electronic equipment Su-37 Soviet Union hopes to overcome its backlog in this area from the Western developed countries. As part of navigating the complex Su-37 has a new radar, which, even under severe electronic warfare provides:

• overflight regime obstacle at low altitudes in the transonic speed

• ground attack ground and sea targets,

• simultaneously tracking 10 targets

• detection tracking and destroying low-flying targets at all flight speeds as well as fixed targets, including those still hanging from the helicopter, which is difficult to detect.

   Optoelectronic system provides the use of aircraft at any time and launch missiles with TV and laser guidance systems including ATGM.
   Multi-channel infrared system (like the Western system FLIR) is located in the container and ensures a missile with an infrared remote control from 10 to 15 km. In containers also housed equipment for the photo, infrared and television intelligence. The second trump card Su 37 of its weaponry. At 18 (!) Nodes external load the new Soviet aircraft capable of carrying 8300 kg payload. This is more than well-known American attack aircraft A-10. Except for "Tornado", any modern fighter has a greater payload. Except 30 mm cannon aircraft is equipped with a wide nomenclature of weaponry, including:

• UR-class air surface, and special anti-radar missiles,

• SD air to air short-and medium-range

• ATGM to fight with armored targets,

• NUR caliber 85-370 mm

• free drop and guided bombs caliber up to 1500 kg

• Suspended containers with 30 mm cannons.

Providing combat survivability .

 Much of the aircraft structure made to enhance its survivability. First of all it concerns the reduction of tail-infrared signatures of noise and partial use of stealth technology. The presence of defensive weapons systems and application of new technologies in the design enhances the active protection, making it difficult to detect enemy aircraft.
   In order to enhance passive defense fighter cockpit armored as well as vital components of airframe engine fuel system. Tanks are protected with polyurethane foam plastic prevent the explosion and burning of fuel in contact with the projectile. The total weight of passive protection exceeds 800 kg.
   The ability to store a fighter on small plots (magnitude of the folded wing 8,1 m) and the use of unpaved runways with the strength of coverage 7-8 kg / cm ² and significantly increase the survivability of fighter aircraft in combat.

Performance characteristics .

The high level of LTH Su-37 is the basis of ensuring the effectiveness and survivability of the aircraft. Considerable weight of the combat load, short takeoff and landing distances, the possibility of basing on the damaged runway, and high maneuverability make Su-37 is very effective attack aircraft.
   Low specific fuel consumption provides a large range of aircraft without refueling in flight, although the latter possibility is provided at the request of representatives of the Bureau .P.O.Sukhoi.

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Su-37 - aircraft and the program

  It's not about the Su-37, continuation "lines" of Su-27 fighter, known to many specialists for flight demonstration on MAKS, but about the Su-37, which, on a plan of the chief designer of the aircraft V. Babak, was supposed to be a continuation of the the line "tactical attack aircraft Su-25. He never appeared on the show MAKS in his native homeland, but was represented at the show in Dubai in 1991. It was the first and last appearance of the project Su-37 "in public."

Considering this project from the standpoint of today's development of tactical aircraft could be characterized as the Su-37 strike fighter JSF, realized within the framework of military aviation technology 4-th generation. The reason for this is almost complete identity of a functional "person", as well as many similarities and the technical concept of the two aircraft.
    The main purpose of the Su-37 was defeated heavily defended land targets. To accomplish this task aircraft armed with a wide nomenclature of weapons air-to-surface missiles. The total mass of payload, placed at 18 locations outside for good, was 8.5 m. At the same time the Su-37 was supposed to enforce and destructive problems, both in the near-agile, and far missile combat. This was to ensure the inclusion of the weapons, in addition to SD "air-to-air short range and built-in gun still and SD air-to-air medium-range missiles. Fairly close to the JSF looked Su-37 and its flight and technical characteristics. Both aircraft had to have supersonic flight, but with a moderate value of M (for JSF 1.6 and 1.8 for the Su-37) and without performing a supersonic cruise flight. Both aircraft had a normal takeoff weight of less than 20 tons (about 17 m for the JSF, and about 18 m for the Su-37) and were supplied with one engine. When combat load of about 4 tons estimated range of both aircraft exceeds 1000 km.
    The only fundamental difference between the two planes in terms of their technical appearance relates to the protection of detection aircraft in combat. If JSF high undetection should be ensured by the integrated application of technology "stealth", then the Su-37, this question was decided by the high combat survivability of aircraft. Weight means to ensure combat survivability was about 1.3 tons (more than 7% of normal takeoff weight of aircraft).
    Adopted by the above characterization of the Su-37 aircraft as the JSF, is implemented in the framework of military aviation technology 4-th generation, is caused by identity, not only functional "face" of aircraft. The identity of the Su-37 and JSF are also seen in the overall technology development of aircraft, especially the programs themselves create these aircraft.
    Except for the time required procedures (preparation of the CC CPSU and the USSR Government), program development JSF aircraft and Su-37 are one "in spirit". As well as the creation of the aircraft JSF, the development of the Su-37 was commercial and from the outset focused not only on the internal needs of the state but also to the needs of foreign markets.
    Broad market analysis conducted by the developers found that potential buyers of the Su-37 on the external market may be 24 countries. By the time the decision to build a prototype volume of pre-orders from other countries amounted to 1000 units. (This is the value of the same order as the export supply JSF program in 2000 units, adopted as a condition for the transition to full-scale development aircraft). Only the Chinese Air Force gave a preliminary order for 180 aircraft.
    Interest of foreign customers in the prepared plane was the best indicator of the prospects of a development project. This interest contributed not only to the unique characteristics of a functional "person" of the plane, but also assumes a relatively low cost of the Su-37 on the market. According to preliminary estimates, the price of the aircraft was not to exceed $ 30 million (This is another of the same order as that of the aircraft JSF, the price is a variant of the aircraft the Air Force should be 28 million dollars).
    A decision on the project was taken in 1990 All necessary documentation is left to build on the serial works. Confidence that the process has begun, "served as the basis for a broader and more open advertising of aircraft development, which was used took place in 1991, an international air show in Dubai. The beginning was so encouraging that even the events of August 1991 were not originally perceived as relevant to the case. However, the impact of these events - the collapse of the Soviet Union, the elimination of Minaviaproma, termination of financing of works and everything else made their own. Development of the Su-37 was not only suspended but forgotten.Forgotten so that the designation is assigned to the aircraft, "migrated" to another development.And today, even an expert on the effectiveness of strike aircraft, quickly discussing progress on JSF, can not remember the first "Russian JSF".
    It is hardly necessary to assume that the project Su-37, as they say, ahead of his time. The general decline of political and military tensions in the world, which occurred in the late 80-ies not without the active participation in the matter of domestic politics, was accompanied (as it may seem strange to someone) reorientation of tactical aviation to address shock problems. All the European development of future combat aircraft (Eurofighter, Rafale, Gripen) suddenly found non-compliant time and began to urgently refined to meet shock problems. American industry has not yet been drawn to this point in the program JSF, responded to the urgent development of two attack fighter aircraft based on existing aircraft 4-th generation. In 1987, the firm McDonnell Douglas began work on the development of "lines" multipurpose aircraft F/A-18, and the firm General Dynamics has finished in the early 90-ies before the flight model development impact frontline aircraft A-16 on the base of the supersonic Air Force F-16.
    Development of the Su-37 fits into a similar course of development of tactical aircraft, and could easily be implemented, if not for the events mentioned above. The implementation of the development of the Su-37 could provide, in particular, and certain methodical effect in relation to the needs of today. After a large-scale commercialization of the product (which now takes place in the PAK FA program, and many other programs to create new combat aircraft) was originally planned as a major driving point in the program of creation of the Su-37.

Vyacheslav Volodin, head of the SIC GosNIIAS

/ Journal of Air and Space № 6, 2001 /

                     at high altitude 1500 km

maximum-load 9 / -3