Sukhoï Su-37 Terminator 'Super Flanker'
The Sukhoi
Su-37 (NATO designation Flanker-E) multi-role fighter is a further development
of the Su-35. This aircraft is sometimes nicknamed the Terminator. Developers
had a goal to increase performance and maneuverability of the Su-35 aircraft
and update its systems. The Su-37 made its maiden flight in 1996. Only two
pre-production technology demonstrators were built due to limited funding and
lack of orders. The Su-37 was demonstrated at numerous air shows around the
world. It was actively proposed for the Russian Air Force as well as export
customers. However this aircraft received no production orders.
Why is the
Su-37 called Terminator?
The Su-37's
name used throughout the Ace Combat franchise, "Terminator", is not
the real-life NATO reporting name (Flanker-F). The nickname is believed to be
directly adopted from Sukhoi, referring to the model's vastly improved
electronics.
This aircraft had two turbofan engines with
thrust vectoring. It is worth noting, that Sukhoi Design Bureau began
thrust-vectoring technology research back in 1983. Initially the first Su-37
aircraft was fitted with two experimental Lyulka-Saturn AL-31FP engines with
thrust vectoring. This engine was a derivative of the AL-31F turbofan of the
Su-27. These engines are fully interchangeable. It was an interim measure until
newer AL-37FU engines were available. In 2001 the first aircraft was fitted
with AL-37FU engines, updated avionics and fly-by-wire control system. It is
claimed that this aircraft had virtually no angle-of-attack limitations. The
Su-37 was an agile dogfighter. Due to its maneuverability it could also evade
enemy missile attacks. The thrust vectoring nozzles could be deflected both
synchronously and differentially depending on a performed maneuver. Aircraft
could perform aerobatics at speeds nearing zero. The Su-37 made a number of
demonstration flights at various air shows, where it amazed spectators with its
unsurpassed maneuverability.
The Su-37 had secondary air-to-ground
capability, however its primary role was air superiority. It had 12 wing and
fuselage hardpoints and could carry missiles with a maximum weight of 8 000 kg.
This fighter aircraft could carry a mix of short-range R-73E and R-77 missiles
for air combat and various IR and radar homing missiles for ground attack role.
This fighter aircraft was also fitted with GSh-301 30-mm cannon, with 150
rounds.
The Su-37 had improved fire control system,
comparing with that of the contemporary Su-35. Its phased-array radar could
track up to 20 air targets and simultaneously guide 8 air-to-air missiles.
In 2002 the first aircraft crashed due to
software malfunction, bringing an end to the Su-37 programme. Development of
this aircraft was stopped. Later Sukhoi introduced several modernizations of
the Su-27 - the Su-30MKI and Su-35BM. Both of these aircraft use the Su-37
technology, such as the thrust vectoring engines, improved radar systems and
avionics.
Terminators
were first known to be deployed by Belka during the Belkan War, where some were
manned by a handful of ace pilots during the conflict. The most famous were
Orbert Jager and Rainer Altman of the Gelb Team, who were defeated by the Galm
Team during the liberation of Directus after establishing Belkan dominance in
the southern front.[1]
During the
Usean coup d'état, Terminators were used in limited numbers by the Usean Rebel
Forces. One of their aces, callsign "Ricochet", used the aircraft.[2]
During the
Continental War, Terminators were famously flown by the Yellow Squadron, who
used their skill in conjunction with its advanced technologies to achieve
deadly results through the course of the war[3] until their destruction in the
siege of Farbanti.[4] A batch of unused Terminators were obtained by the
Megalith defense squadron in order to defend Megalith from the Independent
State Allied Forces; the members of the squadron paid homage to Yellow Squadron
by painting their Terminators in Yellow colors.[5]
During the
Lighthouse War, Su-37s were employed by the Erusean Air Force during the later
part of the war. The most notable Erusean pilot was Russel Faulkner, callsign
"Serpent", who was shot down by Trigger over Farbanti during
Operation Giant's Step.[6]During Operation Domino, the Ask and Egil Squadrons
utilized eight Su-37s to engage the Strider Squadron over Anchorhead.[7]