The Su-37 is a super-maneuverable thrust vectoring fighter derived from an
Su-35 prototype. The Su-37 represents a new level of capability compared with
the Su-27 and Su-35. The Su-37 test aircraft made its maiden flight in April
1996 from the Zhukovsky flight testing center near Moscow. This impressive
single-seat all-weather counter-air fighter and ground attack aircraft, derived
from the SU-27, has an updated airframe containing a high proportion of
carbon-fibre and Al-Li alloy. The engines, avionics and armaments are also
improvements on those originally installed in the SU-27. The AL-37FU engines are
configured for thrust vector control, with the axisymmetric steerable thrust
vector control nozzle is fixed on a circular turning unit. The steel nozzle in
the experimental engines is replaced in production engines by titanium units to
reduce the weight of the nozzle. The nozzle only moves in the pitch axis, and
the nozzles on the two engines can deflect together or differentially to achieve
the desired thrust vector for a particular maneuver…learn more.