Su-44 "Berkut" ("Golden Eagle") [Flashback-A]

Image appeared originally as the "S-32" (now it's S-37) in Jane's Defence Weekly, and was retouched. No intent of defamation is intended, to Jane's Information Group or Fowler Media Graphics on this image (click here, as this is the original I used this picture for). Nor does this file in any way describes the current information on Russia's stealth fighter, all information was taken from previously published information, and does not in any way reflect the policy of the Russian Air Force or the Sukhoi Design Bureau.

  The Su-44 Berkut (Flashback-A) is a FSW (Forward Swept Wing) stealth fighter designed for precision strikes as well as the air dominance role. This was pioneered by the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor that the old USAF (United States Air Force) received in 2002. This design has been on the Sukhoi drawing boards for years, known as the Mnogofunktsionalny Frontovoi Istrebitel (Multifunctional Frontline Fighter). This project was also reportedly called the Advanced Soviet Fighter (ASF, though of course times have changed) or "ATFski" , known also as the Mig 1.42 Project by Mikoyan Gurevich . However, Sukhoi pushed ahead with it’s design, since money from successful sales helped finance research and development of the fighter, as well as other projects. The Flashback saw limited service during the Euro-Wars, doing precision strikes against German and French targets. They were of course surprised, as only photos and intelligence predicted that it wouldn’t be able to handle any serious Western fighter. Despite it’s limited role, the Su-44 proved to be a tenacious fighter.
  The fighter features a FSW layout, with composites making up most of the wing, to reduce the torsion effects of wind on the wing. The arrangement allows more air to flow over the wings, unlike conventional wings, where the air moves away from the wingtips, FSW with canards allows the air to come over the wings, enhancing lift. And includes increasing maneuverability since the vortices and the design keep the energy constant, increasing AoA in all flight regimes. Also kept was the "tandem tri-plane" layout, with canards in front of the main wing, and standard tailplanes in the back. This gives the Flashback-A impressive maneuverability, able to out-maneuver most aircraft in the world. Also kept was the three dimensional engines that Sukhoi has been famous for. The ALF-57FU engines also have a supercruise capability, allowing the Su-44 to fly supersonically without using afterburner. It features fly-by-wire controls, as well as rigger controls as well, with manual backups in case of

  Another picture of the elusive S-37 (NOT the Su-37!!!)

  emergency. The cockpit features full digital readouts, with four MFDs for control of systems, and other functions. The starboard side also has a retractable Inflight refueling probe for extended range missions. 80% of the airframe is covered by Radar Absorbing Material (RAM), as well as the intake is shaped to provide the least "reflectivity" of radar waves. It features an "S" arrangement to allow the radar waves to not reach the compressor blades on the engine. Other features is a cooling system that takes in cold air and mixes it with the hot air of the engines, which in itself are designed to reduce the heat emissions as well. Other parts of the aircraft were shaped considerably to reduce the radar cross section (RCS) of the plane, as well as use of passive aural masking to reduce the overall acoustic sound of the aircraft. Composites are also used to lighten the plane’s overall weight.
  The Su-44 features three weapon bays. Two side bays are reserved for R-96 "AA-105 Assern" self defense AAMs. The main central bay allows carriage of guided/unguided bombs, and AAMs. The system has four mounting points for up to 1000kg each, giving the Flashback-A a potential in combat or strikes. Detachable pylons on the wing add 6 hardpoints to the plane, the wingtip ones reserved for self defense AAMs. The middle hardpoints can carry all types of ordnance, as well as being a "wet" point, allowing drop tanks to be mounted there to either increase it’s strike or ferry range. The inner hardpoint can also mount various types of underwing hardpoints, also capable of carrying the Kh-305 cruise missile.
  To detect targets efficiently and quickly, the Su-44 is fitted with the Zhuk-44 multimode radar system. In air to air mode, the radar can track up to 25 targets, with engagement up to eight targets. This is helped by enhanced targeting algorithms to facilitate this. This also meshes with the IRST mounted in front of the cockpit. This is the same that is mounted on the Su-50 and Su-56 fighters. Along the "spine" of the plane is the SPO-44 Radar Warning System (RWS) and Missile Launch Warning System (MLWS). This projects the launch of a missile to the pilot, which is displayed on his helmet, and allows the pilot to make better counter maneuvers to it. In addition to the SPO-44 system, the Flashback mounts a APP-44 chaff/flare dispenser mounted near the rear of the body. It holds 32 flare and 32 chaff cartridges. The system can fire "bursts" of 4 chaff/flares should the pilot decide to do so. However, it must be stressed that evasive maneuvering should be included to further fool the missile.

  Handling | Speed | Accel | B/A | Sig | Autonav | Pilot | Load | Cost
  2 | 150/3,000* | 180 | 7/15 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 7,000 | 76,447,590¥

  Seating: 1 ejection bucket seat
  Access: 1 canopy
  Economy: .3 km per liter
  Fuel: 7,500 liters
  Cargo: 2 CF
  Landing/Takeoff Profile: STOL
  ECM/ECCM: Military III (6)/Military III (6)
  Sensors: Military II (9)
  ED/ECD: Military II (5)/Military II (5)
  Other Features: Signature Improvement (4, Stealth Shaping [2], Aural Suppression [2]), Tandem Tri-plane Layout, Forward Swept Wing, Three Dimensional Thrust Vectoring, Super Cruise Engines, Refueling probe (internal), Datajack Port, Rigger Adaptation, Level 3 RAM, Life Support (10 hours), Drive-by-Wire (3), Structural Agility (2, +2 to Reaction, add 2 to Riggers Control Pool), Smart Materials (+1 to Stress Tests), Contingency Maneuver Controls (4), Thermal Baffles (2), Battletac FDDM Receiver.
  Armament: Internal Victory Rotary Autocannon (with protective cover, requires a Simple Action to open/close) with 200 rounds equipped with Level 4 Gunnery Recoil Adjusters. Four internal hardpoints with 5 CF capacity, Two external hardpoints with 4 CF capacity, and four external missile mounts (max capacity is 500 kilograms each), and two internal missile mounts to the side of the main bay. Total weapon load is 7,000 kilograms.
  Weights: 10,125 kilograms fully loaded, without ordnance, 17,125 with full warload. 9,050 fully empty.
  *Increase Speed to 3,750 kph on afterburner, and Economy is 6 liters per km. Economy on SuperCruise is 3 liters per km and max speed is 3,375 kph.
  The Su-44 Flashback-A is of course a highly advanced stealth fighter. In some ways more capable than the F-22 Raptor, the Su-44 is a definitive design. The use of the "tandem triplane" arrangement allows maneuverability comparable to the Su-56. However, with the inclusion of the FSW layout, the aircraft gains an additional -1 to all rolls. Note because of the aerodynamics of an FSW layout, this is an automatic modifier. The reason is (I know someone will ask, so I’ll tell you) for a normal wing layout (swept back), the air will flow from the tips, like if you run your hand flat against the water, the water will go to the sides of your hand, creating ripples. However, Forward Swept Wings (FSW) will allow the air to come over the wing (I’m not someone who works at Dryden, if you have any questions, ask them), with the canards creating vortices, therefore creating more energy and enhanced maneuverability. And to be redundant, the canards give an additional -2, as well as the 3D engines.
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