Military History: Russia’s Innovative Su-47 Fighter Jet

by Maya Carlin, Warrior Contributor, Weapons

Meet the Su-47: The Su-47, previously designated the S-32 and S-37, was an experimental aircraft designed for the Soviet Union in the 1990s. Called the Berkut, or Golden Eagle, it is highly recognizable due to its wings, which are swept forward instead of aft and give the Berkut a very unique look.

In fact, experience from the Su-47 informed manufacturer Sukhoi’s development of the forward-swept-wing KB SAT SR-10 trainer.

Although the Su-47 does not fly the skies anymore, a number of its advanced technologies remain integral for Russia’s more modern fighters, including the Su-35 and Su-57 fighter.

Su-47: Forward Sweep

As early as the 1920s and 1930s, aircraft designers became interested in forward swept wings.

Changing the geometry of wings can do many useful things aerodynamically and in the case of forward sweep, they allow for exceptional maneuverability and excellent control at slow speeds.

These advantages are not with counters, however.

Forward swept wings induce a great deal of aerodynamic instability in an aircraft.