Originally posted by Ilija
The Su's (i think from the 30st, I may be wrong) couldn't even take off normaly, it would spin and crash, but with those engines it flies well.
The Su-30 is a carrier-based version of the Su-27. Everything up until the Su-47 Berkut/Firkin (Which basically translates as everything from the
Su-27 to the Su-37) is based off of the Su-27, in fact. The airframe, while heavy, is also very stable. It's a traditional layout quite similar to
that of the F-15, albeit with a few aesthetic differences. The only very different thing about the Su-35 and Su-37 is the use of vortex lift. But this
hasn't got anything to do with the engines.
I can see how the Su-47 requires extra support from the engines to remain stable (remain? Become might be a better word). The only significant, truly
innovative (not necessarily new, but a good use of it) thing would be thrust vectoring applied all across the airframe, somewhat similar to the
F-35B's roll posts, used for STOVL operations. If this was applied in a larger area with more vectoring areas it could possibly allow for some
serious maneuverage. An interesting thought. It wouldn't entirely surprise me to see it considering that the Russians seem to have a knack for
making new engine systems work.
And those canards are allowing super high manuevrability of some kind, the eurofighter got them too, and it's manoeuvrability is pretty good.
Possibly, but there would be little difference to having elevators. Having both canards and elevators as is present on the MiG 1.42/1.44 MFI allows
for extra mobility, but only while moving at a normal airspeed. It doesn't matter how many control surfaces you have when you're stalled. The only
full-spectrum maneuverability option would be some sort of thrust vectoring as I've already outlined.
The only unique options that canards offer is the utilization of vortex lift. And that's not quite "supermaneuvereability".
[edit on 3/29/2007 by Darkpr0]
[edit on 3/29/2007 by Darkpr0]