Su-37 Terminator

History

The @Su-37 Terminator, being a US-assisted development of the Su-27, uses a NATO-given name rather than a Soviet name. Intended to be a massive improvement over the Su-27, especially in operation uptime and combat ability, the Su-37, first and foremost, features an improved close-combat design, with an increased number of carbon blade vanes on its shoulder block as well as improved sharpened carbon edges on its knee block, shoulders, and leg armor sections. While it was at one point in time identified as a 3rd generation TSF by Soviet forces, its technological upgrades are considered 2.5th generation by US/EU standards.

Perhaps a unique innovation made to the Su-37 is the inclusion of frontal-facing thrusters on its waist armor pieces; while its jump units lose the capability to swing forward due to their construction, the thrusters use a different method of generating reverse force, allowing the Su-37 to quickly change directions in the heat of combat. The system is considered both reliable and easy to maintain by technicians who have worked on the TSF.

Despite its immense combat strength, variants featuring improved aspects are already well into production.

Deployment

The Terminator is largely a testbed for various Soviet tactics, strategies, and technology. Its deployment status on the frontlines is closer to that of a high-performance interim unit than an actual replacement for the Su-27.

A Su-37UB of the 331st Special Experimental Development Squadron was attached to the @United Nations' Project PROMINENCE as part of Idol Test Flight to test double-pilot combat tactics and gather performance data, and Su-37M2s have been assigned to frontline combatants and other experimental units for use as high-performance TSFs.

Variants

Su-37UB

A two-seater model, the Su-37UB takes a page from the operational records of the F-14 and F-18, with the ultimate goal of having two pilots, so as to reduce combat-related mental and physical stress by sharing the load of piloting.

One Su-37UB, stationed at the UN's @Yukon Base under the banner of Project PROMINENCE, was operated by the Scarlet Twins, @Inia Sestina and @Cryska Barchenova of Idol Test Flight, a pair of Soviet pilots famous at the base for the excellent chemistry of their relationship and their near-flawless combat records.

At Yukon Base, the twins demonstrated the superior maneuverability of the Su-37UB compared to the F-15E and F-15 ACTV in numerous combat exercises; the Su-37UB later performed flawlessly against BETA forces during their assignment to the Kamchatka Peninsula in August 2001, as well as the combat action that occurred in the subsequent Ц-04 Frontline Supply Base Incident.

Su-37M2

The Su-37M2 differs from the base Su-37 in many ways; while it is still a single-seat TSF, it features improved fire control capabilities, more precise close-combat controls, as well as improved sensors housed in its head unit. The Su-37M2 is also used by the Soviet Union to study development of TSF technology in order to create their own 3rd generation TSF.

Su-37M2s were operated by 211 Batal'on Zhar commander Lt. Colonel @Fikatsia Latrova, her second-in-command Captain Natassia Ibanova, and the rest of the first squadron Zhar under Latrova's direct command.

Su-37M2s were also operated by Idol Test Flight's other members to allow them to keep up with the Su-37UB's performance in flight and combat maneuvers, although they usually refrained from taking frontline roles.