S-32 Golden Eagle

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S-32 was the first designation of the Sukhoi forward swept wing programme that eventually flew as the Su-47. The work began in the late 1980s as a naval fighter requirement, which is why the early drawings show folding surfaces and an airframe sized for a deck, and the designation changed to S-37 and then Su-47 as funding and purpose shifted after the Soviet collapse. The configuration carried an internal weapons bay in its later study forms. On MCS the S-32 is flown as that earlier, naval flavoured configuration: the same striking forward swept planform and outstanding low speed control, with a structure built for short field work rather than long range interception. It is at its best in tight, slow, low altitude fighting where its wing keeps working after everyone else has run out of lift. Recommended for pilots who want the Berkut layout in a shorter legged, deck oriented package.