Mecha Profile: Su-47 Berkut - Muv-Luv Alternative

Burning with a desire to take back the Motherland and drive the BETA out of Europe, the Soviet Union desperately needed the ultimate Hive infiltration TSF to carry out the mission before the US get their hands on them. Sufoni – with the technological knowledge gleamed from previous generation as well as new data acquired through espionage, has given birth to the ultimate Soviet TSF – the Golden Eagle Su-47 Berkut.

I. Development History:
– After 1990, with the rapid spread of BETA over the entirety of Europe and heading to the continent of Asia, the Soviet was rapidly losing on all aspects: territory, manpower, national and international power. Their influence in the United Nations was greatly diminished along with China due to the loss of territory. The lack of land forced them to leased Alaska from the US for 50 years, making them heavily dependent upon their Cold War enemy, and that really didn’t sit well with the leadership, so they need a mean to retake their land and eradicate the Hives as soon as possible.

– After losing the ATSF program, US manufacturer Grunnan was grasping at straws while continuing the produce the F-14 Tomcat. An opportunity came when the F-14 was chosen as the Alternative III speciap ops unit – which also dealt a heavy blow to Mikoyam Guluvich – Sufoni’s rival in the Soviet Union. Grunnan made a covert deal with Sufoni and offered them development data of the F-14, but more importantly: the X-29 from the ATDP Program.

– The Advanced Technology Demonstration Program (ATDP) – ran from 1981 to 1983 – was a joint-operation by NASA, the Department of Defense and Grunnan, to develop a line-up of X-series experimental craft that possess 3rd-generation technologies. The X-29 was one of those crafts with various experimental concepts and technologies, such as the forward-swept wing on the Jump Unit and Operation by Light for TSF controls. Grunnan has taken the data of the X-29 and offered it to Sufoni, which helped in the development of the Su-37 Terminator and later on, the Berkut itself.

– In 1995, the Полное Затмение (Polnoye Zatmeniye literally Total Eclipse) or П3 Plan was started by Lieutenant Jerzy Sandek of the Soviet Union. The plan includes the use of Espers in combat against the BETA. The Su-47 was envisioned as a special unit for this plan.

– The Su-47 commenced deployment in 1999 to the 43rd Guards Tactical Armored Division of the Soviet Armed Forces. As of October 2001, the special operations demonstrator craft – the Su-47E – began trials as part of Project Prominence at Yukon Base. It first entered testing with the 331st Special Experimental Development Squadron, September 29, 2001, and was piloted by Lieutenant Dimitri Kaverin. The Lieutenant later led the Sestrá Squadron piloting Su-47Es to participate in the worldwide offensive operation Ouka from December 31, 2001, to January 1, 2002. The Sestrá Squadron join the battle near the Evensk Hive.

– In 2001, the Su-47 went into combat trials against the MiG-290VT Fulcrum (later on MiG-35) to determine which craft will become Soviet’s next mainline TSF.

II. Technical Specs & Armaments:

– The Su-47 Berkut stands at 21.7-meter, utilizing two ALS-37FU Jump Units. The Berkut – meaning Golden Eagle – is one of the largest TSF ever made. Various areas were newly designed to improve the craft’s aerodynamic and altitude control, since the Berkut is designed for hive infiltration operation by special forces. The Su-47 is the culmination of the Soviet’s earnest and desperate goal of retaking its territory, with all of the state-of-the-art TSF technology developed in the Soviet and the West as well, such as Operation-By-Light, advanced avionics, new blade vanes design and many more. Its sensor canards were increased to four compared to the Su-37’s two for Hive infiltration purpose.

– Sufoni designed the Su-47 as a massive improvement from the Su-37 Terminator by focusing even more on the close-combat abilities of the craft. New and larger Blade Vanes are introduced throughout the craft such as the shoulder blocks, the legs, head and feet. The addition of four new Blade Vanes, including two large ones on the shoulders, a large blade vane on the head increase the Berkut melee capabilities. To even further this, the Berkut’s legs are all-new design that are larger than the Su-37, with Super Carbon blades on the tip of the feet, and every acute angle on the legs are also Super Carbon. The whole craft itself is like a sharpened sword that will kill any BETA it comes in contact with.

– The ALS-37FU Jump Unit is also an innovation with an asymmetrical design to the rear end of the airframe. A regressive layout was adopted for the aileron to improve the altitude control and aerodynamic properties. The unit still retain the forward-swept wing introduced in the Su-37M2 thanks to its favorable performance. The Unit has a high efficiency and output, granting the Berkut the reputation of “3-dimensional polygonal movement” despite its large size. The amazing mobility of the craft make its one of the top TSF in 2001, on par with the F-22A Raptor and Type-00 Takemikazuchi.

– Its equipment is similar to other modern Soviet TSF, using 2 A-97 Assault Cannons, 2 Blade Motors on the forearms. Other fixed armaments include flip knives on its heels that can fold out. The operational uptime of the unit increases by 30% due to the large airframe, as well as mitigating the supply problem that often occur during Hive capturing mission.

III. Variants:
After the first Su-47 model was rolled out, subsequent upgraded model was made in accordance with the П3 Plan, refining the specifications one at a time.

– Su-47 Berkut: the first 3rd-generation craft of the Soviet Union, boasting extreme mobility and close-combat capabilities.

– Su-47E Berkut: an enhanced version with focus on Esper-related phenomena. The unit started trials in Project Prominence at Yukon Base led by Lieutenant Dimitri Kaverin. Despite only at 80% completion, the Su-47 easily outperform the Su-37 Terminator.

– Su-47pz Berkut: an even further enhanced Su-47E, with the ability to produce and maintain the Prafka and Nastroyka effect that can extend to other Su-47Es in close proximity. The effect allow the Esper pilots to sync together and fight the BETA with huge effectiveness. The Su-47pz incorporates a dual-seat setup – one for the pilot and one for the Esper Control Pod.

– Su-47pzX1 Berkut: an upgraded Su-47pz tuned for Martica Barchenowa – a seasoned Esper pilot.

IV. Gallery: