"First Three test specimens were built, the first of which was ready ground tests in 1994. Thanks to China’s order for several Su-27s with AL-31F engines, there was enough money to test the remaining two engines on the Su-37 demonstration aircraft (prototype designation T-10M-11, No. 711). They were installed in 1995. Main flight test program took place in the area of Zhukovsky airport - first part (46 flights) was carried out between 2 April and 28 August 1996, part two It was completed at the end of the same year.
For The expansion of the AL-37FU engines is also evidenced by the fact that they are designed so that they can replace the AL-31F engines of the existing Su-27 series aircraft. However, so far they are practically usable only on Su-30MK aircraft (the aircraft and engine were first presented at the Paris Rally 1999 Air Show) and the already mentioned Su-37."
Where are those quotes are taken from? If you have a source I would love to read it because all the info I found specifically states that Su-37 used AL-31FP engines. Well at least every single Russian source.
Something doesn’t add up. If this source to be believed AL-37FU was tested on 711 from 2 April to 28 August 1996 and second stage of test flights at the end of the 1996. But April 2 is the date of Su-37 maiden flight, and it was also showcased at Farnborough in September of 1996 which fits the vague “end of the year”. But all sources apart this one state that Su-37 used AL-31FP at that time. So either crazy mechanics constantly swapped engines or this information is not trustworthy in my opinion.
Although i might be wrong about that. AL-41F1S also has nozzles turned slightly inwards under the power of gravity. Very difficult to say because pictures aren’t from identical POV.
It’s fantom, he has encolcypedic level knowledge of Russian air craft. I’d take him as a source higher than someone like yefim Gordon. He has access to vympel and others primary sources
Watching documentary from 7 month ago, which includes interviev with Oleg Pankov - chief designer of Su-30 program, and apparently SM2 with AL-41F1 was going trough testing at that time, while airframes under construction at that time were already designed for AL-41 placement. If this is truth we can probably expect first batch of AL-41 equipped SM2s this december or something.
