Is there a website that gives reliable information on the AL-31F engine and its development history? I am trying to learn the differences in the approaches between the USA and Russia on their attempts at vectored thrust throughout the 1980s and 1990s. I am especially interested in when certain milestones were reached in both programs.
I have been able to find info for the USAF/NASA projects, but I can’t find any good information it seems (in english) on the Russian projects such as the AL-31F, AL-31FU and AL-31FP engines. How many variants are there of this engine? What date was thrust vectoring first added to Su-35/37/30MKI, etc, and was it of 3D TVC (like on MiG-29OVT), 2D TVC (like on Su-37), or virtual 2D (like on Su-30MKI).
I am especially trying to figure out when the thrust vectoring engines were tested on the Su-35. I have seen a reference (on veniks website, who is full of sh*t as we all know) that they were tested on the Su-35, but there is never a mention of a date. I’m beginning to doubt that they were ever tested on these Su-35s BEFORE the Su-37, and the Su-35s that they were tested on are in actuality the Su-37.
If someone could help me out I would really appreciate it. I have come across bits of info, but none of it has been any good.
Here is a nice picture of the F-18 HARV in 1991 so you have something to look at in this thread 😀
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July 9, 2007 at 12:35 pm