SIB-A: Canard Delta Aerodynamic Test Vehicle observed at SIBNIA

[overscan (PaulMM)]

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP83T00574R000102160001-6.pdf
Sounds from the description like a Mikoyan 1.42 test article rather than something related to the S-37 "Berkut".

 

[SOC]

That does sound like a 1.42 test article. When the 1.44 was revealed one of my first thoughts was that it resembled HiMAT, they've noticed the same thing here. Possibly a test article used to evaluate a given aerodynamic layout, seems like the vertical tails were a bit further outboard then they ended up on the 1.44.

 

[LowObservable]

When this was reported 20 years ago (incorrectly spelled SYB-A) it was linked to the Su-47.

 

[Trident]

Or maybe...

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,94.msg193300.html#msg193300
... the plot thickens. Would not account for the twin tails supposedly spotted, but could explain the Sukhoi connection reported in the Western press. And perhaps the rather baffling appearance on that chart, as the Su-47 was not yet called by that name at the time

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

The original article describes the SIB-A wings as 'delta/swept' not having forward sweep however it does say the outer wings were obscured.

Also the description of the canards and their location seems more consistent with 1.42 layout than either S-32 or S-37. It could have been a generic test model by SIBNIA patterned after HIMAT.

 

[SOC]

If it was at Novosibirsk, it may be a subscale demonstrator for NOVO-C...

 

[flateric]

SibNIIA: no flying prototypes, even subscale, of anything in USSR era. Either static/fatique/thermal test articles or wind tunnel models.

 

[SOC]

Didn't necessarily mean a flying demonstrator, although the above document seems to leave that possibility open. But it was located at a facility adjacent to NAPO - where NOVO-C was identified. Just an interesting thought.

 

[famvburg]

Consider too, in the late '70s when what was to become known as the Sukhoi Su-27, was spotted, it was thought to be a VG aircraft and initial artist concepts showed it as such.