The 'MiG-37 Groza' ["Thunderstorm"]

Emerged as Russia's answer to the dominance of Western fifth-generation fighters. Developed under a highly classified program in the aftermath of the Su-57's entry into service, the Groza was conceived to surpass the capabilities of existing Western platforms like the F-22 and F-35 while maintaining strategic parity with the anticipated rise of sixth-generation threats.

Designed for extreme agility and superior stealth, the Groza's diamond-shaped wings and angled tail fins reflect advanced aerodynamics and radar-deflecting geometry. The vertical stabilizers, borrowing from the MiG-41, enhance stability at high speeds while reducing radar cross-section. Its twin intakes, inspired by the F-22, channel air to two advanced engines, coated with stealth materials and equipped with serrated nozzles to minimize infrared signature and improve thrust vectoring.

The complexity of the Groza’s design, combined with rising production costs and geopolitical pressures, ultimately doomed the project. Budget overruns and technical setbacks led to the program's cancellation before serial production could begin. Only one prototype was completed, and after a brief testing phase, it was retired. Today, the sole surviving MiG-37 Groza rests in a museum, a reminder of Russia's ambitious push to redefine air superiority.