Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker) Multirole Fighter (1984)
The SU-27 Flanker ushered in a new era in Russian military aircraft design.
The Su-27 is a large aircraft, about twenty percent larger than its American counterpart - the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The system is powered by two massive Saturn / Lyulka powerplants with afterburn capability producing 27,557lbs of thrust each. Depending on the model (the Su-27 has spawned many variations of the base model), the Flanker can seat one crewman, two in tandem or two in a side-by-side configuration. With its large size and wing area, the system is afforded a large internal capacity dedicated to fuel. This negates the need for the aircraft to rely on external fuel tanks for extended service. The large wing area also assists in providing a good balance of drag and lift with further assistance provided by moveable foreplanes and canards.
Maneuverability is key with this large aircraft and technology is spared at no expense. Fly-by-fire systems allowed the initial design to be inherently unstable as the onboard computers assisted the pilot in keeping the plane aloft and in accomplishing the very acrobatic moves that the aircraft is capable of. The powerful Zhuk radar system offers the pilot excellent battlefield "vision" beyond visual range and can effectively field the large AA-10 Alamo air-to-air missiles which in themselves feature a 70 mile engagement range.
The fuselage is well developed, consisting of design elements garnered from the Mikoyan-Gurevich development of the MiG-29 Fulcrum but other elements unique to the Su-27. The nose cone houses the powerful radar array and intakes are mounted under the fuselage. Twin rudders adorn each powerplant housing and an identifiable rear-facing radar nose cone protrudes from between the twin engine exhausts at rear. The Su-27 base model is equipped with a standard 30mm internal cannon. An impressive ten hardpoints allow the system to support a wide variety of air-to-air munitions to operate at varying ranges.
The naval version of the Su-27 Flanker is fitted with a strengthened fuselage, folding wings for carrier storage, reinforced landing gear and an arrestor hook. This version is now classified as the Su-33.
The Su-27 is still slated to stay as the primary Russian frontline fighter. The system has been fielded by other parties through export with China being one of the more notable users. With the variations afforded the airframe and the capabilities achievable for even this large aircraft, the Su-27 truly is the best Russian multirole fighter ever made. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker)
Multirole Fighter
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Sukhoi - USSR
Initial Year of Service: 1984
Production: 680
Focus Model: Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker)
Crew: 1
Length: 71.98ft (21.94m)
Width: 48.23ft (14.70m)
Height: 19.46ft (5.93m)
Weight (Empty): 36,112lbs (16,380kg)
Weight (MTOW): 72,753lbs (33,000kg)
Powerplant: 2 x Saturn / Lyulka AL-31F turbofan engines with afterburn generating 27,557lbs of thrust.
Maximum Speed: 1,553mph (2,500kmh; 1,350kts)
Maximum Range: 2,287miles (3,680km)
Service Ceiling: 59,091ft (18,011m; 11.2miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 60,040 feet per minute (18,300m/min)
Hardpoints: 10
Armament Suite:
STANDADRD:
1 x 30mm internal cannon
OPTIONAL:
Mission-specific ordnance can include a mix of the following:
10 x AA-8 Aphid air-to-air missiles
10 x R-27R air-to-air missiles
10 x R-27Ts IR Guided air-to-air missiles
10 x R-27ERs semi-active radar air-to-air missiles
10 x R-27ETs IR-guided air-to-air missiles
10 x R-73s air-to-air missiles
10 x R-60s air-to-air missiles
6 x AA-10C Alamo air-to-air missiles
Variants:
T10 (Flanker-A) - Initial Su-27 Version covering four prototype and five preproduction aircraft.
T10S - Improved Prototypes
P-42 - Specialized Performance Version; improved engines; sans armament, radar and paint.
Su-27 - Base Series Designation; preproduction models fitted with AL-31 series engines.
Su-27S (Flanker-B) - Initial Production Version of Base Su-27 model; single-seat; improved AL-31F engines.
Su-27UB (Flanker-C) - Two-Seat Conversion Trainer
Su-27SK - Export Single-Seat Variant of base Su-27 model.
Su-27UBK - Export Two-Seat Variant of Su-27UB model.
T10K - Navalized Prototypes and Demonstrator Su-27 models.
Su-27K (Flanker-D) - Carrier-Based Variant; becoming the Su-33 "Flanker-D"; folding wings; arrestor hook.
Su-27M - Flight Demonstrator Series
Su-27SM (Flanker-B Mod 1) - Upgraded Su-27S models based on Su-27M testing; modernized Su-27SK.
Su-27SKM - Export Model based on the Su-27SK; improved cockpit; single-seat, multi-role fighter; in-flight refueling probe; improved ECM suite.
Su-27UBM - Upgraded Su-27UB two-seater.
Su-27KUB - Based on the single-seat navalized Su-27K model; this version featured two-seats in a side-by-side arrangement; utilized as a naval aircrew trainer but can be used as a full combat multi-role platform as well.
Su-27BM - Improved avionics and radar system; becoming the Su-35 "Super Flanker"
Su-27PD - Singe-Seat Demonstrator; in-flight refueling probe.
Su-27PU - Two-Seat; in-flight refueling probe; revised avionics; improved flight control system; becoming the Su-30 (Flanker-C).
Su-27SMK - Evaluation Model
Su-30M - Multi-Role Two-Seat Fighter
Su-30MK - Export Variant of the Su-30M
Su-30MK2 - Chinese navalized Su-30MK models with anti-ship capability.
Su-30MKA - Algerian Export Version
Su-30MKI (Flanker-H) - Indian Multi-Role Export Versions of improved Su-30MK models; thrust vectoring; canards; new avionics.
Su-30MKK (Flanker-G) - Chinese Export Model of the Su-30MK; sans canards and thrust-vectoring.
Su-30MKM - Specially configured Malaysian Su-30MKI models.
Su-30KN (Flanker-B Mod 2) - Improved Single-Seat Model
Su-30KI (Flanker-B Mod 2) - Intended Indonesian Improved Single-Seat Model based on the Su-30MK systems.
Su-32 - Based on the Su-27IB; two-seat long-range, multi-role, strike fighter; redesigned forward fuselage; side-by-side seating; becoming the Su-34 "Fullback"; served as prototype to Su-32FN.
Su-32FN
Su-33 (Flanker-D) - Carrier-based Fighter; Single-Seat; original designated as Su-27K.
Su-34 (Fullback) - Dedicated Long-Range, Multi-Role, Strike Fighter based on the Su-32 concept.
Su-35 (Flanker-E) - Multirole Strike Fighter based on the Su-27BM
Su-37 (Flanker-F) - Multirole Strike Fighter with thrust-vectoring nozzles sometimes designated as Su-27M.
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