| Su-27 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Su-27SKM at MAKS-2005 airshow | |
| Role | Air superiority fighter |
| National origin | Soviet Union Russia |
| Manufacturer | Sukhoi |
| First flight | 20 May 1977 |
| Introduction | 1985 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Russian Air Force People's Liberation Army Air Force Ukrainian Air Force See operators for others |
| Produced | 1982–current |
| Number built | 809 |
| Unit cost |
US$30 million
|
| Variants | Sukhoi Su-30 Sukhoi Su-33 Sukhoi Su-34 Sukhoi Su-35 Sukhoi Su-37 Shenyang J-11 |
Background
In 1969, the Soviet Union learned of the U.S. Air Force's "F-X" program, which resulted in the F-15 Eagle. The Soviet leadership soon realized that the new American fighter would represent a serious technological advantage over existing Soviet fighters. What was needed was a better-balanced fighter with both good agility and sophisticated systems. In response, the Soviet General Staff issued a requirement for a Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel (PFI, literally "Prospective Frontline Fighter", roughly "Advanced Frontline Fighter").[1] Specifications were extremely ambitious, calling for long range, good short-field performance (including the ability to use austere runways), excellent agility, Mach 2+ speed, and heavy armament. The aerodynamic design for the new aircraft was largely carried out by TsAGI in collaboration with the Sukhoi design bureau.[1]When the specification proved too challenging and costly for a single aircraft in the number needed, the PFI specification was split into two: the LPFI (Lyogkyi PFI, Lightweight PFI) and the TPFI (Tyazholyi PFI, Heavy PFI). The LPFI program resulted in the Mikoyan MiG-29, a relatively short-range tactical fighter, while the TPFI program was assigned to Sukhoi OKB, which eventually produced the Su-27 and its various derivatives.
Design phase
The T-10 was spotted by Western observers and assigned the NATO reporting name 'Flanker-A'. The development of the T-10 was marked by considerable problems, leading to a fatal crash on 7 May 1978. Extensive redesigns followed, and a heavily revised version, the T-10S, made its first flight on 20 April 1981.
The production Su-27 (sometimes Su-27S, NATO designation 'Flanker-B') began to enter VVS operational service in 1985, although manufacturing difficulties kept it from appearing in strength until 1990.[2] The Su-27 served with both the V-PVO and Frontal Aviation.
The Su-27's basic design is aerodynamically similar to the MiG-29, but it is substantially larger. The swept wing blends into the fuselage at the leading edge extensions and is essentially a cropped delta (the delta wing with tips cropped for missile rails or ECM pods). The Su-27 is also an example of a tailed delta wing configuration, retaining conventional horizontal tailplanes, though it is not a true delta.
The naval version of the 'Flanker', the Su-27K (or Su-33), incorporates canards for additional lift, reducing take-off distances. These canards have also been incorporated in some Su-30s, the Su-35, and the Su-37.
Radar and sensors
The Su-27 is equipped with a Phazotron N001 Myech coherent pulse-Doppler radar with track-while-scan and look-down / shoot-down capability. The fighter also has an OLS-27 infrared search and track (IRST) system in the nose just forward of the cockpit with an 80–100 km range.[3]Operational history
Soviet Union and Russia
On 13 September 1987, a fully armed Soviet Su-27, Red 36, intercepted a Norwegian Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft while flying over the Barents Sea. The Soviet fighter jet performed different close passes, colliding with the reconnaissance aircraft on the third pass. The Su-27 disengaged and both aircraft landed safely at their bases.[5]
These aircraft were used by the Russian Air Force during the 1992–1993 war in Abkhazia against Georgian forces. One fighter, piloted by Major pilot Vaclav Alexandrowich Shipko (Вацлав Александрович Шипко) was reported shot down by an S-75M Dvina on 19 March 1993 while intercepting Georgian Su-25's performing Close Air Support. The pilot was killed.[6][7]
In the 2008 South Ossetia War, Russia used Su-27s to gain airspace control over Tskhinvali, the capital city of South Ossetia.[8][9]
On 7 February 2013, two Su-27s briefly entered Japanese airspace off Rishiri Island near Hokkaido, flying south over the Sea of Japan before turning back to the north.[10] Four Mitsubishi F-2 fighters were scrambled to visually confirm the Russian planes,[11] warning them by radio to leave their airspace.[12] A photo taken by a JASDF pilot of one of the two Su-27s was released by the Japan Ministry of Defense.[13] Russia denied the incursion, saying the jets were making routine flights near the disputed Kuril Islands.[10] In another encounter near Japan, in 2014 a Su-27 nearly collided with an American RC-135.[14]
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Su-27s reportedly shot down two Eritrean MiG-29s and damaged another one[15][16] in February 1999 and destroyed another two in May 2000.[16][17] The Su-27s were also used in CAP (Combat Air Patrol) missions, suppression of air defense, and providing escort for fighters on bombing and reconnaissance missions.[18][verification needed] In the War in Somalia (2006-present), the EtAF used their Su-27s to deadly effect, bombing Islamist garrisons and patrolling the airspace. The Su-27 has replaced the aging Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 as Ethiopia's main air superiority fighter.[citation needed]Angola
The Su-27 entered Angolan service in mid-2000 during the Angolan Civil War. It is reported that one Su-27 in the process of landing, was shot down by SA-14 MANPADs fired by UNITA forces on 19 November 2000.[15][19]Indonesia
Four Indonesian Flanker type fighters including Su-27s participated for the first time in the annual Pitch Black exercise in Australia on 27 July 2012. Arriving at Darwin, Australia the Indonesian fighters two Su-27s and two Su-30s were escorted by two Australian No. 77 Squadron F/A-18 Hornets.[20] Exercise Pitch Black is a major multi-national biennial exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, involving Offensive Counter Air and Offensive Air Support missions being flown at training ranges across the Northern Territory. Exercise Pitch Black 12 conducted from 27 July through 17 August 2012, and participated 2,200 personnel and up to 94 aircraft from Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and the United States.[21]Ukraine
Variants
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This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2009) |
Soviet-era
- T10 ("Flanker-A"): Initial prototype configuration.
- T10S: Improved prototype configuration, more similar to production spec.
- P-42: Special version built to beat climb time records. The aircraft had all armament, radar and paint removed, which reduced weight to 14,100 kg. It also had improved engines.
- Su-27 Pre-production series built in small numbers with AL-31 engine
- Su-27S (Su-27 / "Flanker-B"): Initial production single-seater with improved AL-31F engine. The "T10P"
- Su-27P (Su-27 / "Flanker-B"): Standard version but without air-to-ground weapons control system and wiring and assigned to Soviet Air Defence Forces units. Often designated Su-27 without -P.[23]
- Su-27UB ("Flanker-C"): Initial production two-seat operational conversion trainer.
- Su-27SK: Export Su-27S single-seater.
- Su-27UBK: Export Su-27UB two-seater.
- Su-27K (Su-33 / "Flanker-D"): Carrier-based single-seater with folding wings, high-lift devices, and arresting gear, built in small numbers. They followed the "T10K" prototypes and demonstrators.
- Su-27M (Su-35/Su-37, Flanker-E/F): Improved demonstrators for an advanced single-seat multi-role Su-27S derivative. These also included a two-seat "Su-35UB" demonstrator.
- Su-27PU (Su-30): Two seat version of the Su-27P interceptor, designed to support with tactical data other single-seat Su-27P, MiG-31 and other interceptor aircrafts in PVO service. Later prototypes renamed Su-30 by Russia, and modified into a multi-role fighter mainly for export market, moving away from the original purpose of the aircraft.
- Su-32 (Su-27IB): Two-seat dedicated long-range strike variant with side-by-side seating in "platypus" nose. Prototype of Su-32FN and Su-34 'Fullback'.
Post-Soviet era
- Su-27PD: Single-seat demonstrator with improvements such as inflight refuelling probe.
- Su-30M / Su-30MK: Next-generation multi-role two-seater. A few Su-30Ms were built for Russian evaluation in the mid-1990s, though little came of the effort. The Su-30MK export variant was embodied as a series of two demonstrators of different levels of capability. Versions include Su-30MKA for Algeria, Su-30MKI for India, Su-30MKK for the People's Republic of China, and Su-30MKM for Malaysia.
- Shenyang J-11: Chinese version of Su-27SK.
- Su-27SM (Flanker-B Mod. 1): Mid-life upgraded Russian Su-27S, featuring technology evaluated in the Su-27M demonstrators.
- Su-27SKM: Single-seat multi-role fighter for export. It is a derivative of the Su-27SK but includes upgrades such as advanced cockpit, more sophisticated self-defense electronic countermeasures (ECM) and an in-flight refuelling system.[24]
- Su-27UBM: Comparable upgraded Su-27UB two-seater.
- Su-27SM2: 4.5-gen block upgrade for Russian Su-27, featuring some technology of the Su-35BM; it includes Irbis-E radar, and upgraded engines and avionics.
- Su-27SM3: The same as the Su-27SM but is built new rather than a mid-life upgrade.[25]
- Su-27KUB: Essentially an Su-27K carrier-based twin-seater with a side-by-side cockpit, for use as a naval carrier trainer or multi-role aircraft.
- Su-35BM/Su-35S: Also named the "Last Flanker" is latest development from Sukhoi Flanker family. It features newer avionics and new radar.
Operators
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This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2009) |
Angola
- People's Air and Air Defence Force of Angola - Seven Su-27s in service as of January 2013[26] Three were bought from Belarus in 1998. Received a total of eight.[27] One has reportedly been shot down on 19 November 2000 by an SA-14 MANPADS during the Angolan Civil War.[28]
People's Republic of China
- People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) - 59 Su-27 fighters, consisting of 33 Su-27SKs and 26 Su-27UBKs as of January 2013[26] The Flankers were produced under three separate contracts by the Russian KnAAPO and IAPO plants. Delivery of the aircraft began in February 1991 and finished by September 2009. The first contract was for 18 Su-27SK and 6 Su-27UBK aircraft. The deal, known as '906 Project' within China, saw the Su-27 exported to a foreign country for the first time. In February 1991, an Su-27 performed a flight demonstration at Beijing's Nanyuan Airport. The official induction to service with the PLAAF occurred shortly thereafter. Chinese Su-27 pilots described its performance as "outstanding" in all aspects and flight envelopes. Differences over the payment method delayed the signing of the second, identical contract. For the first batch, 70% of the payment had been made in barter transactions with light industrial goods and food. Russian Federation argued that future transactions should be made in US dollars. In May 1995, Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman, Liu Huaqing visited Russia and agreed to the term, on a condition that the production line of Su-27 be imported. The contract was signed the same year. Delivery of the final aircraft from the second batch, occurred in July 1996. In preparation for the expanding Su-27 fleet, the PLAAF sought to augment its trainer fleet. On December 3, 1999, a third contract was signed, this time for 28 Su-27UBKs. All 76 of the aircraft featured strengthened airframe and landing gear - result of the PLAAF demands that the fighter has a "usable" air-ground capability. As a result, the aircraft are capable of employing most of the conventional Air-to-Ground ordnance produced by Russia. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) increased to 33,000 kg (72,750 lb). As is common for Russian export fighters, the active jamming device was downgraded- Su-27's L005 ECM pod was replaced with the L203/L204 pod. Furthermore, there were slight avionics differences between the batches. The first batch had N001E radar, while the later aircraft had N001P radar, capable of engaging two targets at the same time. Additionally, ground radar and navigational systems were upgraded. The aircraft are not capable of deploying the R-77 "Adder" missile due to a downgraded fire control system,[29] except for the last batch of 28 Su-27UBKs.[30]
- At the 2009 Farnborough Airshow, Alexander Fomin- Deputy Director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Co-operation, confirmed the existence of an all-encompasing contract and an on-going licensed production of the Su-27 variant by the Chinese. The aircraft are being produced as the Shenyang J-11.[31]
Eritrea
- Eritrean Air Force - 9 Su-27s in service as of January 2013.[26] It received about 8 Su-27SK/27UBs in 2003.[32]
Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Air Force - 12 Su-27s, including 8 Su-27SKs in use as of January 2013[26]
Indonesia
- Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia: Angkatan Udara) - 5 Su-27SK/SKM fighters in service as of January 2013[26]
Kazakhstan
- Military of Kazakhstan - 30 Su-27s as of December 2010.[33] It had another 12 on order.[32]
Russia
- Russian Air Force - 359 Su-27 aircraft, including 225 Su-27s, 70 Su-27SMs, 12 Su-27SM3s, and 52 Su-27UBs in service as of January 2014.[34] A modernisation program began in 2004.[35][36][37] Half of the fleet has been modernized by 2012.[38]
- Russian Navy - 53 Su-27s in use as of January 2014[34]
Ukraine
- Ukrainian Air Force - 70 Su-27s[39] It has 50 Su-27s in inventory as of January 2013.[26]
Uzbekistan
- Military of Uzbekistan - 34 Su-27s in use as of January 2013[26]
Vietnam
- Vietnam People's Air Force - 9 Su-27SKs and 3 Su-27UBKs in use as of January 2013[26]
United States
- Two Su-27s were delivered to the United States in 1995.[32][40] Two more were bought from Ukraine in 2009 by a private company, Pride Aircraft, to use for warbird exhibition. They are stored at an Air Force base in Delaware for Air Force evaluation.[41]
Former operators
Belarus
- Belarusian Air Force received 23-28 Su-27s from the former Soviet Union.[32] They had 22 in service as of December 2010.[33] Belarus had 17 Su-27P and 4 Su-27UBM1 aircraft remaining when they were retired in December 2012.[27][42]
Soviet Union
- Soviet Air Force and Soviet Anti-Air Defence[43]
Private ownership
According to the U.S. FAA there are 2 privately owned Su-27s in the U.S.[44] Two Su-27s from the Ukrainian Air Force were demilitarised and sold to Pride Aircraft of Rockford, Illinois, USA. Pride Aircraft modified some of the aircraft to their own desires by remarking all cockpit controls in English and replacing much of the Russian avionics suite with Garmin, Bendix/King, and Collins avionics. The aircraft were both sold to private owners for approximately $5 million each.[45]On 30 August 2010, the Financial Times claimed that a Western private training support company ECA Program placed a US$1.5 billion order with Belorussian state arms dealer BelTechExport for 15 unarmed Su-27s (with an option on 18 more) to organize a dissimilar air combat training school in the former NATO airbase in Keflavik, Iceland with deliveries due by the end of 2012.[46][47] A September 2010 media report by RIA Novosti questioned the existence of the agreement.[48] No further developments on such a plan have been reported by 2014, while a plan for upgrading and putting the retired Belorussian Air Force Su-27 fleet back to service was reported in February 2014.[49]
See Sukhoi Su-30, Sukhoi Su-33, Sukhoi Su-34, and Sukhoi Su-35 for operators of Su-27 derivatives.
Notable accidents
- 9 September 1990: A Soviet Su-27 crashed at the Salgareda airshow in 1990 due to pulling a loop at too low an altitude. The pilot, Rimas A.A. Stankevičius and a spectator were killed.[50][51]
- 12 December 1995: Two Su-27s and an Su-27UB of the Russian Knights flight demonstration team crashed into terrain outside of Cam Ranh, Vietnam, killing 4 team pilots. Six Su-27s and an Ilyushin Il-76 support aircraft were returning from a Malaysian airshow, stopping at Cam Ranh for fuel, flying in an echelon right and left of the Il-76. During the landing approach, the Il-76 passed too close to terrain and the three right-echelon Su-27s crashed. The remaining aircraft landed safely at Cam Ranh. The cause was controlled flight into terrain; contributing factors were pilot error, mountainous terrain and poor weather.[52]
- December 1998: An Ethiopian Air Force Su-27 crashed during a night-flying exercise, resulting in the pilot's death.[53]
- 6 January 1999: An Ethiopian Su-27, piloted by a Russian pilot, crashed while undergoing test flights, The pilot ejected safely.[53]
- 27 July 2002: A Ukrainian Su-27 crashed while performing an aerobatics presentation, killing 85 spectators. Both pilots ejected and suffered only minor injuries.[54]
- 15 September 2005: A Russian Air Force Su-27P crashed in Lithuania after it strayed out of its air corridor while it was flying from St. Petersburg to Russia's Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad due to a mechanical failure. The Su-27 was armed with at least 4 air-to-air missiles. The pilot ejected and was taken into Lithuanian custody. The incident led to an international debate between Lithuania, Russia and NATO.[55][56]
- 29 July 2008: An Su-27UB crashed on a training flight in Primorye Territory, Russia. One pilot was killed, while the other survived.[57]
- 16 August 2009: While practising for the 2009 MAKS Airshow, two Su-27s of the Russian Knights collided in mid-air above Zhukovsky Airfield, south-east of Moscow, killing the Knights' leader, Igor Tkachenko. One of the jets crashed into a house and started a fire.[58] A probe into the crash was launched, according to the Russian Defense Ministry the accident may have been caused by a "flying skill error".[58][59]
- 30 August 2009: A Belarus Air Force Su-27UBM crashed at the 2009 Radom Air Show in Poland. The Su-27 crashed after exiting a loop, possibly due to an engine failure from a bird strike. Both pilots died after opting to stay with the aircraft to steer it away from spectators.[60][61]
- 6 April 2011: A Russian Air Force Su-27SM crashed during a training drill near the city of Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. The pilot ejected unhurt.[62]
- 28 June 2012: A Russian Air Force Su-27UB crashed in Karelia, Russia. Both pilots ejected unhurt.[63]
- 31 March 2013: A Chinese PLA Air Force Su-27UBK crashed during a drill in Shangdong, China. Both pilots died.[64]
Aircraft on display
- A Su-27, Red 27 is on display at the Central Armed Forces Museum in Moscow[65][66]
- A former Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 is on display at the Estonian Aviation Museum, Haaslava, Tartu County[67]
Specifications (Su-27SK)
Data from Gordon and Davison,[68] KNAAPO Su-27SKM page,[69] Sukhoi Su-27SK page,[70]
General characteristics- Crew: 1
- Length: 21.9 m (72 ft)
- Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
- Height: 5.92 m (19 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 62 m² (667 ft²)
- Empty weight: 16,380 kg (36,100 lb)
- Loaded weight: 23,430 kg (51,650 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 30,450 kg (67,100 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Saturn/Lyulka AL-31F turbofans
- Dry thrust: 7,670 kgf (75.22 kN, 16,910 lbf) each
- Thrust with afterburner: 12,500 kgf (122.6 kN, 27,560 lbf) each
- Fuel capacity: 9,400 kg (20,724 lb) internally[71]
- Maximum speed:
- At altitude: Mach 2.35 (2,500 km/h, 1,550 mph)
- At sea level: 1,400 km/h, 870 mph[69]
- Range: 3,530 km (2,070 mi) at altitude; (1,340 km / 800 mi at sea level)
- Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,523 ft)
- Rate of climb: 300 m/s[72] (59,000 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 371 kg/m² (76 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 1.07 (with 56% internal fuel)
- Maximum g-load: +9 g
- 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
- 4,430 kg (9,770 lb) on 10 external pylons[70][71]
- Up to 6 × medium-range AA missiles R-27, 2 × short-range heat-seeking AA missiles R-73
Su-27S armament
- 30 mm GSH-30 Cannon, 150 rounds
- 6 × Medium-Range R-27R, R-27ER, R-27T, R-27ET
- 4 × Short-Range R-73E
- FAB-250
- FAB-500
- RBK-250
- RBK-500
- S-8
- S-13
- S-24
- S-25
- SMKB[73]
Su-27SM armament
- 8 x Vympel R-77 advanced medium-range missile
- 6 x KAB-500KR and KAB-500L Guided Bombs
- 4 x Kh-29T/L
- 4 x Kh-31P/A anti-radar/ship missiles
- 4 x Kh-35 anti-ship missile
Popular culture
The Su-27 is in a starring role in the SSI flight simulator game "Su-27 Flanker" and sequel "Lock On: Modern Air Combat".
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