Supermaneuverable Fighter Aircraft : Sukhoi Su-27

Efran Syah       Fighter Aircraft    Comment   

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

Sukhoi Su-27, also called (NATO designation) Flanker, Russian air-superiority fighter plane, introduced into the air forces of the Soviet Union beginning in 1985.

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

The aircraft was developed by Sukhoi on demand of Russia to counter the 4th generation jet fighters like the F-4 Tomcat and the F-15 Eagle. This aircraft proved to be a valuable asset on meeting those demands with a range of nearly 3,500 kilometers along with the ability to carry the heavy ordinance while having super maneuverable moments as well as the sophisticated avionics.

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

The Su-27 airframe was manufactured using an integral configuration with the wing and fuselage forming a single aerodynamically lifted frame. Its longitudinal sections in the form of the wing airfoil ensure high aerodynamic efficiency and high lift coefficient while manoeuvring.

(Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with 3,530-kilometre (1,910 nmi) range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability. The Su-27 most often flies air superiority missions, but is able to perform almost all combat operations. Complementing the smaller MiG-29, the Su-27's closest US counterpart is the F-15 Eagle.

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

The Su-27’s capabilities are formidable. The Flanker can reach Mach 2.35 with a thrust-to-weight ratio above one (depending on fuel load).

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

The Sukhoi Su-27 is larger than any U.S. fighter aircraft and has the ability to carry up to ten air-to-air missiles. Large capacity internal fuel tanks give the aircraft a long range without the need for frequent mid air refueling.

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

The radar of the Sukhoi Su-27 is capable of actively scanning for threats while zeroing in on targets both on the ground and in the air. It can track and guide missiles to destroy targets at tree top levels while the aircraft remains at cruising altitudes.

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

The Su-27 capabilities are formidable. The Flanker can reach Mach 2.35 with a thrust-to-weight ratio above one (depending on fuel load). It can carry up to eight air-to-air missiles (generally of short to medium range; other variants specialize in Beyond Visual Range combat) or an array of bombs and missiles. In the hands of an experienced pilot, the Su-27 can carry out a bewildering array of maneuvers, many of which have delighted air show audiences across Russia and Europe.

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

The Su-27 avionics were developed based on large-scale introduction of digital processing using an onboard computer and the principle of extensive integration of various systems by function; for instance, the fire control system incorporated, in addition to a target search and track radar channel (multi-purpose onboard radar), an independent information channel, i.e., an optical search and tracking station. As part of the goal-oriented retrofitting program, the Su-27 received a specially developed new-generation guided missile of medium (K-27E) and short (K-73) range.

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

Sukhoi Su-27 fighters are definitely a pilot's favorite, with an abundance of power and relatively light wing loading. These qualities make for a fast accelerating, easy to fly, highly maneuverable aircraft. It was the first aircraft to perform the cobra maneuver.

(Vadim Savitsky/Global Look Press)

In addition to Russia, Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft are used in the Angolan, Belarusian, Chinese, Ethiopian, Indian, Indonesian, Kazakhstani, Syrian, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, and Uzbekistani air forces. Over 800 Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft have been produced to date.

(Alex Beltyukov)

The Su-27 was the last of the major fourth-generation fighters to enter service, and has proven an exceedingly successful design. Big enough and powerful enough to sustain a number of modifications and improvements, the Flanker should continue to see service (and even production) for quite some time. This is especially true given the uncertainty associated with the future of the Su-57, the fifth-generation stealth fighter intended to replace both the MiG-29 and the Su-27.

General characteristics

Crew: 1

Length: 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in)

Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)

Height: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in)

Wing area: 62 m² (670 sq ft)

Empty weight: 16,380 kg (36,112 lb)

Gross weight: 23,430 kg (51,654 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 30,450 kg (67,131 lb)

Fuel capacity: 9,400 kg (20,723.5 lb) internal[114]

Powerplant: 2 × Saturn AL-31F afterburning turbofan engines, 75.22 kN (16,910 lbf) thrust each dry, 122.6 kN (27,600 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

Maximum speed:
- 2,500 km/h (1,600 mph, 1,300 kn) / M2.35 at altitude
- 1,400 km/h (870 mph; 760 kn) / M1.13 at sea level

Range:
- 3,530 km (2,190 mi, 1,910 nmi) at altitude

- 1,340 km (830 mi; 720 nmi) at sea level

Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,000 ft)

g limits: +9

Rate of climb: 300 m/s (59,000 ft/min)

Wing loading: 377.9 kg/m2 (77.4 lb/sq ft) With 56% fuel

444.61 kg/m2 (91.1 lb/sq ft)

Thrust/weight: 1.07 with 56% internal fuel; 0.91 with full fuel

Armament

Guns: 1×30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon with 150 rounds

Hardpoints: 10 external pylons with a capacity of up to 4,430 kg (9,770 lb) ,with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets:

• S-8KOM/BM/OM
• S-13T/OF
• S-25OFM-PU

- Missiles:

• 6 × R-27R/ER/T/ET/P/EP air-to-air missiles
• 4 × R-73E AAMs

- Bombs:

• RBK-250 cluster bomb
• RBK-500 cluster bomb

Avionics

- N001E radar

- Phazotron Zhuk-MSE radar

- Phazotron Zhuk-MSFE radar

- OEPS-27 electro-optical targeting system

- SPO-15 Radar Warning Receiver

- OEPS-27 IRST[116]