Overview

The Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO reporting name: "Flanker") is a twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed for air superiority missions. Developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau to counter the American F-15 Eagle, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1985 and remains operational with Russia and numerous export customers.

Historical context

Development began in the early 1970s as part of the Soviet PFI (Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel - Advanced Frontline Fighter) program. The T-10 prototype first flew in May 1977, with extensive redesign leading to the production T-10S configuration. The Su-27 represented a generational leap in Soviet fighter design, introducing sophisticated fly-by-wire controls, advanced radar, and unprecedented maneuverability.

The aircraft gained international attention at the 1989 Paris Air Show, where test pilot Viktor Pugachev demonstrated the "Pugachev's Cobra" maneuver, showcasing the fighter's exceptional handling characteristics.

Specifications

Commonly cited specifications (Su-27S baseline):

  • Crew: 1 (pilot)
  • Length: 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 5.93 m (19 ft 5 in)
  • Empty weight: 16,380 kg (36,112 lb)
  • Maximum takeoff weight: 30,450 kg (67,131 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Saturn/Lyulka AL-31F turbofans, 122.6 kN (27,560 lbf) with afterburner each

Performance:

  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.35 (2,500 km/h, 1,553 mph) at altitude
  • Combat radius: 1,500 km (932 mi) with internal fuel
  • Ferry range: 3,530 km (2,193 mi)
  • Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,336 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 300 m/s (59,055 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 371 kg/m² (76 lb/sq ft)
  • Thrust/weight: 1.09 (with 50% fuel)

Armament:

  • Gun: 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 autocannon with 150 rounds
  • Hardpoints: 10 total (6 × underwing, 2 × wingtip, 2 × under intake)
  • Payload: Up to 6,000 kg (13,200 lb) of ordnance

Typical air-to-air loadout:

  • 6 × R-27 (AA-10 "Alamo") medium-range missiles
  • 2 × R-73 (AA-11 "Archer") short-range missiles
  • Or 10 × R-77 (AA-12 "Adder") active radar missiles

Variants and family members

Single-seat variants

Su-27S (Su-27 "Flanker-B"): Initial production variant for Soviet Air Force

Su-27SK: Export version of Su-27S (China, Vietnam)

Su-27SM: Modernization program with improved avionics and weapons

Su-27SM3: Advanced upgrade with Irbis-E radar and extended capabilities

Two-seat variants

Su-27UB ("Flanker-C"): Operational trainer with tandem cockpits

Su-27UBK: Export trainer variant

Specialized developments

Su-27K (Su-33): Naval variant for aircraft carrier operations (see dedicated profile)

Su-30: Two-seat long-range fighter-bomber development

Su-34: Side-by-side cockpit strike fighter ("Fullback")

Su-35: Deep modernization with thrust-vectoring engines and enhanced avionics

Design characteristics

Aerodynamic features

Blended wing-body design: Lifting body fuselage contributes 40% of total lift

Twin vertical stabilizers: Widely spaced for high angle-of-attack stability

Leading-edge root extensions (LERX): Generate vortex lift at high alpha

Analog fly-by-wire: Quadruplex redundant control system enabling relaxed stability

Supermaneuverability

The Su-27 can perform post-stall maneuvers including:

  • Pugachev's Cobra: 120° pitch-up to near-zero airspeed, rapid recovery
  • Kulbit (Frolov chakra): 360° loop at near-zero forward speed
  • Tail slide: Vertical climb past stall, controlled descent tail-first

These maneuvers demonstrate control authority beyond normal flight envelope, though tactical utility remains debated.

Systems

N001 "Myech" radar: Pulse-Doppler system with 100 km detection range vs. fighter-sized targets

OLS-27 electro-optical system: Infrared search and track (IRST) with laser rangefinder

SPO-15 "Beryoza" RWR: Radar warning receiver for threat detection

ECM suite: SPS-171/L005 Sorbtsiya active jammer pods

Operational deployment

Service timeline

  • 1985: Initial operational capability with Soviet Air Defense Forces
  • 1990s: Widespread deployment replacing Su-15 and MiG-23 interceptors
  • 1992+: Export to China, India, Vietnam, and other nations
  • 2000s: Modernization programs (SM, SM3) for Russian Air Force
  • 2008: Combat debut in Russo-Georgian War
  • 2015+: Operations in Syrian civil war

Export operators

Major customers:

  • China (J-11 licensed production)
  • India (Su-30MKI variant)
  • Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia
  • Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus

Combat record

The Su-27 has seen limited combat but demonstrated effectiveness:

1998 Eritrean-Ethiopian War: Ethiopian Su-27s achieved air superiority against Eritrean MiG-29s

2008 Russo-Georgian War: Russian Su-27s enforced no-fly zone

2015-2023 Syrian Civil War: Russian Su-30SM/Su-35S (Flanker family) flew interdiction missions

Related equipment

Related sections

Technical glossary

Supermaneuverability : Ability to perform controlled flight at angles of attack exceeding normal stall limits

Fly-by-wire : Electronic flight control system replacing mechanical linkages with computers

LERX (Leading Edge Root Extension) : Strake generating vortex lift for enhanced maneuverability

Thrust vectoring : Directing engine exhaust for enhanced maneuverability (later Su-27 variants)

IRST (Infrared Search and Track) : Passive sensor detecting aircraft via heat signature without radar emissions