Sukhoi Su-27

Sukhoi Su-27
Russian Sukhoi Su-27UB
Type:	Air superiority fighter
Design country:	Soviet Union
Manufacturer:	Sukhoi
First flight:	May 20, 1977
Commissioning:	December 1984
Production time:	in series production since 1984
Number of pieces:	680

The Sukhoi Su-27 ( Russian Сухой Су-27 , NATO reporting name : Flanker ) is a Russian , nor in the Soviet Union developed air superiority fighter . It was developed as a counterpart to the American F-15 Eagle and is still the most important fighter in the Russian air force today. The Su-27 forms the basis for Sukhoi's later so-called Series 30 ( Su-30 , Su-33 , Su-34 , Su-35 , Su-37 ).

history

Form and classification

The Su-27 is about 30 percent larger than the MiG-29 , and the ratio between the two aircraft can be seen similar to that of their US counterparts, the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon . It is similar to the F-15 aerodynamically and structurally, although it has large extensions at the leading edges that increase maneuverability, especially at large angles of attack . The aerodynamic design gives the aircraft the ability to perform spectacular flight conditions, such as the cobra maneuver . The aircraft type is more advanced than the MiG-29 and equipped with fly-by-wire control and a pulse Doppler search and fire control radar of the type Fasotron NIIR Schuk or NIIR N001 , which has look-down / shoot-down capabilities .

Just like the MiG-29, it has an IR search and tracking sensor .

Development and testing

The Su-27 was designed by Sukhoi designer Mikhail Simonov based on a 1971 tender in response to the F-14 , originally to replace the Su-15 and MiG-23 in their role as interceptors . In addition to Sukhoi, the design offices Mikojan-Gurevich with the MiG-29 and Jakowlew with the Yak-45 participated in the project. The prototype Sukhoi T-10-1 flew for the first time on May 20, 1977 ( NATO code name Flanker-A ), with Vladimir Ilyushin , the son of the Soviet aircraft designer Sergei Ilyushin , at the controls. The first draft T-10 with curved wing tips and twin tail units centrally above the engine nozzles turned out to be a flop. Because the avionics were too heavy, the projected unstable design could not be achieved. This fundamentally impaired maneuverability. The originally uncooled turbine blades could not cope with the heat load and had to be replaced by ventilated air-cooled ones. Since the bleed air is taken from the compressor, consumption increased and the range was further reduced. The T-10 design also had insufficient lateral stability, which the designers countered in the later series prototypes T-10-S with larger vertical stabilizers, fins and the relocation of the engine area to the outside. At the same time it became clear that the LERX and the wings were incorrectly designed. The second T-10-2 prototype crashed on July 7, 1978, killing the test pilot Yevgeny Solovyov. The real ancestor of the Su-27 is the T-10-S, which flew for the first time on April 20, 1981. Series production started in 1982 at the Gagarin aircraft plant in Komsomolsk . The Su-27PD, which was put into service with the Air Defense Forces in 1984, is equipped with slats , inverted angular wing tips with rocket mountings and with vertical stabilizers moved towards the tail boom. In 1989 it was demonstrated for the first time in the West at the Paris Aerospace Exhibition Le Bourget . The Su-27PU is a two-seat long-range interceptor. Other variants are the Su-27IB ( fighter-bomber ) and the Su-27M (multi-purpose version ). The Su-30M is an aircraft designed for ground attack. Su-33 refers to a variant for use on aircraft carriers . The Su-37 prototype was the most advanced model, but the machine crashed in 2002.

Calls

In the Eritrea-Ethiopia War , four MiG-29s from Eritrea (flown by Ukrainian mercenaries) were shot down by Su-27s from Ethiopia (which in turn were piloted by Russian mercenaries).

Versions

Su-27 and an American F-16A

Su-27P (NATO code name: Flanker-A )
As the first production version, this was designed purely for aerial combat without air-to-ground combat options. As an interceptor or air superiority fighter, the aircraft were put into service with the Soviet air defense from 1982. Together with the new MiG-31 , they formed the elite of long-range air defense.

Su-27PD (Flanker-B)
This version of the test pilot and aerobatic team are presented at almost all major air shows in the world. Among other things, they are fully combat-ready and equipped with an air refueling device.

Su-27S
This version is practically identical to the Su-27P, with only a slightly modified weapon system which, in addition to air-to-air missiles, at least allows the use of unguided air-to-surface missiles for ground support. The machines were taken into service with the front-line aviators from 1985 . Here, too, many machines are still in "original condition" in service with the Russian Air Force.

Su-27SK The
Su-27SK is a slightly stripped-down export version of the Su-27S. Reductions were only made in the area of ​​Russian avionics, which can, however, be improved by French or Israeli systems. The Su-27SK is in service in China, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Angola.

Su-27M (Flanker-E)
Factory designation and pre-production version of the Su-35 , which was used as a prototype for test purposes.

Su-27SM
Since the military budget was continuously cut after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, most aircraft are still at the technical level in which they were delivered until 1994. The exports of the successful Su-27/30 family (mainly to China) gave the Russian Air Force (WWS) the chance to modernize their fleet. Initially, IAPO offered to modernize combat trainers Su-27UB into multi-purpose fighters Su-27UBM, which was then also approved for 30 machines. Then, however, the WWS decided in favor of the Su-27SM and canceled the UBM program again. The SM program was jointly funded with China, which has since had its Su-27SK upgraded to SKM standard. The first Su-27SM flew on December 27, 2002. On December 23, 2004, the first seven Su-27SM were handed over to the WWS. Four Su-27SM went to the fourth TsBLiPLS in Lipetsk . In the course of 2005 ten machines followed, four of which took part in the Russian-Chinese maneuver Krijlo-2005 together with Su-24M front bombers from August 18 to 25, 2005. Since the end of 2006, 24 Su-27SM have been flying at the 23rd IAP on the AB Tshemgij near Komsomolsk . The choice of the base just around the corner was probably due to its proximity to the plant in the event that repairs were necessary. It is not for nothing that the WWS say that the service is best at the 23rd IAP. From July 10 to 12, 2007, the Su-27SM of the 23rd IAP took part in the Krijlo-2007 maneuver, during which they trained to land on a Khabarovsk- Comolsk trunk road . The modernization is taking place at KnAAPO in Komsomolsk. The gun load increases from six to eight tons.

During the modernization, the AL-31F engines will undergo a fundamental overhaul and will be upgraded to the AL-31FM1 standard, which has a repair-free operating time of 1,000 hours and the thrust is increased to 13.5 tons. After the tests have been completed, the AL-31FM2 version with 14.5 tons of thrust will continue to be available. In the long term, the Moscow-based company Salyut intended to develop an engine with 15 tons of thrust with the final version of the AL-31F, the AL-31FM3, which could be installed in all modifications of the Su-27 without any further changes in the design of the aircraft -Family should be suitable.

Su-27SKM

Su-27SKM
This is the export version of the Su-27SM. In addition to the People's Republic of China, Indonesia had eight aircraft. India and Latin America were also targeted as export markets.

Su-27SM2
Internal designation within the Russian Air Force for the Su-35BM .

Su-27UB
First production version of a combat trainer of the Su-27P and Su-27S.

Su-27PU
Also a combat trainer version , but with an air refueling device .

Su-27UBK
Export version of the Su-27UB and combat trainer for the Su-27SK.

Su-27UBM
version from combat trainer to multi-purpose fighter . The WWS first opted for this version in 2001, but then canceled again in favor of the Su-27SM.

Su-27K (Flanker-D)
Factory designation of the Su-33

Su-27KUB
Ship-based combat trainer with adjacent seats, can also be used as a multi-purpose fighter

Su-27SM3

Su-27SM3
The version has a reinforced construction, with which the maximum take-off mass could be increased by at least 3 tons to a. to be able to use more modern air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles with increased range. The aircraft has modernized AL-31F-M1 engines, which have increased thrust and extended service intervals. In addition, 13 analog displays were replaced by 4 LCD screens. Delivery of the modernized versions, which will replace the Su-27S and Su-27SP in service, began in February 2011.

J-11
Chinese license version of the Su-27SK, which is built by Shenyang.

Technical specifications

Crack drawing

Silhouette of the Su-27

Parameter	Data from the Su-27P	Data from the Su-27SM
Type	Air superiority fighter	Multipurpose fighter
crew	1
length	21.94 m
span	14.70 m
Wing area	62.04 m²
Wing extension	3.48
Wing loading	minimum (empty weight): 264 kg / m² nominal (normal take-off weight): 378 kg / m² maximum (max. takeoff weight): 491 kg / m²	minimum (empty weight): 272 kg / m² nominal (normal take-off mass): k. A. maximum (max. take-off weight): 532 kg / m²
height	5.93 m
Empty mass	16,380 kg	16,870 kg
normal takeoff mass	23,430 kg	approx.25,700 kg
Max. Takeoff mass	30,450 kg	approx. 33,000 kg
Fuel capacity	approx. 9400 kg
g limits	−3 / + 9 g
Top speed	Mach 2.35 or 2496 km / h (at an altitude of 10,975 m)	Mach 2.15 or 2284 km / h (at 10,975 m altitude) Mach 1.1 or 1345 km / h (at sea level)
Service ceiling	18,500 m	17,750 m
Rate of climb	300 m / s	k. A.
Use radius	1340 km	k. A.
Transfer range	3530 km	3680 km
Engines	two turbofan engines Saturn / Ljulka AL-31F1	two turbofan engines Saturn / Ljulka AL-31FM1
Thrust	with afterburner: 2 × 122.58 kN without afterburner: 2 × 74.50 kN	with afterburner: 2 × 132.44 kN without afterburner: 2 × approx. 80 kN
Thrust-to-weight ratio	maximum (empty weight): 1.48 nominal (normal take-off mass): 1.07 minimum (max.start mass): 0.82	maximum (empty weight): 1.60 nominal (normal take-off mass): 1.05 minimum (max.start mass): 0.82

Self-defense systems

Active measures

Decoys: Between the engines in the tail spur are two larger batteries Gorizont JSC APP-50A decoys for 14 blocks each with 3 × PRP-50, PPI-50 (50 mm decoys) and in the middle of the bead of the tail flare a Horizont-JSC APP-50MA decoys launcher (rectangular container for 12 × 50 mm heat flare decoys ) installed. There are a total of 96 decoy cartridges.

Passive action

Radar warning sensors: 4 × radar warning sensors Omsk Plant "Automatika" SPO-15LM (L006LM) "Berjosa"

Rescue system

Every pilot has a zero-zero ejection seat Swesda JSC K-36DM with an integrated round canopy parachute for emergency exit.

Armament

Permanently installed armament in the bow
1 x 30 mm automatic cannon GRYAZEV-SHIPUNOV GSH-301 (9A-4071K) with 150 rounds of ammunition

Gun loading of 6,000 kg at ten external load stations

From Su-27S

Air-to-air guided missile
6 × AKU / APU-470 launch rails for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-27R1 / ER1 (AA-10 "Alamo") - semi-active radar-guided for long distances
2 × AKU / APU-470 launch rails for one each GosMKB Wympel JSC R-27T1 / ET1 (AA-10 "Alamo") - infrared controlled for long distances
4 × P-12-1-D start rails for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-73E / EL (AA-11 "Archer") - infrared controlled for short distances

Unguided air-to-surface missiles
4 × GosMKB Wympel JSC B8M-1 rocket tube launch container for 20 × unguided S-8 air-to-surface missiles; Caliber 80 mm
4 × GosMKB Wympel JSC B13L rocket tube launch container for 5 × unguided S-13 air-to- surface missiles each ; 122 mm caliber
4 × PU-O-25 missile launch container for an unguided S-25OFM air-to-surface missile; 340 mm caliber,
various unguided 100 kg, 250 kg and 500 kg bombs

ECM pods
2 × disturbance container Sorbzja (from Su-27P)

Additionally from Su-27SM

Air-to-air guided missile
8 × AKU-170E launch rails for one GosMKB Wympel JSC R-77 (RVV-AE or AA-12 "Adder") - radar-guided for long distances

Air-to-surface guided missile
4 × APU-68UM3 launch rails for a Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC Ch-25MP (AS-10 "Karen") - Antiradar guided missiles
4 × AKU-58M launch rails for a GosMKB Wympel Ch-29T (9M721 or AS-14 "Kedge-B") - video-guided air-to-ground missile
4 × AKU-58M launching rails for a Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC Ch-31P / A (AS-17 "Krypton") - anti-radar guided missile / anti-ship - Guided missile
2 × AKU-58 launch rail for an MKB Raduga Ch-58U (AS-11 "Kilter") - Anti-radar guided missile
2 × AKU-58 launch rail for an MKB Raduga Ch-59ME "Owod-ME" (AS- 18 "Kazoo") - cruise missiles

Guided bombs
3 × region JSC KAB-500L - laser-guided 500 kg bomb
3 × region JSC KAB-1500LG-FE - laser-guided 1500 kg bomb

External containers
1 × APK-9ME data transmission container for Ch-59

Accidents

• September 9, 1990: At an airshow in Salgareda , a Su-27 crashed because the pilot set a loop too low. The pilot Rimantas Stankevičius and a bystander were killed.
• June 12, 1999: Crash during a demonstration flight close to the ground at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget near Paris. The pilots were able to save themselves with their ejection seats.
• July 27, 2002: In the worst accident to date, a Su-27 crashed into the crowd during an air show in Lviv, Ukraine , killing 77 people and injuring 292 others. The pilots were able to save themselves with the ejection seat. They were later sentenced to 14 and 8 years in prison, respectively.
• September 15, 2005: Crash over Lithuania, the pilot was able to save himself with the ejector seat.
• July 29, 2008: A Su-27 crashed during a routine flight. One of the pilots was killed.
• August 16, 2009: Collision of two Su-27s of the “ Russkije Vitjasi ” aerobatic team (Russian warriors) during rehearsals for the MAKS 2009 near Moscow. A pilot was killed, two other people were able to save themselves with the ejection seat, one of them seriously injured. In addition, at least five people were injured on the ground as some buildings caught fire. The pilot involved in the accident was the well-known aerobatic pilot and squadron leader Igor Tkachenko. As a result, the Russian aerobatic team "Russkije Vitjasi" canceled their participation in the air show on August 18, 2009. One resident died days later from serious burn injuries.
• August 30, 2009: At an air show in Radom , Poland , a Su-27 of the Belarusian Air Force suddenly lost altitude during a flight maneuver and crashed into a nearby forest not far from a village. Both pilots were killed.
• January 14, 2010: A Su-27SM plane crashed in the Khabarovsk region .
• June 9, 2016: Crash of a Su-27 of the “Russkije Vitjasi” aerobatic team. The pilot, Major Sergei Yeryomenko, was killed.
• October 16, 2018: A Ukrainian Su-27UB1M with the tactical number Blue 70 crashed during a familiarization flight around 5 p.m. local time near Ulaniv in the Ukraine. Both pilots, a Ukrainian and an American, were killed. The American, Lieutenant Colonel Seth Nehring, was a member of the 194th Fighter Squadron of the 144th Squadron of the California National Guard , which took part with F-15 in the Clear Sky 2018 maneuver in western Ukraine . The Ukrainian pilot was Colonel Ivan Mykolaovich Petrenko, the commander of the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Air Force . The maneuver was interrupted for the time being. The flight recorder of the Su-27 was found on October 17, 2018, the cause of the accident is still being investigated. The aircraft didn't leave the shipyard until July 2018.
• December 15, 2018: A Su-27 crashed while approaching in the Zhytomyr region in central Ukraine. The pilot was killed.

User states

Current users

•  Angola - As of January 2018, 6 Su-27 / UB are in service with the Air Force .
•  Ethiopia - As of January 2018, 8 Su-27 and 3 Su-27UB are in service with the Air Force .
•  People's Republic of China - As of January 2018, 20 Su-27SK / SKM, 32 Su-27UBK and 95 J-11A / B (license copy of the Su-27) are in service with the Air Force .
•  Eritrea - As of January 2018, 1 Su-27 and 1 Su-27UBK are in service with the Air Force .
•  Indonesia - As of January 2018, 2 Su-27SK and 3 Su-27SKM are in service with the Air Force .
•  Kazakhstan - As of January 2018, 20 Su-27P and 4 Su-27UB are in service with the Air Force .
•  Russia - As of January 10, 2019, 56 Su-27 versions S, SP and UB, 10 Su-27UB, 47 Su-27SM and 24 Su-27SM3 are in service with the Air Force and Navy .

•  Ukraine - As of December 15, 2018, 32 Su-27s in P and UB versions are in service with the Air Force .
•  Uzbekistan - As of January 2018, 13 Su-27 / UB are in service with the Air Force .
•  Vietnam - As of January 2018, 6 Su-27SK and 5 Su-27UBK are in service with the Air Force .
•  United States - As of May 2009, 4 Su-27 versions P and UB are in service for testing purposes. The US company “Pride Aircraft Inc.” bought two demilitarized Su-27UB from Ukraine in 2009, while in 1996 the US government had already procured two Su-27P from Belarus. According to US information, the aircraft were purchased in order to better assess the means of electronic warfare of the aircraft and the efficiency of the latest proprietary radar systems.

See also

• Fighter plane
• List of aircraft types

literature

• Andy Gröning: Su-27 . Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2017, ISBN 978-3-613-03951-3 .

Web links

Commons : Sukhoi Su-27  - collection of images

• Overview of the Su-27 family from airpower.at
• History of the development of the Su-27

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Russia Air Force Handbook (World Strategic and Business Information Library), International Business Publications USA (1/1/2009), P. 167
2. ^ Wilfried Bergholz: Russia's great aircraft manufacturer. The complete type book. Jakowlew, Mikojan / Gurewitsch / Suchoj. Aviatic, Oberhaching 2002, ISBN 3-925505-73-3 , p. 192
3. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien: Russia's MiG-29 Fulcrum: A Super Fighter or Super Failure? In: The National Interest. nationalinterest.org, July 20, 2016, accessed September 8, 2019 . 
4. ↑ http://www.aviaport.ru/news/2010/04/28/194457.html
5. ↑ Су-27СМ3. In: Уголок неба. airwar.ru, September 10, 2019, accessed September 10, 2019 (Russian). 
6. ↑ http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/
7. ↑ Wikibase entry on the aircraft accident of September 9, 1990 in the Aviation Safety Network (English)
8. ↑ Crash at the air show in Le Bourget on June 12, 1999.
9. ↑ Crash in Le Bourget on June 12, 1999 on YouTube
10. ↑ ^{a b} Mary Grady: … As Ukraine Pilots Get Jail Time For Air Show Crash. In: avweb.com. June 29, 2005, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
11. ↑ Senon Sawada: Lviv area residents remember Sknyliv air show disaster of 2002. (PDF) In: The Ukrainian Weekly. August 19, 2012, p. 1 , accessed on October 18, 2018 (English). 
12. ↑ Air show disaster pilots jailed. In: edition.cnn.com. June 24, 2005, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
13. ↑ Russian jet jangles Baltic nerves. In: news.bbc.co.uk. September 22, 2005, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
14. ↑ rian.ru: Su-27 Flanker fighter crashes in Russia's Far East, 1 pilot dead. Retrieved January 15, 2011 . 
15. ↑ Two fighter jets collide over the MAKS exhibition center in Zhukovsky. Short message at RIA Novosti
16. ↑ Dead at air show: Two Russian fighter jets collide. Article on DiePresse.com
17. ↑ RIAN.ru: Staffel cancels participation in MAKS 2009.
18. ↑ RIAN.ru: Woman succumbs to her severe burn injuries.
19. ↑ www.tagesschau.de - Belarusian fighter plane crashed at air show ( memento from September 2, 2009 in the Internet Archive ), news from August 30, 2009
20. ↑ Deadly airshow drama in Poland: Su-27 fighter jet crashed. RIA Novosti , August 30, 2009, accessed March 13, 2011 . 
21. ↑ RIAN.ru: http://de.rian.ru/ Wreckage of the Su-27 fighter jet that crashed in the Far East discovered - pilot still missing. January 15, 2010
22. ^ Joanne Stocker: Ukraine Su-27 fighter jet crashes during NATO exercise. In: thedefensepost.com. October 16, 2018, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
23. ↑ Valerie Insinna: California guardsman killed in Ukrainian Su-27 crash. In: airforcetimes.com. October 17, 2018, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
24. ↑ California Governor and First Lady Honor Lt. Col. Seth Nehring. In: goldrushcam.com. October 18, 2018, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
25. ↑ Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Has Crashed in Ukraine. Unconfirmed Reports Say Ukrainian And American Pilot Killed. In: theaviationist.com. October 16, 2018, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
26. ↑ some events of "Clear Sky" drills to be not held due to Su-27 crash - "Clear Sky" drills stopped due to crash of Su-27. In: 112.international. October 17, 2018, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
27. ↑ According to Defense Minister of Ukraine, the flight recorder was found, the investigation continues - Flight recorder found at site of Su-27 crash. In: 112.international. October 17, 2018, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
28. ↑ Ukrainian fighter jet crashed again orf.at, December 15, 2018, accessed December 15, 2018.
29. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i} The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 (English, January 2018).
30. ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 , pp. 197, 199 (English, January 2018, 68 Su-27S / P and 14 Su-27SM3).
31. ↑ Вторая партия истребителей Су-27СМ3 прибыла в Краснодарский край. военное.рф, November 19, 2018, accessed on November 23, 2018 (Russian, among other things, 6 Su-27s were modernized to the SM3 stage in 2018 (the first batch of 2018 consisting of 3 Su-27SM3s was upgraded in October 2018 , the second batch transferred in November)). 
32. ↑ Истребительная авиация ЮВО пополнилась звеном новых модернизированных самолетов Су-27СМ3 поколение. Министерство обороны Российской Федерации, December 29, 2018, accessed on January 4, 2019 (in Russian, among other things, another swarm or chain (min. 4 aircraft) Su-27 was modernized in the SM3 variant and handed over to the air forces). 
33. ↑ Тверской авиаполк получил первую пару новейших истребителей Су-35. военное.рф, January 10, 2019, accessed on January 11, 2019 (Russian, including 2 Su-27s have been retired after 2 Su-35S were delivered to the unit of the flight squadron (retraining and ground personnel has started)) . 
34. ^ Joanne Stocker: Ukraine Su-27 fighter jet crashes during NATO exercise. In: thedefensepost.com. October 16, 2018, accessed October 18, 2018 . 
35. ↑ Ukrainian fighter jet crashed again orf.at, December 15, 2018, accessed December 15, 2018.
36. ↑ US buys Su-27 fighters from Ukraine for 'aggressor' training . RIA Novosti
37. ↑ Should Venezuela Transfer its F-16s to Russia? Exchanging US Jets for MiGs Would Benefit both Caracas and its Moscow. militarywatchmagazine.com, March 13, 2019, accessed September 10, 2019 .