The Sukhoi 27 (Su-27 - NATO designation: Flanker) is a Russian fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB).
Background
In 1969, the leaders of the Soviet Union decided to build an air superiority fighter aircraft that would be a match for the U.S. and other NATO fighters of the time. It was supposed to have a greater range and weaponry than its Western counterparts.
Eight years later the designers at Sukhoi started to test a prototype named T10. However, due to several technical flaws the aircraft did not meet the expectations of the Soviet airforce. After one of the two prototypes crashed, killing a pilot the development work was put to a halt. It was not until 1981 that the SDB built a newly designed prototype, which was to become the Su-27.
Weaponry
- Automatic cannon GSh-301 (caliber 30 mm., 1,500 rounds/min., 150 rounds in magazine)
- 10 mount points for rocket ordinance
- Up to 6 medium-range AA missiles R-27, 4 small-range thermal-seeking AA missiles R-73.
- Su-27IB can be used to launch X-31 anti-radar missiles, Air-to-Ground missiles X-29L/T (laser/TV guidance, which may be projected to helmet), KAB-150 and UAB-500 bombs with laser, TV or IR guidance.
Technical details
- Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 14.7 m.
- Length 21.935 m.
- Height 5.932 m.
- Propulsion: 2 AL-31F turbojets (Russian-made), 7,600 kgf. thrust w/o afterburner, 12,500 kgf. thrust w/ afterburner
- Mass:
- Empty: 16,000 kg.
- Normal: 22,500 kg.
- Maximal: 30,000 kg.
- Speed:
- At ground level: 1,400 km/h
- At altitude: 2,500 km/h (Mach 2.35)
- Ceiling: 18,500 m.
- Maximum operational elngth: 3,900 km
- Takeoff distance: 650-700 m.
- Landing distance: 620-700 m.
- Maximum operational acceleration: 9 g