Su-27 Flanker-B

The introduction, in the mid-1970s, of the USAF F-15 Eagle family and F-16C Fighting Falcon put the then Eastern bloc fighter pilots at a distinct disadvantage. The deployment of the Su-27 Flanker and MiG-29 Fulcrum in the mid-1980s leveled the playing field. Designed as a high performance fighter with a fly-by-wire control system, and the ability to carry up to 10 AAMs, the highly maneuverable Su-27 is one of the most imposing fighters ever built. The first 'Flanker-A' prototypes flew on May 20, 1977 and entered service as the 'Flanker-B' in 1984. The development of the Su-27 fighter plane was completed in the early 1980s, and the plane subsequently set more than 40 world records of altitude and take-off-speed. It was the forerunner of an entire family of planes, including the Su-27UB training plane, the Su-33 ship-based fighter, the Su-37 technology-demonstrator fighter and the Su-32FN two-seat specialised plane. The Su-27UB is a two seat training version of Su-27, which first flew in March 1985, later becoming operational. It was first used in combat by Ethiopia with great results, shooting down five Eritrean MiG-29A Fulcrums, proving its worth as an air superiority fighter.

The wings are mid-mounted and semidelta with square tips. The LERX extends downward and forward of the wing roots. There are two turbofan engines in the fuselage. There are square, diagonally-cut air intakes mounted under the wings alongside the fuselage. The fuselage is rectangular from the air intakes to the tail. The nose is pointed and there is a bubble canopy. The tail fins are swept-back, tapered with square tips, and mounted outboard of the engines. The flaps are mid-mounted, swept-back, and tapered.

Ace Squadrons/Pilots

 * Postler Flight / BAF (ACZ)


 * Lynx Squadron / BAF (ACZ)


 * Acrux / LAF (ACX)


 * Ninox / AAF (ACX)


 * Graukater / BAF (ACZ)


 * Graukatze / BAF (ACZ)

Standard Weapons

 * Gun: 1x 30mm GSh-30-1 Autocannon
 * Missiles: R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') AAM

Special Weapons

 * SAAM: R-27 (AA-10) (AA-10 'Alamo') (AC5)
 * SFFS: IMI Anti Runway Submunitions(ACZ/ACX)
 * UGB: FAB-500 (ACX)
 * XMAA: R-77 (AA-12 'Adder') (ACZ/ACX)
 * UGBL: FAB-1000 (ACZ)

Statistics

 * Speed: 73


 * Mobility: 57


 * Stability: 55


 * Defense: 61


 * Air-to-Air: 74


 * Air-to-Ground: 38

Comparable Aircraft

 * F-15C Eagle
 * F/A-18C Hornet
 * MiG-29A Fulcrum

Related Development

 * Su-30 Flanker-C
 * Su-32/34 Strike Flanker/Fullback
 * Su-33 Naval Flanker
 * Su-35 Super Flanker
 * Su-30MKI
 * Su-30MKK
 * Su-30MKA
 * Su-30MK2
 * Su-37 Terminator
 * Su-37 Super Flanker
 * Su-30MK
 * Su-30K
 * Su-30KI (Proposed single seat version for Indonesia)
 * Su-27IB (Now Su-34)