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Su-27 Flanker-B

High performance air combat and air superiority fighter.

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History

Developed in the late 1960s as a dedicated air superiority fighter, the Flanker combines the maneuverability of the MiG-29 Fulcrum with the precision "fly-by-wire" flight controls found on Western fighters as well as an incrediable payload of ten Air to Air Missiles (AAM). Entering service in 1984, the basic Su-27 design has produced a number of variants, including the Su-27IB (or Su-34), a side by side tandem seat tactical fighter bomber similar in function to the American FB-111 Aardvark, and the Su-27UB Flanker-C (or Su-30) another tandem designed used as a long range interceptor and trainer. Additionally, the Su-27 has been converted for use on Russian aircraft carriers as the Su-27K (or Su-33) which incorperates strengthined landing gear, folding wings, a retractable in-flight refueling probe, an arrestor hook assembly, and movable forward mounted canards.

Though currently in service with the Russian Airforce and available for export, the Su-27 is being replaced by the much improved Su-35 and the vectored thrust Su-37.