Sukhoi SU-27 Flanker

Designed in the late 1960s as a high performance fighter with a fly-by-wire control system, and with the ability to carry up to 10 AAMs, the highly maneuverable Su-27 was one of the most opposing fighters ever built at the time. The first 'Flanker-A' prototypes flew on May 20, 1977 and entered service as the 'Flanker-B' in 1984.

The 'Flanker' has seen a number of aerodynamic changes since, and exists in a variety of forms today. The Su-27IB, or Su-34 designation, is a long range attack variant with side-by-side seating for two. The Su-27UB 'Flanker-C', or Su-30 designation, is a tandem two-seat long range interceptor and trainer. A navalized version called the Su-27K 'Flanker-D', designated Su-33, was designed in 1992 for deployment on Russian aircraft carriers. It has folded wings, retractable flight refueling probe, arrester hook, strengthened landing gear, and moving canard foreplanes.

Next generation 'Flanker' derivatives include the Su-35 and the thrust-vector controlled Su-37, both vastly more enhanced then the Su-27, with canard foreplanes and the ability to carry up to 14 external stores.

Prime Contractor: Sukhoi Design Bureau
Nation of Origin: Soviet Union
Function: Multi-role fighter
Crew: 1
Year: 1977
In-service year: 1984
Engine: Two Lyulka AL-31F afterburning turbofans, 27,557 lb thrust each

Dimensions
Wingspan: 14.7 m / 48 ft 3 in
Length: 21.94 m / 72 ft
Height: 5.93 m / 19 ft 5 in
Weight: 45,801 lb empty / 66,138 lb max. take off Ceiling: 59,055 ft
Speed: 2,500 km/h / 1,553 mph
Range: 4,000 km / 2,485 miles
Armament: One GSh-30-1 30mm cannon with 150 rounds, plus 13,228 lb including AAMs, ASMs, bombs, rockets, drop tanks, and ECM pods carried on ten external points