Sukhoi Su-27 - Air Superiority / Interceptor

Overview

The Su-27 is a Soviet-origin twin-engine supersonic supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed for air superiority missions, equipped with sophisticated avionics and heavy armament.

Specifications

General

Crew1

RadarPhazotron N001 Myech

Engines2

StealthNo

Thrust Kn79.4 kN

Generation4th

Hardpoints10

Internal GunGSh-30-1

Max Speed Kmh2,500 km/h

Ferry Range Km4,000 km

Max Payload Kg8,000 kg

Max Speed Mach2.35 Mach

Service Ceiling M18,000 m

Air To Airup to ten air-to-air missiles

Research Notes

Soviet Air-Superiority Counterpart

medium

The Su-27 Flanker was developed by Sukhoi as a Soviet air-superiority fighter to counter advanced Western aircraft such as the F-15. It entered the late Cold War as a large twin-engine fighter emphasizing range, maneuver

The Su-27 Flanker was developed by Sukhoi as a Soviet air-superiority fighter to counter advanced Western aircraft such as the F-15. It entered the late Cold War as a large twin-engine fighter emphasizing range, maneuverability, radar, and heavy missile carriage. Its design became the foundation for a broad family including Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, and Su-35 derivatives.

Section Sources

Su-27 Flanker Front-Line Fighter AircraftAirforce Technology • 2026 • Supports soviet air-superiority counterpart context.Sukhoi Su-27Encyclopaedia Britannica • 2026 • Supports soviet air-superiority counterpart context.

Range, Maneuverability, and Weapons Load

medium

The Su-27 is known for long range, high agility, and a large weapons load relative to many fighters of its generation. Airforce Technology describes it as an air-superiority fighter designed by Sukhoi Design Bureau, whil

The Su-27 is known for long range, high agility, and a large weapons load relative to many fighters of its generation. Airforce Technology describes it as an air-superiority fighter designed by Sukhoi Design Bureau, while its later family variants expanded multirole and naval missions. The page should emphasize the Flanker as a platform family origin, not only one Soviet model.

Section Sources

Su-27 Flanker Front-Line Fighter AircraftAirforce Technology • 2026 • Supports range, maneuverability, and weapons load context.

Global Flanker Influence

medium

Su-27 influence extends through Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese, Indian, and other operator fleets, as well as export and licensed derivatives. It became one of the defining non-Western fighter lineages after the Cold War. F

Su-27 influence extends through Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese, Indian, and other operator fleets, as well as export and licensed derivatives. It became one of the defining non-Western fighter lineages after the Cold War. For HiWars, this page should connect the Su-27 to airpower balance, export ecosystems, and derivative development.

Section Sources

Su-27 Flanker Front-Line Fighter AircraftAirforce Technology • 2026 • Supports global flanker influence context.Sukhoi Su-27Encyclopaedia Britannica • 2026 • Supports global flanker influence context.

Variants (5)

Service Year	Name	Description
1985 –	Su-27UB Flanker-C	The Su-27UB is a two-seat trainer variant of the Su-27, officially designated T-10U. It features a tandem cockpit with the rear seat elevated, an enlarged spine, and higher vertical stabilizers. It retains the same airframe as the Su-27 Flanker-B but with modifications for training purposes. The Su-27UB was manufactured by the IAPO plant at Irkutsk, with design authority remaining at the Sukhoi bureau.
1994 –	Su-33 Flanker-D (Su-27K)	The Su-33 is a Russian carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft, developed from the Sukhoi Su-27, designed for operations on aircraft carriers with features like reinforced landing gear, an arrestor hook, and folding wings. Entering service in 1998, it was intended for air superiority and ground attack missions, but has seen limited export and has been overshadowed by newer designs.
1996 –	Su-30 Flanker-M (Su-27PU)	The Su-30 Flanker-C is a twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation, designed for long-range air-to-air combat and ground attack missions. Featuring advanced agility, a titanium and aluminum airframe, thrust-vectoring nozzles, and a versatile armament configuration, it has been widely exported and serves various air forces since the 1990s.
2014 –	Su-34 Flanker-H (Su-27IB)	The Su-34 Fullback is a Russian twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber/strike aircraft, based on the Su-27 Flanker, with an armored cockpit for side-by-side seating.
2014 –	Su-35 Flanker-G (Su-27M)	The Sukhoi Su-35 is a Russian multirole fighter aircraft, an advanced variant of the Su-27, designed for air superiority and ground attack, entering service in 2014. It features enhanced avionics, supermaneuverable engines, and a robust weapons suite, making it capable of tracking multiple targets and executing complex aerial maneuvers.