Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker

One of the few Russian jets to counter the western threat. It has one of the highest AOA (angle of attack) in the company, 33%. Very few aircraft can beat that. Most breeds of the Flanker carry the Thrust Vectoring Capabilities provided by Thrust Manipulation Cones. The ability to use this is called Super Maneuverability ,which Russia has mastered. This gives it the ability to actually fly backwards, tight rolls, and perform the supercobra. In long range combat it can confuse missiles with flares and maneuvering sparatically. In dog fighting it can go from defensive to offensive in a matter of seconds. And in air shows, it makes that aircraft center ring attraction. The Flanker's first flight was in 1977, five years after the first flight of the F-15. Western countries claimed that Russia was behind in the fighter technology, this aircraft as well as the MiG-29 closed that gap and even advanced. The first service flight was in late 1979. The Flanker was a fighter with many personalities. It is in fact one of the only all purpose aircraft out there. All flankers are built with advanced Fly-By-Wire, Multi-Function Display (MFD), and improved weapon systems. The leap in Russian Aerospace technology is permanent with the Su-27 and the similar yet smaller MiG-29, however, their four channel analogue fly-by-wire systems have no mechanical backup.That could be dangerous if the computer systems fail. The Phazatron N001 Zhuk (beetle), track-while-scan coherent pulse Doppler radar has a range of 103km, the laser range finder can be slaved to the pilots helmet mounted sight and be displayed on the wide angle HUD. The electro-optical search and track sensor allow the Flanker to search and track and enemy aircraft without radar emissions giving away their position. Both of the engines are linked to the flight control system to ensure optimum performance. This allows the Flanker to perform impressive maneuvers such as 'Pougachev's Cobra' which no other aircraft previously has been able to perform. Sukhoi Su-30 Assault Flanker The Su27-UB entered service at the same time as the Su-27. It was a two seat aircraft designed for training in opeational units. It had all of the same weapon systems and similar maneuverability, it's only difference was a small reduction in range due to increased drag from the enlarged cockpit. Later it was though to use the extra person in an operational sense. They were able to share the workload for long missions and for this the two seated Su 30 was developed. This being used for both training and operational aircraft greatly reduced costs from having dedicated aircraft for the role of training. Changes from the Su-27 are small but significant. Since it was developed slightly after and with greater knowledge from the Su27 many features of the aircraft could be refined and improved on with new technologies and materials. The front seat is in exactly the same position as the single seat version. The Second seat is considerably raised to give good downward visibility. The rear cockpit also has a HUD and has all of the controls in the front seat. To compensate for the raised and enlarged cockpit the vertical fins had to be enlarged by 0.425m.The Su-30 is a long range air-superiority fighter. Due to the in-flight-refueling capability it can either remain on station for long periods or cover a large area on patrol. It incorporates a new navigation and fire and control system allowing to operate in the command role for a tactical formation. Similarly like the Mig31 it can operate in a formation where only the command aircraft needs to illuminate through the use of radar while the data is share with the other aircraft trough a secure datalink. The Su-30 MK is another development which has improved air to ground capability. It is a truly multirole aircraft with either a very quick turn around time or is able to complete both air to air and air to ground missions in the one flight. Two additional under wing storage points were added to allow up to 12 stores to be carried. In the Su30MK the second seat takes the more traditional role of the weapons system operator while in the Su-27UB and Su-30 they are really a copilot. A modified prototype of the Su30 was the first aircraft in the world to accelerate through the speed of sound vertically (up not down!). While other aircraft have been able to travel supersonic vertically none had previously been able to accelerate to that extent (at least not reportedly). The Su 30 was able to do this thanks to an increased amount of composites used in the airframe to save weight. These differ from the Su 27 by the capacity of 2 extra tech points, and being themselves two-seater aircraft. Sukhoi-32FN Attack Flanker (platypus)The Su-32FN is a completely different aircraft to the Su-27 and in many ways owes little to it except for the wing and the basic configuration (ie two engines, two vertical fins and a humped nose!). The Su-32FN began life as the Su-27IB and then was modified extensively and redesigned the Su-34. It was further modified to the extent that it warranted another designation and was changed finally to the Su-32FN. Due to these changes there has been some confusion among western aviation journalists about this strain of the Flanker family's designations and status. It has been reported a number of times that the Su-34 is going to the theater bomber replacing Mig-27s, Su-17s and some Su-24s while the Su-32FN is going to be a coastal based strike version replacing naval Su-24s and Su-17s. The Su-32FN is actually the most advanced of the prototypes and is slated as the aircraft which will go into production to fill both of these roles. While in the past two different dedicated aircraft might have been produced the Su32FN is a very capable multirole aircraft that can perform both of those missions and air to air engagements (in the one flight if necessary) negating the need for different aircraft and hence multiple production lines. The Su-32FN has the same aerodynamic layout of the Su-33 and Su-35 of the three control surfaces with the addition of foreword canards. Besides that it is a different aircraft. The whole fuselage from nose to sting has been completely redesigned. The cockpit is a side by side configuration similar to the Su-24 and F-111. The nose cone is slightly flattened and has been described in having the appearance of a 'platypus' duckbill. The larger cockpit has a hummed appearance and was continued to a smothered dorsal spine and to a lengthened and enlarged sting. The enlargement was done to maintain the center of balance with the increased weight of the enlarged cockpit. The cockpit is protected by almost half a ton of titanium armor and attention has been paid to crew comport on long flights with features such as a toilet. The cockpit is also quite modern with a wide angle HUD for flight navigation and final attack information with head down information being displayed on a number of Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) - Multi Function Displays (MFDs). With the massive increase in internal space not only has the avionics been able to be expanded but there is a total of 3,600 kg more fuel and the sting has enough space for a Mig-21 sized rearwa d facing warning and fire and control radar. At the moment the Su-32 is powered by the AL-31F engine of the Su-27 but it is planned that it will be upgraded to take the more powerful AL-35 from the Su-35. Since the development of the thrust vectoring Su-37 it has been proposed that the Su-32FN will be retrofitted with the AL-37FU. This is not to increase the maneuverability, it is intended to improve handling at lower altitudes and speeds and also to improve ground hugging. Another modification from the Su-27 is the deletion of the ventral fins as the Su-32FN does not need to operate at high Angels Of Attack (AOA). The landing gear has been strengthened for the heavier weights and has also been increased in length to facilitate the carriage of larger weapons such as the Kh-41 MOSKIT supersonic anit-ship missile which weigh 4 500kg and is 9.4 m in length. The available range of weapons that can be carried has been increased and using 'smart' weapons targets can be attacked from standoff distances as much as 250km. The Su-32FN can also carry defensive AAMs, but they are not just the usual short range self defense R-73E but medium and long range R-77 fire and forget missiles massively increasing the Su-32FN's effectiveness. The Su-32FN is also expected to carry the rearward firing R-73 missile. The sophisticated nav-attack system is expected to include a multi-mode radar with all-weather low-level navigation and terrain-following/terrain-avoidance, target acquisition and targeting features. In addition to this a TV and laser guidance system is expected to be fitted. While much of the program remain classified it is expected to be fully backed by the Russian Airforce and has apparently entered production. It also has been offered for export at the price of $36 million. Sukhoi Su-33 Naval FlankerThe Russian Navy until recently had only operated Yak-38 Forgers from Kiev class carriers. These carriers were in reality not much more than a small floating deck. They were only able to operate S/VTOL aircraft and helicopters. The Yak-38 was limited in capability and The Russian Navy wanted greater capability from their carriers and their projected conventional take-off and landing aircraft carriers in the future. The Yak-141 Freestyle is much larger and more capable but the Russian Nave rejected this fighter and it never got past the two prototypes that were constructed. Instead the two for contention were from Mig-Mapo with the Mig29K a version of the Mig-29 and Sukhoi with the Su-27K a version of the Su-27. Eventually the Su-27K was chosen and furtherdevelopment took place. There were a number of criteria that had to be address for a naval fighter. Due to the lower approach and take off speeds a number of changes were made. Moveable foreplanes were attached which also aided maneuverability and controllability throughout the envelope. The outer wings are fold for more compact storage on the aircraft carrier. To avoid tail scrape during landing and take-off the long tail cone on the land basedversions was shortened. The landing gear was also strengthened, with a double wheel nose unit, an arrestor hook was added and specialized naval navigational aids were also added. In comparison to the F-14 Tomcat the Su-33 has more power on take off.While it is not assisted by a catapult the Su33 has a higher thrust to weight ratio and also, due to better aerodynamics, generates more lift. Flaperons were replaced with slotted high lift flaps to increase lift and control at low speeds. Comment from US Naval aviators who visited the Kuznetsov about the Su-33 consistently praised their ability to climb immediately after launch instead of 'hanging' in the air like their catapult launched aircraft. Su-33 Naval Flanker By 1990 20 had been producedand they were deployed on the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov in late 1995. The longitudinal triplane layout of the Su-33 gives it exceptional maneuverability, even with heavy loads. The Su-33 is intended for fleet air defense (like the F-14 is) but is also to have a secondry anti-ship capability.The other attack aircraft to compliment the Su-33 on the carrier is a navalised Su-25. 10 Tech Points, and folding wings, Sukhoi Su-35 Super Flanker The Su-35 is an advanced development of the Su-27. It started as the Su-27M prototype, but due to the large number of changes quickly earned it's own designation. The original Su-27 is a very capable aircraft with an excellent design. Part of this excellence is that it has a lot of room to expand it's capabilities through the addition of extra avionics, fuel etc. The Su-35 further develops this by adding canard foreplanes similar to those on the Su-33 and has been upgraded with new technology in almost every respect. The first prototype flew 28 June 1988 and ten have followed since. It was initially planned to have three-dimensional thrust vectoring, but this has been put on another exceptional plane the Su-37. Compared to the Su-27 the airframe, Power plant, radar, weapons systems, control systems and armament have all been upgraded. The specifications for the radar have been set and met by two companies but it has not been decided which radar will actual be fitted. The Phazotron PH and NIIP N-011M. They can track up to 24 targets while simultaneously engaging 6. This is up to a range of 250 miles and 125 miles for ground targets. Both antennae are of the fixed type and have only a limited scan electronically +-60 degrees so it is likely that they will be fitted to a mechanical scanner as well as their electronic scanning to improve airspace coverage. The IRST has been improved and enlarged. It now has it's own TV sensor. To compliment the improved sensors the cockpit has been upgraded with more CRTs (total of 6) and the Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) configuration. The Su-35 also has some other exceptional features. The 'sting' was enlarged and the parachute was repositioned. Then a rearward facing radar replaced the parachute in the tail cone. While it cannot track to great range it does provide the additional safety and warning of 360 degree coverage. It also compliments and allows the carriage of the rearward firing R-73 derivative air to air missile. This has been successfully tested on modified Su-27s and would be able to be fired from an Su-35. The AL-31F in the Su-27 was upgraded to the AL-35F. The AL-35F is more fuel efficient giving more time on station or a greater range. It is also lighter and provides more thrust. Combined with the larger amount of composites and redesigned fuselage, the Su-35 is a lighter aircraft with a higher amount of thrust. Hence the Su-35 has a healthy thrust to weight ratio. It's fully digital quadrupely redundant fly-by-wire system, longitudinal triplane configuration, aerodynamic excellence and enviable thrust to weight ratio all make for a very maneuverable aircraft. This has been proven at many air shows where it has performed maneuvers such as the horizontal hook. The Su-35 being a multi-role, all weather, fighter bomber can perform air-to-a, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea missions in the one flight. It has the capability to virtually carry all of the air-to-air and air to surface weapons, basically the only constraint being their size (ie. weapons designed for larger aircraft!). Sukhoi Su-37 Night Flanker "Any time, any place." Su-37 Super Flanker "Any time, any place." were the words of Sukhoi's Chief Designer, Mikhail Simonov, as he challenged any US aircraft to a mock combat after being questioned about the relevance of the Su-37's Thrust Vectoring (TV) maneuvers in combat.And it is a challenge which has not been taken up. The Su-37 Super Flanker is yet another development of the Su-27 (which now seems basic in comparison!). The main improvement/addition in this development is the addition of the AL-37FU thrust vectoring engines. When the Su-37 was displayed at Farnbrough in 1996 it stole the show. Under the control of Sukhoi's Chief Test Pilot, Eugeny Frolov, the Su-37 performed some astounding maneuvers. These inclded the "Super Cobra", demonstrated for the first time. In this move the aircraft enters with a speed of 400kmh and is pulled through to an alpha of 135 deg, then recovered to the vertical using TV and held in place for 4-6 seconds. After hanging in the air the nose is allowed to fall to the horizontal position and emerging at 150 km/h and no loss of height! Another was basically using the TV to flip the Su-37 onto it's back and then to rotate it upright and continue on level in the direct opposite direction to which it had come. All in not much more than the length of the whole aircraft! The most impressive maneuver though, was the kulbit (somersault). With an entry speed of 350 km/h the aircraft is flipped onto it's back (a full 180 deg) facing the opposite direction, inverted and practically stationary. Then after 'pausing' there TV is used to complete the kulbit (360 deg somersault) with a nose down angle of 30 deg and an exit speed of 60 km/h! While this is impressive to read it has to be seem to be be ieved. On the Janes WWW site there are a number of .mov films which show these amazing maneuvers. . Specifications Developer Sukhoi OKB Crew 1 Type Fighter/Support Power Plant 2 AL-31 Wingspan 14.7 m Length 21.9 m In-flight refueling Optional . Performance Action Data Ceiling 24000 m Max TOW 30000 m Payload 6000 kg Range 4000 km Top Speed at sea level Mach 1.1 1470 km/h at hight Mach 2.35 2500 km/h . Armament Type Number Placement Auto Cannon 30 mm gun 150 rds R Side Nose The Su-27 has a total of 10 tech points; 2 wing tips; 2 under each wing; 2 under fuselage R-27 6 Outer Tech Points R-33 10 All Tech Points R-73A 10 All Tech Points R-60 10 All Tech Points R-77 10 All Tech Points Kh-29 4 2 U fuselage 2 U Innerwing Tech Points Kh-31 6 2 U fuselage 4 U Innerwing Tech Points Kh-35 6 2 U fuselage 4 U Innerwing Tech Points S-8 120 2 U fuselage 4 U Innerwing Tech Points S-13 30 2 U fuselage 4 U Innerwing Tech Points S-25 6 2 U fuselage 4 U Innerwing Tech Points KMGU (pods) 6 2 U fuselage 4 U Innerwing Tech Points Specifications Description Data Developer Type Crew Power Plant Wingspan Length Inflight refueling Weight Radar Performance Action Data Ceiling Max Tow / Max Lift Payload Topspeed at sea level at hight Cruise Combat Radius Armament / Ordanace Type Size Max Placement . . .