General Background

The Su-27S (NATO reporting name – Flanker) is a single-seat highly-maneuverable fighter aircraft built by Sukhoi Design Breau as the Soviet response to the U.S. F-14 and F-15 and entered service in 1985. The primary role of the Su-27 was to provide defense against American bombers, USN ships and provide Soviet bomber escorts. There have been many improvements over the years resulting in numerous variants of the Su-27. The export variant, the Su-27SK was sold to China and eventually developed into the license-built Shenyang J-11.

The Aircraft

The Falcons of Russia (Sokoly Rossii) are one of the Russian Air Force aerobatic display teams and belong to the 4.GTsPAP I VI MO. The team was established in 2006 at the Lipetsk Air Base. They normally use the Su-27 but occasionally use the Su-30SM jet and previously were equipped with MiG-29s. Between August 27 and September 1, 2013 the team took part in the International Air and Space Salon (MAKS) 2013 held at Zhukovsky near Moscow. One of the team’s aircraft is 06 RED RF-92210 c/n 36911018618.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Sukhoi OKB
• Role: Multi-role Air Superiority Fighter
• Crew: 1 Pilot
• Dimensions
• Length: 21.935 m (71.96 ft)
• Wingspan: 14.7 m (48.2 ft)
• Height: 5.932 m (19.45 ft)
• Weight
• Empty: 16,300 kg (35,935 lbs)
• Normal Takeoff : 23,000 kg (50,706 lbs)
• Maximum Takeoff: 28,000 kg (61,730 lbs)
• Performance
• Power Plant: 2 X Saturn/Lyul'ka AL-31F afterburning turbofans
• Dry Thrust: 75.22 kN (16,910 lbf) per engine
• Afterburner Thrust: 122.6 kN (27,560 lbf) per engine
• Fuel Capacity: 11,975 l (3,163 U.S. Gallons)
• Maximum speed
• Altitude 2,500 km/h (1,553.43 mph)
• Sea Level 1,400 km/h (870 mph)
• Maximum Mach: 2.35
• Service Ceiling : 18,500 m (60,696 ft)
• Range: High Altitude 3,900 km (2,423 miles)
• Sea Level 1,400 km (870 miles)
• Maximum G-Load: .9
• Takeoff Run: 650 m (2,132 ft)
• Armament
• Gun: 1 X 30 mm GSh-301 Cannon with 149 Rounds
• Hardpoints: 8 X External Plus 2 X Wingtip Rails
• Missiles: Air-To-Air R-60/AA-8 Aphid, R-27/AA-10 Alamo,R-73/AA-11 Archer, R-33/AA-9
• Amos: Air-To-Ground NONE
• Bombs: Dumb, Cluster
• Pods: Rocket and ECM