Sukhoi Su-27 facts for kids

A Soviet Su-27 flying high in the sky.

The Su-27 Flanker is a powerful fighter aircraft that was first built in the Soviet Union by a company called Sukhoi. It's a single-seat plane, meaning it only has room for one pilot. The first time it flew was on May 20, 1977, and it officially started being used on August 23, 1990. While it was first made for the Soviet Union, it is now an important part of the Russian Air Force.

This aircraft is designed for combat. It can carry up to 10 guided missiles that can hit other planes in the air, or unguided bombs and missiles for targets on the ground. It also has a powerful GSh-301 30mm cannon with 150 bullets. The Su-27 is powered by two strong AL-31F turbofan engines. It has advanced technology, including a radar to find and track targets, and an infrared system that works with a laser to help the pilot aim. The pilot also uses a special helmet that helps them target enemies, and a wide-angle display in front of them called a HUD.

The Su-27 was originally created to work alongside another fighter jet, the MiG-29 Fulcrum. However, in a real conflict called the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, Su-27s from Ethiopia actually shot down five Eritrean MiG-29s. The Su-27 was also designed to compete with American fighter jets like the F-15 Eagle and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Different Versions of the Su-27

Over the years, many different versions of the Su-27 have been made. These versions often have slight changes or improvements for different purposes.

Early Prototypes

• T10 Flanker-A: This was one of the very first test versions of the Su-27.
• T10S: Another early prototype that helped develop the final design.

Main Air Force Models

• S Flanker-B: This is the standard version used by the Russian Air Force.
• P Flanker-B: This version is an "interceptor," which means it's mainly used to stop enemy aircraft. It doesn't carry weapons for ground targets.
• UB Flanker-C: This is a two-seat version used for training pilots in the Russian Air Force.

Export and Upgraded Models

• SK and UBK: These are versions made for other countries to buy.
• SKM and UBM: These are upgraded versions of the export models, with better features.

Similar Aircraft

The Su-27 design has also led to other similar fighter jets, such as the Su-33 Flanker-D (which can operate from aircraft carriers) and the Su-30 Flanker-C.

Su-27 Today

The Su-27 is still an active and important aircraft in the Russian Air Force and in the air forces of many other countries around the world. Russia has hundreds of these planes.

Modernizing the Fleet

From 2004 to 2012, about half of Russia's Su-27 fleet (around 100 fighters) were updated to a newer version called the SM. These modernized planes have improved electronics, known as "avionics," and can use guided missiles and bombs to hit targets on the ground. They also have a modern "glass" cockpit, which means many of the old dials and gauges have been replaced with digital screens. In 2011, the Russian Air Force also received 12 brand new SM3 aircraft, which are even more advanced.

Other Fighter Jets

• MiG-29 Fulcrum
• F-16 Fighting Falcon
• F-15 Eagle
• F/A-18 Hornet
• F-14 Tomcat

Images for kids

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  Sketch of Su-27 performing Pugachev's Cobra manoeuvre

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  Su-27 carrying R-27 missiles

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  RuAF Su-27SM3

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  A Russian Su-27 and a British Typhoon meet over the Baltic, June 2014

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  Ukrainian Air Force Su-27UB in July 2011

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  Initial T-10 prototype

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  Left side scheme of a Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker B, first production series

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  Russian fighter Su-27K (later renamed to Su-33) on the deck of Admiral Kuznetsov

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  All current (blue) and former (red) operators of the Su-27

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  Russian Knights paying tribute to Igor Tkachenko, leader of the group who died during practice a week earlier

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  Su-27 Red 27 at Central Armed Forces Museum in Moscow

See also

In Spanish: Sukhoi Su-27 para niños