Sukhoi Su-27
Also known as SU27, Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker B, Sukhoi Flanker, Flanker
fighter aircraft family by Sukhoi
AI overview
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a fighter aircraft family developed by the Russian company Sukhoi, designed to compete with advanced Western fighter jets during the Cold War era. It matters because it became one of the most widely used and influential fighter aircraft in the world, serving in militaries across multiple countries and spawning numerous variants that remain in operation today.
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Wikidata facts
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- Su-27SM3 in flight, Celebration of the 100th anniversary of Russian Air Force.jpg
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Article
The Sukhoi Su-27 (Russian: Сухой Су-27; NATO reporting name: Flanker) is a Soviet twin-engine supersonic supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large US fourth-generation jet fighters such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, with 3,530-kilometre (1,910 nmi) range, heavy aircraft ordnance, sophisticated avionics and high maneuverability. The Su-27 was designed for air superiority missions, and subsequent variants are able to perform almost all aerial warfare operations. It was designed with the Mikoyan MiG-29 as its complement.
The Su-27 entered service with the Soviet Air Forces in 1985. The primary role was long range air defence against American SAC Rockwell B-1B Lancer and Boeing B-52G and H Stratofortress bombers, protecting the Soviet coast from aircraft carriers and flying long range fighter escort for Soviet heavy bombers such as the Tupolev Tu-95, Tupolev Tu-22M and Tupolev Tu-160.