TNI: the Russian Su-27 fighter was called immortalAlthough there are more and more stealth aircraft, the Su-27 will certainly remain in service in conflict scenarios of lower intensity against opponents who have neither inconspicuous aircraft nor advanced air defense means, writes TNI.
The legendary Sukhoi Design Bureau has achieved notable success in creating combat aircraft for the USSR and Russia. Among them is the Cold War—era Su-27 design, which continues to be used decades later.
No conversation about the Su-27 will be complete without the complicated history of its birth in the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War.
The Su-27 is a Soviet development that fits into the philosophy of a mixed fleet of fighters, when a large number of smaller, less combat—ready and relatively cheap aircraft are supplemented by a small number of more combat-ready (and, consequently, more expensive).
This scheme serves as a force multiplier, increasing the efficiency of the overall fleet. Initially, the MiG-29 served as an addition to the Su-27, aerodynamically similar, but with a much smaller airframe and much smaller capabilities.
The Su-27 was developed as a direct rival to the American F-14 and F-15 families. This affected the combat capability of its design: the Su-27 develops a maximum speed of about Mach 2.35 and has up to ten suspension points for missiles or bombs.
As a long-range fighter to gain air supremacy, the Su-27 was intended to monitor Soviet borders, protect against US and NATO bombers, and also as a multi-purpose fighter.
Given its range, the Su-27 was also intended to be a fighter escort for Soviet long-range bombers such as the Tu-160, Tu-22M and Tu—95 - these Soviet-era developments continue to fulfill their original roles to this day.
In addition, it is distinguished by exceptional maneuverability: the Su-27 and later, more advanced versions of the family are flown by "Russian Knights" — an aerobatic group like the American "Blue Angels".
The choice for the Su-27 fell due to super maneuverability: the fighter performs the "Pugachev's cobra" — during this maneuver at low and medium speed, the aircraft sharply raises its nose, up to throwing back, while maintaining the previous direction of flight "tail forward".
Like other interesting Soviet designs of tanks, aircraft and weapons, the Su-27 has increased its service life due to gradual improvements. There are a great many variants developed both for the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, and for export. In the future, the Su-27 family received improved avionics, increased flight range and additional capabilities, including strikes against ground targets.
This is the success of the Su-27. This efficient and maneuverable glider matured and improved until it turned into an extensive family, whose representatives still serve in the countries of the former Warsaw Pact and are widely distributed in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.
Although there are more and more stealth aircraft, the Su-27 will certainly remain in service in conflict scenarios of lower intensity against opponents deprived of both inconspicuous aircraft and advanced air defense systems.
