Know Thy Enemy: Flanker
Posted by MyLaowai on Sunday, July 1, 2007
Say what you want about the Russians, Winters thought,
they do build ’em pretty.– Tom Clancy, Red Storm Rising.
The Flanker, here in a few of it’s various flavours: The Su-30MK (multirole two-seater, export model), Su-27SK (multirole single-seat, export model), Su-30MKK (Chinese export variant), Su-32 (Two-seat dedicated long-range strike variant with side-by-side seating), Su-33 Naval (Carrier) Variant, Su-47 (Advanced Fighter Demonstrator)
The Su-27 (NATO designation Flanker), one of the world’s most agile aircraft, is a front line fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. The aircraft is equipped to operate autonomously in combat over hostile territory, in escort of deep-penetration strike aircraft and in the suppression of enemy airfields. The aircraft provides general air defence in cooperation with ground and airborne control stations. A naval variant with folding wings exists.
China received 26 in 1991 and a further 22 in 1995 before signing an agreement in 1998 for licensed manufacture of 200 as the Shenyang J-11 (about 90~100 had been built by 2004). In 2006, China also purchased 78 Sukhoi Su-30MKK for the PLAAF (Air Force) and 48 Sukhoi Su-33 for the PLANAF’s (Navy’s) future carrier fighter.
Performance
Maximum speed: 2,500 km/h at altitude (1,550 mph Mach 2.35)
Range: 1,340km combat mission at sea level 3,530 km combat mission at high altitude (800 mi at sea level / 2070 mi at high altitude)
Service ceiling: 18,500 m (60,700 ft)
Rate of climb: 325 m/s (64,000 ft/min)
Wing loading: 371 kg/m² (76 lb/ft²’)
Thrust/weight: 1.085
Armament
1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
8,000 kg (17,600 lb) on 10 external pylons
– Up to 6 medium-range AA missiles R-27, 4 short-range heat-seeking AA missiles R-73
+ Upgraded Su-27SM is capable of using R-77 instead of R-27
– Su-27IB can be used to launch X-31 anti-radiation missiles, air-to-ground missiles X-29L/T (laser/TV guidance, which may be projected to helmet), KAB-150 and UAB-500 bombs with laser, TV, or IR guidance
Currently, the Chinese Air Force has seven divisions equipped with the J-11:
1st Air Division based in Anshan, Liaoning, equipped with the J-11
2nd Air Division based in Suxi, Guangdong, equipped with the Su-27SK, Su-27UBK, and J-11
6th Air Division based in Yinchuan, Ningxia, equipped with the J-11
7th Air Division based in Zhangjiakou, Hebei, equipped with the J-11
14th Air Division based in Zhangshu, Jiangxi, equipped with the J-11
19th Air Division based in Zhengzhou, Henan, equipped with the Su-27SK, Su-27UBK, and J-11
33rd Air Division based in Baishiyi, Chongqing, equipped with the Su-27UBK
(Sources: Air Force Technology, Wikipedia)
Stranded Mariner said
I have seen the 27’s in action at the Zhuhai flight show a few years ago, and their performance was awesome. Of course they were flown by Russians.
Peter said
I’ve always been a sucker for the Mig 29 Fulcrum. Damn pretty airplane, even though the Russians built it.