Technical analysis of the Su-27 Flanker, a Soviet legacy in the sky
The Su-27 Flanker, developed by the Soviet Union, has been a central piece in the air strategy of Russia and its predecessors for more than three decades. Conceived as a response to the development of American fighters such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, the Su-27 was designed to outperform its fourth-generation counterparts in aerial combat. Despite its age, this platform continues to be a relevant asset in current conflicts, used by both Russia and in operations inherited from the Soviet era.
The FX program, a precursor of the F-15 Eagle, prompted Soviet engineers to develop a robust competitor, culminating in the creation of the Su-27 and its variant, the MiG-29. Seeking to combine long-range capabilities, short runway performance, advanced weapons options, and high speed, the Su-27 emerged as an exceptional fighter-bomber, although it initially failed to meet all of its intended design objectives. Its international debut at the Paris Air Show in 1989 marked Western recognition of its capabilities.
Equipped to face bombers like the B-52 and B-1 Americans, the Su-27 can carry up to 10 missiles or a mixture of missiles and bombs, supported by a 30mm cannon. The air-to-air missiles it can carry include the R-27R for medium-range combat, and the R-73E, optimized for close confrontations. In addition, it has advanced sensor systems and electronic countermeasures, which improve its survivability in combat. The Su-27’s propulsion is guaranteed by two turbofan engines, allowing it to reach speeds of up to Mach-2.35.
The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, both fifth-generation platforms developed by the USA, represent a qualitative leap in terms of stealth technology, maneuverability, and systems integration capacity. While the Su-27 was designed to dominate the skies against fourth-generation fighters, its ability to compete against these new stealth platforms is significantly diminished. The F-22 and F-35 are designed to evade radar detection, integrate advanced combat systems, and operate in high-threat environments more effectively than their predecessors.
The main advantage of these stealth fighters lies in their ability to operate in contested environments while maintaining low visibility to enemy air defense systems, significantly reducing the window of opportunity for aircraft like the Su-27 to detect and effectively confront them in combat. The integration of stealth technologies, along with superior avionics and weapons capabilities, positions the F-22 and F-35 in a league of their own, setting a new standard in modern air warfare.
Although the Su-27 Flanker has been a formidable competitor during its time, the evolution of stealth technologies and advanced weapons systems in the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II underlines the need for continued innovation in the field of military aviation. While the Su-27 remains relevant in operations where adversaries do not have fifth-generation fighters, its effectiveness against these modern platforms is limited. The comparison between the Su-27 and the stealth fighters F-22 and F-35 not only highlights the technological and strategic differences between generations of fighter aircraft but also underlines the importance of continuous innovation in military aviation to meet the challenges of tomorrow.