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 defense in cooperation with ground and airborne control stations. A naval variant with folding wings, the Su-33, exists.
50 aircraft were ordered from Irkut and the first entered service with the Indian Air Force in September 2002. The last was delivered in December 2004.
The first of up to 140 aircraft indigenously built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) was delivered in November 2004. China ordered 76 two-seat Su-30MKK and 24 Su-30MK2 naval fighters. Deliveries were completed in August 2004. Indonesia ordered two Su-27SK and two Su-30MK aircraft which were delivered in September 2003.
In May 2006, the Su-27 was selected by the Mexican Navy. Ten aircraft are required, eight single-seat and two Su-27UB two-seat trainers.
In August 2007, Indonesia ordered a further three Su-27SKM and three Su-30MK2 aircraft.
The latest version is the Su-27SM, an upgrade for the Russian Air Force which has strengthened fuselage for extra weapons payload, improved N001 radar, glass cockpit with three-color multi-function displays and improved avionics. The first was delivered in December 2003.
Su-27 design
The Su-27SK is a highly integrated twin-finned aircraft. The airframe is constructed of titanium and high-strength aluminium alloys. The engine nacelles are fitted with trouser fairings to provide a continuous streamlined profile between the nacelles and the tail beams. The fins and horizontal tail consoles are attached to tail beams.
The central beam section between the engine nacelles consists of the equipment compartment, fuel tank and the brake parachute container. The fuselage head is of semi-monocoque construction and includes the cockpit, radar compartments and the avionics bay.
Weapons
The aircraft is equipped with a 30mm GSh-301 gun with 150 rounds of ammunition and a range of missiles, rockets and bombs mounted externally on ten hardpoints.
The range of air-to-air missiles carried by the Su-27K aircraft includes: R-27R1 (Nato designation AA-10A Alamo-A), all-aspect medium-range missile with semi-active radar homing and R-27T1 (AA-10B Alamo-B) with infrared homing and a range from 500m to 60km; and R-73E (AA-11 Archer) all-aspect, close-combat air-to-air missile with infrared homing and a range from 300m to 20km.
Ordnance for air-to-ground missions include: 100kg, 250kg and 500kg free fall and retarded aerial bombs; 500kg incendiary devices; 25kg and 500kg RBK cluster bombs; and C-8, C-13 and C-25 unguided aerial missiles.
Countermeasures
The Su-27SK is equipped with a new electronic countermeasures suite for individual aircraft, and for mutual and group protection in the forward and rear hemispheres.
The countermeasures system includes a pilot illumination radar warning receiver, chaff and infrared decoy dispensers, and an active multi-mode jammer located in the wingtip pods.
Sensors
The Su-27SK is equipped with a Phazotron N001 Zhuk coherent pulse Doppler radar with track-while-scan and look-down / shoot-down capability.
The range of the radar against 3m² targets is over 100km in the forward hemisphere and 40km in the rear hemisphere. The radar has the capacity to search, detect and track up to ten targets with automatic threat assessment and prioritization.
Communications
The radio communications suite provides: voice and data; VHF/UHF radio communications between aircraft and ground control stations within sight range; voice radio communication with ground control stations and between aircraft up to a range of 1,500km; an encrypted data link for combat information exchange between aircraft; and command guidance from ground control stations using automatic interception mode.
Systems
The Su-34 is equipped with an electro-optical fire-control system, supplied by the Urals Optical and Mechanical Plant (YOM3), and a Geofizika FLIR (forward-looking infrared) pod. Leninetz of St Petersburg supplies the radar systems and TsNIRTI the electronic countermeasures suite.
Engines
The twin-shaft, turbo-fan engine has after-turbine flow mixing, a common afterburner, an all-mode variable area jet exhaust nozzle, an independent start and a main electronic control, and a reserve hydromechanical engine mode control system. The high-temperature sections of the engines are made of titanium alloy.
An Su-27 fitted with AL-41F1 engines being developed by NPO Saturn took its first flight in March 2004. The uprated engine provides a thrust of 145kN (33,000lb).
SPECIFICATION:
Crew
1 – pilot
Dimensions:
Length
21.94m
Height on Landing Gear
5.91m
Span
14.7m
Wing Area
62.04m²
Landing Gear Base
5.8m
Landing Gear Track
4.34m
Weights:
Maximum Take-Off Weight
33,000kg
Normal Take-Off Weight
23,000kg
Maximum Landing Weight
21,000kg
Maximum Internal Fuel
9,400kg
Maximum Military Load
6,200kg
Engines:
Engines
2 x twin-shaft augmented turbofin AL-31F
Maximum Thrust, Full Augmentation S/L, ISA
2 x 125,000kg
Maximum Thrust, Dry S/L, ISA
2 x 7,800km
Specific Fuel Consumption, kg/kg x h (At Maximum Thrust with Reheat)
1.92
Specific Fuel Consumption, kg/kg x h (At Minimum Cruise)
0.575
Performance:
Maximum Speed at High Altitude
Mach 2.35
Maximum Speed Near Ground
1,400km/h
Minimum Indicated Speed
200km/h
Service Ceiling
18,500m
Rate of Climb Near Ground
330m
Radius of Turn Near Ground
450m
Maximum Limit Load Factor
+9g
Acceleration Time at h=1,000, Full Augmentation
600km/h to 1,100km/h – 14.1 seconds
1,100km/h to 1,300km/h – 9.8 seconds
1,100km/h to 1,300km/h – 9.8 seconds
Maximum Operation Range Near Ground
1,370km
Maximum Operating Range at Cruise Altitude
3,680km
Take-Off Run at Normal Take-Off Weight
400m
Landing Run with Drag Parachute
620m
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