Sukhoi Su-27 variant
Sukhoi Su-27 Su-27S
First single-seat production version, with improved AL-31F engines, known internally as the T-10P and to NATO as Flanker-B. It entered operational service in 1985.
- June 2, 1982
- First flight
- 3,680 km
- Range
History
From prototype to production aircraft
KnAAPO built successive batches of development airframes in 1982 — T-10-15 and T-10-17 to T-10-22 — and in 1983 — T-10-23 to T-10-27. The T-10-17 was the first aircraft built to full production standard and first flew on 26 May 1982. Testing remained punishing: in 1983 that same aircraft landed after losing part of a wing and a tail fin to structural failure, and the T-10-21 crashed on 25 May 1984 after a leading-edge flap failed, the pilot ejecting and surviving.
Service
The production Su-27, sometimes designated Su-27S, began entering VVS operational service in 1985, although manufacturing difficulties kept it from appearing in strength until 1990. It served with both Frontal Aviation and the air-defence forces.
Configuration
The single-seater carries a 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds and up to 6,000 kg of ordnance on ten hardpoints, with medium-range R-27 family air-to-air missiles and short-range infrared-homing R-73s. On 9,400 kg of internal fuel it reaches 3,680 km at altitude, and its service ceiling is 18,500 m.