Sukhoi Su-27 variant
Sukhoi Su-27 T-10S
Redesigned prototype that bore only a superficial resemblance to the T-10 and set the production configuration. It first flew on 20 April 1981.
- April 20, 1981
- First flight
History
The redesign
After the aerodynamic failure of the T-10, Sukhoi accepted far closer cooperation from SibNIA, which ran extensive wind-tunnel testing. The design was completed in 1980, and the resulting T-10S bore only a superficial resemblance to its predecessor.
A costly test campaign
The first batch of flying prototypes was made up of the T-10-7 (or T-10S-1) and the T-10-12 (or T-10S-2). The T-10-7 was used for handling, manoeuvring and AL-31 testing, without radar or mission avionics; it first flew on 20 April 1981 and was lost on 3 September that year after a critical in-flight failure, the pilot ejecting safely. The T-10-12, completed by KnAAPO in March 1981 for fire-control testing, broke up in flight on 23 December 1981 and killed its pilot. Both accidents cost programme leaders their jobs, but the aerodynamic layout was vindicated.