The Sukhoi Su-27 (Russian: Сухой Су-27; NATO reporting name: Flanker; nicknamed “Sushka” in USSR) is a twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi.
 
It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth-generation fighters such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle, with 3,530-kilometre (1,910 nmi) range, heavy aircraft ordnance, sophisticated avionics and high maneuverability. The Su-27 was designed for air superiority missions, and subsequent variants are able to perform almost all aerial warfare operations.
 
It was designed with the Mikoyan MiG-29 as its complement.
 
The Su-27 entered service with the Soviet Air Forces in 1985. The primary role was long range air defence against American SAC B-1B and B-52G/H bombers, protecting the Soviet coast from aircraft carriers and flying long range fighter escort for Soviet heavy bombers such as the Tu-95 “Bear”, Tu-22M “Backfire” and Tu-160 “Blackjack”.
 
There are several related developments of the Su-27 design. The Su-30 is a two-seat, dual-role fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions. The Su-33 ‘Flanker-D’ is a naval fleet defense interceptor for use on aircraft carriers. Further versions include the side-by-side two-seat Su-34 ‘Fullback’ strike/fighter-bomber variant, and the Su-35 ‘Flanker-E’ improved air superiority and multi-role fighter. The Shenyang J-11 is a Chinese licence-built version of the Su-27.
 
Armament
Guns: 1 × 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon with 150 rounds
Hardpoints: 10 external pylons[120][124] with a capacity of up to 4,430 kg (9,770 lb),with provisions to carry combinations of:
Rockets:
S-8KOM/BM/OM
S-13T/OF
S-25OFM-PU
Missiles:
6 × R-27R/ER/T/ET/P/EP air-to-air missiles
6 × R-73E AAMs
Bombs:
FAB-500 general purpose bomb
RBK-250 cluster bomb
RBK-500 cluster bomb