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Aviation History
1985
1985 - 3264.PDF
WORLD NEWS Sukhoi Flanker revealed LONDON Photographs released by the West, depicting the Soviet Union's new Sukhoi Su-27 Flankerair-superiority fighter, confirm the general arrange ment revealed by Flight (October 29, page 2). Flanker is the Soviet equiv alent of the USA's F-15: a single-seat, twin-engined air- superiority fighter with look- down/shoot-down capability. Maximum speed is Mach 2-3 and combat radius 1,500km, according to US performance estimates. Comparable figures for the F-15 are given as Mach 2-5 and 1,000km. In appearance, the 29-tonne Su-27 Flanker resembles a cross between the F-14 and F-15, with elements of the F-18 design thrown in for good measure. This resem blance has added weight to US claims that the Soviet Union is saving time and money by stealing Western technology. With Flanker, as with the new MiG-29 Fulcrum multi- role fighter, the Soviet Union has abandoned the variable- geometry approach used on current front-line aircraft, such as the MiG-23/27 Flog- ger and Su-25 Fencer. A variable-geometry version of Flanker may have existed early in the programme, however, eventually losing out to a mechanically simple F-15-type planform. The 14m-span Su-27 is distinctly "un-Soviet" in some aspects of its appearance, particularly the bubble canopy. Recent Soviet fight ers are notable for their lack of all-round visibility. The photographs published here show the traditional Soviet aerodynamic fences on the wing upper surface, but these are apparently absent on production aircraft. Flanker has a look-down/ shoot-down weapon system thought to incorporate tech nology gleaned from F-14s supplied to Iran. The Soviet Union has also had access to F-15 and F-18 pulse-Doppler radar technology which would be applicable to both Flanker and Fulcrum. Fulcrum has been oper ational since early 1984, while the deployment of Flanker to replace Soviet Su-15 Flagon :i;:s':':^i|.: :. ';•;,• .•v'^;-^*..->^& " i<i -w— ^IkjLJfc iiii 11 pif ... • :. Top Flanker rear view shows the near-vertical twin fins, "beaver" tail, and wing fences. Centre Front view shows F-14-styte intakes, main undercarriage door/ airbrake, and bubble canopy. Right Flying shot reveals F-15- style wing planform and stalky undercarriage. Bottom Photo graphs confirm the Flight drawing published several weeks ago and Tu-28 Fiddler inter ceptors is imminent, and may already have begun. It is note worthy, therefore, that photo graphs of Flanker have appeared before those of Fulcrum. Flanker has been observed operating from a Baltic naval airfield, where the Soviets have simulated the 300m flight deck of the 65,000- tonne nuclear-powered air craft carrier now under construction. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 14 December 198^
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