The Su-27 (NATO codename Flanker B) is a highly-agile, supersonic, twin-engine air-superiority fighter. A mainstay of modern Russian combat aviation, the Su-27’s primary role is as a long-range interceptor, but it is also a superb dogfighter. The Flanker B can carry up to twelve air-to-air missiles - usually a mix of short range R-73s (AA-11 Archer) all-aspect IR and medium-to-long range R-27s (AA-10 Alamo). It also has a fearsome 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon and can deliver unguided bombs, CBUs and rockets in the ground attack role.
Equipped with a powerful (‘Slot Back’, Russian ‘Mech’ or ‘Sword’) pulse doppler radar for optimum lookdown-shootdown capability, the Su-27 also has cutting-edge Infrared Search and Track (IRST) for the passive detection and engagement of aerial targets.
Powered by 2 × Saturn AL-31F turbofans each producing 16,910 lbf of dry thrust and 27,560 lbf with afterburner, the Flanker B has a maximum speed of 2,500 km/h (1,550 mph or Mach 2.35) at altitude and 1,400 km/h (870 mph or Mach 1.13) at sea level and a searing 59,000 ft/min rate of climb. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 62,500 ft and an exceptional range of 3,530 km (2,193 mi; 1,906 nmi) at altitude and 1,340 km (800 mi; 720 nmi) at sea level.
Fast, agile and superbly equipped, the Su-27's ability to maneuver at very slow speed and with a high angle-of-attack make it a dangerous opponent in air combat. Take on the DCS: F-15C Eagle - and see who comes out on top. The J-11A aircraft featured in the game is a Chinese variant of the Russian Su-27 with minor radar modifications and the ability to use R-77 active air-to-air missiles.
The Su-27, NATO codename Flanker, is one of the pillars of modern-day Russian combat aviation. Built to counter the American F-15 Eagle, the Flanker is a twin-engine, supersonic, highly manoeuvrable air superiority fighter. The Flanker is equally capable of engaging targets well beyond visual range as it is in a dogfight given its amazing slow speed and high angle attack manoeuvrability. Using its radar and stealthy infrared search and track system, the Flanker can employ a wide array of radar and infrared guided missiles. The Flanker also includes a helmet-mounted sight that allows you to simply look at a target to lock it up! In addition to its powerful air-to-air capabilities, the Flanker can also be armed with bombs and unguided rockets to fulfil a secondary ground attack role. The J-11A aircraft featured in the game is a Chinese variant of the Russian Su-27 with minor radar modifications and the ability to use R-77 active air-to-air missiles.
Su-27 for DCS World focuses on ease of use without complicated cockpit interaction, significantly reducing the learning curve. As such, Su-27 for DCS World features keyboard and joystick cockpit commands with a focus on the most mission critical of cockpit systems.
The main feature for the success of the Su-27 design is its aerodynamic configuration, known as "integrated aerodynamic concept" by its designers. This configuration is one with extremely blended wing and fuselage. The low-aspect ratio trapezoidal midwing is fitted with large leading-edge root extensions (LERX) and blending into the fuselage creating a single lifting body.
The aircraft has a near-zero static stability and thus require a fly-by-wire system. The SDU-10 pitch-only fly-by-wire system controls the pitch of the aircraft to ensure stability and controllability for the pilot, increase aerodynamic performance, limit overload and angle of attack when needed and decrease the airframe aerodynamic load.
Two AL-31F afterburning turbofans are placed in seperate, widely spaced engine nacelles that are mounted under the lifting body. The air intakes are fitted with variable ramps.
The Su-27 has twin vertical fins fitted on the outer sides of the fuselage and twin central fins underneath. The airbrake is placed in the center of the mid-section of the aircraft behind the cockpit. The tricycle landing gear of Su-27 and Su-27UB has a single wheel on each strut. The nose wheel is fitted with a mudguard to protect against foreign object damage (FOD).
The basic Su-27 is fitted with the SUV-27 fire control system, which incorporates the RLPK-27 radar sighting system, OEPS-27 electro-optical sighting system, SEI-31 integrated indication system, IFF interrogator and built-in test system. The fire control system in integrated with the PNK-10 flight navigation system, radio command link, IFF system, data transmission equipment and EW self-defence system.
The RLPK-27 system and is controlled by the Ts-100 digital computer and includes the N001 pulse-Doppler lookdown-capable radar with a range of 80-100 km in the front hemisphere and 30-40 km in the rear hemispehere for a fighter-sized target. It can simultaneously track up to ten aerial targets in track-while-scan mode and provide interception of the top priority target.
The OEPS-27 electro-optical sighting system consist of the OLS-27 infrared/laser search-and-track system (IRST) and the Shchel-3UM helmet-mounted target designator and is controlled by the Ts-100 digital computer. The OLS-27 sensor is placed forward of the cockpit canopy in the centre. The system acquires and tracks aerial targets by their thermal signatures. The helmet-mounted sight and the laser range finder of the IRST can also be used to visually acquire and determine coordinates of air and surface targets.
The SEI-31 integrated indication system provides flight, navigation and sighting data on the ILS-31 head-up display (HUD) and head down display. The EW self-defence systems provides warning to the crew when illuminated by enemy radar and employs both passive and active countermeasures. The aircraft is equipped with the SPO-15 Beryoza RWR and APP-50 chaff and flare dispenser that is placed in the tail section between the engine nozels. In addition, the aircraft can carry the Sorbtsiya active ECM pods on its wingtips.
