CONCLUSION

Let us now examine the exact combat capabilities and features of the Su-27. The initial Su-27 production models had a completely analog cockpit with a tiny display for the radar. The pilot used a helmet mounted sight to aim his weapons. The radar was a mechanically scanning radar which could detect fighter sized targets at 100+ km. It also featured an optical detection system which consisted of an infrared Search & Track system and a laser rangefinder. This allowed to the Su-27 to detect targets at around 50 km passively, without using its radar and exposing itself. This feature would be very crucial in close combat scenarios. The radar, optical sensors and the helmet mounted display were completely integrated and used in conjunction to ensure optimal combat performance. Systems like helmet mounted display and the IRST were missing from its rival, the F-15. It is also interesting to note that the twin seater Su-27UB had the same capabilities of the single seater with no reduction in capabilities whatsoever.Mechanically Scanning radar on the Su-27IRST and optical detection pod on the nose, just in front of the cockpitClose up of the IRST and optical detection podThe basic Su-27 was an air superiority fighter and lacked air to ground capabilities. However the following batch was upgraded to Su-27M standard and was fitted with a new radar which enables it to detect air and surface targets and carry air to air and air to ground weapons. This made it a true multirole fighter but it didn’t enter service due to economic troubles and instability in the early 1990s. But there was another variant of the Su-27 which was lucky. The Su-27K was chosen to be the main fighter of the Soviet Navy and was redesigned to operate from their fleet of new carriers which were being built. The main role of the Su-27K ( renamed as Su-33) was to provide protection to a Soviet Naval battle group from air attacks launched by the US Navy’s extremely powerful carriers. Only small numbers of the Su-33 were built before their production was stopped and with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the carrier fleet dream also ended. Only one carrier was in service with around a dozen Su-33 fighters based on it. This was how the Soviet dream of a powerful carrier based fleet of fighters was cut short.Su-33 taking off from the Russan carrier Admiral KuznetsovThe missile load of the Su-27 is highly enviable. It has 10 hardpoints which can accommodate 10 air to air missiles in air superiority mode which was increased to 12 on later models. This is twice the usual load of lightweight fighter and definitely more the the F-15 as the Su-27 never had to waste hardpoints for carrying external fuel tanks due to the massive range provided by the internal fuel tanks itself. This meant that the Su-27 could stay in the fight, long after its rivals had exhausted their missiles. The missiles carried include the R-73, R-77 and R-27 Air to Air missiles. Nearly every type of bomb and missile in the Soviet inventory could be carried by the Su-27 although its abilities as a multi role fighter were limited. The need for a tactical bomber with the performance of the Su-27 led to the development of the Su-34 fighter-bomber which is currently unparalleled in its capabilities.Some of the positions of the TVC nozzles on Su-35The Su-27 didn’t stop at the Su-30 evolution. The Sukhoi design bureau further improved upon the Su-27 and developed the Su-35/37. These aircraft featured large multifunction LCD displays in their cockpit and the revolutionary new 3D thrust vectoring control (TVC) nozzles for their engines which gave them what we call as supermanoeuverability which enables it to out turn its rivals in a dogfight. These aircraft are unequaled in range, payload and maneuverability by any other fighter. The thrust vectoring nozzles was also adopted on some of the Su-30 series. The Su-37 was basically a technology demonstrator and the Su-35 design was adopted for serial production. The Su-35 is essentially a Su-37 without the canards in front of the main wings. The Su-35S is the latest variant which is a single seat multirole fighter. It was put into full scale production and the Russian Air Force has ordered around 100 aircraft.Su-35 with a mixed load. The latest Khibiny jamming pods are visible at the wingtipsThe major difference in the Su-30/35 when compared to the Su-27 is the presence of a Passive Electronically Scanning Radar (PESA) and 12 missile carrying hardpoints which can be increased to 14 in an Air to Air load where 4 R-77 (RVV-AE) missiles can be fitted under the fuselage, 2 R-77 under engine air intakes, 4 R-77 and 4 R-73 under wings. The even shocking fact is that the number of hardpoints can be increased to 16! This is done using multiple ejector racks to carry lightweight AAMs or Rocket pods. Can you name any other aircraft in the world has a similar weapon load and yet retains a 1000+ km combat radius? These aircraft are fully multirole are now scheduled to get X-band AESA radars. The Su-35S has a wing mounted L-band radar which is said to be capable of detecting stealth aircraft and long ranges. The Indian Su-30Mki is rumoured to get this capability after its upgrade as well. They also feature an advanced optical detection system and IRST to passively detect aircraft. These features and abilities, theoretically put the upgraded Su-30Mki, Su-30SM and the Su-35S beyond the capabilities of the F-15 and only the F-22 can be considered as a rival for these deadly Russian fighters.14 Air to Air missiles can be carried in an ideal air superiority configurationIndian Air Force Su-30Mki with 12 Air to Air missilesI have highlighted the incidents and performance parameters of the aircraft and it should not be assumed the Su-27 will defeat the F-15 in combat. It depends entirely on the skill of the pilots on both sides, the support assets and the number of aircraft available. The F-15 has proven to be extremely successful in all the wars it has participated in till now and none have been lost in air to air combat. Whereas the Su-27 is largely unproven in combat. Until a Flanker and Eagle of major air forces face off in actual combat, we won’t know what will happen if these legends clash.