Fact File: the Su-27 Flanker in WW III
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 3:44 am
As requested, the repost of the Su-27 Fact File:
The Su-27 Flanker in World War III
The Su-27 Flanker was the most advanced Soviet fighter to see service in the Third World War. Conceived as a counter to the F-15, the aircraft first entered SAF service in 1985, and saw combat during the invasion of Alaska and Northern Canada. Produced at two factories: one at Komsomolsk-na-Amur and Irkutsk, the SAF, Voyska PVO, and the SNAF in four years of war received some 500 examples, despite the USAF and RAF bombing campaign known as EASTERN EXPRESS. After the war, the Far East Republic took over the Su-27 factories, and limited production of aircraft and some parts continued with existing inventory. This work covers the Su-27's role in the war and in postwar conflicts.
T-10/T-10A: “Flanker-A” Initial prototype (T-10) and improved prototype similar to production specifications (T-10A).
Su-27: Preproduction series with AL-31 engine.
Su-27S “Flanker-B”: Initial production version with AL-31F engines, 10 AAMs, either R-27R/T (AA-10 Alamo A/B) radar or IR, and R-73 (AA-11 Archer IR). One Gsh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds, ground attack capability with unguided bombs or rocket pods. Phozotron N001 radar (Slot Back) with LD/SD capabilities, IRST. Produced for SAF.
Su-27P “Flanker-B” PVO version with no ground-attack capabilities. Intended to replace Su-15 and remaining Yak-28P interceptors.
Su-27UB “Flanker-C”: Two-seat operational conversion trainer.
Su-27K/Su-33 “Flanker-D”: Carrier-based version of Su-27S, with limited maritime strike capability. Main intention was as Fleet Defense Fighter. One regiment's worth of aircraft produced; did not go to sea, and joined the Russian Republic during the Second Russian Civil War.
Su-27M “Flanker-E/F”: Prototypes of planned multirole Su-27S version, including a two-seat version. Single examples produced prior to Civil War breaking out.
Su-30: Planned two-seat version of P, with datalink to enable coordination with MiG-31 and Su-27Ps. Intended for PVO. Not produced.
Su-27IB: Prototype for Su-24 replacement with side-by-side seating. One only.
Users:
Soviet Air Force: Used by SAF units to support the invasion of Alaska and Canada due to long range (2,070 miles). Also based in Cuba later in the war to support airlift operations from Cuba. Two Regiments made it to Texas in 1987-88
Soviet Air Defense Force (Voyska PVO): Began replacing Su-15s and Yak-28s during 1986. Many of the Russian Republic and Ukranian AF examples came from PVO units.
Postwar Users:
Rump USSR: Two regiments in service for air defense of Moscow Region. Survivors turned over to Russian Republic AF after fall of the Rump Soviet State in 2010.
Russian Republic: Main air defense and air superiority fighter of Russian Republic AF After the fall of the Rump USSR, remaining tooling and jigs bought from Far East Republic, in exchange for spare parts for submarines built at Gorky.
Ukraine: In service with Ukranian AF during Civil War and after. New production line set up at Kharkov
Far East Republic: In service with FER AF. No longer producing the aircraft.
Kazakhstan: One regiment in Kazakh AF service. Combat in 2010.
Mexico: A handful of Su-27s were left behind in Mexico after the Armistice. None believed to be in service upon outbreak of Baja War in 2010. All believed destroyed during the war.
Captured Examples:
At least one Su-27 was found intact at Kelly AFB, Texas, after the liberation of San Antonio in 1988. One also believed to have been flown by a defector from Latvia to the UK sometime in 1987 or 1988.
Several found at Elmendorf AFB, AK, after Soviet surrender in Northern Theater. One of these on display at USAF Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
The Su-27 Flanker in World War III
The Su-27 Flanker was the most advanced Soviet fighter to see service in the Third World War. Conceived as a counter to the F-15, the aircraft first entered SAF service in 1985, and saw combat during the invasion of Alaska and Northern Canada. Produced at two factories: one at Komsomolsk-na-Amur and Irkutsk, the SAF, Voyska PVO, and the SNAF in four years of war received some 500 examples, despite the USAF and RAF bombing campaign known as EASTERN EXPRESS. After the war, the Far East Republic took over the Su-27 factories, and limited production of aircraft and some parts continued with existing inventory. This work covers the Su-27's role in the war and in postwar conflicts.
T-10/T-10A: “Flanker-A” Initial prototype (T-10) and improved prototype similar to production specifications (T-10A).
Su-27: Preproduction series with AL-31 engine.
Su-27S “Flanker-B”: Initial production version with AL-31F engines, 10 AAMs, either R-27R/T (AA-10 Alamo A/B) radar or IR, and R-73 (AA-11 Archer IR). One Gsh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds, ground attack capability with unguided bombs or rocket pods. Phozotron N001 radar (Slot Back) with LD/SD capabilities, IRST. Produced for SAF.
Su-27P “Flanker-B” PVO version with no ground-attack capabilities. Intended to replace Su-15 and remaining Yak-28P interceptors.
Su-27UB “Flanker-C”: Two-seat operational conversion trainer.
Su-27K/Su-33 “Flanker-D”: Carrier-based version of Su-27S, with limited maritime strike capability. Main intention was as Fleet Defense Fighter. One regiment's worth of aircraft produced; did not go to sea, and joined the Russian Republic during the Second Russian Civil War.
Su-27M “Flanker-E/F”: Prototypes of planned multirole Su-27S version, including a two-seat version. Single examples produced prior to Civil War breaking out.
Su-30: Planned two-seat version of P, with datalink to enable coordination with MiG-31 and Su-27Ps. Intended for PVO. Not produced.
Su-27IB: Prototype for Su-24 replacement with side-by-side seating. One only.
Users:
Soviet Air Force: Used by SAF units to support the invasion of Alaska and Canada due to long range (2,070 miles). Also based in Cuba later in the war to support airlift operations from Cuba. Two Regiments made it to Texas in 1987-88
Soviet Air Defense Force (Voyska PVO): Began replacing Su-15s and Yak-28s during 1986. Many of the Russian Republic and Ukranian AF examples came from PVO units.
Postwar Users:
Rump USSR: Two regiments in service for air defense of Moscow Region. Survivors turned over to Russian Republic AF after fall of the Rump Soviet State in 2010.
Russian Republic: Main air defense and air superiority fighter of Russian Republic AF After the fall of the Rump USSR, remaining tooling and jigs bought from Far East Republic, in exchange for spare parts for submarines built at Gorky.
Ukraine: In service with Ukranian AF during Civil War and after. New production line set up at Kharkov
Far East Republic: In service with FER AF. No longer producing the aircraft.
Kazakhstan: One regiment in Kazakh AF service. Combat in 2010.
Mexico: A handful of Su-27s were left behind in Mexico after the Armistice. None believed to be in service upon outbreak of Baja War in 2010. All believed destroyed during the war.
Captured Examples:
At least one Su-27 was found intact at Kelly AFB, Texas, after the liberation of San Antonio in 1988. One also believed to have been flown by a defector from Latvia to the UK sometime in 1987 or 1988.
Several found at Elmendorf AFB, AK, after Soviet surrender in Northern Theater. One of these on display at USAF Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.