Facts about The Sukhoi Su-27
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Over 3,600 kilometers of ferry range allows the Su-27 to conduct extended missions across entire continents when equipped with external fuel tanks.
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At 123,520 feet, the Su-27 holds the absolute altitude record for a fighter aircraft, set by Soviet pilot Anatoly Ivanов in 1989 without specialized pressure suits.
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Russia deployed Su-27 fighters to Syria beginning in 2015, marking the aircraft's first sustained combat operations in the Middle East against non-state armed groups.
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Each of the Su-27's 3.4-meter-long air intakes can swivel independently to optimize supersonic airflow, a design feature crucial for maintaining engine stability during extreme maneuvers.
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In 1992, a modified Su-27 designated the Su-27UB trainer variant first flew with tandem cockpits for pilot instruction and combat capability.
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Approximately 2,400 Su-27 fighters and its variants have been produced since 1985 across Russia and China, making it one of the most widely deployed fourth-generation fighters globally.
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Two 117S turbofan engines in the Su-27 each produce 49,400 newtons of thrust with afterburners, enabling the fighter to sustain supersonic speeds without external fuel tanks.
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Weighing approximately 16,380 kilograms empty, the Su-27 maintains a combat radius of 1,500 kilometers without aerial refueling.
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Soviet pilots flew the Su-27 in 1989 to set a world altitude record of 123,520 feet, surpassing the previous mark by over 6,500 feet.
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Canards on the Su-27 provide enhanced maneuverability by generating additional lift during high-angle-of-attack combat maneuvers above 60 degrees.
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First flying in 1985, the Su-27 fighter jet reaches speeds of Mach 2.35 and carries up to 8,000 kilograms of external armament.