5 Su-27SMs delivered to RuAF

Russia’s Air Force Receive Five New Su-27 into Inventory

Russia’s air force has received five new Su-27 airplanes into the inventory. They were sent from Komsomol’sk-on-Amur to the air force station in Lipetsk, the TV company Rossiya is reporting.

The first flight of the Su-27 fighter was made in 1997 [sic], and the flight of the redesigned variant in 1981. The airplane’s speed at altitude is 2,500 kilometers per hour, flight speed at sea level is 1,400 kilometers per hour. Flight altitude is 11.000 meters. Crew is one man.

Source: 25.12.03, Gazeta.RU

and

The Su-27SM: Find 10 Differences

Five upgraded Su-27 fighters have reached the inventory of the Russian air force. Today the airplanes, which are equipped with new navigational and weapons systems, departed the aircraft plant in Komsomol’sk-on-Amur. In the near future they are expected at the Lipetsk air force station.

The Su-27 is one of the best known airplanes in the world. It is practically not possible to confuse this fighter with the other. Two fins and the body, which are reminiscent of a cobra at the moment of strike, are the most characteristic features of the aircraft. Russia’s air force is receiving a new combat unit of the Sukhoy design bureau. At a speed of 250 kilometers per hour, the new fighters easily break away from the ground and lift into the sky.

The Su-27 with the SM designation practically in no way is distinguished from the predecessors. All changes are located inside the aircraft. The engineers have filled the cockpit with the newest instruments of aircraft construction. Specialists from Lipetsk have arrived in the Far East for testing the fighter. Airman Vasiliy Pinchuk has devoted 15 years of his life to Su airplanes. He explains on a chart the difference between the old and the new model. It is forbidden to photograph the cockpit.

The previous model Su-27 already has served the Russian military for more than 15 years. The designers have changed it so much that the pilots cannot go without retraining. The new fighter possesses a better navigational and weapons systems. It is able to destroy not only airborne targets, but also ground.

After all of the new aircraft’s tests, the military will write a special training manual. “It is still early to speak of combat duties, inasmuch as it is only the first examples of the new aviation equipment. Its combat capabilities still have not been investigated completely,” the chief of the Lipetsk combat training department of the flight tests bureau, Vasiliy Pinchuk, says.

The last time the equipment was renovated at the 23rd aviation regiment was 10 years ago, and they are calling today’s receipt of the first 5 airplanes a real celebration. “Both the start of flight tests with crews who have not flown for a long time, and the receipt of new airplanes, these are all first, but sufficiently positive steps to the future of the Russian Federation’s air force,” the deputy commander of the Far East air force and air defense unit, Sergey Baynetov, thinks.

The Ministry of Defense has prepared several aviation development programs. According to one of the projects, by 2010 the military will receive even more perfect airplanes – fifth generation fighters.

Source: 25.12.03, Vesti.RU

Pretty nice Christmas present for the VVS I’d say.