Is it standard practice to leave frontline Jets out in the snow? I notice the left most SU27 is missing its left jet pipe.
Temperature conditions suffered by these airplanes under snow is nothing compared to what they have to feel at 20000 or 30000 feet (-40 to -55°C).
Snow is also a (relatively) good insulation against low temperature.
Problem is to remove it and de-icing before each flight.
The bombs underneath the outboard underwing pylons are interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Flanker carrying anything there other than an R-73 or perhaps an R-77.
Configuration (outboard pylons for bombs) also tested on other Su-27 prototypes :