well in 2006 Russia has better aircraft than the Su-27, the MiG-29OVT is quit more advanced to say the least

But it’s only ONE PROTOTYPE

The basic Su-27 that the US might have gotten if it got it is basicly a 1980s Flanker and no more advanced than an F-15A in avionics and no more advanced than a MiG-29 Fulcrum A in weaponry and maneouvrability.

But then again this is what most of the RuAF Su-27s are right now.

the pictures are too blur, do not prove they are Su-27 visting the US

No foreign visiting aircraft was spotted over Area 51. EVER.

a former soviet republic like Moldova sold a Su-27 to the US when the Russians have reported the sale of Moldovan MiG-29s and even have pictures of the aircraft being load into a C-17

Moldova never had any Su-27, just the mentioned MiG-29s.

The F-16 in post #323 is an artist impression of a proposed larger variant. The regular F-16 can’t carry more than 6 AAMs. You can clearly see that the wing is bigger and the pylons are in different positions than on the real thing.

Here are some photos of MiG-29 and Su-27 over Area 51: http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/metty/index.jhtml
Reportedly 2 Su-27 were smuggled out of Belarus in 1995.

Didn’t know the Hornet could carry more than one store on that centerline hardpoint….much less an MER with six!

Actually there are only 4 Mk 82s on the centerline MER – 3 in front and one in the back to allow the main gear doors to open

GarryB wrote:

If they want to narrow their fleet if it was in western aircraft it would have to be F-5s.

Even here in NZ because we upgraded our Skyhawks using technology based on 80s era F-16s the US government has blocked our sale of the jets. A private company that offers combat training wants our planes but the US wont let us sell to a private company… even if it is an American company that operates in the US and presumably is manned by ex US mil personel.

They bought F/A-18Ds so I don’t think they would be restricted to F-5s by the US if they wanted to buy western equipment.

I have a softspot for one-of-a-kind vessels, only one example built and in service. Here’s such an example: Romanian Navy “Marasesti” frigate. She sure looks mean!

and what does that camera do, baphomet? Simply records in-flight images for debriefing? Does it have night vision capability? Is it used during the flight by the crew?