Su-27

The Su-27 is the air superiority fighter for the Pact, opposite its NATO counterpart, the F-15A Eagle. Classified by Western observers as the "Flanker", this jet was a direct response to the Eagle. The Su-27 and its descendants are still in service today with the Russian Air Force and Navy as well as many other operators worldwide.

In-Game Description
The Flanker uses a Gsh-30-1 30mm cannon. It also fires R-60 "Aphid" infrared heatseeking missiles and R-27R "Alamo" semi-active radar homing missiles. If equipped for SEAD strikes, the Flanker would use a Kh-58 "Kilter" anti-rad missile.

The Flanker is not quite as fast as its opposite the Eagle; in Sky Knights, it has less engine power relative to its weight, and this is especially apparent when using afterburner. Although it's not far behind in cruise speed, its afterburner speed is noticeably slower. The Su-27 does have better turning performance, both from having a higher turning power and from usually being at a lower speed. The two are otherwise identical in terms of armament, health, afterburner fuel and radar power.

Obtaining
The Flanker is one of the three starting Pact aircraft.

Combat History
Development on what would become the Su-27 began when the Soviet Union became aware of the US Air Force's F-X project. When the F-X materialized as the F-15 Eagle, the existing Advanced Frontline Fighter project was split in two, one given to Mikoyan-Gurevich which became the MiG-29 Fulcrum and the other remained with Sukhoi, becoming the Su-27. Though it entered service in 1985, it did not appear in strength until 1990 as manufacturing difficulties were sorted out. The Su-27 is practically a supermaneuverable fighter, and was the aircraft in which the Pugachev's Cobra was first performed. The Su-27 has seen combat in various wars among the former Soviet Socialist Republics, from the war in Abkhazia in 1992 to the 2008 South Ossetian war, and more recently used by Ukraine. Angola and Ethiopa have also used the Su-27 for ground attack roles as well as air superiority in their air forces.

Today, the Su-27 lives on through its descendents, the Su-34 "Fullback" and the modernized Su-35 in Russian Air Force service as well as the Su-33 (formerly the Su-27K) in Russian naval service.

Skins
There are currently 4 skins available for the Su-27: Default, Woodland, Desert, and Aerobatics.
 * Default: A blue and grey camouflage skin with a solid grey underside available to all players.
 * Woodland: A tan and green three-color disruptive camouflage skin with a solid grey underside available to Patreon supporters of the Captain tier and higher.
 * Desert: A tan and brown three-color disruptive camouflage skin with a solid grey underside available to Patreon supporters of the Colonel tier and higher or players who won 20 games in season 33.
 * Aerobatics: A red, white, and blue livery skin based on the Russian Knights available to Patreon supporters of the Knight tier and higher.