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AIM-9C Sidewinder

2024-04-10T00:27:35Z

U150219212: /* Development */

{{About
| about = American air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AIM-9D Sidewinder.png|thumb|left|420px|The AIM-9C Sidewinder missile (in game it uses the same model as the [[AIM-9D]], scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American [[Air-to-air_missiles#Semi-Active_Radar_Homing_.28SARH.29_missiles|semi-active radar-homing air-to-air missile]]. It was introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|f-8e}}

== General info ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 95 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || SARH
|-
| '''Signal''' || Pulse
|-
| '''Lock range''' || 9 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 18 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 18 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 4.69 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===

The AIM-9C boasts identical explosive charge as its infrared-guided brother, the AIM-9D, that being 2.95 kg of HMX, equivalent to 4.69 kg of TNT. It's enough to destroy an air target in one hit, or at the very least, to severely damage it.

=== Comparison with analogues ===

The AIM-9C is superior to its most immediate Soviet counterpart, the R-3R, having better speed, overload, range, as well as guidance time. It only falls behind in terms of raw explosive power, due to the R-3R's payload of 8.8 kg TNT equivalent.

The AIM-9C is the second SARH AAM available in the US air tree, the first one being the somewhat lacklustre [[AIM-7C Sparrow]] available on the [[F3H-2|F3H-2 Demon]]. Although capable of Mach 3 speeds, and housing a deadly 11.5 kg TNT equivalent payload, this sparrow variant suffers from a low maximum overload for such a big missile (only 18G), and only having a third of the AIM-9C's guidance time (20s vs 60s).

== Usage in battles ==

The AIM-9C can be handily used in head-on situations, due to it being a SARH missile, albeit due to the F-8E's radar lacking a nose-centred BVR search mode, acquiring a radar lock in time can be tricky, along with its susceptibility to chaff, making reliable hits difficult. It's best used on unaware opponents, or on those who have already exhausted their countermeasures in previous engagements. However, if radar lock on target is successfully re-acquired after losing it (due to chaff or other factors) the missile will immediately begin to track the target again, which along with its good manoeuvrability, gives it decent chances of a successful shootdown in dogfights as well.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Being a semi-active radar homing (SARH) missile, it has all-aspect ability and is immune to flares
* Begins turning almost immediately after launch, compared to AIM-7 Sparrows and its variants which travel in a straight line for a short amount of time before tracking
* Has the good range of the AIM-9D (3 km range from rear aspect), along with a long burn time

'''Cons:'''

* Being a SARH missile, its usefulness is limited on low-altitude targets due to ground clutter
* Requires constant radar lock; a single chaff burst will likely defeat the missile
* Outcome somewhat unreliable due to chaff susceptibility
* Tends to lose lock when the target turns in a direction, then quickly turns the opposite way

== History ==

===Development===
[[File:AIM-9B-9D-9C NAN3-71.jpg|x250px|right|thumb|none|A rack of Sidewinder missiles used by the US Navy. From top to bottom: [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]], [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], and [[AIM-9C Sidewinder|AIM-9C]].]]
Limitations in the initial Sidewinder model, the ''AAM-N-7 Sidewinder IA'' (later designated in 1963 the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]]), caused the United States Navy to begin developing the next generation of Sidewinders at China Lake. The goal was to improve the missile's envelope, as the Sidewinder's restricted turning ability meant that aware pilots can easily turn and evade the incoming missile. Development on this new Sidewinder missile soon split into two separate project for different seeker heads, one with an infrared alternative head (IRAH) as the ''Sidewinder 1C Mod 29'', which would become the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], and the other with a semi-active radar alternative head (SARAH) as the ''Sidewinder 1C Mod 30'', which would become the [[AIM-9C Sidewinder|AIM-9C]].<ref name="Westrum_ChinaLakeAIM9_2ndGen">Westrum 2013, p.176</ref> A SARH guidance system was useful in that it would allow a Sidewinder to perform an all-aspect attack with radar, and was all-weather, not interfered by the environmental factors like a IR seeker was.<ref name="Westrum_ChinaLakeAIM9_AIM9C">Westrum 2013, p.182-184</ref>

The AIM-9C shared the same missile improvements as the AIM-9D, namely a Hercules MK 36 solid-fuel rocket motor that allowed the missile to go faster and as far as 18 km, large fins for control, and a MK 48 continuous-rod warhead for increased lethality.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder">Parsch 2008</ref>

Starting development in 1957 under Thomas S. Amlie, the AIM-9C's intent was to provide a fleet-defense weapon for aircraft on the World War II-era ''Essex''-class carriers, which carried the [[F8U-2|F-8 Crusader]] aircraft that could not carry the larger [[AIM-7C_Sparrow|AIM-7 Sparrow]] SARAH missiles. Developing a working radar seeker was difficult, with the development team reviewing the technical reports of the AIM-4A Falcon to fix some issues. However, another issue with the AIM-9C's development is finding a suitable radar that could use it, as the AIM-9C called for the use of a 24-inch diameter radar while the Crusader used a 13-inch diameter radar. This would eventually be resolved with the Crusaders integrating a AN/APQ-83 radar. The AIM-9C went through operational evaluation with the US Navy in 1964, alongside the AIM-9D, and the AIM-9C demonstrated a 77% single-shot kill probability. Two F-8 squadron based in {{Annotation|NAS|Naval Air Station}} Miramar were equipped with AIM-9C by the fall of 1964.<ref name="Westrum_ChinaLakeAIM9_AIM9C" /> Production of the missiles were carried out by Motorola.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" />

===Usage===
[[File:F-8D_with_AIM-9C_missiles_over_China_Lake_1963.jpeg|x200px|left|none|thumb|A F-8D Crusader equipped with AIM-9D (above) and AIM-9C (below) Sidewinder missiles on the cheek pylon.]]
Though the AIM-9C was received by the US Navy, its more complicated seeker compared to the infrared seeker variant introduced technical issues. China Lake's development team, including Amlie himself, arrived at the ''Essex''-class carriers to provide orientation and support for the missiles. The biggest issue aside from the missile was the Crusader's radar, which can fail and was difficult to repair. Pilot confidence in the missile was also poor, both in regards to the Crusader's radar reliability and the AIM-9C's ability for an all-aspect attack with the radar as they were used to the Sidewinders being a rear-aspect weapon.<ref name="Westrum_ChinaLakeAIM9_Usage">Westrum 2013, p.184-186</ref>

However the ultimate failing of the AIM-9C's is its purpose filling a niche role on an aircraft with a specific radar requirement, being meant for the Crusader because the aircraft could not carry the AIM-7 Sparrows. Once the Crusaders began being phased out in the mid-1960s, the AIM-9C was phased out alongside the Crusaders as newer aircraft like the [[F-4C|F-4C Phantom II]] that can use Sparrows were put into use. With the AIM-9C only seeing brief service before its retirement with the Crusaders, only 1,000 AIM-9Cs were produced by Motorola between 1965 to 1967.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> There were no kill claims during the Vietnam War credited to the AIM-9C.<ref name="MiGKillers">McCarthy 2009, p.148-157</ref>
[[File:AH-1T SeaCobra with AGM-122 Sidearm at China Lake 1981.jpg|x150px|right|none|thumb|A USMC AH-1T Sea Cobra with a AGM-122 Sidearm.]]

The AIM-9C would have another chance in the 1980s. Making use of the inventory of AIM-9Cs that have been phased out of use, the US Navy converted the AIM-9Cs into the AGM-122A ''SideARM'' ("Sidewinder Anti-Radiation Missile") for use against radar installations. In 1984, Motorola was contracted to perform the conversions, which utilized a wide-band passive electromagnetic radiation homing seeker, as well as a new proximity fuse and rocket motor used on the more modern [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]]. While not as useful as a dedicated anti-radiation missile, the AGM-122A provided a cost-effective solution against smaller radar threats. The primary users of the AGM-122A was the United States Marine Corps, who received 700 units between 1986 to 1990 and equipped on fixed wing aircraft such as the AV-8 Harriers and A-4 Skyhawks, as well as helicopters such as the AH-1 Cobra.<ref name="Designation_Sidearm">Parsch 2002</ref><ref name="Westrum_ChinaLakeAIM9_AGM122">Westrum 2013, p.186</ref><ref name="Drive_AGM122">Rogoway 2017</ref> Once the AIM-9C inventory ran out, there were considerations to restart production for new missiles as the AGM-122B with new guidance system and a reprogrammable memory board, but this was cancelled.<ref name="Designation_Sidearm">Parsch 2002</ref>

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|fbOSwknTLDU|'''F-8E AIM-9C''' - ''ShyFox RawR''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)]]

;Other SARH missiles with IR seeker alternatives

* [[R-3R]] (IR: [[R-3S]])
* [[R-23R]] (IR: [[R-23T]])
* [[R-24R]] (IR: [[R-24T]])
* [[R-27R]] (IR: [[R-27T]])
* [[R-27ER]] (IR: [[R-27ET]])
* [[Matra R530]] (IR: [[Matra R530E]])

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* McCarthy, Donald J. Jr. ''MiG Killers, A Chronology of U.S. Air Victories in Vietnam 1965–1973''. Specialty Press, 2009.
* Parsch, Andreas. "AGM-122." ''Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles'', Designation-Systems.Net, 08 November 2002, [http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-122.html Website]. Accessed on 18 Nov. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20211118152548/http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-122.html Archive]).
* Parsch, Andreas. "AIM-9." ''Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles'', Designation-Systems.Net, 09 July 2008, [http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Website]. Accessed on 18 Nov. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20211118152532/http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Archive]).
* Rogoway, Tyler. "The AGM-122 "Sidearm" Came To Be From A Novel Missile Recycling Scheme". ''The Drive'', 29 Jun. 2017, [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/12009/the-agm-122-sidearm-came-to-be-from-a-novel-missile-recycling-scheme Website]. Accessed on 20 Nov. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20211120220634/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/12009/the-agm-122-sidearm-came-to-be-from-a-novel-missile-recycling-scheme Archive]).
* Westrum, Ron. ''Sidewinder; Creative Missile Development at China Lake''. Naval Institute Press, 30 Sep. 2013.

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

Su-27

2024-02-06T15:19:29Z

U150219212: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=su_27
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

Shortly after the Vietnam War, both the United States and the Soviet Union got to work on a new generation of fighter aircraft that favoured manoeuvrability and dogfight performance over top speed, after seeing how badly "missile truck" designs like the [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantom II]] performed against more nimble aircraft that were as much as 20 years older. In 1969, the Soviet Union received details through spies on the USAF's F-X program and the aircraft it was leading to, the [[F-15A|F-15 Eagle]]. As a result, the Soviets also decided to adopt a "Heavy support" doctrine with their new generation of fighters, with a smaller amount of a larger, more powerful aircraft supporting a larger amount of smaller, cheaper "frontline" aircraft just as the US was going to do with the F-15 and [[F-16 (Family)|F-16]] respectively. The design of the heavy fighter was handed to OKB Sukhoi, which quickly produced the T-10 prototype. The T-10 had many shortcomings, and after a lot of work with {{Annotation|TsAGI|Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute of Moscow}} to iron out the issues, the Su-27 would take to the skies for the first time in 1977. Development would continue further, and the first true "production models" would only enter service in 1985, beginning a fruitful life in Soviet service, and later in Chinese, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Eritrean, Indonesian, Ukrainian, Kazakh, Uzbek, and Russian service with many aircraft of the type still seeing combat today.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (NATO reporting name: ''Flanker'') was introduced in [[Update "Air Superiority"]] as the top-end heavy fighter for the USSR tree, capping off the Sukhoi line and beginning its transition from high speed fighter-bombers to the venerable Flanker family. The Su-27 is a jack of all trades yet a master of almost none, and that playstyle is its strongest suite. The Flanker carries a very generous amount of air to air missiles (ten), including up to six heat-seeking missiles with HMD targeting, and four of the infamous R-27ER coupled with the strong N001 Mech radar. The Flanker's lethal missile selection allows it to dispatch distracted many enemies at safe distances, and when push comes to shove, the Flanker's inherently unstable airframe and fly-by-wire control systems allows it to perform high angle-of-attack manoeuvres and partial post-stall manoeuvres at lower speeds, including the famed Cobra manoeuvres. All in all, the Su-27 should be played as a jack of all trades, and fits best into a very aggressive playable due to its lethal missiles, great avionics and sensors, and nimble flight performance. One must, however, be aware of various enemies you can encounter in the Flanker, such as all the aircraft that carry IRCCM missiles due to the Flanker's large heat signature as a result of the two massive AL-31 engines, but also be careful of dogfighting aircraft from the F-15 Eagle family, as the Eagle's superior TWR and high-speed handling as a result of the stable airframe will give F-15 players an advantage in some scenarios.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at _,___ m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| ___ || ___ || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | ___
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,540  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || 652 || 600 || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 680 || < 750 || < 700 || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Saturn AL-31F || 2
| colspan="2" | 16,420 kg || colspan="3" | 417 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 13m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 44m fuel
|-
| 1,520 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 19,240 kg || 20,614 kg || 22,711 kg || 25,820 kg || 33,798 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 13m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 44m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,219 kgf || 11,656 kgf
| 1.21 || 1.13 || 1.03 || 0.90 || 0.69
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 7,219 kgf (0 km/h) || 15,640 kgf (1,540 km/h)
| 1.63 || 1.52 || 1.38 || 1.21 || 0.92
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! Lead indicator
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-30-1 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, wing root-mounted (150 rpg)
* 96 x large calibre countermeasures

The Su-27 uses the same 30 mm autocannon as the MiG-29 with the same limited ammunition count of 150 rounds. Although it is not as forgiving as the American M61 Vulcan and demands precision, it has no spool up time and will deal heavy damage to any aircraft it hits. Something to note is that the Su-27's cannon is mounted on the right side of the fuselage, whereas the MiG-29's mount is on the left.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="5%" | 1 !! width="5%" | 2 !! width="5%" | 3 !! width="5%" | 4 !! width="5%" | 5 !! width="5%" | 6 !! width="5%" | 7 !! width="5%" | 8 !! width="5%" | 9 !! width="5%" | 10
| rowspan="19" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
| || 1 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 1 ||
|-
! [[FAB-250M-62 (250 kg)|250 kg FAB-250M-62]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250-270 (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250-270]] bombs
| || 1 || 1, 2, 6 || 1, 5 || 1, 4 || 1, 2 || 1, 5 || 1, 2, 6 || 1 ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250Sh (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250Sh]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-62]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[FAB-500Sh (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500Sh]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| || || 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[S-8KO]] rockets
| || || 20, 40 || || || || || 20, 40 || ||
|-
! [[S-13OF]] rockets
| || || 5, 10 || || || || || 5, 10 || ||
|-
! [[S-25O]] rockets
| || || 1, 2 || || || || || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[S-25OF]] rockets
| || || 1, 2 || || || || || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[S-25OFM]] rockets
| || || 1, 2 || || || || || 1, 2 || ||
|-
! [[R-27ER]] missiles
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[R-27ET]] missiles
| || || 1 || || || || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[R-27R]] missiles
| || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[R-27T]] missiles
| || || 1 || || || || || 1 || ||
|-
! [[R-73]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || || || || || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
| colspan="11" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 8,040 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,500 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 2 x R-73 missiles
* 6 x R-73 missiles
* 2 x R-27T missiles
* 6 x R-27R missiles
* 2 x R-27ET missiles
* 6 x R-27ER missiles
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 20 x S-13OF rockets
* 4 x S-25O rockets
* 38 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (3,800 kg total)
* 8 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 30 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (7,500 kg total)
* 8 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 8 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
{{Navigation-End}}

The Su-27 has a fairly wide arsenal. The air-to-air armaments are generally similar to the [[MiG-29SMT]], with highly agile R-73 IR missiles for short-range combat and various marks of R-27 missiles for medium to long range engagements. However it has a large advantage in capacity over the MiG-29; a full air superiority loadout consists of four R-73s and up to six R-27s, which makes it an excellent missile truck for BVR jousting.

The extended-range R-27ER and R-27ET are the most capable members of the R-27 family and should be used once unlocked. The R-27ET (and its less advanced R-27T) can only be mounted on the inboard wing pylons for a maximum capacity of two, but this is sufficient for a couple of long-range sneak attacks to round out the Su-27's engagement capabilities. The inboard pylons can also mount R-73s instead for pilots who want to bring as many dogfight missiles as possible.

The Su-27 is limited to only unguided bombs and rockets for ground attack, so unlike the MiG-29SMT it cannot use TV-guided missile or bombs for standoff engagements. One notable feature is that it can carry up to four S-25O heavy bunker-buster rockets made famous by the [[Su-25]], which can be a fun surprise for combined battles when enemy SAMs are suppressed or confused. All rockets are mounted in double racks on the inboard pylons, leaving the other pylons available for R-73s, R-27s, or bombs in a multirole loadout.

== Usage in battles ==


The Su-27 is a fairly all-rounded aircraft, capable of of performing both air superiority and close air support duties, with the aircraft excelling at the former due to its ability to carry a massive arsenal of close to medium range air-to-air missiles like the potent and reliable R-73 and the manoeuvrable and high speed R-27ER, whilst for more personal and intimate encounters the Su-27 sports a potent wing root 30 mm GSh-30-1 with EEGS integrated. The aircraft also has HMD (Helmet Mounted Display) integrated, allowing the pilot to designate radar lock-on selected target within the HMD's cubical arc which possesses a massive gimbal room. One thing to note is that IR Missile lock is integrated into the HMD, allowing the HMD to lock your R-73s onto your enemies without the need to point your nose to lock, this gave the Su-27 a massive advantage in dogfights especially against opponents that lacked the same technology.

For ground support duties, the aircraft offers a decently diverse payload options, ranging from conventional and retarded bombs to unguided missiles which featured CCIP support. One glaring issue however is the lack of computer guided munition due to the aircraft inherent nature of being an air-superiority fighter.

In Air Realistic Battles, the Su-27 is a smooth operator, with excellent roll rate and turn speed. At the start of the battle, it's recommended for the player to load the aircraft with 4 x R-73s and 6 x R-27ERs. After taking off, push for afterburner until you reached ~1,200 km/h IAS and maintain it until contact is made. It's highly advised to stay on deck and follow the terrain to induce radar cluttering whilst en route to the combat zone, this will come in extremely handy when the opposition is field F-14A/Bs which could pop off AIM-54A/Cs Active Radar Homing (ARH) missiles which could independently track target without the need for the Tomcat's radar constantly feeding information back.

After making visual contact with the enemy at any altitude beyond the range of 5 km+, you could attempt to acquire lock using your Radar or HMD mode and pop off a few of your R-27ER to shed some weight, note that the R-27ERs possessed IOG and DL features, the former allowed the missile to continue tracking with the last given parameters whilst the latter enables the missile to reacquire its target after lock is regained, this allowed for some tricky plays like popping off the missile at the enemy, this will encourage them to deploy Countermeasures (CMs) expecting lock to be lost or disrupted, however with the addition of DL, lock could be reacquired and the missile will resume its tracking unlike its contemporary like the AIM-7M. This potentially allow the player to catch the prey off guard thinking that they've already gotten off the R-27ER's hook. At near tree top level, it's highly advised that the player use R-73s instead despite the Su-27's ability to reliably lock targets even at low altitude, it is in no way reliable enough to guide the R-27ERs lest you're flying at an even lower altitude than your enemy. If the fight devolves into an dogfights, the Su-27 have some tricks up its sleeves, that being the Su-27's ability to pull extremely high AOA for a very short amount of time when in the correct speed range (500-700 IAS), this ability should be used with the HMD and R-73 missiles, however you will find yourself out of energy and mostly defenseless if the R-73 failed to hit its target, at very low speeds (~400 km/h) the Su-27 will lose the rate fight against most of its enemies (This includes F-16s, F15s, Jas-39s, Mirage 4000 and more) Due to these reasons above it is best to keep the airspeed above 500 km/h IAS and only pull the maximum amount of AOA to launch a R-73 or to pull in for a gun kill. (another thing to note is that at speeds above 1,200 km/h IAS, the vertical control surfaces will stiffen up). However if you find yourself at speeds higher than 700 km/h IAS, then the Su-27 has yet another toy that is yet to be unveiled, which is the addition of a massive airbrake, specifically designed to enable the aircraft to perform a tight turn even at high speed, regardless the use of this airbrake should be done in moderation as it bleeds the aircraft speed at an astronomical rate which could be a double-edged sword or a lifesaver depending on the scenario it's used in, This allows the Su-27 to turn the table of the fight ever so slightly in its favour if used correctly, allowing the aircraft to enter its manoeuvrable speed threshold which could help you get your HMD acquisition of the R-73 on the assailant or just pepper them with your potent 30 mm with the help of EEGS (Note: the R-73's IRCCM uses Gatewidth Tracking which is extremely flare resistant the closer the missile gets to its target due to the IR tracking scope narrowing post-launch, this means it's highly recommended for the pilot to launch the missile preferably from or below 1 km for best effect).

'''Notable Opponents:'''

* [[F-16 (Family)|F-16A/Cs]] - F-16s carry an advantage over the Flanker in manoeuvrability, with greater energy retention and rate fighting abilities. What makes the Fighting Falcon dangerous, however, is the AIM-9M. The 9M carries an IRCCM (Infrared Counter-Countermeasure) system. The seeker head on the Sidewinder will shut off when it detects flares, follow the aircraft's expected trajectory, and then reacquire lock once flares are passed. The only way to defeat these potent missiles is to constantly flare, cut throttle, and change direction. When the aircraft is not where the missile expects it to be after the pilot moves out of the expected path, the 9M will lock onto the recently deployed flares. Spamming large groups of flares sporadically does not work, as the missile will simply reacquire lock once flaring ceases. The best defense against powerful IRCCM missiles is to avoid them in the first place. By catching enemies off guard from their flanks and behinds, any pilot will find success, no matter the plane.
* [[F-14 (Family)|F-14A/Bs]] - F-14s are capable of launching AIM-54A/Cs as aforementioned, which could be extremely infuriating to deal with. The only real counter to this is by flying flat on deck, however even the slightest mistake could resulted in you getting locked on by the AIM-54s if you don't fly close enough to the ground, however the Tomcat's combat prowess starts to diminish at closer ranges.
* [[F-15 (Family)|F-15A/Js]] - F-15s are perhaps one of the Su-27s greatest adversary. Better manoeuvrability, the F-15s could pull off many tight turn just like the the Su-27 combined with its use of AIM-9Ms, the Eagle could easy pick off the Flanker in close range engagements so caution is advise when engaging.
* [[JAS39A]]/[[JAS39C|Cs]] - Engagement against the Gripen is quite tricky for the Flanker, the aircraft possess superior maneuvrability than the Flanker and Eagle in most cases, combined the the Gripen's used of licensed built AIM-9Ms under the Swedish designation of RB-74(M)s, direct close in confrontation is ill-advised as most fight wouldn't end well for the Flanker.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent acceleration and engine power
* Great airframe allowing for very tight turns at speeds between ~500-700 km/h IAS
* Massive assortment of air-to-air weaponry, capable of carrying a maximum of 10 missiles, including six potent R-27ER SARH missiles
* GSh-30-1 is hard-hitting and capable of incapacitating most foes with a single well landed burst
* HMD is integrated with IR tracking support allowing R-73s to be launch from unprecedented angles

'''Cons:'''

* Massive airframe compared to most contemporaries which makes for an easy target
* Control surfaces stiffens at speeds higher than 1,200 km/h
* Flares are deployed singularly one by one
* Has a tendency to snap its wing at high speed whilst rolling excessively

== History ==

Development of the Su-27 began at the Sukhoi Design Bureau in early 1971. In 1977, the first prototype was built for testing. Due to a change in the concept of future aircraft, the team of aircraft manufacturers had to design an essentially new aircraft, only partially using the developments of the original project. The new prototype was ready by the end of 1980, and its flight tests began in the spring of 1981. The first Su-27s began to enter service with the armed forces in 1984, even though tests of a number of systems had not yet been completed. Today, Su-27 fighters of various modifications are in service with Russia, China, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries.

- From ''[[wt:en/news/8652-development-su-27-feisty-flanker-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/all/?q=%23su27 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|NlHdl2JAjfU|'''The Shooting Range #385''' - ''Special'' section at 06:35 discusses Pugachev's Cobra.|NlHdl2JAjfU|'''The Shooting Range #385''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8652-development-su-27-feisty-flanker-en|[Development] Su-27: Feisty Flanker!]]

{{AirManufacturer Sukhoi}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}