'Reaper Killer': Russian Su-27 Flanker Outperforms USAF F-15

(Photo : US Defense Department European Command via Getty Images)
Russian Su-27Flanker called the 'Reaper Killer' for its downing of a Reaper drone, which the USAF F-15 has not done yet.

Russian Su-27 Flanker downed a USAF MQ-9 Reaper drone on March 14.
The combination of western-acquired and 70's soviet tech produced the initial prototype in 1981.
Russia's Su-27 set over 30 world records, surpassing the USAF F-15.

The Russian Su-27 'Reaper Killer' has proved that even if it is an aging platform, it is and is excellent and able to outmatch the USAF F-15. A certain degree of inspiration came from designing the Flanker with some US technology which also brought forth the F-15 Eagle.

Russian Su-27 'Reaper Killer' Hits the Headlines

One of these records set by a stripped-down F-15 called the Streak Eagle was taken away by a Su-27 using some American tech onboard. The Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker is the best warplane made by the Soviet bloc to takedown most American jets it would encounter. In 1969 when the Soviets knew the USAF F-X program that produced the excellent F-15, reported Eurasian Times.

A quick reaction from Russia had materialized and set to begin the development of a fighter that would equal advanced US fighters, developing an acrobatic airframe and systems to drive Russian aviation to the edge.

Designing from scratch a sleek airframe that was done by the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (Tsentral'nyy Aerogidrodinamicheskiy Institut or TsAGI) with the legendary Sukhoi Design Bureau. Getting a boost by obtaining secret intel, states Iran Watch.

A Russian outlet verified in the 80s when info on the F-15 was obtained by Russian spooks that Sukhoi used as the basis for the first Flanker design, but the information did not have specs on speed and streamlined performance. A combination of western and 70's soviet tech led to the initial prototype in 1981 called the T-10S, which became the Su-27 later, the template of the Russian VKS family of Flanker variants.

Russia's Su-27 Flanker Partly from USAF F-15 Technology

Optimized for air superiority with dual engines and keyed for tight dogfights, it is designed for. The Flanker family has been built for multiple aerial warfare operations, per Defense Turkey.

The aircraft carries weapons like cannons for close-in dogfights (150 rounds), ten hardpoints for types of bombs, and missiles for air-to-air or air-to-ground missions. It is equipped with IRST, laser ranger, and radar, with helmet-mounted targeting sensors for search and attack: defenses radar warning, chaff/decoy release, and jammer pod on wingtips.

Keeping the Flanker updated from the Soviet era is the 27SM program during 2003. It improved the older fire-control system. The first units of 27SMs in 2004 were active and based at Belbek when Crimea was annexed in 2014. Other than the SM-variant when 12 were built up to the 2009 (Su-27SM3), which had more than fire control systems and more performance updates.

Cosmetically the Flanker SMs are like the legacy Su-27s, but inside, the older instrumentation was analog. A new cockpit now has a multi-functional screen, not gauges or dials. But the advanced Su-30MK2 has better radar and EOTS, IRST, with a new combat mission computer added to it. Targets are seen with a radar that maps either land or sea.

More advanced weaponry for the SM variant that uses Kh-31, Kh-29, and laser guide bomb arming it. A standoff missile, the R-77, for air-to-air beyond-sight attacks for longer ranges, per Missilery.

The Flanker has 30 world records that it set and even outclassed the records set by the F-15 too. For example, the Streak Flanker defeated the climb record of the F-15. Russian Su-27 'Reaper Killer' deserves acclaim because it proved itself against its closest rival, USAF F-15 Eagle. Killing the US MQ-9 Reaper drone with no missile or cannon fire proved this platform better, according to the official US Air Force website.