Sukhoi Su-27 & 30/33/34/35 (GORDON, KOMISSAROV)

Development of what was to become the world-renowned Su-27 began in the 1960s by the Soviet Union in response to the threat posed by the new fourth generation of American fighters with exceptional range, heavy armament and great agility, but the task was long and arduous with production only beginning in 1982.

By the mid 1980s Sukhoi started development of the Su-27M (Su-35) generation 4+ fighter but the demise of the Soviet Union prevented this from entering production. However, the Su-33 shipboard version fared better and continues to serve with the Russian Navy today.

In the late 1980s the Su-27UB combat trainer was developed into the Su-30 two-seat fighter and this led to the highly successful Su-30MK export version in the 1990s. More recently the single seat Su-35S generation 4++ has entered service, as has the distinctive side-by-side two-seat Su-34 tactical bomber, which became operational with the Russian Air Force in 2011.

In all, the Su-27 and its derivatives have seen service with nearly 20 nations and it has seen combat service, notably in the recent Russian operations in Syria.

This is an extensively revised, much updated and considerably expanded edition of a 2007 title in this Famous Russian Aircraft series and as such describes in unprecedented and extensively-researched detail from original sources the development, variants and operational history of the entire Flanker family.