Su-27SM [serial modernized]

The Su-27SM [serial moderniziroval - serial modernized] repair and modernization of the Su-27 multipurpose fighter are performed under the contract signed in 2004 and providing for repair and modernization of the Russian Air Force's Su-27 aircraft. The modernized Su-27 will not influence the program for construction of fifth-generation pursuit planes. The Su-27SM aircraft is 60% more effective than the baseline Su-27. The modernized Sy-27SM planes belong to the 4+ generation technique. The modernized pursuit planes will effectively attack targets in the air and on land. These planes differ from fifth-generation pursuit planes with their relatively high visibility and insufficient technical equipment.

The Su-27 modernization covers significant increase of combat effectiveness of the aircraft in air-to-air and air-to-surface modes. In the latter - due to the application of high-precision weapon such as Kh-29T/TE/L, KAB-500KR, KAB-1500KR, Kh-31P, and Kh-31A; in the former one - due to application of the RVV-AE missile with an active radar homing head, and installation of the up-to-date sophisticated avionics that increase survivability and invulnerability of the aircraft. The aircraft's other systems were also upgraded within modernization that allowed to increase the aircraft combat effectiveness and extend its service life.

In addition to a contract for the production of the Superjet 100, a 3-year deal was signed with the Defense Ministry for repair and modernization of Su-27SM aircraft. The Russian Air Force initially planned to equip one regiment with modernized Su-27 warplanes in 2004, and 20 planes of the type were sent to the factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur for modernization during the year. On 23 November 2004 JSC "Sukhoi Company", JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau, and JSC KNAAPO got past the successive point of the aircraft production maturity by transferring the first production-run modernized Su-27SM aircraft to the Air Force of the Russian Federation.

On 29 November 2006 a contract was prepared for the upgrade at KnAAPO of another twenty-four Su-27 fighters to the Su-27SM configuration, according to a statement by Mikhail Pogosyan, Sukhoi Director-General. "This year we have supplied the Russian AF with six upgraded Su-27SM fighters, thus completing a three-year contract for upgrading another twenty-four Su-27 aircraft to the Su-27SM configuration," M.Pogosian said. According to him, this was the first such massive modernization of combat aircraft under the Russian Air Force's order in recent years.

By 2007 Russian jet engine maker Salut had spent $40 million on developing the AL-31FM1 engine for Su-27, Su-30, Su-33 and other Sukhoi aircraft and successfully completed its tests in October 2006. The modernized version of the famed AL-31F engine features improved thrust characteristics, a 15% increase in combat effectiveness and cycle life, and reduced maintenance costs. The AL-31FM1 will be initially installed on Su-27SM Flanker fighters in service with the Russian Air Force, but it also has a high export potential, a company official said.

By 2011 there were at least 48 Su-27SM in squadron service with plus some units at 4 TsPAPiPVI Lipetsk-2 airfield. On source reports the Su-27SM at 4 AvGr 6983 AVB airfield Central Corner, Vladivostok and 5 AvGr 6983 AVB airfield Dzemgi, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and the Su-27SM3 at IFA 6972, Krymsk. Another source reports 4th TsBP i PLS Air base Liptesk, 6989th Air Base Tsentralnaya Uglovaya, 6987th Air Base Dzemgi, and 6967th Air Base Chkalovsk.

Until 2009, the troops had 45 aircraft, and by 2011 another 12 had arrived. KnAAPO had their future secured for years to come with Su-27SM production & upgrades, Su-30M2 production, Su-35S production and the Pak-Fa program. The Su-27SM3 is an upgraded version of the Su-27 aircraft, with performance largely close to the Su-35S, the main difference being in the installation of engines AL-31F-M1 with 13,500 kgf thrust, strengthened airframe, additional hardpoints and installing 4 displays which were derived majority of devices and sensors in the cabin. The Su-27SKM is the export version of the Su-27SM, with the first flight in 2002.