A few months ago, it became known that the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to adapt MiG-29 fighters to carry American GBU-39 small-diameter bombs. The initial photos didn’t allow for immediate identification of the aircraft, leading to speculation that it might be a Su-27. However, it was later confirmed to be a MiG-29. Now, the Su-27 has also followed suit.
A recently published video showed a crate of missiles delivered to Ukraine. The bombs were loaded onto a Su-27 using BRU-61 racks and carried with the help of a special adapter mounted under the aircraft’s original pylon. Just like the MiG-29, the Su-27 can carry a total of eight such munitions, with the racks positioned on the inner pylon of each wing.
It is reported that the GBU-39 is largely resistant to Russian electronic warfare systems, unlike the GLSDB variant, whose effectiveness has significantly decreased due to jamming. Ukraine claims that about 90% of the deployed cruise bombs have successfully hit their intended targets.
Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft have played a crucial role in combat during the conflict with Russia. Pilots have already shared their experiences of air battles against Russian Air Force jets and how they did everything possible to prevent Russia from gaining air superiority.
Both Ukraine and Russia use Su-27s, but there are significant differences in their configurations and methods of deployment. While Ukraine has reportedly upgraded its fleet with new avionics systems and radars, Russia has developed the Su-35 as the next generation of the Su-27. The Su-35 is equipped with more advanced avionics, an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and improved weapon systems.
These upgrades provide greater range and accuracy for the weapon systems, significantly enhancing the combat capabilities of the Su-35 compared to the Su-27, thus putting Ukrainians at a disadvantage. However, the experience and tactics of Ukrainian pilots have allowed them to use the Su-27 with maximum efficiency.
Recently, a photo of a Su-27 with an intriguing camouflage pattern appeared on social media. It was the first high-resolution image of this particular camouflage. The aircraft in the photo was unarmed but equipped with special pylons used for carrying GBU-62 JDAM-ER or AASM Hammer munitions.
Ukraine’s adoption of a camouflage scheme similar to that of the U.S. may indicate efforts aimed at reducing the vulnerability of its Su-27s to enemy air defense systems and aircraft. The Compass Ghost Gray camouflage is designed to minimize the visibility of F-15s from both ground and air threats, and Ukraine’s decision to apply a similar scheme to its Su-27s likely serves a similar purpose.
With U.S. assistance, Ukraine has been able to integrate various air-to-ground weapons on the Su-27, including American AGM-88 HARM cruise missiles, GBU-62 JDAM-ER, and GBU-39 SDB bombs, as well as French AASM Hammer missiles. It is also expected that Ukraine will receive British Paveway IV laser-guided bombs, produced by Raytheon UK, though it remains unclear which aircraft will be equipped with them.
Source: theaviationist
