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Su-27 night raid – Ukraine deploys full set of U.S. GBU-39s.
Ukrainian Air Force continues to make use of Soviet-era Su-27 fighters, now equipped with American-supplied GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs [SDBs] for night strike missions.
New footage reveals a clear view of the Su-27 flying with a full payload of these U.S. precision munitions, highlighting the unique cooperation between Soviet aircraft and American bombs.
While this combination of hardware is not unprecedented, the footage is rare due to its clarity, providing a striking visual of the symbiosis between these two disparate military technologies.
The video’s time and location remain unclear, but based on the context, it is likely captured at the start of a mission—possibly from a nearby aircraft or drone, with the Su-27 taking off from a base in central or western Ukraine, out of range of Russian air defenses.
The integration of the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb [SDB] with the Soviet-era Su-27 Flanker fighter jet by the Ukrainian Air Force represents a remarkable feat of military adaptation and engineering.
This process, which was first publicly confirmed in 2024, involved overcoming significant technical and logistical challenges to meld Western precision-guided munitions with a platform originally designed for Soviet weaponry.
The journey began with the Ukrainian military receiving GBU-39 bombs as part of Western military aid packages, primarily from the United States. The first visual evidence of this integration emerged in May 2024, when videos and photographs circulated on social media platforms, showing MiG-29 Fulcrums equipped with the bombs.
However, it wasn’t until October 2024 that clear evidence of the GBU-39 being mounted on a Su-27 surfaced, marking a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s evolving air combat capabilities.
The primary challenge in this integration was the fundamental incompatibility between the NATO-standard munitions and the Soviet-designed aircraft. The Su-27’s hardpoints and pylons were not originally engineered to accommodate NATO weapons like the GBU-39.
This necessitated the development of custom adapters or entirely new pylons to physically secure the bombs to the aircraft. Such adaptations required not only mechanical ingenuity but also a deep understanding of both systems’ specifications to ensure structural integrity and operational reliability.
Beyond the physical integration, the avionics of the Su-27 presented another layer of complexity. The GBU-39 relies on sophisticated GPS and INS [Inertial Navigation System] guidance for precision targeting, systems which differ significantly from the Soviet-era avionics in terms of communication protocols and data handling.
To bridge this gap, modifications to the aircraft’s mission computers or the addition of intermediary hardware and software were necessary. This included potentially integrating portable targeting pods or other external systems capable of transmitting the required GPS data to the bomb’s guidance system.
Operational training also became a significant aspect of this integration. Ukrainian pilots had to learn new procedures for targeting, arming, and releasing the GBU-39, which differ from the methodologies used with Soviet munitions.
This training was crucial not just for the pilots but also for the ground crews who needed to understand the nuances of loading and maintaining these new weapons systems.
The strategic importance of this integration cannot be overstated. The GBU-39, known for its ability to strike targets with high precision from up to 40 nautical miles away, expands the tactical options for the Ukrainian Air Force.
It allows the Su-27, traditionally an air superiority fighter, to engage in air-to-ground missions with minimal collateral damage due to the bomb’s small size and precision.
Additionally, the integration has been noted for its resilience against Russian electronic warfare efforts, providing a significant tactical advantage in contested airspace.
This endeavor showcases the adaptability and technical prowess of the Ukrainian military, bolstered by Western support, in the face of ongoing conflict. It underscores a broader theme of military evolution where legacy platforms are repurposed with modern technology to meet the demands of contemporary warfare.
The success of this integration not only enhances Ukraine’s combat capabilities but also serves as a testament to the potential of cross-alliance military innovation.
The Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27, known by its NATO codename “Flanker,” has been a pivotal asset in the Ukrainian Air Force since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Originally designed to counter Western fourth-generation fighters like the F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle, the Su-27 was intended for air superiority missions but has since adapted to a broader role encompassing various aerial warfare operations.
The legacy of the Su-27 in Ukrainian service began in the early 1990s when Ukraine inherited a significant portion of the Soviet fleet. At that time, Ukraine boasted the second-largest fleet of Su-27s in the world, with a mix of single-seat fighters [Su-27S and Su-27P] and two-seat trainers [Su-27UB and Su-27UP].
The Su-27S and Su-27UB were versatile, capable of engaging in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, while the Su-27P and Su-27UP were tailored for interception tasks within the Soviet Air Defence Forces.
Over the years, the number of operational Su-27s in Ukraine has dwindled due to attrition, sales, and the challenges of maintenance without consistent Russian support.
By the early 2020s, Ukraine’s operational Su-27 fleet was significantly reduced, with reports suggesting around 55 aircraft remained, including 37 Su-27S, ten Su-27P, six Su-27UB, and two Su-27UP.
These are primarily operated by the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade, showcasing the aircraft’s enduring role in Ukrainian defense strategy.
In terms of equipment, the Ukrainian Su-27s are equipped with the Phazotron N001 Myech radar, which offers track-while-scan and look-down/shoot-down capabilities, a critical feature for engaging low-flying or stealthy targets.
The aircraft also boasts an OLS-27 infrared search and track [IRST] system, enhancing its ability to engage targets without relying solely on radar.
For armament, the Su-27 carries a 30mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 cannon and can support up to 10 hardpoints for various missiles and bombs. Its standard missile load includes a mix of R-73 [AA-11 Archer] for short-range engagements and R-27 [AA-10 Alamo] for medium-range combat, with both infrared and semi-active radar homing variants.
Post-2014, with strained relations with Russia, Ukraine has faced challenges in sourcing spare parts and maintaining its Su-27s.
This led to the Zaporizhzhya Aircraft Repair Plant “MiGremont” initiating a modernization program to NATO standards, resulting in models like the Su-27P1M and Su-27UB1M. These upgrades involved minor overhauls of radar, navigation, and communication systems.
The integration of Western weaponry has also been a significant development. Ukrainian Su-27s have been adapted to carry American JDAM-ER, GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, French AASM-250 Hammer guided bombs, and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, significantly enhancing their multi-role capabilities. This adaptation reflects Ukraine’s strategic shift towards interoperability with NATO forces.
However, the effectiveness of these modernizations is somewhat limited by the inherent technological capabilities of the aircraft. The Su-27’s radar systems, while upgraded, still lag behind in some aspects compared to modern Western fighters, particularly in terms of electronic warfare and missile guidance systems. Ukrainian pilots have highlighted the need for more advanced, fire-and-forget missiles to match the capabilities of their adversaries.
The Su-27’s role in recent conflicts, especially in defending Ukrainian airspace, underscores both its capabilities and its limitations. While it remains a formidable fighter due to its maneuverability and range, the ongoing conflict has exposed the need for further upgrades or possibly a transition to newer aircraft like the F-16, which Ukraine has begun to receive, to fully modernize its air force.
The Ukrainian Su-27, despite its age and the challenges of maintenance, continues to play a crucial role in the nation’s defense.
Its journey from a Soviet-era interceptor to a multirole fighter adapted for modern warfare illustrates both the resilience and the adaptability of this aircraft in the face of evolving military technologies and geopolitical realities.