Su27M

The Su-27M is a designation used for a major modernization program of the Sukhoi Su-27 air superiority fighter conducted by the Soviet and later Russian aerospace industry. The goal of the program was to extend the Su-27’s capabilities by updating avionics, sensors, and combat systems to match contemporary and projected threats, while preserving the airframe’s core performance.

Development of the Su-27M began in the late 1980s and continued into the 1990s as Sukhoi pursued an upgraded variant that could operate with more advanced missiles, computers, and display systems. The program produced a number of testbeds and limited-production aircraft that served as a bridge between the original Su-27 design and the later Su-35 family. In practice, the Su-27M concepts and technologies ultimately evolved into the more comprehensive Su-35 lineage, and the designation Su-27M is often treated as a historical step in the Su-27 family rather than a separate current model.

Design and features of the Su-27M-centric developments typically included digital avionics and a cockpit modernization to a more integrated, glass-panel layout, improved fire-control systems, and better compatibility with newer air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The upgrades were aimed at improving combat effectiveness, situational awareness, and interoperability with contemporary weapons and procedures.

Variants and legacy: The program yielded several upgraded variants, some of which were marketed and operated as part of the broader Su-27M/Su-35 family. The most widely known contemporary derivative is the Su-35, which inherits extensive systems and airframe improvements from the Su-27M effort. The Su-27M designation remains a historical reference point within the evolution of the Su-27 lineage.

Operators and status: The Su-27M-derived platforms have been primarily associated with Russian aerospace forces, with various export and domestic customers acquiring upgraded Su-27 airframes under different designations. As a result, the Su-27M is generally regarded as an intermediate step in the development of the modern Su-27 family rather than a distinct current production model.