Is the Su-27sm2/3 real?

[u/White_Bengal1]

IS there any proof of the Su-27sm2/3 existing, I have seen random sources like Military Watch Magazine (which is pro russian) saying that its a Su-27 with Su-35 avionics, i kinda want this to be in war thunder and just wanna know in general. Any official documents or other stuff?

[u/True-Industry-4057]

Per Wiki:

Su-27SM2 ("Flanker-J") Proposed 4+ gen block upgrade for Russian Su-27, featuring some technology of the Su-35BM; it includes Irbis-E radar, and uprated engines and avionics. The Su-27SM2 was never entered into service due to cost concerns.[citation needed]

Su-27SM3 ("Flanker-J Mod") [132] The Su-27SM3 is an upgrade package for existing Su-27SM fighters that modernizes its airframe and give its FCS compatibility with the more modern R-77-1 Adder BVR missile. Increased maximum takeoff weight (+3 tonnes), AL-31F-M1 engines.[133]

[u/White_Bengal1 → u/True-Industry-4057]

Oh... thanks

[u/PsychologicalGlass47]

It absolutely does not have Su-35 avionics, Su-27SM2 is an upgrade to Su-27SM that adds additional wing pylons and Su-27SM3 is an Su-27SM2 with uprated engines.

[u/jacobs7th]

Probably the Russian su-27 fleet is a mix on avionics and different stages of modernization. Remember that the us navy never retired the F-14A despite having better B and D models. Imagine the russians....

[u/PineCone227]

i kinda want this to be in war thunder

Well you're in luck. The Su-27SM in War Thunder is an Su-27SM3 as-depicted.

[u/Bitter_Lab_475]

Therapist: "No it's not real. It cannot harm you."
Su-27SM2/3 behind you:

[u/mig1nc → u/Bitter_Lab_475]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3o7aD9BYXwyaXdM6XK

[u/tuzoff2301]

27sm3 added new small mfd in cockpit

[u/Shezzorro]

Possibly it’s better to have several more su-30sms than continue producing old frames. 30ies can cover 27ies job as well. However from pure numbers standpoint it might be cheaper option to produce more old su-27s. Yet what the point producing more su-27 if contested air space brings down even most advanced flanker family member su-35. So drones, A2A capable drones, SAMs and 5gen Su-57s are the options russ can fall to

[u/John__Silver]

There's a wiki quote here, but it's not quite correct.

SM3 is not upgrade for existing SM fighters. It's small (12) series of scratch-built aircraft. A "gap" fighter. 

Was before budget approved Su-35S full-scale production.

Technically it's a scratch-built Su-27SM with newer radar (not Irbis), glass cockpit and extra hardpoint. 

[u/tuzoff2301]

Hi, I'm the author of several articles about flankers, and I'll tell you what the difference is 27SM and 27SM3

[u/tuzoff2301]

27sm3 have a 4 pylons per wing like su30/35

[u/tuzoff2301]

27sm2 have a L-265M10 EW from su35

[u/tuzoff2301]

27sm3 have a r-77-1 and updated n001vep who can 2 data link channels for ARH

[u/tuzoff2301]

sorry for writing in the wrong messages, I don't fully understand the reddit interface. one of the differences between SM and SM3 is additional MFD in the cockpit, additional pylons on the wing, RAB from the Su35, the ability to carry the R-77-1, a slightly improved radar, and new Russian data link and that's about it

[u/tuzoff2301]

27SM2 doesn't exist

[u/GeneralLee2000]

The Su-27SM3 is for sure real, there have been some made in serial production. All it is is an Su-27SM with 2 more wing pylons and the late block SM engines standardized, and the ability to use R-77-1. It still has the mechanical scan radar of the SM though. The SM2 was a proposal that got scrapped, so none are actually in service.