Who would win a dogfight between an F-15 Eagle and Su-27 Flanker?

2016-11-23T11:18:25-05:00

The F-15 Eagle – an air-superiority fighter that has dominated the dogfight arena sine it was introduced into service, then later emerged as a superb multi-role fighter.

The Su-27 Flanker– Russia’s attempt to match the Eagle.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2016 11:22 AM

2016-11-23T11:22:31-05:00

No contest

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 23 at 2016 11:23 AM

2016-11-23T11:23:08-05:00

F15 Eagle has more combat experience as an aircraft, however it may very well come to who's the better pilot. Are we doing guns only?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Nov 23 at 2016 11:32 AM

2016-11-23T11:32:28-05:00

The eagle, unless there is a big disparity in pilot skills. However, my answer would differ if you'd asked about the MiG 29. I think in that case,with equal pilots, the 29 takes it.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Nov 23 at 2016 11:37 AM

2016-11-23T11:37:24-05:00

depends solely on the pilot

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Nov 23 at 2016 11:50 AM

2016-11-23T11:50:12-05:00

In the hands of everyone who's flown it (particularly Israel), the Eagle has bested everything enemy thats been thrown against it. The Flanker has been in our hands (thanks to German reunification) and it really hasn't caused a major rethink in how we build planes. Even the Strike Eagle has a performance envelope that enables it to perform as a killer fighter.

AIM-120 AMRAAM and new Sidewinder variants have proven themselves while SovTech really hasn't been that much of a game changer.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-11-23T11:52:47-05:00

I think this will depend more on the skills of the pilots behind the sticks.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 23 at 2016 12:01 PM

2016-11-23T12:01:07-05:00

The Infantryman on the ground who was trying to get some sleep that had a Stinger nearby. :)

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 23 at 2016 1:07 PM

2016-11-23T13:07:36-05:00

interesting Piece

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 23 at 2016 1:35 PM

2016-11-23T13:35:29-05:00

The most important factor is the pilot in this matchup SP5 Mark Kuzinski. A great aerial combat pilot can do wonders with a warplane while an less experienced pilot may not be able to maximize the capabilities of a great plane.
Both warplanes are very capable. I expect that the F-15 Eagle has technical advances over the Su-27 Flanker.
As an infantryman I remember the M-16 and the AK-47 combat semi-automatic rifles. The M-16 was lighter and more sophisticated in terms of design. The AK-47 was simpler and able to function well with less maintenance in muddy and tropical wet environments.

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Nov 23 at 2016 1:46 PM

2016-11-23T13:46:59-05:00

The F-14 Tomcat ;)

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Nov 23 at 2016 3:08 PM

2016-11-23T15:08:56-05:00

Update:

Which is the deadliest plane? To decide that, we will look at combat records, their avionics systems, their armament, as well as their performance specs to see who’d come out on top.

1. Combat Records
There’s no better way to judge a plane then how it has done in combat. Forget the specs you see on a sheet of paper, forget what it looks like. Just judge it by its record
The F-15 has seen a lot of action. Perhaps the most important number is: “zero.” That is how many F-15s have been lost in air-to-air combat. This is an incredible feat for a plane that has been in service for 40 years and seen action in wars. In fact, the F-15 has shot down over 100 enemy planes with no losses.
The Su-27 family has seen much less action. Su-27s flown by the Ethiopian Air Force that saw combat in the 1998-2000 war with Eritrea scored at least two and as many as 10 air-to-air kills. The Flanker has also seen action over Syria, Chechnya, and Georgia, scoring one confirmed kill over Chechnya in 1994.
Advantage: F-15 Eagle
2. Avionics
In the modern age of aerial combat, the plane’s electronics matter. Radar serves as eyes and ears, while electronic countermeasures (ECM) try to keep the other side deaf and blind.
The F-15 uses the AN/APG-63(V)3, an active electronically scanned array, or AESA, radar. This highly advanced system gives the Eagle a pair of very sharp “eyes” that locate targets up to 100 miles away and direct its radar-guided AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles. The Eagle also has the AN/ALQ-135 ECM system, which is very useful against opposing radars, whether on missiles or aircraft.
The Su-27’s avionics center around the N001 Mech radar, capable of tracking bomber-sized targets at 86 miles. For a target the size of the F-15, though, the range is only 62 miles. That is a difference of 38 miles – almost two-thirds of the Mech’s range. The Flanker doesn’t have internal jammers. Instead, there is the option to use two Sorbtsiya pods.
Advantage: F-15 Eagle
3. Armament
The F-15 can carry up to eight air-to-air missiles. The usual load is four AIM-120 AMRAAMs and four AIM-9X Sidewinders. It also carries a M61 20mm Gatling gun with 900 rounds of ammunition. The AIM-120D now in service has a range of 99 miles, while the AIM-9X can reach out to 22 miles. The AMRAAM is a “fire and forget” missile.
The Su-27 carries six R-27 (AA-10 “Alamo” missiles), which have a range of up to 80 miles. These missiles use semi-active guidance, meaning the Flanker has to “paint” its target to guide the missile. That means flying straight and level – not the best idea in aerial combat.
The Flanker also carries up to four R-73 missiles (AA-11 “Archer”), which has a range of up to 19 miles, and has a GSh-30 30mm cannon.
Advantage: F-15 Eagle
4. Performance
The F-15 has a top speed of Mach 2.5, a combat radius of 1,222 miles, and can maneuver in a dogfight, pulling up to 9 Gs.
With three 600-gallon drop tanks and two 750-gallon conformal fuel tanks (Fuel And Sensor Tactical, or “FAST” packs), the F-15’s range is 3,450 miles. In short, this plane has long “legs” and it can be refueled in flight by tankers.
The Su-27 has a top speed of Mach 2.35, a range of 2,193 miles, and is capable of some amazing aerobatic feats, notably the Pugachev Cobra. Like the F-15, it can pull 9 Gs in a maneuver. The Flanker can carry drop tanks and be refueled while flying.
Advantage: Draw
So, who wins? While the F-15 Eagle is an older design, its advantages — particularly avionics — put the Su-27 at a huge disadvantage. Russia has other planes in the Flanker family (the Su-35), but they are few and far between.
So, how might the engagement between four United States Air Force F-15s and four Su-27s from BadGuyLand go?
Well, the F-15s would probably detect the Su-27s first. Once in AMRAAM range, the Eagle pilots will open fire, most likely using two missiles per target. The Flankers would be obliterated.
If it got to close range, though, the engagement is likely to be a lot less one-sided. Here, the AA-11 and AIM-9 are equal, and both planes can pull 9 Gs.
The skill and training of the pilots will be decisive. In this case, we will assume that BadGuyLand’s dictator, Sleazebag Swinemolestor, hasn’t quite trained his pilots well, and some were selected for their political liability. In this mix-up, the Eagles shoot down three Flankers for the loss of one fighter – the first F-15 lost in air-to-air combat.
Either way, though, it is a safe bet that the F-15 still comes out on top.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 23 at 2016 3:48 PM

2016-11-23T15:48:53-05:00

Depends on the pilot!!! As an American ace once stated when he met a former adversary on the ground. The adversary stated maybe we met in the skies over Korea. The ace stated not likely or you wouldn't be here.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Nov 23 at 2016 6:00 PM

2016-11-23T18:00:04-05:00

Easy- the F15 cause it is ours and the other team sucks

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 23 at 2016 11:27 PM

2016-11-23T23:27:37-05:00

The better pilot will win.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Nov 24 at 2016 5:37 PM

2016-11-24T17:37:02-05:00

Gonna have to go with the SU-27 on this one. The Eagle driver will be to reluctant to pull the trigger because s/he will not want to be labeled as a killer or thrill seeking murderer by the press as well as being subject to prosecution for unlawful shoot, murder, and violation of the RoE....

That being said..... The F-15E any day, any time, any where. The Eagle pilots generally are better trained and better experienced than the adversary no matter what platform they are flying.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 25 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-11-25T12:20:16-05:00

Option C: Snoopy flying his Sopwith Camel Doghouse.

Response by TSgt Daniel Wareham made Nov 29 at 2016 7:05 AM

2016-11-29T07:05:36-05:00

As a Eagle Keeper, I would say the Eagle. The professionalism and skills of the pilots and the maintainers would outclass and out last the SU. Remember, the Eagle can and has flown and safely landed with only one wing. Name another jet fighter to do that.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Nov 29 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-11-29T12:31:54-05:00

The better pilot would win

Response by SSgt Clare May made Nov 29 at 2016 2:40 PM

2016-11-29T14:40:25-05:00

The pilot that lands and walks away. That's the winner.... The loser is the one blown to shit or floating in silk.... next question?

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Nov 29 at 2016 8:07 PM

2016-11-29T20:07:47-05:00

SP5 There are a lot of match-ups on U-tube and there may be a match between the two. I understand the Eagle has new radar that updates the 15 greatly.

Response by MSgt Darren VanDerwilt made Dec 2 at 2016 12:50 PM

2016-12-02T12:50:01-05:00

These discussions are always entertaining. First off, the variables are countless. Is the engagement a classic merge, or does one start off with a position and situational awareness advantage? Secondly, modern air combat rarely, if ever, involves mano e mano engagements. There's a whole host of other air and/or ground assets providing support. Thirdly, training and experience background of the pilots. Are they strictly air-to-air pilots, or do they perform ground support at times. A jack of all trades is a master of none. The strictly air combat pilot will hold the advantage. Which one has put in more time performing basic fighter maneuver and dissimilar air combat training (practice engagements with squadron mates and against other units flying different aircraft).
All things considered, I'll put my money on the F-15C.