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Ukraine’s Su-27 shown with small diameter GBU-39 bombs for the first time

Ukraine’s Su-27 shown with small diameter GBU-39 bombs for the first time

Matte Jr012 mins

A video showing the work of Ukrainian logistics forces shows GBU-39s being loaded onto a Su-27. Furthermore, the video shows for the first time the AIM-9X delivered to Ukraine.

Just months after the first sighting of the MiG-29 Fulcrum, we now have the first clear view of the US-made GBU-39 small-diameter bomb being carried on a Ukrainian Su-27 flanker. Previous photos claimed to show the Su-27’s new weapon, but the details did not allow identification of the aircraft and the photos were later revealed showing a MiG-29.

The SDB were shown in a recently released video showing the work of Ukrainian logistics forces, which also shows for the first time a box of AIM-9X missiles after their delivery to Ukraine. The bombs were loaded into the Su-27 with its BRU-61 quadruple strut and carried by a custom adapter under the jet’s original pylon.

Like the MiG-29, the Su-27 can carry a total of eight of these 250-pound class weapons, with the mounts positioned on the innermost pylon of each wing. The Ukrainian military first announced the use of the GBU-39 in May 2024, around the same time the first photo of the MiG-29 carrying the new weapon emerged.

The GBU-39 was reported to be largely resilient to Russian electronic warfare systems, unlike the ground-launched GLSDSB variant, whose effectiveness fell due to the jamming. Ukraine claims that around 90% of employed SDBs have achieved the targets assigned to them.

The use of Ukrainian Su-27s

Ukrainian Su-27s have played a crucial role in combat operations during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Pilots recounted dramatic aerial combat experiences against the Russian Air Force, demonstrating the intensive effort required to prevent Russia from achieving air superiority.

Ukraine’s 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade, the first frontline unit to receive the Su-27 in 1985, has a long history of service that includes joint exercises with other NATO nations and significant combat missions. The unit is employing the aircraft in both the air-to-air role, using the Soviet-era AA-10 Alamo and AA-11 Archer missiles, and in the air-to-ground role, using the Western-made AGM-88 HARM, GBU-62 JDAM -ER, Hammer AASM and GBU-39 SDB.

The Su-27 has been used by both Ukraine and Russia, but there are significant differences in their configurations and uses. Although Ukraine has upgraded its fleet with new avionics and radars, Russia developed the Su-35 as an evolution of the Su-27. The Russian Su-35 is equipped with more advanced avionics, AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and improved weapons systems.

These upgrades offer greater range and precision in weapon systems, significantly improving the combat capability of the Su-35 over the Su-27 and thus putting the Ukrainians at a disadvantage. Despite the technological superiority of the Su-35, the experience and tactics of Ukrainian pilots allowed them to effectively use the Su-27 and make the most of available resources.

A Ukrainian Su-27 with gray camouflage inspired by the F-15C. (Image credit: Ukrainian Air Force)

Camouflage inspired by the F-15

The Ukrainian Air Force recently published on its social media channels a photo of a Su-27 Flanker with an interesting livery, inspired by the Compass Ghost Gray camouflage of the F-15C. The photo was immediately shared by several accounts, as it would be the first high-resolution photo of that camouflage, which has so far been seen on three different jets.

According to the caption shared with the photo on Telegram, the photo was captured in July 2024 and shows a Su-27S assigned to the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade. Some sources added that this aircraft may have been recently refurbished, however the details are unknown.

Although unarmed, the aircraft can be seen equipped with custom pylons used for GBU-62 JDAM-ER or AASM Hammer munitions. A definitive identification is not possible, however we can recognize in the photo the black GPS antenna that is present on both posts.

Ukraine’s adoption of a US-inspired camouflage scheme could point to an effort aimed at reducing the vulnerability of its Su-27s to enemy air defenses and aircraft. The Compass Ghost Gray camouflage was designed to minimize the F-15’s visibility against ground and air threats, and Ukraine’s decision to adopt a similar scheme for its Su-27s suggests a similar goal of minimizing its visual detectability.

Unlike the MiG-29, which was operated by several European countries that donated their aircraft after the start of the war, Ukraine is the continent’s only Su-27 operator outside of Russia and Belarus. Because of this, Ukraine is trying to protect the highly valuable Su-27 fleet, as otherwise it would not be possible to acquire replacement aircraft.

Su-27 flanker of the Ukrainian Air Force. (Image credit: Jacek Siminski/The Aviationist)

The Ukrainian Su-27 fleet

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Ukraine inherited up to 70 Su-27s. Among them were some of the oldest in the Soviet Air Force, as the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade (Tactical Aviation Regiment in the Soviet era) was the first frontline unit to receive the Flanker in 1985.

Over the years, the number of aircraft in service has declined due to high maintenance requirements and a shortage of spare parts, with only 26 aircraft airworthy as of 2021. Many Su-27s have been stored, while nine have been sold abroad, including the one that is now in the US Air Force Museum.

Among the aircraft in Ukraine, there are different variants, including the initial Su-27S delivered in the 1980s (about 40 airframes), the air-to-air only Su-27P (about a dozen), and the two-seat Su-27UB . and Su-27PU. In addition to these, Ukraine has the upgraded Su-27S1M, Su-27P1M, Su-27UBM1 and Su-27PU1M variants.

The upgrades were carried out in early 2010 and included structural modifications to extend the aircraft’s service life. It is reported that the modernization also aimed to bring some components up to NATO standards, with new radios and GPS systems, as well as a minor radar overhaul.

As is already known, with the help of the United States, Ukraine integrated new air-to-ground weapons on the Su-27, namely the US-made AGM-88 HARM, the GBU-62 JDAM-ER and the GBU-39 SDB and the French-made AASM hammer. Ukraine is also expected to receive the British-supplied Paveway IV dual-mode GPS/laser-guided bombs, although it is unclear which aircraft they will be integrated into.

According to unconfirmed reports, Ukraine has also attempted to integrate US-made air-to-air weapons into the MiG-29 and Su-27, although the effort was unsuccessful and the aircraft still rely on the Soviet-era R-27. AA-10 Alamo and R-73/AA-11 Archer missiles. It is unclear which weapon Ukraine attempted to integrate, although both the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 have been delivered to and used by NASAMS air defense systems and F-16s.

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