Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum

By Jim Lucas
Nation: Poland
Taken on: July 7, 2012

The Russian Sukhoi Su-27

Posted by "Sayf Maslul"


Artist: "Blue Stahli"


Song: "Ultra Numb (instrumental)


The Sukhoi Su-27 (Russian: Сухой Су-27) (NATO reporting name: Flanker) is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. 

It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with 3,530-kilometre (1,910 nmi) range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability. 

The Su-27 most often flies air superiority missions, but is able to perform almost all combat operations. 

Complementing the smaller MiG-29, the Su-27's closest US counterpart is the F-15 Eagle.

There are several related developments of the Su-27 design. The Su-30 is a two-seat, dual-role fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions. 

The Su-33 ‘Flanker-D’ is a navy fleet defence interceptor for use on aircraft carriers. 

Further versions include the side-by-side 2-seat Su-34 ‘Fullback’ strike variant and the Su-35 ‘Flanker-E’ improved air defence fighter. [Info via: WikiPedia]

New Kind Of Aircraft Debuts

The D Dalus system uses four contra-rotating turbines for propulsion, rather than wings, rotating blades and jet engines.
No Jets, No Problem

Published June 23, 2011
Courtesy Of "FOX News"

No wings, no rotors, no jets!

An Austrian engineering firm debuted a new type of hovercraft at the Paris Air Show this week, claiming it can take off and land vertically without using any rotor blades or fixed wings.

The D-Dalus vehicle uses four contra-rotating turbines for propulsion, each reaching 2,200 rpm. Each turbine blade has a variable angle of attack, which according to the designer allows the main thrust to be fired in any direction, around any axis. This allows the craft to launch vertically, hover, rotate in any direction and even thrust upwards, holding itself down.

The designer, Austrian Innovative Aeronautical Technology (IAT21), maintains a sparse website that says the craft has several patented inventions, including "a friction-free bearing at the points of high G force, and a system that keeps propulsion in dynamic equilibrium, thereby allowing the guidance system to quickly restore stability in flight."

IAT21 has been working on a prototype for three years and has recently completed initial testing using a 120-bhp KTM engine to drive the turbines, according to Gizmag. The company completed tests transitioning from vertical to forward flight in a laboratory near Salzburg, Austria.

The current model has 5-foot-long turbines and can lift a payload of about 150 pounds. IAT21 is working with Cranfield University in the U.K. on a larger, more powerful motor, a new hull shape and advanced guidance and control systems, Gizmag said.

It's designed to work as a drone for sea- and land-based uses, like search and rescue, disaster monitoring and surveillance, the company said. Eventually, larger models could be used for passenger flight.