So you want to go Mach 1.8 huh? (the 2 seat version maxes out at Mach 1.8) Well now you can, for the low low asking price of $6,000,000 each. For the first – and possibly the last – time ever you can become the proud owner of 2, Sukhoi SU-27UB 4th generation fighter aircraft. Just before Oshkosh AirVenture 2009 I visited Pride Aircraft in Rockford Illinois who is offering for sale 2 Sukhoi SU-27UB fighters brought straight to you from a former Soviet Republic. Number 31 (built in 1990) and number 32 (built in 1988) have been fully restored and both the engines and airframes were “zeroed out” at the factory. At the moment, the engines have approximately 12 hours each – each aircraft has around 600 hours total time. These airframes look brand new. They also both include freshly overhauled Zvedzda K-36DM ejection seats. Pride has been diligently working to convert all of the instruments, avionics and communications equipment over to standard American gear. This includes all new commercial grade communication radios and state of the art Garmin 530 GPS units.
The first thing you notice about these airplanes is their sheer size. They are enormous – they are 11 feet longer, 6 feet wider and a little more than 1 foot taller than the F-15. It was a little overwhelming standing next to them and comparing them to the 3 L-39‘s that were also in the hangar was almost laughable – they dwarfed the Albatross easily.
Originally these 2 aircraft were sold to a private company who intended to use them for scientific research. Because it was determined that they weren’t the right platform for the work, they are now being offered to private owners or aviation museums. The SU’s were delivered to the US in October of 2008 via an Antonov AN-124 Condor. Before they left, they were – of course – completely demilitarized. All of the weapon hard points were removed along with all countermeasures and radar equipment. They were inspected upon their arrival into the US and have been cleared for private sale. There aren’t too many conditions for the sale other than they cannot leave the US. The asking price is $6 Million each – recently Israel sold 2 very similar aircraft for $15 Million each – these aircraft retained their military systems, but the estimated value of that equipment is approximately $1,500,000 – this should give you an idea of what Pride ultimately expect to get for the 2 aircraft.
As I am writing this, they have undoubtedly begun engine testing as they expected to start that the week after my visit (August 7th, 2009). They expect to be making the first flights in the US by October of this year. Included with the purchase is 1 year of “factory support” provided at Pride in Rockford.
I’ve been trying to imagine who the buyer for an aircraft like this is, is it a wealthy aviation enthusiat? A Museum? One thing I know for sure is that, in my opinion, if these aircraft are sold to a museum or the like it will be a shame. It seems to me that an aircraft like this – in such perfect condition – is just screaming to be flown. As I get more more information regarding any sale, I will keep you updated.
Here are some additional photos from the aircraft:
Best article, lots of intersting things to digest. Very informative
[...] 2 Sukhoi SU-27UB Aircraft for sale on the open U.S. Market | Notes from the field? whatthewhonow.com/2009/08/28/su-27-aircraft-for-sale – view page – cached #Notes from the field? RSS Feed Notes from the field? Atom Feed Notes from the field? » 2 Sukhoi SU-27UB Aircraft for sale on the open U.S. Market Comments Feed Notes from the field? Setting Expectations Major General Gregory Feest visits Chicago for the Air and Water Show — From the page [...]
Great article, but it just leaves me wanting even more!
Since the hard points have been removed, does that mean the option to mount external fuel drop-tanks has also been eliminated?
Why the restriction on flying outside the US? I’m guessing that this is because the planes in and of themselves are classified as weapons and export rules apply?
Any idea what the requirements are for a pilot wanting to fly these? I’m assuming at least 1000 hours like the L-39s Pride also sells. Love to hear if some other type rating is necessary to fly supersonic (and given the restrictions on leaving US, where one might be able to actually do so)
Pride’s own info about the Flanker’s has been taken down from their website. Does this mean they have already sold?
Daniel,
I’ll try to answer your questions as best I can:
You’re correct, with the hard points removed there is no accommodation for extended range drop tanks.
I guess I should clarify the US restriction, they’re not restricted from flying outside the US, they’re restricted from being sold to any non US buyers – for obvious export reasons.
As for the training required to operate them, the guys at Pride indicated that you’d have to have a minimum of 1000 hours PIC and experience in high G conditions. They said that anyone who had been flying something like the L-39 would easily be able to transition into the Flanker. There is no type rating required to go faster than the speed of sound, you would have to go out into international waters. There is apparently a restriction on Mach if you have a US Pilot Certificate unless you receive special permission from the FAA – not a type rating, but “special permission”. I assume that if you did go faster than sound over international waters and didn’t have special permission, you would be violated when you got back into US airspace.
I’m not sure why the information was taken down, I do know that the jets have not been sold as of this comment.
Hope that helps!
Scott, there is no provision for fuel as underwing stores on any variant of the SU-27. All fuel is internal and all u/w hardpoints are for weapons. ALL weapons capability has been permanently removed from these a/c. This makes these SU’s the cleanest, lightest and best performing SU-27UB’s anywhere in the world!
Best Regards, John Morgan
What I am thinking is Tonopah and the testing of foreign military aircraft that still is ongoing even though the original program that had us flying Mig-17′s, 21′s and the 23′s was terminated in 1989. And what I am thinking is the price is not too bad especially if you want intel on those planes like you sampled with the Moldavian Mig-29′s. Most definitely, I am surprised the Air Force did not spring for greenbucks to buy the pair once it came to Rockport Illinois last year.
Ultimately, the best use for those two is museum pieces. I can envision one at National Museum of the Air Force and the other at Udvar Hazy Museum. Deep pockets are needed and one who can easily afford them is aviation enthusiast Paul Allen who is close buddy and co-founder of Microsoft with Bill Gates. A cut rate deal of 7 million can be negotiatied for the pair and they can be flown to their respective museums by USAF pilots or hauled there by truck..
What a great toy for the person that can afford it and qualify to fly it!
Are ejection seats allowed in a demilitarized military plane? I thought that they were prohibited in the US with the exception of active military planes. Ejection would be the way to get out of a un salvageable situation. Bailing out of this aircraft or attempting to land dead stick really are not options.
These planes are solely suitable for purchase by a very rich enthusiast, because having almost zero- time engines doesn’t make sense for a museum.
I’ll buy those planes, do they come with experienced pilots, I’ll give the pilots 100,000 per year. I got a J.E.T. mission coming up and need to train my flac boys.
Have either of those planes sold yet?