The Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft, or Flanker, is considered a masterpiece of aeronautical design. It brought together the latest advancements of Soviet aeronautical engineering of the mid-1980s and was at the top of the technological pyramid at the time of its debut. Designed from scratch over decades, the aircraft always had significant potential for modernization, which has resulted in several variants that have crossed over to many air fleets around the world. In true Cold War-era fashion, the Flanker can carry most kinds of aerial destruction weapons, from unguided missiles to adjustable air bombs. Still, this Soviet twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter aircraft had a particular objective: to outmaneuver its American twin. And it finally had a chance to do it almost 25 years after it was first developed… --- Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between. As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.