As part of its most ambitious military project since the
collapse of the Soviet Union 12 years ago, Russia Friday launched
its first flight of upgraded SU-27SM fighters from the company's
manufacturing plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The aircraft flew to
their new base at the Russian Air Force training center in Lipetsk,
where they'll undergo testing before becoming fully
operational.
The SU-27SM features new engines and updated avionics and already,
Russian pilots are thrilled beyond comparison. "They still smell of
fresh paint. They are like factory-fresh cars," a smiling squadron
leader, Yuri Gritsenko, told NTV television.
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