Mikhail Simonov
Mikhail Petrovich Simonov (Russian: Михаи́л Петро́вич Си́монов; 19 October 1929 – 4 March 2011) was a Russian aircraft designer famed for creating the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter-bomber, the Soviet Union's answer to the American F-15 Eagle. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Simonov coordinated the Su-27's sale to foreign governments, providing badly needed hard currency to the Russian government. In recognition of his achievements, he was named a Hero of the Russian Federation in 1999.[1]
Mikhail Simonov | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 19 October 1929 |
| Died | 4 March 2011 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Known for | Sukhoi Su-27 |
| Awards | Hero of the Russian Federation |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | aircraft designer |
Simonov was born 19 October 1929 in Rostov-on-Don. He became an aviation engineer in the 1950s and joined Sukhoi as a deputy chief designer in 1970. In his time at Sukhoi, he developed the Sukhoi Su-24 bomber and the Sukhoi Su-25 ground-attack airplane, as well as the Su-27. He was the Soviet Union's deputy minister of aircraft industries from 1979 to 1983.
References
- "Герой России Симонов Михаил Петрович" (in Russian), Warheroes.ru. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
- The Associated Press. "Mikhail Simonov, 81, Designer of Soviet Air Force Workhorse, Dies", The New York Times. March 4, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.