In the code names given by NATO to the aircraft of the former Soviet Union, Russia and China, fighter aircraft all use the word starting with F, which stands for fighter (Fighter): such as MiG-21 (Fishbed: Fishbed), Mi Grid-25 (Foxbat), MiG-29 (Fulcrum), J-8 (Finback), Su-27 (Flanker);
Bombers are all Words starting with B represent bombers: such as Tu-16 (Badger), Tu-95 (Bear), Tu-160 (Jolly Roger: Blackjack);
Helicopters are Words starting with H represent helicopters (Helicopter): such as Mi-24 (Hind: Hind), Mi-28 (Havoc), Ka-25 (Hormone), Ka-28 (Helix) Wait.
Before the first flight of the Su-27 prototype Т-10-1, the Western world knew nothing about the Su-27. In the summer of 1977, American reconnaissance satellites captured images of two new Soviet fighter jets. The photo is very blurry. The temporary designations given by the US Department of Defense to the two aircraft are Lamin-K and Lamin-L, where Lamin-K is the Su-27 and Lamin-L is the MiG-29. In 1983, the U.S. intelligence agency obtained partial information about the Su-27. The Lamin-K was officially named "Flanker" by NATO. From then on, "Flanker" became the nickname of the Su-27, and gradually accepted by people.