The two aircraft have been bought from a private Ukrainian company by the Reno-based Tac Air, which provides training and test support for the military.
The fighter jets will also be used to test the effectiveness of new U.S. radars and electronic warfare equipment, the Strategy Page reported.
The 33-ton Su-27 is similar to the U.S. F-15, but costs some 30% less, the source said.
Su-27 fighter jets have been produced in Russia since 1982. They arestill widely used in the Russian Air Force and are gradually undergoingmaintenance repairs to extend their service life.
The Su-27 Flanker and its variant, the Su-30 Flanker C, account for a major share of Russia's arms exports. In the past, Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker sold Su-27 and Su-30 fighters to China, India, Malaysia, Venezuela and Algeria.
In 2007, Sukhoi exported 50 of these aircraft, accounting for 50% of Rosoboronexport's export revenues.
According to U.S. sources, the two aircraft, which have beenacquired in a commercial variant, stripped of weaponry, are beingoverhauled and modified by the U.S. Pride Air company.
