https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-33
The Sukhoi Su-33; NATO reporting name: Flanker-D) is an all-weather
carrier-based twin-engine air superiority fighter designed by Sukhoi and
manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, derived from
the Su-27 and initially known as the Su-27K. Compared with the Su-27, the Su-33
has a strengthened undercarriage and structure, folding wings and stabilators,
all for carrier operations. The Su-33 has canards and its wings are larger than
the Su-27 for increased lift. The Su-33 has upgraded engines and a twin nose
wheel, and is air refuelable.
First used in operations in 1995 aboard the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov,
the fighter officially entered service in August 1998, by which time the
designation "Su-33" was used. Following the break-up of the Soviet Union and the
subsequent downsizing of the Russian Navy, only 24 aircraft were produced.
Attempted sales to China and India fell through. With plans to retire the Su-33
once they reach the end of their service life, the Russian Navy ordered the
MiG-29K as a replacement in 2009.
To adapt the original Su-27 for naval operations, Sukhoi first incorporated a
reinforced structure and undercarriage to withstand the great stress experienced
upon landing, particularly quick descents and non-flare landings (landings where
the aircraft does not 'float' and slow its descent rate just prior to
touchdown). The leading edge slats, flaperons and other control surfaces are
enlarged to provide increased lift and manoeuvrability at low speeds, although
the wingspan remains unchanged. The wings feature double-slotted flaps and
outboard drooping ailerons; in total, the refinements enlarge the wing area by
number of aircraft the carrier can accommodate and to allow ease of movement on
deck. The aircraft is outfitted with more powerful turbofan engines to increase
thrust-to-weight ratio, as well as an in-flight refuelling probe. The Su-33
sports canards that shorten the take-off distance and improve manoeuvrability,
but have required reshaping of the leading edge root extensions (LERX). The rear
radome is shortened and reshaped to prevent its striking the deck during
high-Alpha (angle of attack) landings.
Compared with the rival MiG-29K, the Su-33's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is
50% higher; fuel capacity is more than double, allowing it to fly 80% further at
altitude (or 33% at sea level). The MiG-29K can spend as much time as the Su-33
on station by using external fuel tanks, but this limits its ordnance capacity.
The Su-33 can fly at speeds as low as 240 km/h (150 mph), in comparison the
MiG-29K needs to maintain a minimum of 250 km/h (160 mph) for effective control.
However, the MiG-29K carries more air-to-ground munitions than the Su-33. The
Su-33 is more expensive and physically larger than the MiG-29K, limiting the
numbers able to be deployed on an aircraft carrier.
Role
Carrier-based air superiority fighter and multirole fighter
National origin
Soviet Union / Russia
Manufacturer
Sukhoi
First flight
17 August 1987
Introduction
31 August 1998 (official)
Status
In service
Primary user
Russian Navy
Produced
Number built
approx. 35
Developed from
Sukhoi Su-27
On 15 November 2016, Sukhoi Su-33 fighter jets began conducting combat flights
over Syria from Admiral Kuznetsov's flight deck in the ongoing Syrian civil war.
On 5 December 2016, it was reported that a Su-33 had crashed into the
Mediterranean Sea after it failed to land on the carrier for a second time due
to an arrestor cable problem.
Specifications
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 21.19 m (69 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
Height: 5.93 m (19 ft 6 in)
Empty weight: 18,400 kg (40,600 lb)
Loaded weight: 29,940 kg (66,010 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 33,000 kg (72,752 lb)
(16,750 lbf) each
Thrust with afterburner: 125.5 kN (28,214 lbf) each
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.2 (2,300 km/h; 1,430 mph) at 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
Stall speed: Mach 0.19 (240 km/h; 150 mph)
Range: 3,000 km (1,864 mi)
Service ceiling: 17,000 m (55,800 ft)
Rate of climb: 246 m/s (48,500 ft/min)
Thrust/weight: 0.83
Maximum g-load: +8 g
Landing speed: 240 km/h, 149 mph
Armament
lb) of ordnance and provisions to carry combinations of: Rockets:
S-8KOM/BM/OM
S-13T/OF
S-25OFM-PU
Missiles:
Anti-ship missiles: Kh-31A
Kh-41
Anti-radiation missiles: Kh-25MP
Kh-31P
Bombs:
RBK-500 cluster bomb
Up to 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs
Avionics
Bars planar array radar
OEPS-27 electro-optical targeting system
SVP-24 electro-optical targeting system
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