Sukhoi Su-33

Overview:

The Sukhoi Su-33 (NATO reporting name "Flanker-D") is a carrier-based multi-role fighter aircraft produced by Russian firm Sukhoi beginning in 1982. It is a derivative of the Su-27 ‘Flanker’ and was initially known as the Su-27K. The main differences from the Su-27 are that the Su-33 can operate from aircraft carriers and is capable of aerial refueling. Full scale design development of the Su-33 started in 1984 as T10K, under Konstantin Marbashev. N.F. Sadovnikov was appointed the Design Bureau's chief test pilot for the programme. Conceptual design had passed critical design review by November 1984, with the detailed design finalized in 1985. The Su-33 first flew in May 1985, and entered service in the Russian Navy in 1994. An air regiment comprising 24 fighters of the type was formed upon the Russian Navy’s only operating aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov. Unlike comparable American carrier-borne fighters like the F-14 Tomcat, the Su-33 uses a ski-jump instead of catapult for carrier takeoff. This method avoids the massive stresses produced by the catapult method, and provides the aircraft with a positive pitch and climb angle upon launch. However, when using a ski-jump, the Su-33 cannot launch at maximum takeoff weight. The Su-33 sports canards that shorten the take-off distance and improve maneuverability, but required reshaping of the leading edge extensions. The canards counter pitch-down force generated by leading and trailing edge flaps reducing approach speed by 1.5 times; they also act as destabilizers in supersonic flight, by reducing pitch trim drag. The wing area was also increased, though the span remained unchanged. The wings were fitted with power-assisted folding, and the vertical tails were shortened to allow the fighter to fit in the typically crowded hangars of an aircraft carrier. The rear radome was shortened and reshaped to allow for the tail hook, as well as to save space inside the hangars. The IRST was moved to provide better downward visibility and an L-shaped retractable refuelling probe was fitted to increase range. The Su-33 carries guided missiles such as the Kh-25MP, Kh-31 and Kh-41. The plane can be used in both night and day operations at sea. It can operate under assistance of the command center ship, or in conjunction with a Kamov Ka-31 (a variant of the Ka-27) early-warning helicopter. The R-27EM missiles provide it the capability to intercept antiship missiles. Other than air defence, the duties of the Su-33 include destruction of enemy ASW, AWACS, and transport aircraft, anti-shipping strike, support of amphibious landing, escort, reconnaissance, and laying of minefields. The state-run company Rosoboronexport is finishing negotiations with the People’s Republic of China to ship up to 50 aircraft totalling US$2.5 billion. China would initially acquire 2 aircraft worth US$100 million for testing and then have further options to acquire an additional 12-48 aircraft. The fighters are intended to be used with the fledgling Chinese aircraft carrier program. At the sixth Zhuhai Airshow in fall 2006, the first deputy director of the Military Technological Cooperation Bureau of Russian Federation, lieutenant general Aleksander Denisov of the Russian Air Force, publicly confirmed at the news conference that China had approached Russia for the possible purchase of Su-33, and negotiation was to start in 2007. The Xinhua News Agency subsequently published the information on its military website the same day (November 1, 2006) that China planned to "introduce Su-33". On 10 March 2009, the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper reported that the talks to sell the aircraft to China had failed over fears that China would make a copy for export. China had previously obtained a manufacturing license for Su-27 production. An unnamed Russian official told UPI that the Chinese order for only seven aircraft was far too small to justify restarting the production line. Sukhoi is working on a more advanced version, the Su-33K, though technical details need to be worked out to integrate the advanced technologies of the Su-35 fighters into the Su-33 airframe.

Specifications:

Role

• Multirole fighter.

First Flight

• May 1985

Introduction

• 1994

Status

• Operational.

Primary User

• Russian Naval Aviation.

Number Built

• 24+

Crew

• 1 pilot.

Length

• 21.94 m (72 ft).

Height

• 5.93 m (19.5 ft).

Empty Weight

• 18,400 kg (40,600 lb).

Loaded Weight

• 29,940 kg (66,010 lb).

Max Takeoff Weight

• 33,000 kg (72,750 lb).

Powerplant

• 2× AL-31F afterburning turbofans.
• Dry thrust: 7,600 kgf (74.5 kN, 16,750 lbf) each.
• Thrust with afterburner: 12,500 kgf (122.6 kN, 27,560 lbf) each.

Weapons

• 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds.
• R-27/R-73 air-to-air missiles.
• Various bombs and rockets.
• ECM pods.