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The Pilots Desk
Fighterscarrier-based interceptor version of the Su-27 fighter aircraft

Sukhoi Su-33

Sukhoi Su-33

The Sukhoi Su-33 (Russian: Сухой Су-33; NATO reporting name: Flanker-D) is a Soviet/Russian all-weather carrier-based twin-engine air superiority-focused multirole 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 its parent design the Su-33 has a number of modifications to make it suitable for carrier operations. These include a strengthened undercarriage and airframe, larger, folding wings and stabilators, new canards, upgraded engines, and a twin nose wheel. 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 were unsuccessful. 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.

Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.

Category
Fighters
Country of origin
Soviet Union
First flight
1987-08-17

Specifications

Max speed
1,240 kt
Range
1,600 nm
Service ceiling
56,000 ft
Rate of climb
48,400 ft/min
Max takeoff weight
72,753 lb
Empty weight
40,565 lb
Powerplant
2 × Saturn AL-31F3 afterburning turbofan engines
Engines
2
Seats
1
Length
69.5 ft
Wingspan
48.3 ft
Height
19.5 ft
Number built
24

Specifications are approximate and may vary by variant. Compiled from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

Reference and training only. Specifications vary by variant — consult the manufacturer and the official documents.