Sukhoi Su-33

Su-33
A Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33
General information
TypeCarrier-based air superiority fighter and multirole fighter
National originSoviet Union
Russia
ManufacturerSukhoi, Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association
StatusIn service
Primary userRussian Navy
Number built~24 built total
History
Manufactured1987–1999
Introduction date31 August 1998 (official)[1]
First flight17 August 1987; 37 years ago (1987-08-17)[2]
Developed fromSukhoi Su-27
VariantsShenyang J-15

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 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 a slower stall speed. 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,[N 1] 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.[4] 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.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference William p. 130 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Williams p. 129 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Gordon 1999, pp. 70–71.
  4. ^ "ODIN - OE Data Integration Network". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 20 September 2024.


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