Su-33 Flanker-D

The Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker-D (formerly known as the Su-27K, often nicknamed Sea Flanker, Naval Flanker or Navy Flanker) was built by Sukhoi Design Bureau during the early 1980's out of a need for a carrier based aircraft to counter the U.S. F-14A Tomcat.

Description
First flying on May of 1985, development progressed well until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Entering service in 1994, it was used on the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov. '''To adapt the original Su-27 for naval operations, Sukhoi incorporated substantial changes to the basic airframe. The aircraft's structure and undercarriage was strengthened to withstand the great stress experienced upon landing, particularly quick descents and non-flare landings.undefinedThe leading edge slats, flaperons and other control surfaces were enlarged to provide increased lift and manoeuvrability at low speeds, although the span remained unchanged. The wings features double-slotted flaps and outboard drooping ailerons; in total, the refinements enlarged the wing area by 10–12%. The wings were modified for folding as to maximise the number of aircraft the carrier can accommodate; the stabilators are also foldable to allow the Su-33 to use Admiral Kuznetsovs edge-deck lift.undefinedThe 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 improved manoeuvrability, but required reshaping of the leading edge root extensions. In terms of range and payload, the aircraft is superior to its rival Mikoyan counterpart, the MiG-29K, however the MiG-29 is a multirole platform with more advanced avionics, making it capable of a wider range of missions.

Ace Squadrons/Ace

 * Lorenz Riedel Feniks, Russian for Phoenix. (EAF/AC6)


 * ECMDAF 370th Air Wing/9th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Strigon" (EAF,AC6)

Specifications

 * Crew: 1
 * Powerplant: 2x Lyulka AL-31F afterburning Turbofans (27,650 lbs of thrust)
 * Max Speed: Mach 2.17 (1,430 mph or 2,300 km/h)
 * Stalling Speed: 150 mph or 240 km/h
 * Range: 1,860 mi or 3,000 km

Standard Weapons

 * Gun: 1 x 30mm Gsh-30-1 Autocannon
 * Missile: R-60MK (AA-8) 'Aphid' AAM

Special Weapons

 * QAAM: R-73 (AA-11) 'Archer' AAM
 * XMAA: R-77 (AA-12) 'Adder' AAM
 * RCL: UV-16-57

Related Development

 * Su-27 Flanker
 * Su-32 Strike Flanker
 * Su-35 Super Flanker
 * Su-35S Flanker-E
 * Su-37 Terminator