The Su-33 Flanker-D is a carrier-based variant of the Su-27 Flanker-B. It was introduced in Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation and later made appearances in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon and Ace Combat Infinity. It was most recently featured in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. It is best known for its appearance as the official aircraft of Strigon Team.
Compared to the Su-27, it features heavily reinforced landing gear, an arresting hook, folding wings, two extra underwing hardpoints, forward canards, revised cockpit layout and avionics for naval operations, and enlarged internal fuel tanks.
History[]
Strangereal[]
During the Estovakian Civil War and Emmeria-Estovakia War, Su-33s were used by the elite Strigon Team as they allowed for takeoff and landing from the P-1112 Aigaion. Strigon partook in numerous operations, often turning the tide of battle in Estovakia's favour.[1][2] In 2016, Belkan ace Lorenz Riedel, callsign "Feniks", flew an Su-33 when the Emmerian Air Force launched a surprise attack on the Aerial Fleet. Riedel and all Strigon members present during the battle were shot down.[3] The surviving Strigon members later flew Su-33s when they defended the Chandelier from an Emmerian attack.[4]
Su-33s were fielded in the Lighthouse War. One member of the Osean Air Defense Force's Spare Squadron, Count, flew an Su-33 during multiple operations. The Erusean Air Force also made use of the Su-33, the most notable Erusean Su-33 pilot being Matthieu Bertin, callsign "Ibis", who was shot down by Trigger over the sea near Snider's Top during Operation Siren's Song. During the same operation the Erusean Navy deployed a squadron of Su-33s from the aircraft carrier Njörðr to counter the attack by Strider and Cyclops Squadron on the Erusean fleet.[5]
Assault Horizon universe[]
The New Russian Federation's fleets used the Su-33 as their main fighter during their uprising. They were first engaged in Power Play over Dubai and in Hostile Fleet over the Black Sea. They were all destroyed along with their aircraft carrier and fleet by the Warwolf Squadron, Molot Squadron and Varona Squadron
Infinity universe[]
Su-33s were used by the USEA Federation during Operation Eternal Liberation. They were also available for use by UNF pilots.
Game Analysis[]
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown[]
- "A large carrier-based fighter derived from the Su-27 that was designed for operation on aircraft carriers. Its canard arrangement makes it a top-class craft that is reliable and stable at low-to-mid speeds."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- The Su-33 is available on the Aircraft Tree and it costs 290,000 MRP. It requires purchasing the MiG-29A Fulcrum.
Statistics
Weapons
Part Slots
- BODY: 36
- ARMS: 36
- MISC: 36
Named Pilots
- Matthieu Bertin (IBIS)
- Count (Spare 2)
Skins
- Osea: Three-tone Blue and Grey camouflage.
- Erusea: Three-tone Blue and Grey jagged camouflage based on Ukrainian Su-27s. (Unlocked by earning the "Whoa Man" medal: Do not take any damage in Campaign Mission 15, "Battle for Farbanti".)
- Special: Grey body with shark mouth on air intakes, based on Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark. (Unlocked after shooting down IBIS)
- Mage: Osea skin with Mage Squadron markings.
- Spare: Osea skin with Spare Squadron markings.
- Strider: Osea skin with Strider Squadron markings.
- Count: Spare skin with Count's markings.
- Strigon: Strigon Team livery (Acquire the Experimental Aircraft Series DLC)
Gallery
Firing LASM
Taking off from the Njörðr
A group of Erusean Su-33 launching from an aircraft carrier
Strigon Team Su-33
Su-33 with a CFA-44
Su-33 with a CFA-44
Count's Su-33
Ibis' Su-33 over the Erusean valley supply platform located in Snider's Top.
Ibis departing the valley supply platform and heading north.
Skin 1
Skin 2
Skin 3
Skin 4
Skin 5
Skin 6
Skin 7
Skin 8
Cockpit
Instruments
Ace Combat Infinity[]
Description
- "Using the Su-27 as a base, this carrier-based aircraft was developed for practical use by the Navy. Its speed capability is slightly lower than other fighter craft of the same generation, but it boasts excellent turning performance. Its NATO codename is "Flanker-D". The main and tail wings can be folded up to accommodate the storage space available on an aircraft carrier."
- ― Hangar
| Lv. | Cst | Price | GUN | MSL | HPAA | HCAA | HVAA | SP | MO | ST | AA | AG | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 625 | 197,910 | 108 | 114 | 10 | – | – | D | D+ | E+ | C | E+ | E+ |
| 2 | 665 | 15,630 | 118 | 116 | 12 | – | – | D+ | C | E+ | C+ | E+ | D |
| 3 | 705 | 22,660 | 129 | 118 | 14 | – | – | D+ | C | D | C+ | E+ | D+ |
| 4 | 745 | 41,410 | 139 | 120 | 16 | 28 | – | C | C+ | D | C+ | E+ | C |
| 5 | 785 | 70,310 | 150 | 124 | 18 | 32 | – | C+ | B | D+ | B | D | C+ |
| 6 | 825 | 166,660[a] | 161 | 128 | 20 | 36 | – | C+ | B+ | D+ | B+ | D | B |
| 7 | 865 | 84,630 | 172 | 130 | 22 | 40 | 17 | B | B+ | D+ | A | D | B+ |
| 8 | 905 | 156,240 | 183 | 132 | 24 | 44 | 18 | B | A | D+ | A | D | A |
| 9 | 945 | 364,560 | 194 | 136 | 25 | 46 | 19 | B+ | A+ | C | A | D | A |
| 10 | 985 | 796,830 | 206 | 140 | 26 | 48 | 20 | B+ | S | C | A | D | A+ |
| 11 | 1032 | 1,718,640 | 217 | 144 | 27 | 50 | 21 | A | S | C+ | A+ | D+ | S |
| 12 | 1079 | 1,354,080 | 228 | 148 | 28 | 52 | 22 | A+ | S+ | C+ | S | D+ | S+ |
| 13 | 1126 | 2,486,820 | 239 | 152 | 29 | 54 | 23 | A+ | S+ | B | S | D+ | S+ |
| 14 | 1173 | 3,333,120 | 250 | 156 | 30 | 56 | 24 | S | S+ | B | S+ | D+ | S+ |
| 15 | 1220 | 4,465,860 | 262 | 160 | 32 | 60 | 26 | S+ | S+ | B+ | S+ | C | S+ |
| 16 | 1281 | 6,392,820 | 271 | 162 | 33 | 62 | 27 | S+ | S+ | B+ | S+ | C | S+ |
| 17 | 1340 | 7,317,240 | 280 | 164 | 34 | 64 | 28 | S+ | S+ | B+ | S+ | C | S++ |
| 18 | 1399 | 8,228,640 | 289 | 166 | 35 | 66 | 29 | S+ | S+ | A | S+ | C+ | S++ |
| 19 | 1458 | 10,507,140 | 298 | 168 | 36 | 68 | 30 | S+ | S++ | A | S+ | C+ | S++ |
| 20 | 1517 | 13,254,360 | 308 | 170 | 38 | 72 | 32 | S++ | S++ | A+ | S+ | C+ | S++ |
- Part Slots
- At Lv.1, this aircraft carried 20 BODY, 20 ARMS, and 20 MISC part slots. See Tuning § Slot Expansion for further information.
- Nicknames
- Upgrading this aircraft to these levels unlocked the respective nicknames for use at any time.
- Lv.3: Ski Jumper
- Lv.10: Flanker Addict
- Lv.15: White Night in the Arctic Circle
- Lv.20: Hero's Right Arm
Skins
- Default: Light blue woodland camouflage based off the Russian Navy's Su-33 camouflage scheme.
- Event Skin #01: Jagged-edged 3-tone blue camouflage based off T-10M-3, the 3rd Su-35 prototype.
- “AC” Skin #01: White, red, and purple livery from Air Combat.
- “AC” Skin #02: Black, blue, and purple livery. A variation of “AC” Skin #01.
Gallery
Hangar view
Flyby
Flyby
An Su-33 over Comona Base
Flyby
Flyby
Flyby
Default Skin with Star 2 emblem
Event Skin #01
Flyby
Flyby
Event Skin #01 with Star 2 emblem
“AC” Skin #01 icon
Hangar view
Hangar view
Close-up
Flyby
MVP Flyby
Flyby of “AC” Skin #01
“AC” Skin #02 icon
Flyby
Flyby
Hangar view
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon[]
- "TYPE: F (Fighter)
Using the Su-27 as a base, this carrier-based aircraft was developed for practical use by the Navy. Its speed capability is slightly lower than other fighter craft of the same generation, but it boasts excellent turning performance. Its NATO codename is "Flanker-D". The main and tail wings can be folded up to accommodate the storage space available on an aircraft carrier." - ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- The Su-33 is available for the campaign prior to mission 11: Launch.
Statistics
- Speed: High
- Mobility: High
- Stability: Medium
- Fire Power: High
- Defense: Medium-High
Weapons
Colors
- Color 1: Light blue woodland camouflage with Russian Naval Aviation markings.
- Color 2:New Russian Federation Tricolor woodland camouflage with Russian Air Force markings and bort number 703. Replica of the third Su-35 Flanker-E prototype.
- Color 3: Su-27PD tricolor livery
- Color 4: Strigon Team livery
- Color 5: THE IDOLMASTER MIKI (DLC)
- Color 6: THE IDOLMASTER MIKI (Monochrome)
Gallery
Flanker-D front area
Aircraft profile
Rear section
Side view
Undercarriage area
Aircraft cockpit
The Su-33 in an early build of Assault Horizon
A downed Su-33
An Su-33 flying past an F-22A Raptor
Hangar view of Color 1
Color 2 for the Su-33 in ACAH
Hangar view of Color 2
Color 3 for the Su-33 in ACAH
Hangar view of Color 3
Strigon Team/Color 4 for Su-33 in ACAH
Hangar view of Color 4
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation[]
- "Known by the codename "Flanker", the Su-33 is a carrier-based air superiority fighter. Its bold canard wings and aerodynamic fuselage design have realized performance never before achievable in a fighter. Its derivative shape stands as a symbol of modern aircraft design. Extremely maneuverable and quick to respond, the Su-33 is capable of maintaining an advantage even in battles against superior numbers. It is well equipped for aerial combat with high-maneuver and high-performance missiles. The aircraft's true potential depends solely on the pilot's skills, making this aircraft for experienced pilots only."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete campaign mission 8: San Loma Assault.
Statistics
- Speed: High
- Air-to-Air: High
- Air-to-Ground: Low
- Stability: Medium
- Defense: Medium
- Mobility: High
Weapons
Colors
- Emmeria: Light blue camouflage.
- Estovakia: Strigon Team livery.
- Estovakia SP: White body with blue wings and red underside. Modeled after the Su-27PD technology demonstrator.
- THE IDOLMASTER Miki
- Yellow Squadron
- Razgriz
- Crimson Wing
- Type ACE2
Named Pilots
Gallery
Su-33s in Emmerian colors
Cockpit
Strigon Team's Su-33
Crimson Wing
TYPE ACE 2
Yellow 13's Su-33
Su-33 Razgriz Squadron
Su-33 Miki Hoshii
Lorenz Riedel's Su-33
An Su-33 preparing to attack the Aerial Fleet
An Su-33 Landing.
Lorenz Riedel over the Fuscum Sea
Emmeria skin
Estovakia skin
Estovakia SP skin
Su-33 -YELLOW SQUADRON-
Su-33 Su-33 -RAZGRIZ-
Trivia[]
- The Su-33 was originally going to appear in Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies according to an early pre-release report from GameSpot, but was ultimately cut from the final game.[6]
- In Ace Combat 6, the player's Su-33 can take off from the catapults of Emmeria's Nimitz-class carriers, despite the Su-33 not being configured to launch from a catapult in reality. Unlike most Western carrier-based aircraft, which utilize the CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration, the Su-33 utilizes the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration used on Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov-class carrier (as seen in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon), meaning that it takes off under its own power via a ski jump. This means that technically, while the Su-33 could land on a Nimitz, it would not be able to take off via catapult.
- This difference was likely ignored for convenience purposes, as creating two different aircraft carrier models for such a small part of the game was probably seen as a waste of resources by the development team, considering there is only one STOBAR plane in AC6's roster as opposed to the four CATOBAR aircraft (F-14D, F/A-18F, Rafale M, and the CFA-44).
- To bypass this potential issue, a catapult connecting bar was modeled on the front landing gear (not present in real life), which would allow the aircraft to, in theory, connect to a catapult launch truck and perform a catapult-assisted takeoff. This modification remained present in future titles, and allows the Su-33 to utilize Osean aircraft carrier launch catapults in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- In Ace Combat 6, the Su-33 is seen being able to carry the R-77/RVV-AE Adder, but in reality, it is unable to carry the medium range air-air missile. It is limited to using older infrared or SARH R-27R/T and ER/ET Alamos.
Footnotes[]
- ↑ Players could use one Nonstandard Upgrade Request Form instead of credits for the Lv.6 upgrade.
References[]
- ↑ "Invasion of Gracemeria", Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
- ↑ Ace Combat 6 Assault Record #25 - Valeriy Nikitov. (Japanese)
- ↑ "Heavy Command Cruiser", Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
- ↑ "Chandelier", Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
- ↑ "Fleet Destruction", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- ↑ Spring TGS 2001: Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.