Fighter Jets
Sukhoi Su-27 “Flanker”
ICAO: SU27
Overview
The Sukhoi Su-33 is a navalized derivative of the Su-27 designed for aircraft carrier operations. Reinforced for deck landings and equipped with folding wings, it provides air superiority capability at sea. The aircraft serves with the Russian Navy.
Live Fleet Activity (SU33)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × AL-31F afterburning turbofans
- Engine type
- Turbofan
- Thrust
- 2 × 27,560 lbf · 123 kN
- Avionics
- Sukhoi Fire Control Search Track Rader, OEPS-27 electro-optical targeting system
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 1
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 72 ft 0 in · 21.94 m
- Tail height
- 19 ft 5 in · 5.93 m
- Fuselage diameter
- —
- Wing span
- 48 ft 3 in · 14.70 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 73,000 lb · 33,000 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 14,300 lb · 6,500 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 3,200 gal · 12,100 L · 9,700 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 756 kt · 870 mph · 1,400 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 1,620 nm · 1,860 mi · 3,000 km
- Fuel burn
- 0.51 nm/gal · 0.25 km/L
- Ceiling
- 55,800 ft · 17,000 m
- Rate of climb
- 64,350 ft/min · 327 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 1,310 ft · 400 m
- Landing distance
- 1,480 ft · 450 m
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Live fleet activity details
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Operational Context
Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker-D — carrier-based air superiority fighter
The Su-33 first flew in the late 1980s as a development of the Su-27 adapted for carrier use. It features strengthened landing gear, an arresting hook, and folding wings for storage aboard ship. The aircraft was introduced into limited service in the 1990s.
Powered by two AL-31F turbofan engines producing approximately 27,500 pounds of thrust (122 kN) each with afterburner, the Su-33 can exceed Mach 2. Maximum takeoff weight is roughly 73,000 pounds (33,100 kg). It carries air-to-air missiles and limited strike ordnance.
The Su-33 operates from Russia’s aircraft carrier using ski-jump launch methods. Its primary mission is fleet air defense and air superiority. The aircraft represents the naval extension of the Flanker family.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.