Sukhoi Su-33 "Flanker-D"
Sukhoi · Soviet Union · first flew 1987 · fighter
The Su-33 is the carrier-based naval interceptor derived from the Su-27, adding canard foreplanes, folding wings and strengthened undercarriage for operations from the Admiral Kuznetsov.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 21.94 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large folding outer wing panels for carrier stowage, with a distinctive fold hinge visible on the outer third of each wing
- Prominent all-moving foreplane canards ahead of the wing roots, absent on the baseline Su-27
- Folding tailplane tips and reinforced undercarriage with carrier-grade twin-wheel nose gear
Identify it among the Flanker family by the folded outer wing panels (hinge break clearly visible on the outer third), the large canard foreplanes ahead of the LERX, and the reinforced twin-wheel nose undercarriage. The folding tail tips are another carrier-specific detail absent on the Su-27.
Specifications
- The Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker-D has a length of 21.94 m (72 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.7 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2300 km/h (1429 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Development as the Su-27K began in the early 1980s; the prototype first flew in August 1987 and carrier trials on Kuznetsov began in 1989. The Su-33 achieved operational status in 1995, equipping the Russian Navy's sole carrier air wing. Production was limited to around 26 aircraft due to the small carrier fleet.
Variants
The sole production variant is the single-seat Su-33 interceptor. A proposed two-seat Su-33UB trainer did not enter production. Russia later selected the MiG-29K/KUB over a further-developed Su-33 for its next carrier generation.
Where you'll see it
The Su-33 serves exclusively with the Russian Navy's 279th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment aboard Admiral Kuznetsov. It saw combat deployments to Syria in 2016–2017 but two aircraft were lost in deck accidents during that deployment.
Related aircraft
- Sukhoi Su-30
- Su-34
- Sukhoi Su-26
- Sukhoi Su-29
- Yakovlev Yak-141
- Aero L-59 Super Albatros
- Atlas Cheetah
- BAe Experimental Aircraft Programme
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