The Russian Navy untill recently had only operated Yak38 Forgers from Kiev class carriers. These carriers were in reality not much more than a small floating deck. They were only able to operate S/VTOL aircraft and helicopters. The Yak38 was limited in capability and The Russian Navy wanted greater capability from their carriers and their projected conventional take-off and landing aircraft carriers in the furute. The Yak141 Freestyle is much larger and more capable but the Russian Nave rejected this fighter and it never got past the two prototypes that were constructed.
Instead the two for contention were from Mig-Mapo with the Mig29K a version of the Mig29 and Sukhoi with the Su27K a version of the Su27. Eventually the Su27K was chosen and further development took place.
There were a number of criteria that had to be address for a naval fighter. Due to the lower approach and take off speeds a number of changes were made. Moveable foreplanes were attached which also aided manouverability and controlability throughout the envelope. The outer wings fold for more compact storage on the aircraft carrier. To avoid tail scrape during landing and take-off the long tail cone on the land based versions was shortened. The landing gear was also streangthened, with a double wheel nose unit, an arrestor hook was added and specialized naval navigational aids were also added.
In comparision to the F14 Tomcat the Su33 has more power on take off. While it is not assisted by a catapault the Su33 has a higher thrust to weight ratio and also, due to better aerodynamics, generates more lift. Flaperons were replaced with slotted high lift flaps to increase lift and control at low speeds. Comments from US Naval aviators who visited the Kuznetsov about the Su33 consistantly praised their ability to climb immediately after launch instead of 'hanging' in the air like their catapault launched aircraft.
By 1990 20 had been preduced and they were deployed on the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov in late 1995. The longitudional triplane layout of the Su33 gives it exceptional manouverability, even with heavy loads. The Su33 is intended for fleet air defence (like the F14 is) but is also to have a secondary anti-ship capability. The other attack aircraft to compliment the Su33 on the carrier is a navalised Su25.
| Specifications for the AL-31F | Data |
|---|---|
| Thrust, (sea level, static, dry), (kg) | 7 600 |
| Thrust, (sea level, static, after burning), (kg) | 12 500 |
| Internal fuel, kg | 9 400 |
| In flight refueling provision | Present |
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Wing Span | 14.70 m |
| Length (excluding nose probe) | 21.94 m |
| Height | 6.36 m |
| Wing surface | 62 m2 |
| Aircraft State | Weight |
|---|---|
| Empty | Not Avaliable |
| Normal take-off | Not Avaliable |
| Thrust to weight ratio | Not Avaliable |
| Maximum take-off | Not Avaliable |
| Thrust to weight ratio | Not Avaliable |
| Action | Data |
|---|---|
| Max speed at height | Mach 2.165 |
| Take off run with 14 degree ramp | 395 ft |
| Range on internal fuel | 1 865 miles |
| Number and Category | Type |
|---|---|
| One 30 mm cannon | 150 rounds |
| Up to 10 Air to Air missiles including: | R-27 (AA-10 "Alamo") |
| R-73A (AA-11 "Archer") | |
| R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid") | |
| 8 819 lb of air to surface weapons | Same range as the Su27 but with the addition of the Kh-31 (AS-17) |
Copyright © 1996 Andrew Juniper
