The Russian fourth-generation Su-33 carrier-based fighter has some safety and combat performance issues. This opinion was expressed by observer Brandon Weichert in an article for the American magazine The National Interest (NI).
According to the author, the Su-33 with a 12-station suspension system, which allows the fighter to carry up to 1800 kg of payload, has problems carrying payload in maximum configuration. For this reason, he considers flying the Su-33 unsafe.
The Su-33 was originally designed for the Russian aircraft carrier « Admiral Kuznetsov ». However, its heavy design and limited capabilities proved impractical, especially given that the «Kuznetsov» itself is still in a problematic state.
Weichert added that the modernization of the fighter allegedly did not solve its problems.
Despite certain modifications, which, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, solved the main problems of the Su-33, the combat aircraft has such a bad reputation that Moscow would be better off simply removing it from service.
It is known from open sources that the fighter's armament includes a built-in cannon (30 mm). The Su‑33 can carry unguided missiles ‑ S‑8KOM, guided air-to-air missiles ‑ R‑27T1(ET1), R‑27R1(ER1), R‑73E, S‑8BM, S‑8OM, S‑13OF S‑13T, S‑25‑OFM‑PU, one-time bomb cassettes RBK‑500, aerial bombs of caliber — 50, 100, 250, 500 kg.
Technical characteristics of the Su-33:
- Crew — 1 person
- Length — 21.2 m
- Wingspan — 14.7 m
- Height — 5.9 m
- Maximum take-off weight from the runway — 33000 kg
- Maximum take-off weight from the deck — 28000 kg
- Maximum payload weight — 6500 kg
- Maximum flight speed at altitude — 2300 km/h
- Approach speed — 240 km/h
- Practical ceiling (without suspensions) — 17000 m
- Maximum flight range — 3000 km
- Patrol duration at a distance of 250 km — 2 hours
- Takeoff run length — 105 m
Earlier, the former Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Air Force Issues of the CIS Joint Air Defense System, Lieutenant General of the Reserve Aytech Bizhev, expressed the opinion that it is necessary to rethink Russian air defense. According to him, the system needs to switch to automated control.
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