The Su-33 Flanker is the naval version of the base Su-27 Flanker.
The Su-33 (NATO designation of "Flanker-D") represents the naval equivalent to the land-based Russian-produced Su-27 Flanker series of air superiority aircraft, which in itself was produced to rival the American F-15 during the Cold War.
Appearing very much like its land-based predecessor, the Su-33 features a host of modifications to make the system 'carrier friendly'. Among those variations include a reiforced undercarriage system that allows for harder touch downs on carrier surfaces. An arrestor hook has beed added (as might be expected) and folding wing systems for carrier storage. Additional forward canards are added for low-speed stability when landing and an inflight refueling probe is integrated for extended flight periods.
As of this writing, the Su-33 resides on the Russian carrier Russian Admiral Kuznetsov and is charged with fulfilling the air defense role. Appropriately so, armaments include a variety of air-to-air infrared homing or radar-guided missiles systems. The Su-33 is based on the original Su-27K land-based model.
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