Su-27KUB

excerpt from the book "The Birth of the Su-27 Legend"

In 1983, the bureau of MAP in order to develop it based on the Su-27K shipborne aircraft jammer, uniform with "ground" plane of similar purpose. In accordance with this directive by December 1984, EDO was designed "to Tehpredlozhenie Su-27KP". This document was a draft jammer, which is a two-seater based on the tonnage of the Su-27 km, the materials for which were released a year earlier. However, such a variant of modernization, which envisaged a radical alteration of the machine is not called the "rapture" in MAP, as decided by the MIC on October 31, 1986 EDO was ordered to develop a new version of the aircraft. Project jammer Su-27KPP was developed by OKB-based Su-27KU by September 1987 and sent to the chain of command for advice. 'Sluggish' work in this area continued until 1989, after which they were folded into connection with the termination of funding. Parallel to this, in 1987-89, and later, in the late '90s, at the level of correspondence with the customer project appeared scout ship designator under the designation Su-27KRTS, but no major papers on this topic will not be issued. 
In accordance with the solution of scientific and technical council of MAP March 14, 1989, in the second half of 1989 in DB was a cycle of design work and in November 1989, the Design Bureau was issued preliminary design "multi-purpose shipborne Su-27MK." The appearance of this document was the "answer" Sukhoi to the reproach "backwardness" of avionics of the Su-27K in comparison with MiG-29K, which was set equipment, uniform with the MiG-29M.According to the presented project, the upgraded Su-27K is designed to execute a range of improvements, including replacement of engines AL-31FZ more powerful AL-35F afterburning thrust of 13,600 kg and unification with the avionics of the Su-27M fighter. which provided a significant expansion of the combat capabilities of aircraft, both on air and ground targets. To maintain high flying characteristics foreseen increase in area and the introduction of adaptive high-lift, with the axis of folding tolerated at a distance of Z = ± 5,1 m, which provided the overall size by basing on the hangar deck of 10.5 m, due to the transport axis of the folding wing zone of lower voltages planned to reduce the mass of the structure, which was supposed to compensate for the growth of mass avionics. Along with this, a pilot project materials considered a variant with a double folding of the wing, where the cross-dimension plane was only 5.4 m. The number of Su-27MK, which could be placed on the hangar deck, etc. TAvKr 1143.5, grew at the same time from 19 to 29 (including placement of 5.6 helicopters Ka-27). In 1991 the decision was made ​​to the Conversion option 10MK second prototype, the car was moved from the factory in EDO and began to rework, but in 1992 the work had been frozen. All further investigations bureau of naval topics focused mainly on the theme of double training and combat aircraft of the Su-27KU. 
The work on this topic began in accordance with the decision of the military-industrial complex of 23 May 1985 by the Minister on June 5, 1985. In contrast with 1979, in which the naval Su-Sparks 27UBK seen as "omoryachenny" version of the doubles, "Land", this time from the start took a different course. The fact is that since 1986, the Design Bureau began actively working to build the new version of strike aircraft-10V. Its main difference from all previous applications had become a double cab with the planting crew members on a "next", this option so pleased with the General Designer, that it was decided to implement it and to ship the car, with the task was as a "unified" design on both planes GCHF . With regard to naval SPARK assumed that such a space arrangement would solve the problem of satisfying the needs survey at landing on the ship for two crew members. 
By November 1986, the Design Bureau had prepared preliminary design for the ship's Lear jet Su-27KU (10KU), and sent his chain of command to obtain appropriate conclusions, while the cabin layout was built. According to the documents, the plane was a single version of the original ship's fighter. To enhance comfort and improve the learning environment had a cabin size, providing an opportunity to stand in the pilots mezhkreselnom space in full view. Canopy during the operation - not opening, with an emergency escape system for ejection. Landing crew in the cockpit was to be implemented through an input device - the lower hatch. 
In line with the tactical and technical requirements, the aircraft was considered only as a trainer on board did not provide for the installation of special equipment and the suspension of the target aircraft weapons (ASP). On the other hand, due to changes in contours of the head of the fuselage (GCHF), the aircraft was substantially increased volume zakabinnogo compartment.Given that the volumes occupied by the avionics, on the contrary decreased by 10KU appeared significant excess "empty" volumes, which it was decided to "fill in" fuel. In this situation, the proposal was born - to use the Su-27KU not only as an academic but as a tanker aircraft, total fuel capacity (with an additional ventral compartment) increased to 15,000 kg. It is estimated that such a reserve sufficient to provide benefits up to 9 tons of kerosene at a distance from an aircraft carrier about 500 km. Offers DB properly drawn up in the materials of the project. 
Other than that, to shorten the design and construction, provides a high degree of commonality with the original single-seat aircraft. Alteration exposed GCHF, tank zone number 1, with the influx of (bulyami) and the front compartment of center, as well as gargrot. The remaining elements of the design to be used with the original Su-27K without modification. Complete unification of the Su-27K was assumed as a part of the on-board systems (excluding fuel) and avionics (except weapons control system). 
In the spring of 1987, preliminary design and layout of the cabin were officially presented to the customer protection in May 1987. The Commission reviewed the Air Force-Navy submissions and approved the proposal on the use of aircraft design bureau in the ship's version of the aircraft - tankers. As a result, since 1987, the Design Bureau started to produce design documentation for the ship's two-seat trainer. 
In the process works, in 1988, the aircraft design evolved in the direction of further increasing the supply of fuel on board. To compensate for uperedneniya alignment associated with an increase in the volume of fuel in GCHF had to increase fuel supplies in the rear fuselage (HCHF), in tank number 4, as a result, it took a much more serious alteration of the original design, but this came on board integrated unit filling . To compensate for the increased mass of the wing had to finish off: increased area, increased mechanization, and the axis of folding console moved along the span at a distance of Z = ± 5,1 m. Accordingly been crafted and center section and horizontal tail as a result of the initial 10K 10KT left at the "whole nothing ": the nacelle and keels. 
The new version of two-seat trainer was working designation "10KT". In 1989, the Komsomolsk-on-Amur branch of pilot production by the Sukhoi Design Bureau began construction of units for the first prototype aircraft. In 1991, however work on 10KT were terminated in connection with the adjustment of the TTT of the customer. Decision of the MIC of May 23, 1991 EDO was asked for further work on the ship's training and combat aircraft in two phases: the first - in a training version, ie without installing the SUV, and with the maximum degree of commonality with the basic Su-27K, while the second - with the equipment SUV from the Su-27M. 
In connection with the specification of TTT, the theme was 10KUB code, design work carried out by the branch bureau in Komsomolsk-on-Amur . An interesting point, by the time the branch bureau stood out from the company as an independent organization - the so-called "Far Eastern bureau," the design work that were, in fact, independently from the main DB. 
In the new stage layout principles have not changed, but according to customer requirements, has been enhanced degree of commonality with the base plane. The newly released design documentation for the zone and GCHF zakabinnogo compartment along with the influx, and then, in the area of the tank number 1 theory gradually "come out" on the molded mass 10K. 10KUB took wing for the "new" designed for 10KT, it was designed for a fundamentally new design of adaptive sock rack with the control system. Been finalized and all other controls - Increased area of CHR, stabilizer, rudder. RKD issue was completed in 1995. To rework a prototype machine identified 10K-4, in the fall of 1995, the aircraft was moved from Moscow to the Far East, and the factory began its revision. In order not to disturb the existing order of creation of aircraft, decided to commission a layout, its location at this time appointed Komsomolsk-na-Amur.Commission meeting held in May 1996, but the cabin layout commission members could look at "live" 10KUB-1, which by then had already docked GCHF the fuselage. 
In early 1997 the first prototype aircraft in dismantled form for the An-124 was moved to from Komsomolsk to Moscow, and by 20 January brought to the bureau, where the car began the assembly and assembly work. An instance of a static test it was decided to collect based on 10K-0, which in 1991 was on the ground in Faustovo, here it held a gun mount endurance tests, tests for hard impact when landing on shipboard, with great vertical speed, etc. . At the end of 1996, he was taken back to the bureau, and from Moscow to Komsomolsk in the spring of 1997 brought all the necessary units to finalize the 10K-0-0 10KUB spark. After docking and refinement, in the period from September 1997 to February 2000 were tested static aircraft. 
In the process of completion of the flight instance it has been significantly updated avionics and systems of the aircraft. In particular, the 10KUB-1 was installed brand new remote control system, as well as the power plant planned to use the AL-31FP engines ("ed. 96FP") with thrust vector control. In this regard, in March of 1998, held a second meeting of the Commission on the layout plane. However, put all new hardware to the top of tests did not have time, so the first step on a machine installed conventional engines, "ed. 99V "and the short of the avionics.Improvements completed by early 1999, after the frequency of tests, on the night of March 31 to April 1, 1999 the aircraft was moved to LIiDB bureau in the town of Zhukovsky. Due to the fact that the intended application for 10KUB spetspokryty-1 to reduce the ESR, the car decided not to paint, as a result, before the test aircraft had a rather "colorful" appearance, against the background of the "old" units of 10K-4, stained standard scheme, clearly distinguished by the color of the "new" space improvements. 
The lead engineer on the aircraft stayed Shlykov VE (later - AV Bulzhanov). After the rulezhek and methodological advice, April 29, 1999 a crew consisting of VG Pugachev - SN Melnikov for the first time raised 10KUB-1 into the air. 
During flight tests (LCI), conducted during the period from 1999 to 2005, the aircraft had taken off flight performance (LTH), stability and handling characteristics and landing characteristics (field surgery), the estimate of new systems and equipment, including, engines with thrust vector control (SWT). It was noted, in particular, a significant improvement in field surgery and discharge characteristics at cruise flight conditions compared with other modifications of the Su-27. The aircraft passed the test cycle on a set of Threads, as well as on the deck TAvKr "Admiral Kuznetsov". Although there were some important results, which allowed the conclusion about the effectiveness of specific technical solutions used on the aircraft. During this time, three aircraft participated in the aviavystavki "MAX" - in 2001, 2003 and 2005. To date, due to lack of orders from the naval aviation, work on the subject of EDO 10KUB suspended.

 

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... in September last year,. "Sukhoi" was edited by mock-up committee of the Su-27KUB, which may soon order the Russian Navy in the training and then, perhaps, in military training and multi-purpose variants. For several years in the bureau is developing a new head of the fuselage for the Su-27KUB, providing cabin layout change: the entrance into it now will not come through the front support niche chassis, and a single fold-up for both pilots and back up lights. Better overview, a new information-control field crew cabin, and the right pilot finally gets a full set of controls (now at the first Su-27KUB right pilot has virtually no ability to control motors.

In addition, the term provided for the introduction of the Su-27KUB scheme developed long double folding wings, which will reduce the size of the aircraft at its ship-based. On the composition of the onboard equipment of the Su-27KUB will unify with the developed multi-purpose fighter Su-35, therefore, most likely running from 2003 to the Su-27KUB test new radar with phased array "Sokol" ("Beetle MSFZ"), the development corporation " Fazotron-NIIP "posed now give way to the Su-35 NIIP them. VV Tikhomirov passive phased array radar "Irbis" (see "The Rise» № 4 / 2006, sec. 41).

AF

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The Su-33UB (formerly known as the Su-27KUB) is a further development of ship-based fighter Su-33. He is able to solve an extremely wide range of tasks - from naval pilot training aircraft to combat a particularly important air targets, as well as strikes with precision weapons on ships and land targets.

The first flight of the prototype Su-33UB was held April 29, 1999 at the airfield in Zhukovsky (test pilot Viktor Pugachev and Sergey Melnikov). It was reported that the building is the second prototype of this type.

In their combat characteristics and range of tasks of the Su-33UB far exceeds multipurpose heavy carrier-based fighter the U.S. Navy Northrop Grumman F-14D "Tomcat", as well as advanced carrier-based fighter Boeing F/A-18E/F "Super Horney and Dassault" Rafale "M .

On-board the Su-33UB to become the basis for creating a series of multi-role aircraft for various purposes. The machine can be used not only in naval aviation, but the Air Force: unique takeoff and landing characteristics allow it to be based at airfields with short (or destroyed), runways, and the presence of folding wings - to place all types of shelters available in the Air Force.

It is assumed that the Su-33KUB deck will replace not only the Su-33 interceptors and Su-30s in the Air Force.

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April 29, 1999 was apparently maloprimechatelnoe event - the maiden flight of first prototype of a new naval training and combat aircraft Su-33KUB. It would seem quite ordinary fact: the new versions of the Su-27 appears every two to three years. However, the creation of the aircraft meant that the U.S. hopes of a return of world leadership in the field of aerodynamics and "istrebitelestroeniya" did not materialize. Su-33KUB certainly is an important new stage in the development of fighter aircraft. Compared with the best of modern aerodynamic serial Su-27 aerodynamics of the new machines have advanced dramatically. Aerodynamic quality of the Su-33KUB increased by more than 10%. This is accomplished primarily through the use of "intelligent" adaptive wing with a flexible toe. Elasticity lining the nose, which lacks the previously inevitable gap for smooth shape and allows, in combination with the deviation flaperons, constantly optimize the airfoil in accordance with a specific flight regime, and also eliminates the overflow of air from the lower surface of the upper. 
The wing of the Su-33KUB has a slightly larger scale than the Su-33. Accordingly, increased slightly and the wing area. As a result of aerodynamic innovations plane got the highest fuel efficiency.

   The fighter is equipped with an improved version - "the sea" AL-31F engine, we get the thrust vector control. Digital remote control system now oversees not only the aerodynamic surfaces - (CHR, empennage, flaperons, sock and flaps), and motors. This ensures minimum loss of balance and to increase the lift (in the formation of which is now involved not only the wing, and horizontal stabilizer). 
In the future, a transition to a new, more advanced type of engine. There was a sharp (if not - the revolutionary), the jump in the level of "intelligence" of the plane. Computing environment and information exchange system to fully meet the requirements of the XXI century.

    Su-33KUB already created and tested a unique native digital signal processor with a speed of tens of billions of operations per second. Application of the new architecture and modern element base has allowed, compared to the Su-33, reduced by several times the mass of the avionics for increased capacity on board the complex. Multichannel information complex Su-33KUB will provide information about the crew circular air conditions. To create a fully solid fighter airborne radar with a phased array. The use of radar superprotsessora provided extremely high resolution and allows us to simplify the design.

   However, working on radar for fighter aircraft emission of the new generation should be minimized because of the secrecy requirements. For information about the enemy on the Su-33KUB used thermal imaging and low-level television channel, complemented by a laser rangefinder. 
Su-33KUB will be equipped with fully autonomous navigation system of higher accuracy.

   The crew consists of two people, chairs are placed side-by-side (like the Su-24 or Su-27IB).This provides a good interaction of pilots in flight, the possibility of direct contact with each other.In addition, the optical system approach on the deck of an aircraft carrier (as we do, and the Americans) imposes severe restrictions on the position of the eye in finding the pilot's aircraft on final approach. However, when the crew accommodation tandem pilot in the rear cockpit is placed slightly above the front pilot, which makes use of an optical landing system. 
   When you create a Su-33KUB great attention was paid to the working out of information-control field crew cabin. The new plane incorporates the principle of the "dark cockpit" - if the system does not fail, it does not should remind ourselves of the pilot. Minimized the number of governing bodies. The Su-33KUB crew has no control over the actual airplane (like a soldier does not control the operation of the mechanism of "Kalashnikov", and only selects the target and presses the trigger), he is completely focused on combat missions. Work on routine "management" is vested in the electronic "brains" of a fighter.

   At present it is too early to say with certainty what position the aircraft control stick - a central or side - better. Therefore, the designers made it possible to install both stick. Time will tell which of them finally "settle down".

   On a common dashboard in the cockpit will be located five colored indicators of domestic production (with a common screen size 21 inch and four 15-dyuymovyvh). Using currently being developed helmet sight of the indicator to completely renounce the use of an indicator on the windshield.

   Su-33KUB becomes the first domestic fighter who received on-board oxygen generator, which provides also the production of nitrogen. So, was able to significantly reduce the dependence of the aircraft from the ground (or ship) provides the infrastructure to reduce the number of personnel involved in aircraft maintenance.

    In general, compared with previous types of fighter aircraft, new aircraft maintenance much easier. Despite the fact that the Su-33KUB officially referred to as combat-capable, it is a powerful multi-functional machine capable of solving a wide range of combat missions - to destroy air targets (including such highly complex, as AWACS aircraft) to use precision-guided weapons on ships and land targets opponent. To defeat a relatively "cheap" goals (eg boats) on board survived, and 30-mm gun. 
The first prototype was built at the production plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, but its final assembly and resupply took place in Moscow, where the Su-33KUB was delivered in sections on board "Antaeus." By early June, the prototype has already completed seven test flights (flying test pilots Viktor Pugachev, Sergei Melnikov, Roman Kondratiev).

   On-board the Su-33KUB should be the basis for creating a series of multi-role aircraft for various purposes. The machine can be used not only in naval aviation, but the Air Force: unique takeoff and landing characteristics allow it to be based at airfields with short runways, and the presence of folding wings - to place all types available in the Air Force caponiers.

    New fighter jet in the sky just makes her first steps. It is hoped that in the foreseeable future, it will take its place in battle formation aviation in Russia, still retains status as a great aviation power. 
In the design based on the principles:

·        1) maneuverability (read: the ability to melee combat maneuvering in any position to enter the position to launch missiles or antiaircraft execute the maneuver).

·        2) Workability of service (all services should be kept to a refueling / oil / hydraulic fluid / air suspension, plus ammunition. The service time - minimum).

·        3) If I understand correctly, the new strategy is to give the aircraft "invulnerable." With the help of sensors (radiation, thermal and optical, and perhaps other) sources of threat detected, not only the enemy fighters, but also fired their missiles. On-board computer, with its "intelligence", assesses the situation and expects to antiaircraft maneuvers automatically. Either give the command to launch short-range missiles on the enemy missile.

June 16, 2000 there was a prerequisite for flight accident, the plane sat titanium was extinguished fire. The plane was piloted by Victor Pugachev.

Took flight testing of the transonic regime. During acceleration on top of the afterburner aircraft abruptly shake, Victor Pugachev removed boost and gave the pen away from you in order to reduce speed. There followed a sharp blow, blew off the left leaf canopy, cracked right in half, torn left canards. The fire started the left engine. Chair of the navigator "launched" so the possibility of bail was not considered.

Chronology of accident:

- Completely torn left PGO,

- It fell into the left air intake and cut it from the beginning to the frame 28, cut diagonally - the outer wall of the middle at the beginning and at the root end. Bottom wall at the beginning of a whole, in the end little more than half.

- Debris fell into the air intake engine

- A fire broke out the left engine,

- On a gondola in the combustion chamber from the EPC formed two burnout, one the size of a fist, the other - less

- Frustrated at the same time the left leaf canopy, she got into an adaptive wing sock and demolished one section

- Then cut off the toe or leaf falls into the regulator and cuts it in the middle of the chord to the first spar.

By the new year is already flying machine. In the summer of 2003 on the aircraft engines were fitted with thrust vector control and radar "Falcon".

      The characteristics of the Su-33KUB

length of 21.2 m

span 15.9 m

height 5.7 m

wing area 71.4 sq ft

AL-31F engines of the third series, 2 * 12 800 kg

                                                       AL-31PF

maximum takeoff weight of 38,800 kg

combat load 6500 - 8000 kg

maximum speed 2120 km / h

at ground level 1,300 km / h

ceiling 17,000 m

operational range 3,200 km

Maximum Overload + 8.5