Compared to the Su-27, it features heavily reinforced landing gear, an arresting hook, folding wings, two extra underwing hardpoints, forward canards, revised cockpit layout and avionics for naval operations, and enlarged internal fuel tanks.
"A large carrier-based fighter derived from the Su-27 that was designed for operation on aircraft carriers. Its canard arrangement makes it a top-class craft that is reliable and stable at low-to-mid speeds."
Erusea: Three-tone Blue and Grey jagged camouflage based on Ukrainian Su-27s. (Unlocked by earning the "Whoa Man" medal: Do not take any damage in Campaign Mission 15, "Battle for Farbanti".)
Special: Grey body with shark mouth on air intakes, based on Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark. (Unlocked after shooting down IBIS)
Ibis' Su-33 over the Erusean valley supply platform located in Snider's Top.
Ibis departing the valley supply platform and heading north.
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Ace Combat Infinity
Description
"Using the Su-27 as a base, this carrier-based aircraft was developed for practical use by the Navy. Its speed capability is slightly lower than other fighter craft of the same generation, but it boasts excellent turning performance. Its NATO codename is "Flanker-D". The main and tail wings can be folded up to accommodate the storage space available on an aircraft carrier."
"TYPE: F (Fighter) Using the Su-27 as a base, this carrier-based aircraft was developed for practical use by the Navy. Its speed capability is slightly lower than other fighter craft of the same generation, but it boasts excellent turning performance. Its NATO codename is "Flanker-D". The main and tail wings can be folded up to accommodate the storage space available on an aircraft carrier."
Color 2:New Russian Federation Tricolor woodland camouflage with Russian Air Force markings and bort number 703. Replica of the third Su-35 Flanker-E prototype.
"Known by the codename "Flanker", the Su-33 is a carrier-based air superiority fighter. Its bold canard wings and aerodynamic fuselage design have realized performance never before achievable in a fighter. Its derivative shape stands as a symbol of modern aircraft design. Extremely maneuverable and quick to respond, the Su-33 is capable of maintaining an advantage even in battles against superior numbers. It is well equipped for aerial combat with high-maneuver and high-performance missiles. The aircraft's true potential depends solely on the pilot's skills, making this aircraft for experienced pilots only."
The Su-33 was originally going to appear in Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies according to an early pre-release report from GameSpot, but was ultimately cut from the final game.[6]
In Ace Combat 6, the player's Su-33 can take off from the catapults of Emmeria's Nimitz-class carriers, despite the Su-33 not being configured to launch from a catapult in reality. Unlike most Western carrier-based aircraft, which utilize the CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration, the Su-33 utilizes the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration used on Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov-class carrier (as seen in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon), meaning that it takes off under its own power via a ski jump. This means that technically, while the Su-33 could land on a Nimitz, it would not be able to take off via catapult.
This difference was likely ignored for convenience purposes, as creating two different aircraft carrier models for such a small part of the game was probably seen as a waste of resources by the development team, considering there is only one STOBAR plane in AC6's roster as opposed to the four CATOBAR aircraft (F-14D, F/A-18F, Rafale M, and the CFA-44).
To bypass this potential issue, a catapult connecting bar was modeled on the front landing gear (not present in real life), which would allow the aircraft to, in theory, connect to a catapult launch truck and perform a catapult-assisted takeoff. This modification remained present in future titles, and allows the Su-33 to utilize Osean aircraft carrier launch catapults in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
In Ace Combat 6, the Su-33 is seen being able to carry the R-77/RVV-AE Adder, but in reality, it is unable to carry the medium range air-air missile. It is limited to using older infrared or SARH R-27R/T and ER/ET Alamos.
Footnotes
↑Players could use one Nonstandard Upgrade Request Form instead of credits for the Lv.6 upgrade.