A navalised version of the Su-27 for carrier-borne operations.

Su-33KUB: The Su-33KUB (Korabel'nyi uchebno-boyevoi) is the latest twin-seat (side-by-side) shipboard development of the Su-27 family. Fitted with dual controls, the aircraft is suitable for training or all-weather combat tasks. First flight took place on 29 April 1999. The aircraft incorporates interesting improvements over previous Su-27 derivatives. The so-called 'smart' (intellektual'noye) adaptive wing is redesigned and is of larger area. New control systems result in almost completely automatic navigation, flight, powerplant (two navalised AL-31F with thrust vectoring) and combat regimes. Crew workload is much reduced, and the glass 'dark' cockpit is equipped with colour flat-screen displays. The Su-33KUB is the first Russian aircraft to have an onboard oxygen and nitrogen generator, designed (as with other improvements) to reduce dependence on ground or deck facilities. Future use of Su-33KUB is not restricted to shipboard operations. Its high power-to-weight ratio gives stort take-off and landing (STOL) performance on minimal landing strips and the folding wings permit storage in standard aircraft shelters.