Aren’t the Flankers generally accepted to have superior aerodynamic performance, cockpit visiblity, range et al over the Fulcrum? Plus room for more powerful radars, EW systems, a greater range/payload, especially with short takeoffs and so on…
I would be carefull when comparing the two aerodynamically ;). Cockpit visibility of KUB is no worse, maybe even better. Radar is naturally bigger, but so is the RCS. The range thing is what we have been debating, and nobody on here has specifics. Flanker can certainly have more internal space, but can it take off with max payload and fuel? How is the takeoff/flight performance with this layout? What about short range missions, and fuel consumption? Given all the factors, I don’t find it surprising the MiG-29K might be better suited to operations on both the Vik and the Kuz.
Likewise the RuAF(what you’re referring to above is the AV-MF I believe)
Yeah sorry just went for typing shortcut there.
has gone for only limited upgrades on many of their older aircraft: MiG-29s and Flankers with only Zhuk-M radars instead of Bars/Zhuk-A and similar older avionics, Su-24 bulk upgrades etc.
But all of those upgrades are more substantial than what the S-33 got. They COULD have easily gone for a modest upgrade like Su-27SM, but they chose not to. MiG-29 in RuAF has not been upgraded at all actually, and putting Bars on Su-27 requires serious work.
The Su-33s are due for replacement around 2015-16, so a limited overhaul is all they needed.
The Su-33 is planned to be operated past 2020, up to 2025. So they do intend to keep it around, yet still did not bother with an easily achievable serious upgrade. I think it is clear they are more interested in the MiG-29K.
ten chars.
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