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 Take
a tour aboard an operational Russian Aircraft carrier, The Admiral
Kuznetsov. |
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Air Power Around the
World |
Back to
Chapter Index |
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Aboard the Russian Aircraft Carrier The Admiral Kuznetsov
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Looking down the flight deck of the
Admiral Kuznetsov a Russian aircraft carrier somewhere in the
Baltic. Two Sukhoi 33's sit lined up and ready for launch.
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The Admiral Kuznetsov is a Class CV
carrier, commissioned in 1991, the ship is the Flag ship of
the Russian Navy. It is 999 ft. in length, displaces
67,500 tons and has a top speed of 30 knots. It accommodates a crew
of 1,700.
Unlike U.S. carriers, the Admiral Kuznetsov uses a 'ski-jump' launch
as opposed to a catapult system.
This type of launch technique lowers the high stress placed on the
airframe (and pilot). The aircraft can also go to afterburners
faster when ski-jump launched.
Launched: 5 December1985
Fully Operational: 1995
Current Duty Status: Active
Power: Steam Turbines
Aircraft: 21 fixed wing and 20 helicopters
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Below:
Sukhoi
33 with jets ignited
ready for launch from the flight deck. |
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Sukhoi Su-33 A Naval Military Jet (a
variant of the Su-27)
is configured to operate from aircraft carriers. |
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A look below
decks:
The hanger deck.
- Stowed SU 33
- A Helicopter
- The crew stands inspection
(far end of hanger deck)
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Sukhoi Su-33 |
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Sukhoi Su-33 General Specifications:
Crew: 1
Length: 72 ft 0 in (21.94 m)
Wingspan: 24 ft 3 infolded, 48 ft 3 in extended (7.40 m/14.70
m)
Height: 19 ft 6 in (5.93 m)
Max takeoff weight: 72,750 lb (33,000 kg)
Powerplant: 2× Lyulka AL-31F afterburning turbofans
Maximum Thrust: 27,650 lbf each engine
Maximum speed: Mach 2.17, 1,430 mph at 33,000 ft (2,300 km/h
at 10,000 m)
Maximum Range: 1,860 mi (3,000 km) unlimited with aerial
refueling
Maximum turn: +8 Gs
Service ceiling: 55,800 ft (17,000 m)
Rate of climb: 45,275 ft/min (230 m/sec.)
Armament: 1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
Up to 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) of munitions on twelve external
hardpoints, including:
R-27/R-73 air-to-air missiles Various bombs and rockets ECM pods
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Sukhoi Su-25 |
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Designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground
Forces. Configured for aircraft carrier operations.
During its more than
twenty-five years in service, the Su-25 has seen combat with several
air forces. It was heavily involved in the Soviet war in
Afghanistan, flying counter-insurgency missions against the
Mujahideen. The Iraqi Air Force employed Su-25s against Iran during
the 1980–89 Iran-Iraq War. |
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Maximum speed:
590 mph, Mach 0.82 (950 km/h)
Combat radius: 235 mi (375 km)
Maximum range: 1,553 mi (2,500 km)
Service ceiling: 22,200 ft (10,000 m)
Rate of climb: 11,400 ft/min (58 m/s)
Armament: 1 30mm cannon w/250 rounds
11 hardpoints for up to 9,700 lb (4,400 kg) of
disposable ordnance,
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Articles by: Dr. Von Zuko 2005© Photos: U.S. Military (except as
noted)
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Aviation Index:
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Dr. Von
Zuko's Recommended Books and DVD's on Aviation:
Find other great books on
this or any topic:
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Mikoyan MIG29
"Fulcrum" |
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Interceptor: Placed
into service in 1983, this fast twin jet aircraft achieves a maximum
speed of 1,520 mph and has a ceiling of 56,000 feet and a range of
1,300 miles.
A very well armed machine, it sports a 30 mm cannon and six wing
pylons for various air-to-air missiles or bombs. A rather
formidable multi-role fighter aircraft. |
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MIG-29 General Specifications:
Crew: One
Length: 57 ft (17.37 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 3 in (11.4 m)
Height: 15 ft 6 in (4.73 m)
Max takeoff weight: 46,300 lb (21,000 kg )
Powerplant: 2× Klimov RD-33 turbofans,
Thrust: 8300 kgf each engine
Maximum speed: Mach 2.3 - 1,518 mph
(2,445 km/h)
Range: 430 mi combat, / 1,800 mi ferry
(700 km 2,900 km)
Service ceiling: 59,100 ft (18,013m)
Rate of climb: 65,000 ft/min (330 m/sec.)
Armament:
1x 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
Up to 3,500 kg (7,720 lb) of weapons including 6 air-to-air missiles
— a mix of semi-active radar homing (SARH) and AA-8 'Aphid', AA-10
'Alamo', AA-11 'Archer', AA-12 'Adder', FAB 500-M62, FAB-1000,
TN-100, ECM Pods, S-24, AS-12, AS-14.
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