Sukhoi Su-25

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Su-25 "Frogfoot"

Su-25SM
Type	Attack aircraft
Manufacturer	Sukhoi
Status	Operational
Primary user	Russian Air Force

The Su-25 (NATO reporting name 'Frogfoot') is a battlefield attack, close air support, and anti-tank aircraft designed by the Soviet Union. It remains in service with Russia and other CIS member states, as well as a variety of export customers.

1 Development
2 Specifications (Su-25 late production)
3 Operators
4 In Popular Culture
5 External links
6 References
7 Related content

[edit] Development

The Su-25 was designed by Sukhoi as a result of studies in the late 1960s on an aircraft to fill the Sturmovik ground attack role. The Frogfoot is heavily armed, with a Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 30mm cannon and various air-to-ground munitions; it can carry more than 4,000 kg of weaponry in the ground-attack role. It is comparable to the A-10 Thunderbolt II, although it more closely resembles the Northrop YA-9, which lost the USAF competition that produced the A-10. (The same requirement led to the development of fighter bomber versions of the MiG-23 'Flogger', culminating in the definitive MiG-27 'Flogger', although those aircraft share nothing with the Su-25 in design.)

The first prototype, with the bureau designation T-8-1, made its first flight on 22 February 1975. Development problems delayed its service entry until April 1981. Early examples that were observed by the west were spotted at the Zhukovsky flight test centre near the town of Ramenskoye, resulting in the temporary codename of Ram-J. The Ram-J was initially believed to have overwing mounted turbojets and a tailplane mounted midway up the vertical stabilizer, unlike the actual aircraft.

The Su-25, which is called Grach (rook) in CIS service, was heavily used by the Soviet Union during its operations in Afghanistan in the 1980s. 22 Su-25 were lost in this conflict.

Two-seat Su-25UB trainers were also built, including a small number for the AVMF designated Su-25UTG. They had strengthened airframes and an arresting hook for practicing aircraft carrier landings. The first Su-25UTG flew in September 1988, and about ten were produced. About half remain in Russian service, used with Russia's sole carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov. The Russian navy ordered ten more Su-25UBP aircraft, much like the earlier Su-25UTG, but with a retractable aerial refueling probe.

More advanced attack variants, the Su-25T (alternatively, Su-34, although the OKB appears to have given that designation to the 'Flanker' derivative, the Su-34 'Fullback') and later Su-25TM (Su-39), were developed with an improved nav/attack system, better survivability, and capability of carrying new precision-guided weapons. Only a handful of each version has been produced. However, the improved systems from these aircraft have been utilised in the Su-25SM, an upgrade for series produced Su-25s for the Russian Air Force, resulting in superior survivability and combat capability.

The upgraded SU-25KM “Scorpion”, developed by Georgian aerospace manufacturer TAM in conjunction with Elbit Systems of Israel, is enhanced with the most advanced avionics, designed to elevate its unique capabilities and to provide a head-start into the 21st century as a model for close-attack aircraft. Avionics include “Glass cockpit” arrangement; digital map generator; display and sight helmet; computerized weapons system; complete mission pre-plan capability; fully redundant backup modes; extremely reliable and very easy to maintain. Performance enhancements include: Highly accurate navigation; pinpoint weapon delivery systems; all weather and day/night performance; NATO compatibility; high level of situational awareness; state-of-the art safety and survivability features; advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements.

The Sukhoi Su-28 was built as a variant of the Su-25UB, which adopted the role of primary trainer and demonstrator.