Armament of the Su 25 aircraft. Russian Aviation. Security, life support and rescue system
The Su-25SM (according to NATO codification “Frogfoot”, Frogfoot) is a modernized single-seat combat attack aircraft Su-25. Avionics have been updated, HUD and MFD have been added. It’s worth admitting that I don’t understand anything about combat aviation and am very confused by the data that can be dug up on the Internet.
everything I have about the Su-25
As always, I use information from sites
http://www.airwar.ru
http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki
and other sources I found on the Internet and literature.
The aircraft developed in the 1970s is already outdated, primarily in terms of the composition of its on-board radio-electronic equipment and due to the inability to use modern high-precision weapons. It was this problem that was solved when creating the Su-25SM. Most of the new systems for the Su-25SM were not developed from scratch, but used already tested and mass-produced products. This made it possible to reduce the cost of development, serial production and operation of the aviation complex.
This attack aircraft should be a relatively cheap, quickly reproducible aircraft, designed for the mass wartime pilot. Therefore, one of the tasks facing the creators of the Su-25SM was to reduce the costs of modernization, as well as retraining of personnel. In particular, unlike most foreign tactical aircraft, the Su-25SM received not two, but one MFCI. As studies have shown, this turned out to be quite enough.
The modernized Su-25SM (T-8SM) attack aircraft was supposed to operate in difficult weather conditions typical of Central and Eastern Europe, when 75% of the days a year the cloud base is at altitudes of less than 400 m. This means that the operating bombing altitude should be 200-300 m. In this case, the ammunition had to be dropped both from horizontal flight and from complex types of maneuver while maintaining high accuracy of hitting the target.
The first four experimental Su-25SM (T-8SM-1 - T-8SM-4) for testing at the 929 GLITs RF Ministry of Defense in Akhtubinsk were modernized at 121 ARZ in 2002-2004.
The work was carried out under the leadership and in cooperation with the Sukhoi Design Bureau and the Sukhoi Stormtroopers Research and Production Company. The first modernized T-8SM-1 was flown on March 5, 2002 by OKB test pilot I.E. Solovyov. In 2005, State flight tests of the aircraft were completed. A special flight test program (SFT) was scheduled for 2006. The complex successfully passed tests, and the modifications were approved for serial modernization, as it later turned out for the first stage modernization, i.e. like Su-25SM1.
In the summer of 2007, two of the first four Su-25SMs were transferred to the Lipetsk Center for Combat Use and Retraining of Flight Personnel - TsBP PLS (T-8SM-1 with no. 33 red (now this is our aircraft 87 red) and T-8SM- 2 with b/n 19 red).
The developers of the attack aircraft have almost completely updated the avionics. For a number of reasons, the RLPK-25SM based on the Spear radar had to be abandoned. But on the attack aircraft, the only thing left from the old avionics is the Klen-PS laser sight-rangefinder, which in the foreseeable future is planned to be replaced with a modernized one, which has more power and accuracy. The airframe of the aircraft was completely preserved from the Su-25. Thus, the design of the existing fuselage, which retained its original configuration, included updated equipment - radio-electronic systems, units, electrical harnesses.
When modernizing the Su-25 attack aircraft into the Su-25SM, it was decided to retain the power plant - two R-95Sh turbojet engines with a thrust of 4100 kg each, which had proven high reliability and survivability. In addition, the engine had reserves to increase its service life. The Su-25SM engine, by analogy with the Su-25T, has been modified to deal with surge. This made it possible to expand the permissible modes of use of weapons, regardless of flight modes. After modifying the engine for the electronic rotating stall signaling system (ESWS), the engines received the index R-95Ш letter SM. When overhauling an attack aircraft, it is possible to install an R-195 engine instead of the R-95Sh. In the case of conversion of the Su-25BM into the Su-25SM, the R-195 engine can be installed on the modernized attack aircraft.
The transition to new avionics allowed us to reduce the weight of on-board equipment by approximately 300 kg. This made it possible to move a number of blocks from the tail section (the most vulnerable when fired by missiles or man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS) with thermal homing heads) to the much better protected bow of the attack aircraft. There are a number of improvements related to increasing the combat survivability of the vehicle. These improvements have already been partially implemented on the latest series of Su-25. For modernization, first of all, vehicles of a later production are transferred (the 10th series, which began to be produced in 1987), which still have a high unexpired service life, and on which a number of improvements in the field of combat survivability have already been implemented. The empty weight of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged after modernization.
The attack aircraft's combat capabilities were expanded through the use of the new PrNK-25SM (56SM) Bars sighting and navigation system, developed for the Su-25SM. The complex includes a new digital computer TsVM-90 (developed by the Elektroavtomatika association), as well as systems for processing and displaying information, satellite and short-range navigation, an electronic reconnaissance station, an aircraft transponder, an automatic radio compass, a digital-analog weapon control system, an on-board system for collecting, processing and recording flight information “Karat-B-25” and a number of other systems.
The vehicles are equipped with an L-150 “Pastel” radar warning station. A Klen-PS laser illumination and ranging station is mounted in the bow of the attack aircraft, which, among other things, provides guidance for guided missiles with laser homing heads.
Vehicles modernized since 2013 (in the Su-25SM3 version) receive the latest Vitebsk-25 electronic warfare station, and can also use laser- and television-guided guided bombs.
The number of Su-25SM in the Air Force by 2020 will exceed 130 units. The aircraft are not built anew, but are modernized along with major overhauls from existing Su-25 aircraft.
The cockpit of the modernized attack aircraft is equipped with one multifunctional color indicator (MFCI), which can display flight, cartographic, tactical and targeting information. In particular, against the background of a digital geographic map of the area, information about the location of the front line, the placement and reach zones of scouted air defense systems, etc. can be projected.
Instead of the ASP-17BTs-8 aviation rifle sight (the pilot’s main working tool when carrying out an attack), the attack aircraft received a wide-angle indicator on the windshield (HUD). It is equipped with a cathode ray tube (CRT) of increased brightness, which allows the HUD to be used in almost direct sunlight. The HUD displays all the information necessary for piloting and attack. The Su-25SM, like the Su-25, does not have an autopilot.
The modernized attack aircraft received the 39PM weapons control system, which, together with the 56SM (PrNK-25SM Bars), ensures the use of:
- unguided and guided aircraft missiles,
- unguided bombs,
- built-in fixed cannon installation with a variable rate of fire,
- single-type and mixed weapon options,
- PTB reset.
The built-in control system for on-board equipment can significantly reduce labor costs when preparing the aircraft for re-flight. Thanks to this, the maintenance time for the new attack aircraft has been reduced by 25-30% compared to the base model.
The accuracy of navigation and combat use of unguided aircraft weapons has increased two to three times, and in bomber use it has reached the level of accuracy of guided weapons.
As a result of modernization, the Su-25SM became an aircraft with a new purpose and combat effectiveness, which increased by 1.5 times. Thanks to the use of a modern inertial satellite navigation system, a coordinate determination accuracy of about 15 m with correction and 200 m without satellite correction has been achieved.
For the first time, a variable rate of fire from a cannon mount was used on front-line aircraft, which significantly increases the number of attacks on a target. The fixed gun mount VPU-17A with a double-barreled 30-mm air cannon GSh-2-30 (9-A-623) received a variable rate of fire of 1:1, 1:4, 1:8, 1:16.
New combat use modes have been implemented that allow the use of air-to-surface guided missiles from horizontal flight through the use of precise software-corrected target tracking.
The Su-25SM is capable of hitting two targets in one attack, and the use of navigational bombing at night and in difficult weather conditions is a standard combat mission for it, unlike the conventional Su-25.
Compared to the conventional Su-25, the composition of the normal combat load has changed - 2 FAB-500 and 2 R-73 instead of 4 FAB-250 and 2 R-60. As for the air-to-surface guided weapons, the attack aircraft can use guided missiles (UR) with a laser homing head (LGSN) Kh-25ML, S-25L, S-25LD, Kh-29L. Work is underway to equip it with promising air-to-surface weapons.
The modernized aircraft received R-73 air-to-air missiles (the Su-25 was armed with R-60 and R-60M).
In the absence of a worthy replacement for the Su-25, the Su-25SM program made it possible, when carrying out major repairs and modernization of aircraft that had served for 17-18 years, to extend their service life by several decades. During this time, it is planned to create a new tactical strike complex.
One of the stages of work on the new complex was the creation of a modernized Su-25UBM, the further development of which is expected to lead to the creation of a new single-seat domestic attack aircraft. Serial production of the Su-25UBM is expected to be established at the aircraft plant in Ulan-Ude.
Back view.
Are there any sensors here?
But the back is like a crocodile’s: uneven and jagged... :-))
General form
There are heat traps on the engine nacelle.
Main stand.
Horizontal tail.
Is this a cover for a drogue parachute?
Engine nacelle
An outboard fuel tank under the wing?
Back with GPS antenna? What kind of ventilation outlet is behind the cockpit?
Or is it for viewing the rear hemisphere?
Again, front view with covers and plugs.
A little later, all this is removed and the plane appears before us in flying condition.
The technical staff is keeping a watchful eye under the wing.
Nose strut
Like the Su-25, the Su-25SM has ten wing and one ventral hardpoints. Wing hardpoints, with the exception of those closest to the fuselage, are intended for aircraft weapons and weapons units, hardpoints under the wing near the fuselage and under the fuselage are for hanging containers with additional equipment. To increase the flight range, 2 or 4 PTB-800 fuel tanks can be suspended on beam holders BD3-25SM-01.
General view without plugs.
Does the canopy for the ejected one shoot off completely?
Our aircraft is Su-25SM-01, this is the first production aircraft (T-8SM-1) 87 red, modernized in 2001, serial number No. 25508109033, RF-92255, camouflage color, former number 33, the aircraft is part of 4- th TsBP PLS, 968th IISAP, 4th attack squadron.
LTH:
Modification of Su-25SM
Wingspan, m 14.52
Aircraft length, m 15.05
Aircraft height, m 4.80
Wing area, m2 33.70
Weight, kg
empty plane 9400
normal takeoff 14600
maximum takeoff 19000
Fuel
internal fuel, kg 3000
PTB 2
Engine type 2 TRD R-195
Thrust, kN 2 x 44.13
Maximum speed, km/h
near the ground 975
at height M=0.82
Ferry range, km 1950
Combat radius, km
at an altitude of 650
near the ground 320
Practical ceiling, m 10000
Max. combat altitude 5000
Max. operational overload 6.5
Crew, persons 1
Armament: one 30-mm double-barreled gun GSh-30-2 in the lower bow with 250 rounds of ammunition.
Combat load - 4340 kg on 10 hardpoints, normal load - 1340 kg
Bomb load:
Up to 8 laser-guided bombs,
8-10 500-, 250-kg bombs, 32 100-kg bombs,
armor-piercing bombs, napalm tanks
NUR: 8-10 PU UB-32-57 (320(252) x 57 mm)
or 8-10 240 mm, NAR blocks of type S-5 (57 mm), S-8 (80 mm), S-24 (240 mm) and S-25 (340 mm).
SD: short-range air-to-air R-60 and medium-range R-27R(E), RVV-AE (R-77) and R-73 missiles.
air-to-surface X-25ML, X-29L and S-25L
SPPU-22 containers with a double-barreled 23-mm GSh-23L cannon with 260 rounds.
Su-25K after takeoff from the deck, drawing
Development and production
Operation history
General design data
Engine
Flight-tactical characteristics
Armament
hanging
- air-to-air missiles: 2 x R-60
- air-to-ground missiles: 4 x Kh-27PS, 2 x Kh-31, 2 x Kh-29L
- unguided missiles, bombs (up to 1265 kg)
built-in
- 1 x 30 mm gun GSh-30-2
Power point
The aircraft is equipped with two R-95Sh afterburning turbojet engines with a non-adjustable nozzle. Air enters the engines through two cylindrical channels with oval subsonic unregulated air intakes.
At the bottom of the engines there are boxes of aircraft units that take away part of the power of the turbines to rotate the electric generators that power the aircraft’s on-board network. These same generators serve as starters that spin up the compressor when starting.
Weapons and equipment
Sighting equipment The carrier-based attack aircraft was supposed to include an ASP-17BMTs aviation rifle-bomber sight and a Klen-PS laser illumination and ranging station, which ensured the destruction of targets when they were visually visible. The weapon control system ensured the use of both similar and mixed types of weapons in one attack.
Armament The aircraft included a powerful 30-mm double-barreled GSh-30-2 cannon in the fuselage; if necessary, it could be supplemented with SPPU-22 suspended containers with 23-mm GSh-23L cannons. A wide range of bomb and missile weapons were also mounted on an external sling. There were eight pylons under the wing in total, but with the suspension of multi-lock beam holders on them, the number of suspension points could be increased.
The attack aircraft could carry both unguided bombs and missiles, and laser-guided ones (target illumination was provided by the Klen-PS onboard laser station); If a container with a Vyuga control system was suspended on one of the pylons, the aircraft could also use anti-radar missiles of the Kh-31 and Kh-27PS types. For self-defense, a suspension of R-60 air-to-air missiles with heat guidance was provided.
Modifications
Variants of the Su-25K carrier-based attack aircraft, equipped with on-board radar
In addition to the main, single-seat version, the project also worked on a combat training two-seat version of the attack aircraft ( Su-25UBK). The preliminary design of this aircraft assumed that deck pilots would be trained on it in piloting techniques during takeoffs and landings on an aircraft carrier, as well as aircraft navigation in open sea conditions and combat use. Unlike the one actually built educational Su-25UTG, which cannot carry a combat load when taking off from a springboard, combat training The Su-25UBK was designed to take off from a catapult, so it had to retain some of the attack aircraft’s weapons and a full-fledged sighting and navigation system.
At the level of preliminary design, improved modifications of the single-seat attack aircraft were also developed - Su-25K-1 And Su-25K-2. They were supposed to carry a more advanced sighting and navigation system, including an on-board radar.
- A selection of materials about projects of domestic aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft on the website paralay.com
Notes
Image gallery
The newest best military aircraft of the Russian Air Force and the world photos, pictures, videos about the value of a fighter aircraft as a combat weapon capable of ensuring “superiority in the air” was recognized by the military circles of all states by the spring of 1916. This required the creation of a special combat aircraft superior to all others in speed, maneuverability, altitude and the use of offensive small arms. In November 1915, Nieuport II Webe biplanes arrived at the front. This was the first aircraft built in France that was intended for air combat.
The most modern domestic military aircraft in Russia and the world owe their appearance to the popularization and development of aviation in Russia, which was facilitated by the flights of Russian pilots M. Efimov, N. Popov, G. Alekhnovich, A. Shiukov, B. Rossiysky, S. Utochkin. The first domestic cars of designers J. Gakkel, I. Sikorsky, D. Grigorovich, V. Slesarev, I. Steglau began to appear. In 1913, the Russian Knight heavy aircraft made its first flight. But one cannot help but recall the first creator of the aircraft in the world - Captain 1st Rank Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaisky.
Soviet military aircraft of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War sought to hit enemy troops, their communications and other targets in the rear with air strikes, which led to the creation of bomber aircraft capable of carrying a large bomb load over considerable distances. The variety of combat missions to bomb enemy forces in the tactical and operational depth of the fronts led to the understanding of the fact that their implementation must be commensurate with the tactical and technical capabilities of a particular aircraft. Therefore, the design teams had to resolve the issue of specialization of bomber aircraft, which led to the emergence of several classes of these machines.
Types and classification, latest models of military aircraft in Russia and the world. It was obvious that it would take time to create a specialized fighter aircraft, so the first step in this direction was an attempt to arm existing aircraft with small offensive weapons. Mobile machine gun mounts, which began to be equipped with aircraft, required excessive efforts from pilots, since controlling the machine in maneuverable combat and simultaneously firing from unstable weapons reduced the effectiveness of shooting. The use of a two-seater aircraft as a fighter, where one of the crew members served as a gunner, also created certain problems, because the increase in weight and drag of the machine led to a decrease in its flight qualities.
What types of planes are there? In our years, aviation has made a big qualitative leap, expressed in a significant increase in flight speed. This was facilitated by progress in the field of aerodynamics, the creation of new, more powerful engines, structural materials, and electronic equipment. computerization of calculation methods, etc. Supersonic speeds have become the main flight modes of fighter aircraft. However, the race for speed also had its negative sides - the takeoff and landing characteristics and maneuverability of the aircraft sharply deteriorated. During these years, the level of aircraft construction reached such a level that it became possible to begin creating aircraft with variable sweep wings.
For Russian combat aircraft, in order to further increase the flight speeds of jet fighters exceeding the speed of sound, it was necessary to increase their power supply, increase the specific characteristics of turbojet engines, and also improve the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft. For this purpose, engines with an axial compressor were developed, which had smaller frontal dimensions, higher efficiency and better weight characteristics. To significantly increase thrust, and therefore flight speed, afterburners were introduced into the engine design. Improving the aerodynamic shapes of aircraft consisted of using wings and tail surfaces with large sweep angles (in the transition to thin delta wings), as well as supersonic air intakes.
DATA FOR 2015 (standard update)
Su-25 "Rook" - FROGFOOT / RAM-J
Su-25SM
Stormtrooper. The development of the preliminary design of the aircraft for direct support of troops over the battlefield SPB ("Battlefield Aircraft") began on the initiative of the teacher of the Yu.A. Gagarin Air Force Academy I.V. Savchenko and employees of the P.O. Sukhoi Design Bureau O.S. Samoilovich , D.N.Gorbachev, V.M.Lebedev, Yu.V.Ivashechkin and A.Monakhov in March 1968. In May 1968, the design of the aircraft began at the Sukhoi Design Bureau under the name T-8. The study of the aerodynamic design of the future attack aircraft began at TsAGI in 1968. The USSR Ministry of Defense, at the suggestion of the Minister of Defense A.A. Grechko, in March 1969 announced a competition for the design of a light attack aircraft in which the Sukhoi Design Bureau (T-8), Yakovlev (Yak- 25LSh), Mikoyan and Gurevich () and Ilyushin (Il-42). The Air Force requirements for the competition were formulated (see technical specifications).
The competition was won by T-8 and . Release of working drawings and preparation for the construction of a prototype aircraft - summer 1970. At the same time, the Air Force changed the requirements for maximum ground speed to 1200 km/h, which put the project at risk of complete rework. By the end of 1971, it was possible to agree on a change in the requirements for maximum speed to 1000 km/h (0.82 M). The design of the T-8 was resumed in January 1972 after P.O. Sukhoi approved the general design of the attack aircraft (01/06/1972) and signed an order to begin detailed design of the aircraft. M.P. Simonov was appointed project manager, Yu.V. Ivashechkin was appointed lead designer. Since August 1972, the chief designer of the T-8 is O.S. Samoilovich, the leading designer since December 25, 1972 is Yu.V. Ivashechkin (he is also the chief designer since October 6, 1974). The prototype of the aircraft was accepted by the commission in September and construction of the prototype began at the end of 1972. The T-8-1 prototype made its first flight at the LII airfield in Zhukovsky on February 22, 1975 (pilot - V.S. Ilyushin). The second prototype aircraft with some changes in design (T-8-2) entered testing in December 1975.
In the summer of 1976, the engines on the experimental aircraft were replaced with more powerful R-95Sh, and some design elements were changed (1978) - the updated prototypes were named T-8-1D and T-8-2D. In July 1976, the T-8 received the name "Su-25" and preparations began for serial production at the aircraft plant in Tbilisi (originally it was planned to launch production in Poland). Tactical and technical requirements for the Su-25 attack aircraft with the R-95Sh engine, modified avionics - similar to the T-8-1D type - were approved by the USSR Ministry of Defense only on March 9, 1977 and discussed from May 11 to May 24, 1977 at the mock-up commission .
Information about the aircraft and the code name RAM-J appeared in the West in 1977 according to space reconnaissance data (RAM = Ramenskoye, railway station near the LII airfield). The first production vehicle (T-8-3) was produced in Tbilisi in 1978 and made its first flight on June 18, 1979 (pilot - Yu.A. Egorov). State tests of the aircraft took place (first stage) from March to May 30, 1980 (completed in December 1980). The production of two-seat Su-25UB/UT/UTG and a single-seat one was carried out at the aircraft plant in Ulan-Ude. In March 1981, an act on the completion of state tests of the aircraft was signed and it was recommended for adoption by the USSR Air Force. In April 1981, the aircraft began to enter combat units. Since June 1981, Su-25s have taken part in combat operations in Afghanistan. The Su-25 was officially put into service in 1987.
In total, until 2000, 1320 Su-25 and its modifications were produced. On October 8, 2009, the resumption of purchases of Su-25 aircraft (modification of the Su-25SM) for the Russian Air Force was announced.
The unofficial established name of the aircraft - "Rook" - was assigned to the aircraft after combat use in Afghanistan in the early 1980s. Engines:
Advance project 1968 - 2 x AI-25T with a thrust of 1750 kg each.
Project T-8 (1970) - the possibility of installing a more powerful forced version of the AI-25T (R&D was carried out at the V.N. Lotarev Design Bureau), TR7-117, R53B-300 and AL-29 engines was considered.
T-8-1, T-8-2 - 2 x afterburning R-9-300 (modification RD-9B/R-9B) with a thrust of 2700 kg, in 1976 replaced by R-95Sh.
T-8-1D, T-8-2D, T-8-3, first series of Su-25 (until 1987) - 2 x R-95Sh turbofan engines (modernized afterburning R-13F-300) with a thrust of 4100 kg per emergency mode; the nozzle and air intake are unregulated, electric start.
Specific fuel consumption - 1.28 kg/kgf per hour
Su-25UTG is a carrier-based training aircraft (R&D and first flight - 1987, serial production in Ulan-Ude began in 1988, first landing on the aircraft carrier "Tbilisi" - 11/01/1989), the aircraft is equipped with a hook- anyway, until 1991 mass-produced;
Su-25UBK - export "commercial" modification of the Su-25UB (first mentioned in the press - 1988), mass-produced until 1991.
T-8-15 - in 1989, the aircraft was presented at the Le Bourget air show as the Su-25; the R-195 engines on the aircraft were replaced by the R-95Sh in connection with the “travel” abroad.
Su-25BM - target towing vehicle (start of production in Tbilisi - 1989, first mention in the press - 1993), as part of the 186th Fighter-Assault Aviation Regiment (Ishap) used in Tajikistan (typical load - 6 x OFAB- 250, 2 x PTB and 2 R-60 missiles). A total of 50 pieces were produced. Tows Comet targets, drops PM-6 diving targets and M-6 parachute targets.
Su-25SM - modernization of combat Su-25, carried out between 1997 and 2008. As of August 2008 (Georgian-Ossetian conflict), a certain number are in the Air Force and were used during combat operations. On October 8, 2009, the resumption of purchases of Su-25 aircraft (modification of the Su-25SM) for the Russian Air Force was announced. Production is carried out by a plant in Ulan-Ude. The aircraft's avionics have been updated, an HUD and a multifunctional LCD display have been added to the cockpit. Based on the results of an open auction on November 7, 2011, contract No. R/4/1/7-11-DOGOZ was concluded between the Russian Ministry of Defense and Aviaremont OJSC to carry out repair work with the modernization of Su-25 type aircraft into the Su-25SM variant quantity 36 units. According to the contract, it was planned to receive the first 8 Su-25SM by December 1, 2011 (!!), in 2012 - 16 Su-25SM and in 2013 - 12 Su-25SM. contract amount 4.6 billion rubles. Acts on the transfer of the first 8 Su-25SM were signed on November 30, 2011 - the aircraft were received by the air group of military unit 62231-7, Chernigovka airbase, Primorye ().
Su-25SM at the airbase in Kubinka, 03/22/2012 (photo - Vladimir Yazynin, Evgeny Volkov and Alexander Martynov, http://russianplanes.net).
- Su-25KM - a modernization option for the Su-25 of the Georgian Air Force. The modernization is carried out by Israel and includes the replacement of electronics and adaptation to NATO ammunition.
Su-25UBM is a modernized all-weather combat training aircraft, designed to train Su-25SM and . Designed on the basis of the Su-25UB. The Bars-2 on-board equipment complex with an information processing and display system, the Spear radar complex, a short-range navigation system, a satellite navigation system, a radio-technical reconnaissance station. Presumably the aircraft can be used as an airborne command post for a group of attack aircraft. The aircraft can be used as a deck-based aircraft. The first flight was made on December 6, 2008 at the Kubinka airfield near Moscow. In December 2009, the first stage of testing of the aircraft was completed. During 2010, it was planned to release an installation series and from 2011 it was planned to begin mass production. State tests were successfully completed by December 28, 2011 (the Act was signed), the aircraft was recommended for serial production. In 2012, testing of the combat capabilities of the sighting and navigation system, which includes information processing and display systems, GLONASS, short-range navigation, an electronic reconnaissance station and other systems, will continue at the State Flight Test Center (GLITs) named after V.P. Chkalova (Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan region)
Bombing accuracy - 10-15 m (from a horizontal flight altitude of 200-300 m)
Accuracy of determining aircraft coordinates:
- 200 m
- 10-15 m (using satellite navigation system)
Maximum speed - 950 km/h
Combat range - 300 km
Status: USSR / Russia - 23 aircraft were lost during the fighting in Afghanistan;
- March 1980 - USSR Minister of Defense D.F. Ustinov decided to send 2 aircraft (T-8-1D and T-8-3) for testing to Afghanistan (Operation "Rhombus", Shindand Air Force Base);
1980 April 16 - Operation Diamond begins, planes arrive at the Shindand base in Afghanistan.
1981 February 4 - the formation of the first combat unit with the Su-25 began - the 200th separate attack squadron of the 80th separate attack air regiment (OSHAP) in Sital-Chay (65 km from Baku);
April 1981 - The 80th OSHAP received the first 12 aircraft and on June 19, the 200th separate attack squadron of the regiment entered Afghanistan (Shindand airfield).
1981 June 18-19 - the 200th squadron was relocated to Afghanistan, the Su-25 began to take part in combat operations in Afghanistan.
1982 - production at the plant in Tbilisi reached the planned level.
1983 - at least 25 Su-25 aircraft in service;
1984 January 16 - in Afghanistan, for the first time, a Su-25 was shot down by a Strela-2M MANPADS (pilot - Lieutenant Colonel P.V. Rubin, near the village of Urgun).
1984 - by the end of the year, 5 Su-25s were shot down by MANPADS in Afghanistan. During the year, the number of Su-25s in Afghanistan was increased to an aviation regiment.
November 1986 - in Afghanistan, after the start of the use of Stinger MANPADS, 4 Su-25s were shot down in two weeks, 2 pilots were killed.
1986 - by the end of the year, 25 Su-25UBs had been produced at the plant in Ulan-Ude since the start of mass production (1984).
1988 August 4 - Su-25 of Colonel A. Rutsky was shot down by a Pakistani F-16 with an AIM-9L Sidewinder missile.
1989 January 23 - the last Su-25 before the withdrawal of troops was lost in Afghanistan (not confirmed). The total number of Su-25 military contingent in Afghanistan at the time of withdrawal was about 50 units, a total of 60,000 sorties were flown, total losses were 23 units. one each and 34 pieces according to other data (24 in the air and 10 on the ground).
Su-25 losses in Afghanistan (1981-1989, data from Markovsky and Bedretdinov):
| №pp | date | Pilot | Circumstances |
| 01 | 12/14/1981 | captain M. Dyakov, died | Colliding with a mountain while exiting an attack |
| 02 | 04/14/1983 | ejected, pilot alive | Crashed on takeoff |
| 03 | 01/16/1984 | Lieutenant Colonel P. Ruban, ejected and died | MANPADS shot down in the Urgun area |
| 04 | September 20, 1984 | the pilot is alive | Crashed on landing during the flight to Bagram |
| 05 | 12/10/1984 | Senior Lieutenant V. Zazdravnov, died | Shot down in the Panjshir Gorge area |
| 06 | 07/22/1985 | senior lieutenant S. Shumikhin, died | DShK shot down in Panjshir Gorge |
| 07 | 04/06/1986 | Shot down by MANPADS and anti-aircraft fire in the Khost area | |
| 08 | 08/23/1986 | ejected, pilot alive | MANPADS shot down near the Iranian border |
| 09 | 02.11.1986 | Senior Lieutenant A. Baranov, died | Shot down in the dark |
| 10 | November 18, 1986 | ejected, pilot alive | MANPADS shot down |
| 11 | November 20, 1986 | Lieutenant I. Aleshin, died | MANPADS shot down near Salanga |
| 12-13 | 03.12.1986 | ejected, pilot alive | MANPADS shot down in the Ryan area |
| 14 | 01/21/1987 | senior lieutenant K. Pavlyukov, ejected, died | Shot down by MANPADS on takeoff from Bagram airfield |
| 15 | 01/28/1987 | ejected, pilot alive | MANPADS shot down near Khosta |
| 16 | 02/05/1987 | captain M. Burak, died | Shot down by anti-aircraft fire during a night flight in the Kandahar area |
| 17 | 04/02/1987 | ejected, pilot alive | MANPADS shot down |
| 18 | 06/01/1987 | ejected, pilot alive | MANPADS shot down near Kandahar airfield |
| 19 | 06/20/1987 | senior lieutenant V. Paltusov, died | DShK shot down or crashed on return |
| 20 | September 13, 1987 | Senior Lieutenant V.Zemlyakov, died | Shot down by anti-aircraft fire or MANPADS in the Baraki area |
| 21 | 12/26/1987 | Major A. Plyusnin, died | Shot down by a MANPADS during a night flight |
| 22 | 03/17/1988 | ejected, pilot alive | MANPADS shot down or lost during a training launch near Bagram airfield |
| 23 | 06/07/1988 | the sentry died | destroyed during shelling of Kandahar airfield |
| 24-31 | 06/23/1988 | destroyed during shelling of Kabul airfield | |
| 32 | 08/04/1988 | Colonel A. Rutskoy, ejected, alive | Shot down by Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter |
| 33 | October 27, 1988 | the pilot is alive | The plane was damaged during landing and later destroyed when the airfield was shelled. |
| 34 | 01/07/1989 | senior lieutenant E. Gordienko, died | Shot down over Janez Gorge |
1989 - production of the Su-25BM began in Tbilisi, a total of 50 units were produced.
1990 - the Su-25, Su-25T and Su-25UB are officially in service with the USSR Air Force;
1991 - a total of about 500 pieces were produced by the industry over the entire period. Su-25 (including about 250 units for export), 350 units. Su-25UB/UT and 8 out of 10 ordered Su-25T; serial production of the Su-25 has been discontinued;
1994 - the Su-25T was put into service (the plant in Tbilisi transferred a batch of assembled aircraft to Russia), a total of 192 units in service with various modifications of the Su-25 - front-line attack aircraft; naval aviation attack aircraft - 55 pcs.
1997 - Su-39 offered for export. In total, more than 1000 pieces were produced by industry in the USSR and Russia. Su-25 (including 300 Su-25UB). According to unverified domestic data, there are 300 units in service with the Air Force, various modifications, and 100 units in the Navy aviation.
Damaged Russian Air Force Su-25 after a combat mission
(August 2008, Georgian-Ossetian conflict)
2009 October 8 - the resumption of purchases of Su-25 aircraft (modification of the Su-25SM) for the Russian Air Force was announced.
2011 - according to media reports, during 2011 the Russian Air Force (part of the attack aviation of the Eastern Military District) received 12 Su-25SM. An additional batch of the same Su-25SM is expected to arrive at the beginning of 2012.
2011 December 28 - an act on the successful completion of state tests of the Su-25UBM attack aircraft was signed.
2012 February 20 - with reference to the representative of the press service of the Ministry of Defense for the Air Force, Colonel Vladimir Drik, Interfax reports that it is planned to modernize 80 Su-25 attack aircraft to the Su-25SM level by 2020. Currently, Air Force units have about 30 aircraft modernized to the Su-25SM standard.
2013 September 23 - at 20-17 Moscow time, during a scheduled training flight, a mark on the radar control display equipment from the Su-25 aircraft of the Southern Military District disappeared. According to the report from the scene, the pilot took the car away from the nearest populated area and tried to land it on the ground. The plane exploded upon contact with the ground. The pilot died. The flight was carried out without ammunition from the Primorsko-Akhtarsk airfield in the Krasnodar Territory ().
2013 October 03 - The Ministry of Defense reports that by the end of the year several Su-25SM aircraft will arrive at the air bases of the Southern Military District (Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Rostov Region).
Application of the Su-25SM during the air operation of the Russian Air Force in Syria (2015):
| date | Information from the Russian Ministry of Defense | Information from other sources |
| 30.09.2015 | On the first day of the Russian Air Force air operation in Syria, all aircraft of the group performed 20 sorties. Strikes were carried out on 8 militant targets. Warehouses of ammunition, weapons, fuels and lubricants, and accumulations of military equipment were hit. Command posts for controlling militant formations in mountainous areas were completely destroyed (). | The air group includes 12 Su-25SM attack aircraft. The aircraft were relocated to Latakia (Hmeimim airbase, Syria) in parallel with the military exercises "Center-2015" and the preceding surprise inspection of the Central Military District, which were held from September 11 to 20 (). |
| 09/30/2015 (night) | The air group continued to strike militant targets. 4 targets were attacked at night. In total, eight sorties were carried out by Su-24M front-line bombers and Su-25SM attack aircraft. The headquarters of terrorist groups and an ammunition depot near the city of Idlib, as well as a three-level fortified command post of militants near the village of Hama, were destroyed. It is reported that a factory for the production of explosives and ammunition north of the city of Homs, where suicide bombers' cars were loaded with explosive devices, has been completely destroyed. | |
| 01.10.2015 | Strike aircraft continued to carry out targeted strikes on militant infrastructure. Su-24M and Su-25 carried out eight sorties against five targets. Objective control data obtained from various sources, including space reconnaissance and unmanned aerial vehicles, confirm the complete destruction by Su-24M aircraft of the militants’ command post on the northern outskirts of Jisr al-Shugur in Idlib province (). In addition, Su-25SM attack aircraft attacked a militant field camp in the Maaret al-Numan area, Idlib province. Bunkers were completely destroyed, as well as warehouses for weapons and fuels and lubricants (). | |
| 02.10.2015 | Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM aircraft carried out 14 sorties, during which six strikes were carried out on militant targets. Thus, in the area of the village of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib province, the control point of the armed formations was destroyed by targeted strikes by Su-24M bombers and Su-25SM attack aircraft (). | |
| 03.10.2015 | Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM aircraft made 20 sorties. 10 targets were struck. In particular, Su-25SM attack aircraft attacked a terrorist training camp in the Kesladjuk region, Idlib province. As a result of the strike, militants' hideouts and a workshop for the production of improvised explosive devices, including suicide belts, were destroyed. Su-24M and Su-25SM aircraft carried out three consecutive strikes on a control center and an ammunition depot near the city of Maaret al-Numan. All targets are destroyed (). | |
| 04.10.2015 | Aircraft carried out targeted strikes on nine targets in Syria. A total of 25 sorties were carried out by Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM. Su-25SM attack aircraft struck a training camp in the Jisr al-Shugur area (Idlib province). The buildings containing the terrorist ammunition warehouse were destroyed. During aerial reconnaissance by unmanned aerial vehicles in the Jabal Koba area (Idlib province), a militant artillery firing position was discovered. The strike of Su-25SM attack aircraft on this target destroyed three artillery pieces and a field warehouse with ammunition. In a wooded area near the city of Idlib, a disguised terrorist base was discovered, which contained about 30 vehicles and armored vehicles, including T-55 tanks previously captured from the Syrian army. Six air strikes were carried out on the facility, as a result of which the militants’ equipment was completely destroyed (). | |
| 05.10.2015 | During the day, 15 Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM sorties were carried out from the Khmeimim air base. In the east of Homs province, near the city of Tadmor, a combat pair of Su-25SM attack aircraft, as well as a Su-24 bomber, attacked two areas where equipment was concentrated. In total, about twenty units of T-55 medium tanks, previously captured by militants from the Syrian army, were destroyed. As a result of the detonation of ammunition and fuel of combat vehicles, numerous fires arose. At night, about 30 vehicles and armored vehicles, including tanks, were destroyed in a wooded area near the city of Idlib. “Despite the fact that the image provided by UAVs (drones) is understandable only to specialists, we have irrefutable intelligence data, including negotiations between militants in the area, about the destruction and disabling of terrorist combat vehicles.” There, Su-25SM attack aircraft struck the area where the militants' engineering equipment was concentrated. As a result of this, engineering weapons and equipment previously captured from the Syrian army were destroyed. Also in the vicinity of Tadmor, Russian bomber aircraft attacked two terrorist ammunition warehouses, one of which was located on the territory of a salt plant. Both objects were hit by direct hits from controlled aerial bombs. Objective control data confirms the complete destruction of warehouses. It is also reported that two pairs of Su-25SM attacked the control point and communications center of terrorists located in the Jebel Batra mountain range, and the headquarters of militants in the Jebel Mgar mountains of Damascus province - “as a result of direct hits from controlled air bombs, the objects were destroyed.” (). | |
| 06.10.2015 | The aircraft of the air group made about 20 sorties. Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM attacked 12 rear infrastructure facilities, control posts, training camps and militant bases. Su-25SM attack aircraft attacked a militant stronghold at the heights of Telu-Dakua (Damascus province). Also in the province of Idlib, a combat pair of Su-25SM attack aircraft attacked a field camp of the group’s terrorists. “As a result of the air strike, numerous destructions of buildings and structures were noted, which were used by terrorists for storing explosives, logistics and food supplies.” In addition, in the Kafer Awaid area (Idlib province), a field camp was hit by two Russian Su-25 attack aircraft. “According to radio interceptions, conversations in several foreign languages were recorded on the territory of this camp, which suggests that foreign fighters were being trained at this base” (). | |
| 07.10.2015 | At night, the Russian Air Force air group carried out 22 combat sorties and struck 27 targets. The planes attacked militant strongholds in Homs province and completely destroyed fortifications. Su-25SM and Su-34 bombers attacked eight militant strongholds in Homs province. As a result of the fire hitting the targets, the militants' fortifications were completely destroyed. Su-25SM and Su-34 attacked 11 areas of militant training camps in the provinces of Hama and Raqa. As a result of the strikes, terrorist training infrastructure was destroyed. “Precise hits from concrete-piercing aerial bombs hit the underground shelters of militants, previously identified by space reconnaissance in the area of the settlements of Arafit and Salma,” Aerial reconnaissance also discovered a base camouflaged in a forest, which was subsequently destroyed by a pair of Su-25SM attack aircraft (). | |
| 08.10.2015 | Aviation carried out 67 combat sorties from the Khmeimim airbase during the day. Su-34M, Su-25SM damaged 60 targets. The targets for the strikes were command posts and communications centers of militants, warehouses for weapons and fuel and lubricants, as well as militant training bases in the provinces of Raqqa, Latakia, Hama, Idlib and Aleppo. According to the General Staff, as a result of the strikes, six control points and communications centers, six ammunition and fuel depots, 17 camps and terrorist training bases, and three underground militant structures in the province of Latakia were destroyed. In addition, aviation destroyed 16 fortified areas and defensive positions with weapons and military equipment, 11 areas where bandit reserves were concentrated, an armored vehicle repair plant, 17 units of automobile and armored vehicles, as well as two installations of multiple launch rocket systems. The headquarters of the Liwa al-Haq formation was destroyed by a direct hit from KAB 500-S precision bombs. According to radio intercepts, the strike killed two high-ranking field commanders and about 200 militants. In the Aleppo region, a militant base and an ammunition depot located in a former prison were attacked. “As a result, about 100 militants and an ammunition depot were destroyed” (). | |
| 09.10.2015 | ||
| 10.10.2015 | From the Khmeimim airbase, 64 combat sorties were carried out by Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM aircraft against 63 targets in the provinces of Hama, Latakia, Idlib and Raqqa. In the area of the village of Serakib (Idlib province), aerial reconnaissance discovered an artillery battery of militants, which was striking the surrounding settlements. This target was destroyed by a strike from Russian bombers. In the vicinity of the city of Achan, Hama province, Su-25SM attack aircraft struck a terrorist stronghold identified by aerial reconnaissance. The terrorists' engineering structures and ammunition and logistics warehouses were destroyed in a targeted strike. A militant training camp was discovered near the village of Kherbet al-Arous in Idlib province. Su-25SM attack aircraft struck this camp with high-explosive bombs, as a result of which the militants’ base was completely destroyed. In just one day, the planes of the Russian air group destroyed: 53 fortified areas and defensive positions of terrorists with weapons and military equipment; one militant field command post; four terrorist training camps; seven ammunition depots; artillery and mortar batteries (). | |
| 11.10.2015 | In just one day, Russian fighters and bombers destroyed 25 fortified areas and defensive positions with weapons and military equipment. Destroyed: a terrorist stronghold near the village of Salma in the province of Latakia, seven militant command posts, six field terrorist training camps, six ammunition depots. One convoy of vehicles, three underground shelters in the province of Latakia, and one mobile mortar group () were also destroyed. Over the course of 24 hours, Su-24M bombers and Su-25SM attack aircraft destroyed in targeted strikes a mortar position, a vehicle convoy and a militant control center in the area of the village of Suqeik, north of Hama. A Su-25SM attack aircraft destroyed a vehicle convoy delivering ammunition and fuel to militants occupying positions in the area. Three fuel tankers, a heavy-duty vehicle and two off-road vehicles with heavy machine guns installed on them, which provided security escort for the cargo, were destroyed. In the area of the village of Tell Suqeik, Hama province, a Su-25SM attack aircraft struck a mobile mortar position of militants discovered by unmanned reconnaissance equipment. As a result of the targeted strike, three off-road vehicles equipped with mortars and one truck with ammunition were destroyed (). | |
| 12.10.2015 | A Su-34 bomber and a Su-25SM attack aircraft used targeted strikes to destroy a bunker with an ammunition depot and a convoy of militant military equipment. “In the El-Latamin area (Hama province), a bunker in which an ammunition depot was located was destroyed. As a result of a targeted strike by a Su-34 bomber, this underground structure was completely destroyed.” A Su-25 attack aircraft in Aleppo province also attacked a militant convoy transporting fuel and weapons. “A fuel tanker, three trucks with ammunition and two escort vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns were destroyed” (), | |
| 13.10.2015 | In the area of the village of Khraitan, a Su-25SM attack aircraft struck an ammunition depot and a fuel and lubricants storage facility. The objects were completely destroyed by precise strikes from high-explosive bombs. Also in the province of Idlib, Su-25SM attack aircraft attacked a terrorist training center in a mountainous area. Objective monitoring means detected detonation of ammunition stored at the facility. Object destroyed (). |
Export:
Azerbaijan - in service by 1997.
Angola:
- 1988 - first deliveries - 12 Su-25K and 2 Su-25UBK, aircraft were used in combat operations with UNITA rebels in the late 1980s - 1990s.
- 1993 - 10 units in service;
Armenia - in service by 1997.
Afghanistan - 1986-1990 - according to unconfirmed reports, 60 units were delivered (? perhaps we are talking about the redeployment of USSR Air Force aircraft);
Presumable camouflage of Afghan Su-25 (World Aviation. No. 104 / 2011).
Belarus:
- by 1997 it is in service.
- 2002 - 2 Su-25 and 2 Su-25UB were delivered to Cote d'Ivoire.
- 2008 - it is known for sure about the earlier delivery of 11 Su-25s from Belarus to Sudan.
Bulgaria:
- 1993 - 39 units in service. Su-25K;
- 2012 - 10 Su-25K attack aircraft in “as a source for repair” condition were delivered to Georgia ().
Hungary - 1991 - 50 units delivered over the entire period. (?);
Gambia:
- 2004 - in service with 1 Su-25 received from Georgia, based at Banjul airport. Probably later transferred to Guinea.
Guinea:
- 2010 - 1 Su-25 in service. Probably transmitted from Gambia.
1992 - in service (including at least 12 Su-25T units), serial production of the Su-25 may be underway at the Tbilisi aircraft plant;
2008 - in service, took part in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict in August 2008.
- 2012 - 10 Su-25K attack aircraft in “as a source for repair” condition were received from Bulgaria ().
1985 - first delivery - from 30 to 45 Su-25K and Su-25UBK.
- 1985-1987 - in total, no more than 80 Su-25s were delivered during this period (two regiments, three squadrons); Every day the planes made about 1,200 sorties.
Su-25K Iraqi Air Force (World Aviation. No. 104 / 2011).
- 1986 - Su-25 aircraft take part in combat operations in the Iran-Iraq war.
- May 1989 - Iraqi Air Force Su-25 aircraft are shown in public for the first time.
- 1990 - 60 units in service;
- February 1991 - 2 aircraft were lost during Operation Desert Storm (F-15Cs were shot down while trying to fly to Iran), 7 aircraft flew to Iran and were interned;
One of the Su-25K of the Iraqi Air Force destroyed on the ground during Operation Desert Storm (World Aviation. No. 104 / 2011).
- 1995 - in service;
- 2003 August 01 - The media reported the discovery by American troops in the west of Baghdad in the Al-Takkadum area of several dozen MiG-25s (including MiG-25RB) and Su-25s covered with sand.
Iran:
- 1991 - 7 Su-25K aircraft flew from Iraq during Desert Storm and were interned.
- 1997 - according to unconfirmed data (Ilyin V.E.) is in service. At approximately the same time, 3 Su-25UBKs were purchased from Georgia.
Kazakhstan - 1992 - in service;
1988 - already in service, only in 1988-1990. probably up to 40 aircraft were delivered;
- 1993 - 36 units in service;
1997 - in service.
Congo:
- 1999-2000 - 10 Su-25s were delivered from Georgia. The aircraft were used against rebels in the north of the country. Mostly hired Ukrainian pilots flew.
Ivory Coast:
- 2002 - 2 Su-25 and 2 Su-25UB were purchased from Belarus.
- November 2004 - aircraft were used against the French peacekeeping contingent. Two Su-25UBs were destroyed on the ground either by bombing or by a sabotage group.
Peru:
- 1996 - 10 Su-25 and 8 Su-25UB were delivered from Belarus.
- 2000 - in service.
Syria - 1991 - about 60 aircraft were delivered over the entire period (?);
Slovakia:
- 1993 - the Su-25K is in service, inherited after the collapse of Czechoslovakia;
- 1996 - all Su-25Ks were consolidated into the mixed 2nd Air Force Regiment (Malatsky-Kucina).
- 2003 - Su-25K aircraft were decommissioned from the Air Force.
Su-25K FROGFOOT of the 2nd mixed air regiment of the Slovak Air Force air show in Kosice, 1996-2003. (World Aviation. No. 104 / 2011).
Sudan:
- 2008 - 11 Su-25s purchased in Belarus were discovered for the first time. The aircraft were used against rebels in Darfur province.
Turkmenistan:
- 1997-2012 - is in service.
- March 2012 - at least 1 Su-25UB and 6 Su-25 of the Air Force of Turkmenistan are based at the Mary airfield.
Ukraine:
- 1992 - included in the Air Force;
- 2005 - possibly 2 Su-25 and Su-25UB were delivered to Equatorial Guinea.
- 2008 - 3 Su-25s were delivered (a total of 6 units were ordered) to Chad.
Chad:
- 2008 - 3 Su-25s were purchased (6 in total ordered) in Ukraine.
- May 2009 - aircraft are used against targets in Sudan.
Czechoslovakia (first importing country):
1982 - first deliveries of Su-25K;
- 1984-1985 - The 30th "Ostrava" attack air regiment received the Su-25K, based in Hradec-Karlov.
- 1989 - Su-25UBK is in service, a total of 2 Su-25UBK were delivered;
- 1991 - 50 units were delivered over the entire period;
Su-25K FROGFOOT of the 30th "Ostrava" attack air regiment of the Czechoslovak Air Force, Hradec-Karlov (World Aviation. No. 104 / 2011).
One of two Czechoslovakian Su-25UBK of the Czechoslovak Air Force (World Aviation. No. 104 / 2011).
Czech Republic - 1993 - in service;
Equatorial Guinea:
- 2005 - 2 Su-25 and Su-25UB were received. Probably from Ukraine.
Ethiopia:
- 1999-2000 - during this period, 2 Su-25 and 2 Su-25UB were not delivered new; the aircraft were used in the conflict with Eritrea.
- 2000 - the planes were written off for unknown reasons (according to media reports).
South Korea:
1992 - the possibility of purchasing the Su-25 or its modifications is discussed;
1997 - no delivery data.
Sources:
Aviation exhibition in Tushino. Moscow. 1989
Aviation and astronautics. NN 2, 3, 4, 5, 12 / 1989; 2, 6, 7, 9 / 1990
Aerospace engineering. N 2 / 1990
Bedretdinov Ildar, Sukhoi Design Bureau Su-25 attack aircraft. M., 1995
Burdin S., Su-25 Sturmovik. History, design, weapons, combat use. M. AST, Minsk, Harvest, 2001
Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia. Website http://ru.wikipedia.org, 2011
Voevoda S.S., archive, 1992
Military knowledge. NN 1, 8 / 1989; 4, 8 / 1990; 2-3 / 1992
Gordon E., Rigmant V., “The Violinist” played his part. Wings of the Motherland. N 5 / 1992
News. NN 04/08/1989; 03/28/1990; 26, 08/29/1990
Ilyin V.E. Attack aircraft and fighter-bombers. M., Victoria, AST, 1998
A red star. NN 4, 6, 05/18/1989; 07/08/1989; 08/04/1989
Wings of the Motherland. NN 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10 / 1989; 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 / 1990; 1/1991; 4/1992
Lenta.ru. Website http://lenta.ru, 2003, 2011-2012
International life. N 3 / 1989
Russian Ministry of Defense. Website http://www.mil.ru, 2012
World aviation. No. 104 / 2011
Modeler-constructor. NN 7 / 1984; 8/1988
Museum of the USSR Armed Forces. Moscow. 1989
People's Tribune. 04/07/1990
New time. N 45 / 1988
Ponomarev A.N. Soviet aviation designers. M.: 1990
Is it true. NN 04/07/1989; September 19, 1989
Airplanes of the country of the Soviets. M.: 1974
I serve the Soviet Union. TV show. August 1988
Companion. September 1990
Soviet Russia. 05/14/1989
Soviet armed forces. Tomsk 1988
Soviet warrior. N 22 / 1988
Soviet patriot. N 7 / 1990
Soviet military review. NN 1985; 5/1986; 9/1987; 1, 9/1988; 3/1989
The balance of forces between NATO and the Department of Internal Affairs. ?????? (documentation for the contract)
Stukanov. archive, 1992
Equipment and weapons. NN 3 / 1989; 6/1990; 5-6/1992
Technology for youth. NN 11/1984; 11/1988
Tupolev A.N. The edges of daring creativity. M.: 1988
Aerotyp. 1968. Berlin. DDR.
ArmeeRundschau. NN 9/1986; 1, 5, 7 / 1987; 7, 8, 12 / 1988; 1, 4, 6, 9, 12 / 1989. Berlin. DDR.
Beijing Revue. N 29 / 1988. China.
Congressional Record. NN 118, 129, 137, 143 / 1988; 38 / 1989. Washington. USA.
Encyclopaedia of modern world aircraft armament. Christopher Chant. 1988.
Flieger Jahrbuch. 1977-1986. Berlin. DDR.
Flieger Revue. NN 1/1977; 4, 8, 9 / 1980; 5, 7, 10 - 12 / 1981; 5/1982; 2, 4, 8, 12 / 1983; 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 / 1984; 11/1985; 9, 12 / 1986; 12/1987; 8, 11, 12 / 1988; 1 - 12 / 1989; 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 / 1990. Berlin. DDR.
Flugzeuge der NVA. 1971 gegenvart. 1989. Berlin. DDR.
Foreign Affairs. N 1/1989.
Interavia. NN 1/1984; 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 / 1988; 1, 9-11 / 1989.
Jane's weapon systems 1987-88.
Jonic publics. 1990-92.
Letectvi + Kosmonautika. NN 8 - 12, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 / 1989.
Maly modelarz. N 1-2 / 1990.
Newsweek. NN 27 / 1988; 1, 3 / 1989.
Seizing the initiative first. US National Security. 1985. Toronto. Canada.
US News & World Report. NN 33 / 1988; 12/1989.
World armament & disarmament 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981. SIPRI yearbook. Stocholm. 1978. Sweden.
The main data compilation is 11/09/1997.
Adjustments - 2009, 2011, 2012
Attack aviation is an undeniable type of comprehensive air support for ground military forces. Its task includes the elimination of armored vehicles, artillery, defensive points and manpower of the enemy, as well as participation in air battles. At the end of World War II, the assault air regiments were disbanded over the next 10 years.
The new concept of military operations implied the use of nuclear weapons, and completely different aircraft were needed to deliver the atomic bomb. By 1960, the Khrushchev Thaw forced the military concept to change again and return to the priority of using ground troops. Consequently, the need arose to create specialized attack aircraft to support ground forces. Thus began the development of the SU25 aircraft project, nicknamed “rook” or “flying tank”.
History of creation
Another confirmation of the need for specialized military aircraft was the large-scale military exercise “Dnepr” held in 1967. The role of supporting ground forces was assigned to supersonic jet fighters Su-7B and MiG-21. The result showed the impracticality of air defense due to the too high speeds of the aircraft.
The pilots did not have time to detect the target, which forced them to enter the second round of attack. In a rapidly changing combat situation, re-attacking a target means wasting time and, as a consequence, failure to complete the mission. In addition, air defense systems manage to take control of the aircraft attack sector.
The past military exercises made many military specialists think. It was obvious that the army needed a specialized attack aircraft. When discussing the results, a group of like-minded people formed, which found a fruitful opening idea and began to implement it on a voluntary basis.
The enthusiasts of the idea were: Colonel Ivan Vasilyevich Savchenko, Sukhoi Design Bureau engineer Dmitry Nikolaevich Gorbachev, deputy chief of the Sukhoi Design Bureau team Oleg Sergeevich Samuilovich.
For a more detailed study of the attack aircraft, Sukhoi Design Bureau designer Yuri Viktorovich Ivashechkin was invited.
At the beginning of 1968, a preliminary system for a combat aircraft was developed; it included the necessary items:
- reliable protection of the crew and main components and assemblies from armor-piercing bullets and rocket fragments;
- placement at airfields with unpaved runways;
- ease of mechanisms and body parts using available materials;
- short time to prepare for a combat mission;
- ease of operation for piloting by averagely qualified pilots.
Before starting to develop the project, the young designers carefully read the drawings, descriptions and technical characteristics of attack aircraft from the Great Patriotic War. They were interested in the question, what was created?
Studying the drawings provided food for booking methods and what to pay attention to first.
In May 1968, Pavel Sukhoi was first presented with a preliminary design for an attack aircraft. The general designer was interested in the project and gave instructions to continue development and build a full-size model. The prototype received the article number SPB - battlefield aircraft.
Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi informed the Minister of Aviation Industry of the USSR Pyotr Vasilyevich Dementyev about the existence of the project, who met the idea of the young designers without enthusiasm. However, the information was taken into account and passed on to the USSR Minister of Defense Andrei Antonovich Grechko for review. Having learned about such an interesting fact A.A.
Grechko asked P.V. Dementyev to organize a competition in which not only the Sukhoi Design Bureau, but also Ilyushin, Yakovlev, and Mikoyan could take part.
Review of the projects took place in June 1969. The military commission carefully reviewed all the materials provided. By a unanimous decision of the ministerial board, the winner, the Sukhoi Design Bureau, was recognized as the most promising project.
In addition, in addition to the project, a full-size overview model of the SU-25 aircraft was presented.
Despite the positive decision of the commission, the creation of the aircraft dragged on for several years. A dispute arose between the military and the designers about the speed characteristics of the attack aircraft. The first required that the plane be able to reach speeds of up to 1200 km/h, which was equal to the speed of sound at the ground. The argument was based on the need for the ground forces to quickly call in an attack aircraft.
The designers considered a speed of 900 km/h sufficient for good maneuverability at low altitudes. A compromise was reached at 1000 km/h.
On February 22, 1975, an experimental aircraft, indexed T-8, took off for the first time, piloted by test pilot Vladimir Ilyushin. This is the prototype of the future SU-25 attack aircraft. The flight lasted 30 minutes and ended safely.
Design components and assemblies
The combat flight vehicle continued to be tested and refined, creating two more flight prototypes.
They received the following appearance:
- the aircraft is designed according to a standard aerodynamic plan;
- the front part houses various equipment and a laser rangefinder;
- the pilot's pressurized cabin is an armored titanium capsule;
- the middle part of the fuselage is equipped with fuel tanks;
- aircraft engines are located in engine compartments on both sides of the aircraft body.
Glider
The aerodynamics of the aircraft allows for the best performance while flying at subsonic speeds. The shape of the wing is trapezoidal with an area of 30.1 sq/m, it is located at an angle of 2.5 degrees to the horizontal.
The geometric twist of the wing ensures good development of air flow stall at high angles of attack, preventing the attack aircraft from getting into supercritical zones during a dive.
The purpose of the wing characteristics is to ensure minimal turbulence when flying near the ground close to maximum speeds.
The cockpit canopy smoothly turns into a gargrot. The tail boom is equipped with a container with a parachute for stopping when landing the PTU.
The safety of the pilot and the safety of the most important controls was a priority in the design of the model.
In general, the aerodynamic design of the SU-25 aircraft allows one to obtain the following results:
- Excellent aerodynamic performance during cruising flight, takeoff, landing and maneuvering;
- Axial stability and controllability in any flight mode;
- Excellent maneuverability in dive mode at an angle of 25-35 degrees at a speed of 650-750 km/h;
- The aircraft has the ability to return to the airfield with significant damage, thanks to its aerodynamic qualities.
Engines
The Su-25's power plants are located on both sides of the fuselage in individual engine compartments at the junction of the wing and the airframe. Aero engines are equipped with an air intake and a fixed accelerating nozzle. Engine flight life is 450-550 hours.
The first prototypes of the aircraft were equipped with R-95Sh non-afterburning turbojet engines. They had an average fuel consumption of 1.30 kgf/hour and had autonomous starting.
The replacement of outdated power plants came with new R-195 aircraft engines; they had much more powerful thrust. The production of the R-195 was kept secret; for example, in 1989, for the air show taking place in Paris, the Su-25 was equipped with old-style R-95Sh aircraft engines.
A 23mm shell hitting the engine could not cause significant damage to it; it continued to operate normally. To avoid detection by enemy air defenses with homing heads, infrared radiation was reduced as much as possible. According to the designers, the R-95 and R-195 aeroengines are the most reliable among their analogues.
Engine compartments allow each engine to operate autonomously, thereby increasing the chances of delivering an aircraft with a damaged power plant to the airfield. The main fuel is kerosene, but aero engines can burn diesel fuel.
This was built into the design feature, since it meant borrowing fuel from ground motorized units in an emergency situation.
Life support and rescue system
It is not for nothing that the nickname “flying tank” was attached to the SU-25 aircraft. It is one of the highly protected attack aircraft of its class. The ship's vitality equipment takes up 7.2% of the total value and weighs a total of 1050kg. Each of these systems is duplicated in case of an emergency.
The back of the pilot's seat is protected by a 6mm steel sheet. Cabin glazing is made of 55mm bulletproof glass. The pilot is protected from being hit by projectiles of various calibers, from 12.7 mm to 30 mm inclusive.
For the need to urgently leave an emergency aircraft in the air, a K-36L ejection seat was installed. You can activate it by simultaneously pulling the levers with both hands.
Navigation and auxiliary equipment
The modernized SU-25 models are equipped with the Talisman personal protection complex. It serves as shielding from enemy guided missiles with homing heads.
The operating principle of the complex is based on relaying enemy radar signals. In this way, the radiation wave is distorted, giving the enemy radar system incorrect indicators about the location and speed of the aircraft. The system is housed in suspended containers that are mounted under the wing.
The SU-25 attack aircraft is equipped with the KN-23-1 navigation complex combined with the IKV-1 vertical heading equipment and the DISS-7 ground speed meter, as well as the RSBN-6S short-range navigation and landing radio system, which provides the main navigation modes:
- The first mode is responsible for the route and is used throughout the flight according to a given plan;
- The second mode is used to return the aircraft to the airfield, according to the flight plan;
- The third mode ensures approach to the runway and accompanies the landing of the aircraft along the glide path.
The refusal to use more complex integrated radio-electronic equipment on the SU-25 attack aircraft complicates the operation of the aircraft in difficult weather conditions and at night.
Performance characteristics
The table shows the most significant characteristics of the SU-25 aircraft
| Aircraft type | Su-25 |
| Wingspan, m | 14,30 |
| L of machine body, m | 15,50 |
| H of the machine body, m | 4,80 |
| S wing | 33,70 |
| Aircraft weight, kg | |
| Without load | 9500 |
| Average permissible for takeoff | 14600 |
| Maximum for takeoff | 17600 |
| Fuel, kg | 5000 |
| Aircraft engine | TRD R-195 or R95Sh/2 |
| Traction force, kN | 2 x 44.13 (40.2) |
| Maximum speed at the surface of the earth km/h | 951 |
| Highest speed at altitude, 1max = 1,198.801 km/h | M=0.82 |
| Maximum flight range, km | 515 |
| Radius of action in battle, km | |
| on high | 1260 |
| near the ground | 755 |
| Maximum height, m | 8000 |
| Combat use at maximum altitude, m | 6000 |
| Overload, g | 6,5 |
| Crew size, people | 1 |
Flying tank armament
The combat equipment of the attack aircraft provides for the installation of air cannons, air bombs, air-to-ground missiles with and without guidance heads, and air-to-air missiles with guidance sensors.
The total range of possible weapons includes 32 units; the installation of one or another means of attack depends on the assigned combat mission and is divided into four categories:
- artillery equipment;
- bomber support;
- uncontrolled missile;
- controlled missile.
The airframe design has ten points for hanging ammunition. They are distributed under the wings and under the fuselage, five in each. Air bombs are attached to the BDZ-25 pylons, and homing air-to-air missiles are attached to the APU-60 launch systems.
The attack aircraft are equipped with stationary aircraft installations VPU-17A or double-barreled guns GSh-30-2 with a caliber of 30 mm, with an ammunition capacity of 250 rounds and a rate of fire of 3000 v/m. The first of them was replaced by the NNPU-8M cannon mount and moved from the under-cabin forepeak to the center of the fuselage.
If it is necessary to increase the artillery armament, two containers with double-barreled air cannons of 23mm caliber are attached to the suspended pylons.
Bomber weapons represent a wider range. This includes an aerial bomb of various effects, caliber: 100 kg, 250 kg or 500 kg. In addition, the aircraft can carry mines and small-caliber bombs that do not have suspension systems. Such ammunition is located in special containers marked KMGU (unified small-sized cargo container).
If necessary, eight disposable bomb clusters of 250 or 500 kg caliber (FAB-250, FAB-500) can be hung on the attack aircraft. The peculiarity of this weapon is its large affected area.
An equally wide range of unguided missile weapons is presented on the aircraft. Blocks containing missiles of various effects, for example, the B-83 block, are suspended from the pylons. It houses 20 S-8 missiles. The SU-25 can simultaneously accommodate eight such units, which is a formidable offensive weapon.
To destroy enemy equipment and infantry troops on the SU-25, more powerful unguided aircraft missiles of the S-24 and S-25 types were also used. The guided missile equipment on the aircraft is represented by three types of missiles.
The first two types, X-25 and X-29, perform the task of hitting ground targets.
The third type, the R-73 missile, is designed for air combat; it replaced the obsolete R-60 type.
With such a quantity of weapons, a completely logical question arises: who decides what to equip the aircraft with for a combat mission? The task is set by the higher command, and the decision is made by the regiment commander, guided by intelligence data.
Baptism of fire and application
In 1980, SU-25 aircraft completed the initial test cycle and moved on to the second stage. Moreover, the Ministry of Defense decided to test the new attack aircraft in real combat conditions. At that time, a limited military contingent was actively fighting in Afghanistan, so they didn’t think much about the location. The test operation was codenamed "ROV". In April 1980, two planes arrived at the Afghan Shindand airfield. Almost immediately they began flying combat missions.
Already the first flights in the mountains showed the high maneuverability of attack aircraft. They attacked the enemy in areas where it would have been difficult for another aircraft to carry out a combat mission. Among the maneuverable qualities of the SU-25, it is especially worth noting the ability to quickly reduce speed and accurately maintain it when attacking a target. This quality was contributed by the brake flaps at the ends of the wings.
It was in Afghanistan that the test aircraft would receive its first nickname “Rook”, which was the radio call sign of the first aircraft. Subsequently, the military, who appreciated the combat power of the SU-25, called it the “Fire-Breathing Rook.” It is also called “Comb” “Comb” due to the number of pylons. And ease of operation added to the nickname “Bicycle”.
But mostly the military called them “rooks” and “flying tanks.”
Combat flights of serial attack aircraft lasted 50 days, and in June 1980 the aircraft left Afghanistan. Based on the results of combat tests, the SU-25 was approved for adoption by the Soviet Army. In February 1981, the formation of a separate attack air squadron began, after which it was sent to Afghanistan to continue its baptism of fire.
Despite its good flight performance, combat service in Afghanistan revealed shortcomings in the aircraft's design. They concerned mainly combat survivability. The designers have developed a number of measures to improve the machine's performance. In particular, to protect the engines, additional titanium armor was installed on the hood. But to make it easier, the installation was made on one engine, since with one working power plant the aircraft is able to return to the destination point.
In 1987, the Mujahideen adopted Stinger portable anti-aircraft missile systems. The losses of Soviet aircraft in Afghanistan increased sharply. Initially, 128 heat traps were installed on the SU-25TM to counter infrared-guided missiles. The pilot himself could choose the interval for their shooting.
But in real combat conditions, the pilot’s entire attention turned out to be focused on control, piloting the aircraft, choosing weapons and timely dropping bombs or launching missiles. Often the pilot did not have time or simply forgot to shoot traps. The designers decided to equip the aircraft with automatic shooting of traps during a simultaneous attack. The series of decoy drops continued until the plane left the danger zone.
Combat operations where the SU-25 took part:
- Iran-Iraq military conflict 1980/1988
- Fighting in the Persian Gulf 1991
- Civil feud in Tajikistan 1992/1997
- Abkhazian military conflict 1992/1993
- Karabakh military conflict 1991/1994
- Chechen company 1994/1996
- Chechen company 1999/2000
- Military operations in Congo 1997/2002
- Ethiopian-Eritrean war 1998/2000
- Military operations in Macedonia 2001
- French-Ivoirian Company 2004
- Company in South Ossetia 2008
- Darfur military conflict since 2003
- Civil war in eastern Ukraine (since 2014)
- Armed conflict in northern Iraq 2014
- Russian armed company in Syria since 2015
Modifications based on Su 25
The constant modernization of the SU-25 throughout the aircraft’s existence has divided its type into modifications:
- Su-25UB – two-seater combat training vehicle
- Su-25K, export version. A total of 180 commercial attack aircraft were built from 1984 to 1989.
- Su-25TM, a variant created on the basis of the two-seat SU-25UB for combating tanks. The co-pilot's seat is equipped for the installation of radio-electronic equipment with reinforcement of the central part of the gargrotta. The cabin has improved sealing properties. The front part of the aircraft has been modified to accommodate the I-251 Shkval sighting system, and an HUD is located.
- Su-28, aircraft for training flights.
- Su-25UTG, model modernized for naval units and aircraft carriers. The cabin is double, for training take-off/landing from the deck of an aircraft carrier. The letter “G” at the end of the abbreviation means the hook with which the aircraft clings to the cable when landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Schemes, drawing 25UTG are slightly different from the basic model.
- Su-39, a more modern version of the Su-25TM anti-tank attack aircraft. The hull is equipped with a hanging container with a Uopyo-25 radar station.
- Su-25KM, Israeli version of the modification of the attack aircraft of the Georgian Air Force. The modifications were carried out in accordance with the NATO classification of combat equipment.
- Su-25SM, reconstruction of the base model Su-25TM using: avionics, AO, AV, ILS, MFI.
- Su-25BM - Modified two-seat aircraft based on the Su-25SM and Su-39. The attack aircraft is intended to be used as a training vehicle and can be used as a combat unit.
- Su-25M1, the model was modernized by Ukrainian designers for the needs of its own army. The work is being carried out by the MiGremont aircraft repair company.
- Su-25SM3 – Modified single-seat attack aircraft. New GLONASS navigation equipment (GPS) has been added with more accurate orientation settings, which allows operation in any conditions.
Incidents
There were also some incidents; in one of the test flights of the SU-25TM, the jettisoning of external fuel tanks was practiced.
At the time of the drop, the suspension lock on one of the pylons did not work and the tank remained dangling on the wing.
Everything went well on this flight, and the pilot successfully landed the attack aircraft. Based on the results of this incident, the suspension components were modified.
Conclusion
The life path of a stormtrooper was not easy.
Born out of the sheer enthusiasm of young aircraft designers, it was able to prove its right to exist.
Having gone through a difficult path, the “fire-breathing rook” won its place in the sky.
At any moment, this plane is ready to take off in order to turn the outcome of the confrontation in its favor on the battlefield.
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