Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: Russia & USSR
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Air Superiority Aircraft
Manufacturer: Sukhoi
Sukhoi Su-25 Aircraft Overview
The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot is a Soviet-designed, twin-engine close-air support aircraft known for its ruggedness, versatility, and effectiveness in ground attack roles. Often compared to the American A-10 Thunderbolt II due to its similar mission profile, the Su-25 has been a workhorse for the Russian and other allied air forces since its introduction in the late 1970s.
The Su-25 was developed in response to the Soviet Union’s need for a dedicated close air support aircraft that could operate close to the front lines, providing firepower to support ground troops. Development began in the early 1970s, with the first flight taking place in 1975. It entered service in 1981.
The Su-25 was specifically designed to be robust and survivable in harsh conditions. It features a heavily armored cockpit and critical systems, protecting the pilot from ground fire and shrapnel. Its simple, sturdy construction allows it to operate from austere and poorly prepared airfields, including dirt runways. The Su-25 is heavily armed and equipped with a wide variety of weapons tailored for ground attack missions. Its main armament includes a 30mm GSh-30-2 autocannon mounted in the nose, with additional capacity for bombs, rockets, missiles, and gun pods on its numerous hardpoints.
Role and Capabilities
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Close Air Support: The primary role of the Su-25 is to provide close air support to ground forces, targeting enemy troops, armored vehicles, and fortifications. It flies at low altitudes, making it effective in hitting precise targets while remaining within visual range of the battlefield.
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Counterinsurgency and Anti-Tank Operations: The Su-25 has been particularly effective in counterinsurgency operations due to its ability to loiter over battle zones and strike quickly when ground forces call for support. Its anti-tank capabilities, equipped with precision-guided missiles like the Kh-25 and S-25 rockets, make it a formidable opponent against armored targets.
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Survivability: The aircraft’s design incorporates multiple redundant systems, a reinforced airframe, and robust landing gear, allowing it to endure significant battle damage and continue flying. This focus on survivability has made it especially valued in high-threat environments.
Operational History
The Su-25 first saw combat during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, where it proved highly effective in supporting Soviet forces against mujahideen fighters. Its ability to deliver accurate and sustained firepower in mountainous terrain made it an essential asset.
Since its introduction, the Su-25 has seen extensive use in various conflicts, including the Chechen Wars, the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Ukraine. It has been operated by numerous countries and adapted to different combat environments, maintaining a reputation for being a reliable and lethal ground-attack platform.
Su-25/Su-25K Specifications
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Length: 15.53 meters (50 feet 11 inches), including the nose probe
- Wingspan: 14.36 meters (47 feet 1 inch)
- Height: 4.8 meters (15 feet 9 inches)
- Wing Area: 33.7 square meters (363 square feet)
- Empty Weight: 9,800 kilograms (21,605 pounds)
- Gross Weight: 14,440 kilograms (31,835 pounds)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 19,300 kilograms (42,549 pounds)
- Engines: Powered by two Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojet engines, each producing 44.18 kN (9,930 lbf) of thrust
Su-25/Su-25K Performance
- Maximum Speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 knots)
- Maximum Speed (Mach): Mach 0.79
- Range: 1,000 kilometers (620 miles, 540 nautical miles)
- Combat Range: 750 kilometers (470 miles, 400 nautical miles) at sea level with 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) of ordnance and two external fuel tanks
- Service Ceiling: 7,000 meters (23,000 feet)
- G Limits: +6.5
- Climb Rate: 58 meters per second (11,400 feet per minute)
Su-25/Su-25K Armament
- Guns:
- 1 × 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 autocannon with 250 rounds
- Optional SPPU-22 gun pods for 2 × 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 autocannons, each with 260 rounds
- Hardpoints: 11 hardpoints capable of carrying up to 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) of ordnance, supporting various combinations of rockets, missiles, and bombs:
- Rockets:
- UB-16 and UB-32A pods for S-5 rockets
- B-8M1 pods for S-8 rockets
- S-13, S-24, and S-25 rockets
- Missiles:
- Air-to-Air: K-13A, R-60, R-73E
- Air-to-Surface: Kh-23, Kh-25ML, Kh-29L, and 9K121 Vikhr
- Anti-Radiation: Kh-28
- Bombs:
- BETAB-500 concrete-penetrating bomb
- FAB-250 and FAB-500 general-purpose bombs
- FAN-500 bomb
- KAB-500KR TV-guided bomb
- ZAB-500 incendiary bomb
- Other Equipment:
- ASO-2V decoy dispensers (chaff and flare), often mounted along the tailcone’s upper surface behind the vertical stabilizer, as seen on Su-25s in Syria.
- Rockets:
Su-25/Su-25K Avionics
Radar: Equipped with Phazotron Kopyo radar, enhancing targeting and engagement capabilities.
