Su-25

Su-25. The Sukhoi Su-25 is a dedicated, single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft designed for close air support of ground forces. Developed by the Soviet Union's Sukhoi design bureau during the Cold War, it is renowned for its ruggedness, survivability, and ability to operate from austere forward airstrips. Often compared to the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, it has seen extensive combat service in numerous conflicts since its introduction in the early 1980s.

Development and design

The program originated from a Soviet requirement for a specialized battlefield support aircraft following analysis of conflicts like the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Under the leadership of chief designer Pavel Sukhoi, the team prioritized survivability, incorporating a heavily armored titanium "bathtub" protecting the cockpit, redundant systems, and engines spaced widely apart to mitigate damage. The airframe was designed to withstand direct hits from 23mm cannon rounds, and its straight-wing configuration provided excellent low-speed handling crucial for accurate weapons delivery. Key figures in its testing and refinement included test pilot Vladimir Ilyushin and engineers from the Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing plant, which became its primary production facility. The design philosophy emphasized simplicity and reliability to function in demanding frontline conditions, a stark contrast to more complex contemporary fighters like the Mikoyan MiG-29.

Operational history

The Su-25 received its baptism of fire during the Soviet–Afghan War, where it proved highly effective in striking Mujahideen positions in mountainous terrain, earning the nickname "Flying Tank" from Soviet troops. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the aircraft saw widespread use by successor states and export customers. It was employed extensively by the Russian Air Force during the First Chechen War and the Second Chechen War, providing crucial support for federal forces. Georgian Su-25s were used during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008, while the type has been a mainstay for the Syrian Air Force in the Syrian civil war. Most recently, Su-25s have been heavily utilized by both the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Ukrainian Air Force in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, conducting low-level attack missions despite significant losses to modern surface-to-air missile systems and man-portable air-defense systems.

Variants

The basic model, the Su-25, was followed by the improved Su-25T anti-tank variant with enhanced avionics and the ability to carry weapons like the Vikhr (missile). The Su-25TM, also designated the Su-39, was a further development focused on all-weather capability and equipped with a Phazotron radar. The two-seat trainer version is designated the Su-25UB, while the dedicated export model for non-Warsaw Pact nations was the Su-25K. Other specialized versions include the Su-25UTG for aircraft carrier training, used aboard the Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, and the Su-25SM modernized upgrade for the Russian military featuring a GLONASS-aided navigation system and improved weapons compatibility.

Operators

As a prolific export, the Su-25 has been operated by air forces across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Major current operators include the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Ukrainian Air Force, and the Belarusian Air Force. Other significant operators are the Armenian Air Force, the Kazakh Air Defense Forces, and the Azerbaijani Air Forces. In the Middle East, it serves with the Syrian Air Force and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. African operators have included the Angolan Air Force and the Ethiopian Air Force, while in South America, the Peruvian Air Force is a notable user. Many former Soviet republics inherited fleets after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Specifications (Su-25TM/Su-39)

* **Crew:** 1 * **Length:** 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in) * **Wingspan:** 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in) * **Height:** 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Tumansky R-195 turbojet engines * **Maximum speed:** 950 km/h (590 mph) * **Range:** 1,250 km (780 mi) on internal fuel * **Service ceiling:** 7,000 m (23,000 ft) * **Armament:** 1 × Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 autocannon; up to 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) on 11 hardpoints for munitions including S-8 and S-13 rockets, KAB-500 guided bombs, R-73 air-to-air missiles, and Vikhr (missile) anti-tank missiles. * **Avionics:** Kopyo radar, SOLT-25 laser/optical targeting system, and advanced countermeasures suites.

Category:Military aircraft of the Soviet Union Category:Close air support aircraft