Sukhoi Su-25

Sukhoi Su-25
source
Name	Sukhoi Su-25
Caption	A Russian Air Force Su-25 in flight.
Type	Close air support aircraft
National origin	Soviet Union
Manufacturer	Sukhoi
Designer	Pavel Sukhoi
First flight	22 February 1975
Introduction	1981
Status	In service
Primary users	Russian Aerospace Forces
Number built	1,024+
Developed into	Sukhoi Su-28

Sukhoi Su-25. The Sukhoi Su-25 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed by the Soviet Union for the dedicated role of close air support. Designed by the Sukhoi design bureau under the leadership of Pavel Sukhoi, it is a highly armored, survivable aircraft intended to operate from forward airbases in demanding combat environments. Known by its NATO reporting name "Frogfoot," 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 Air Forces requirement in the late 1960s for a specialized close air support platform, influenced by lessons from the Vietnam War and analysis of aircraft like the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. The Soviet Ministry of Aircraft Industry selected the Sukhoi design, designated T-8, over proposals from Ilyushin and Yakovlev. Key design features included a heavily armored titanium "bathtub" protecting the cockpit, redundant systems, and rugged landing gear for operations from unpaved runways. The aircraft is powered by two Tumansky R-95 turbofan engines, chosen for their reliability and resistance to Foreign object damage. Its armament is centered on a Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 autocannon and ten hardpoints for a wide array of unguided bombs, rocket pods, air-to-surface missiles, and air-to-air missiles for self-defense.

Operational history

The Su-25 first saw combat during the Soviet–Afghan War, where it proved highly effective and earned the nickname "Rook" (Грач) from Soviet troops. It was heavily utilized by both sides during the Iran–Iraq War. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the aircraft saw extensive action in post-Soviet conflicts, including the First Chechen War, the Second Chechen War, and the Russo-Georgian War. It has been a staple of the Russian Aerospace Forces in operations in Syria during the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war. Internationally, variants have been used in conflicts such as the Gulf War, the War in Donbas, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and various African conflicts by nations including the Ethiopian Air Force and the Ivory Coast.

Variants

The primary production model for Soviet and later Russian Air Force use was the Su-25K. An upgraded version with improved avionics and weapons capability, the Su-25SM, entered service in the 2000s. The Su-25T and Su-25TM were dedicated tank-hunting variants with enhanced sensors like the Shkval system. A two-seat combat trainer version is designated Su-25UB, while the Su-25UTG is a carrier-capable variant for the Russian Navy. Export models include the Su-25K for Warsaw Pact nations and the Su-25KM upgrade developed with Israel for the Georgian Air Force. Licensed production was undertaken in Georgia as the Su-25KM and in Czechoslovakia.

Operators

The largest operator is the Russian Aerospace Forces. Other former Soviet states operating the type include the Ukrainian Air Force, the Belarusian Air Force, and the Kazakhstan Air Defense Forces. Significant export customers have included the Bulgarian Air Force, the Czech Air Force, the Polish Air Force, and the North Korean Air Force. In Asia, operators include the Myanmar Air Force and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. In Africa, it has served with the Angolan Air Force, the Chadian Air Force, and the Sudanese Air Force. Several aircraft were also delivered to Peru and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Specifications (Su-25T)

* 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) * Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb) * Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb) * Powerplant: 2 × Tumansky R-195 turbofan engines * Maximum speed: 950 km/h (590 mph, 510 kn) * Range: 1,250 km (780 mi, 670 nmi) 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 weapons including S-25 rockets, KAB-500KR bombs, Vikhr missiles, and R-73 missiles. * Avionics: Kopyo-25 radar, Shkval electro-optical system

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