Sukhoi Su-25

Sukhoi Su-25
Russian Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" (2012)
Type:	Ground attack aircraft
Design country:	Soviet Union
Manufacturer:	Sukhoi
First flight:	February 22, 1975
Commissioning:	1981
Production time:	In series production since 1981
Number of pieces:	1024

The Sukhoi Su-25 ( Russian Сухой Су-25 , NATO code name : Frogfoot ) is a ground attack aircraft that was developed in the Soviet Union . It made its first flight in 1975 and is still used by the Russian Air Force today.

history

The development of the Su-25 began in 1968. During this time, a group at Suchoi under the leadership of Shuri W. Ivaschetschkin created the first drafts of an internally called T-8 machine. At first, the interest of government agencies was cautious; this only changed in 1972/1973. The first prototype was completed in 1974. On February 22, 1975, Vladimir Sergejewitsch Ilyushin took off in Zhukovsky for the first flight with the first prototype T-8-1, still equipped with two 25.5 kN thrust delivering engines of the type RD-9 and a downward-pivoting 23-mm cannon . The further modified T-8-2 (longer wings and modified flaps) was flown for the first time on December 26, 1975 by W. P. Walsiljew. Both prototypes were later converted to R-13-300 . In the first series machines, however, the newly developed R-95Sch engines with 40.17 kN thrust were used. These were built in Tbilisi (Georgia) near Tbilawijastroi , where the first machine (T-8-3) took off for its maiden flight in June 1979. This machine and the converted first prototype, now known as the T-8-1D, were used as part of a troop test from April to June 1980 in a total of 44 missions in Afghanistan .

The Su-25 was in competition with the Ilyushin Il-102 . Sukhoi prevailed and received serial orders from the Soviet air forces .

After its identification by NATO in 1977, the Su-25 was initially given the provisional designation Ramenskoye Ram-J . It was given the NATO code name Frogfoot in 1981. Its Russian nickname is " Грач / Gratsch" ( rook ).

At the end of 2019, around 490 copies were still in use.

draft

Front view of a Su-25

Armor scheme

Compared to the American Fairchild-Republic A-10 , the Su-25 has smaller dimensions, the engines are mounted in protective housings made of stainless steel in lateral nacelles on the fuselage. As with the A-10, the pilot's cabin and the most important parts of the offensive electronics of the Su-25 are also protected by a welded, 12 to 24 millimeter thick, titanium tub . The cockpit has a bulletproof glass front window . The aircraft is equipped with a robust landing gear for operations on field airfields and requires a runway of around 1200 meters. Eight containers can be carried under the wings, which contain all the equipment for autonomous operations on field airfields, where only fuel and ammunition are available. The Su-25 has self-sealing tanks in the fuselage and wings with a maximum capacity of 3660 liters of fuel. Many control and regulation systems have multiple designs to increase the probability of survival or are additionally protected by special steel devices.

The Suchoi Su-25T is a Suchoi from the Su-25 combat performance increased and also for the anti-tank developed single-seat weather version, the rear cockpit are avionics and a fuel tank mounted. The first flight of the prototype T-8M took place on August 17, 1984.

modernization

Middle instrument panel and joystick of a Su-25

Su-25SM

The Su-25T was only built as a pilot series and was never introduced. After the collapse of the USSR , the production line of the single-seat Su-25 was Tbilisi ( Georgia ). The Russian Su-25s were cut off from the manufacturer from then on, and operational readiness sank to 30 percent by 1998. To bring the attack aircraft Su-25 into the 21st century, a modernization program began in 2000. Above all, increases in combat value in the areas of avionics and armament as well as a revision of the cell to extend the service life brought the performance of the aircraft, some of which were twenty years old, to an appropriate level. The first machine "Rote 33" flew on March 5, 2002, a second machine "Rote 19" in April 2003. Weapon system testing followed until September 2006. The first six machines were delivered to the Russian on December 26, 2006 at the Kubinka military airfield Air forces handed over. They went to the 368th SchAP (Attack Pilot Regiment). The aircraft are modernized in the 121st aircraft repair facility in Kubinka. Another six machines followed by the end of 2007 ("Rote 07" to "Rote 12").

The communication and navigation systems have been tuned so that the Su-25SM can work together with the MiG-31BM , Su-34 and Su-24M2 , which increases effectiveness over the battlefield. A line via A-50M can also be used. The cockpit is modern and clearly designed with two color LCD MFDs, but for reasons of space it is also equipped with analog instruments. The Pantera weapons control computer and the Kopjo-25SM radar are also new . The PrNK-25 Bars weapon control system now links all sensors, including the Klijon-PS laser target illuminator . The on-board computer should come from the new BtsWM series. The systems for EloKa have also been modified.

Su-25UBM

Based on the Su-25SM, a modernization program for the training warplane Su-25UB was launched. The two-seat machine should not only be used for training, but also be able to carry out more night operations. Border surveillance, reconnaissance and ship defense in the coastal apron are also part of the area of ​​responsibility. The weapons system officer can be seated in the rear cabin during operations . The first Su-25UBM "White 21" was presented at the MAKS -2007 . The first flight took place on December 6, 2008. Trials, including weapon tests, were completed in December 2010. The machines are being modernized at UUAZ in Ulan-Ude. Since the Su-25UB was also built here in the same factory, a new series production seems possible. Twelve machines were ordered by the Russian Defense Ministry at the end of 2010 .

The avionics are basically the same as those used in the Su-25SM. However, the data link system of the Su-25UBM was further modified. The machine can be used for battlefield monitoring, airspace monitoring and target assignment. The front cockpit is similar to that of the Su-25SM with two color LCD MFDs. In the rear cockpit there are three LCD MFDs as well as systems for controlling TV-guided air-to-ground weapons. Two EloKa pods can be attached independently under the wings without having to use weapon pylons.

The payload increases from four to five tons. Eight lower wing pylons can be used with EloKa pods. It can be air-to-surface guided missiles Ch-29L, Ch-29T, Ch-25ML, S-25LD or steerable bombs KAB-500Kr, KAB-500KB and KAB-500L, anti-ship missiles Ch-31A, Ch-35U or anti-radar missiles Ch-31P be carried. Presumably there are already interfaces for the next generation of air-to-ground weapons, the systems of which then only have to be integrated. Although all Russian sources claim otherwise, the systems for the Ataka-W anti-tank missile complex are likely to be in place. S-8, S-13, S-24B, S-240OFM missiles and AB-500, RBK-500, ZB-500, AB-250, RBK-250, AB-100 and canon container kmgu and SPPU-22 are used. The ability to use medium-range air-to-air missiles R-77 and R-27R is astonishing. Air combat missiles R-73M2 can be used for self-defense. There is also a 30 mm GSch-302 cannon. The Su-25UBM can probably carry the entire range of Russian reconnaissance tanks for reconnaissance. Up to four drop tanks PTB-800 or PTB-1150 can be carried for the transfer.

So far there is only one upgrade for exported Su-25K in the form of the Su-25KM from Elbit. Uzbekistan wants to bring all 40 Su-25s to this standard, and the Czech and Slovak Su-25Ks could also go through this upgrade with the aim of making the machines NATO-compatible. However, the SM / UBM program offers far more capabilities and a wider range of possible weapons. After the start of the Russian program, it was said that Ukraine and Belarus were involved. It is unclear to what extent Ukraine can or may still use this with its increasing orientation towards NATO, but Belarus could easily upgrade its Su-25s as part of the Russian-Belarusian military coalition. It would also be an alternative for other users of the Su-25K.

For the time being, only a contract to modernize the Su-25 of the 368th SchAP was signed. However, since the US Air Force also wants to modernize its A-10A fleet for at least another twenty years into the A-10C, it is to be expected that the WWS will modernize larger parts of its Su-25. The growing danger of terrorism and thus important skills for precision strikes make modernization indispensable. 20 Su-25SM will be delivered by the end of 2008. The SM / UBM program is inexpensive to implement and the modernized machines share a common logistics system with Su-34 and Su-24M2, which significantly reduces costs. If it is possible to modernize ten to 15 Su-25s per year, between 70 and 120 aircraft could be delivered by 2015. Now that rumors of a new test of the Su-39 are spreading again, it seems clear that the SM / UBM program will not be enough. Although Jakowlew is also developing a number of light combat aircraft (including a ground combat version) based on the Jak-130 combat trainer , the WWS stand by their proven aircraft, which will continue to occupy an important place in the inventory for the next twenty years.

Su-28

Sukhoi Su-28

The Sukhoi Su-28 (also referred to as Su-25UT - Uchebno-trenirowotschny -) is a jet trainer aircraft based on the Su-25UB, which was developed on the private initiative of Sukhoi. The Su-28 is much lighter than its original Su-25 and should replace the Czechoslovak Aero L-39 Albatros.

Su-39

The Su-39 is a further development of the Su-25T. The fighting ability of the Su-39 was further increased and the avionics improved. It now has laser , TV and infrared components . The 30 mm cannon previously installed in the fuselage was relocated to the right side due to lack of space.

In the development phase, the project operated under the name Su-25TM . In the mid-1990s, a few dozen of the machines were built and a number of variants were designed for different purposes. The first flight of the first production version was on August 15, 1995. The technical improvements include, among other things, more modern location and target acquisition systems, the capacity to carry more modern weapon systems and better cooling and thus camouflage of the machine.

The Russian Defense Ministry is probably for financial reasons, considers that the Yakovlev Yak-130 derived from her attack aircraft version and Yak-131 are sufficient to replace the Su-25th However, the Russian Air Force had spoken out in favor of the Su-39, because its weapon load is higher and the pilots do not need to make any major adjustments to the Su-25. It is also equipped with multi-fuel engines and is easier to maintain. The plant in Ulan-Ude has been prepared for series production since 1995. There are twelve unfinished machines in the factory.

Versions

A Su-25K export machine

A Su-25TM, later referred to as the Su-39

Su-25UTG with catch hook for use on the Admiral Kuznetsov

Surname	description
Su-25 (Frogfoot-A)	Basic version, initially with R-95Sch, but later R-195 engines. The standard cannon armament of the Su-25 Frogfoot-A is the double-barreled 23 mm GSch-23L cannon in the lower left part of the nose.
Su-25K (Frogfoot-A)	Export version of the Su-25, built from 1984.
Su-25 (Frogfoot-B)	1984, with a two-barreled 30 mm cannon, type GSch-302 / AO-17A (Combat kit: 250 rounds of tank incendiary or fragmentation explosive projectiles, which are fastened in a defined sequence in a jointed disintegration belt).
Su-25UB (Frogfoot B)	Two-seat trainer machine with a raised vertical stabilizer and the possibility of combat operations being retained. The prototype (T-8-U1) flew for the first time on August 10, 1985. From 1986 series production in Ulan-Ude.
Su-25UBK (Frogfoot-B)	Two-seat trainer for export. Built from 1986 to 1989 in Ulan-Ude.
Su-25UBP (Frogfoot-B)	Two-seater trainer for naval missions, did not go into production. Also the name for machines that were brought to the UTG stand in Ukraine.
Su-28 or Su-25UT (Frogfoot-B)	Pure flight trainer with less powerful engines. First flight on August 6, 1985. No series production. The Su-28 was presented and flown in Paris-Le Bourget in 1989.
Su-25UTG (Frogfoot-B)	Two-seat trainer based on the Su-25UB for porter use on the Admiral Kuznetsov with a catch hook. First flight on September 1, 1988. Ten units were delivered in 1989/90.
Su-25BM (Frogfoot-A)	Unarmed target tow version with TO-70 winch.
Su-25BMK (Frogfoot-A)	Export version of the Su-25BM
Su-25SM	Single-seat version for the use of the latest guided weapons and modernized avionics (e.g. built-in laser target illuminator). The payload increases with this version to 5000 kg. Was shown at the MAKS 2001 in Zhukovsky. The first flight took place on March 2, 2002. The first six units were delivered on December 28, 2006. See above.
Su-25UBM	Two-seat combat trainer, see above. First soil tests in February 2008.
Su-25KM (Scorpio)	With the support of the Israeli company Elbit, upgraded version with more modern electronics and the possibility of using weapon systems from the NATO arsenal . Nevertheless, great importance was attached to the robustness of the entire system. First flight on April 14, 2002
Su-25T	Version specially equipped for anti-tank combat based on the Su-25UB cell with raised vertical tail. First flight on August 17, 1984.
Su-25TM	Modernized model of the Su-25T based on the Su-25UB with radar Kopjo-25TM and larger fuel capacity.
Su-25TK	Export version of the Su-25TM, later renamed the Su-39.
Su-25M1	Ukrainian modernization program from 2010. This includes the strengthening of the airframe, modern navigation equipment, multifunction displays, target assignment system, self-defense systems and the R-195 engines also used in the Su-39 and Su-25TM. The cost of converting an aircraft is $ 1,232,000. All Su-25 should be converted to the standard M1. The first aircraft were handed over to the Ukrainian Air Force in 2011. It is not known how many aircraft have already been converted.
Su-25SM3	Refined version of the Su-25SM, which was developed based on experiences of the Transcaucasian War of 2008. It is equipped with an electronic warfare system called Vitebsk-25, improved radio and avionics (including GPS), and other electronic systems. Flight tests began in 2012 and the machine was first used in the Syrian war in 2015.

production

The single-seat versions were built in Tbilisi , the two-seat versions in Ulan-Ude . Over 1300 Su-25 different versions were built.

Technical specifications

Three-sided drawing

X-ray section of the Suchoi Su-25

Parameter	Su-25K (original version)	Su-39 (modern. Model, also known as Su-25TK)
determination	Export version	Export version
Construction year	from 1984	from 1995
crew	1	1
length	15.36 m	15.33 m
span	14.36 m	14.52 m
Wing area	30.10 m²	31.10 m²
Wing extension	6.85	6.78
Wing loading	minimum (empty weight): 309 kg / m² maximum (maximum take-off weight): 585 kg / m²	minimum (empty weight): 345 kg / m² maximum (maximum take-off weight): 691 kg / m²
height	5.20 m	4.80 m
Empty mass	9315 kg	10,740 kg
Max. Takeoff mass	17,600 kg	21,500 kg
Top speed	975 km / h	950 km / h
Rate of climb	65 m / s	65 m / s
Load factor	+ 6.5 / −2 g	+ 6.5 / −2 g
Service ceiling	7000 m without external loads	12,000 m
Max. Range	1950 km	2250 km
Takeoff route	550 m	k. A.
Landing runway	400 m with braking parachute	k. A.
Max. Gun load	4400 kg	6000 kg
Engines	two Tumanski R-95Sh jet engines	two Tumanski R-195 jet engines
Thrust	2 × 40.17 kN	2 × 42.13 kN
Thrust-to-weight ratio	maximum (empty weight): 0.88 minimum (maximum take-off mass): 0.47	maximum (empty weight): 0.8 minimum (maximum take-off mass): 0.4

Armament

A Su-25 in the Ukrainian Air Force Museum . Two R-60 air-to-air missiles and four unguided rocket launchers are attached to the starboard wing .

Rocket launch container UB-16

Two Russian Su-25s during the Syrian Civil War in October 2015 with additional tanks and six OFAB-250 free-fall bombs each under the wings

Fixed pipe armament on the left underside of the bow

• 1 × double-30 mm automatic cannon KBP GRYAZEV-SHIPUNOV GSH-30-2 with 250 rounds of ammunition

Gun loading of up to 6000 kg at ten external load stations

Air-to-air guided missile

• 2 × APU-13MT start rails for 1 × GMKB Wympel R-3S each (K-13 or AA-2A "Atoll") - infrared guided, self-targeting for short distances (only inner suspension points)
• 4 × APU-60-1 start rails for 1 × Wympel R-60 M (K-60 or AA-8 "Aphid") each - infrared controlled, self-targeting for short distances
• Wympel R-73E

Air-to-surface guided missile

• 4 × Zvezda Ch-25ML (AS-10 "Karen") - laser-guided air-to-ground guided missile
• 2 × Raduga Ch-58 (AS-11 "Kilter") - anti-radar guided missile
• 2 × Wympel Ch-29T / L (AS-14 "Kedge-A") - Tv / laser-controlled air-to-ground guided missile
• 4 × Zvezda Ch-23M (AS-7 "Kerry") - radio-controlled air-to-ground guided missiles
• 4 × PU-O-25L rocket launch containers for an S-25L - laser-guided air-to-surface guided missile; 340 mm caliber

Unguided air-to-surface missiles

• 8 × UB-32-A73 rocket tube launch containers for 32 unguided S-5 air-to-surface missiles each ; Caliber 57 mm
• 8 × B-8M1 rocket tube launch containers for 20 unguided S-8 air-to-surface rockets each ; Caliber 80 mm
• 8 × B-13L rocket tube launch containers for 5 unguided S-13 air-to-surface rockets each ; Caliber 122 mm
• 8 × APU-68UM3 rocket launcher for an unguided S-24 air-to-surface missile; Caliber 240 mm
• 8 × PU-O-25 rocket launch containers for one unguided S-25 air-to-ground rocket each ; 340 mm caliber

Free falling bombs

• 6 × ZAB-500-400 (407 kg incendiary bomb )
• 8 × ZB-500 (450 kg napalm bomb )
• 6 × ODAB-500 PM (500 kg aerosol bomb )
• 6 × BetAB-500SP (447 kg anti-slope bomb )
• 8 × Basalt OFAB-500U (515 kg free-fall bomb)
• 8 × Basalt RBK-500 (500 kg cluster bomb )
• 8 × basalt FAB-500M-62 (500 kg high explosive bomb )
• 8 × ZB-360 (350 kg napalm bomb)
• 6 × Basalt KMGU -2 (270 kg submunition container for small bombs and mines)
• 8 × Basalt FAB-250M-54 (234 kg high explosive bomb)
• 8 × OFAB-250 (250 kg fragmentation bomb)
• 8 × Basalt RBK-250 (250 kg cluster bomb)
• 8 × ZAB-250 (250 kg incendiary bomb)
• 16 × basalt OFAB-120TB (120 kg aerosol bomb)
• 16 × ZAB-100-105 (100 kg incendiary bomb)
• 32 × basalt OFAB-100 (100 kg fragmentation bomb)
• 32 × Basalt FAB-100 (100 kg high explosive bomb) on MBD2-67U bomb rack (without this only 8)

External container

• 2 × weapon containers SPPU-687, each with a 30-mm cannon Grjasew-Schipunow GSch-1-30 and 150 rounds of ammunition
• 4 × weapon containers SPPU-22 -01 each with a vertically movable GSch-23L machine cannon (can be swiveled 40 degrees downwards) with 260 rounds of ammunition
• 1 × jamming / deception container SPS-141MWG-E Gwosdika for electronic warfare
• 4 × drop-off additional tanks PTB-800 for 840 liters of kerosene
• 4 × drop-off additional tanks PTB-1150 for 1160 liters of kerosene

Armament from Su-25T

Air-to-air guided missile

• 6 × Wympel R-27 R1 (AA-10 "Alamo") - infrared guided medium-range air-to-air guided missiles
• Wympel R-77 (AA-12 "Adder" or as export name RWW-AE) - radar-guided long-range air-to-air guided missile in combination with a radar container
• 8 × Wympel R-73 (AA-11 "Archer") - infrared guided short-range air-to-air guided missiles

Cruise missiles

• 2 × AKU-58 start rails for an MKB Raduga Ch-59 "Owod" (AS-13 "Kingbolt") - radar-controlled

Air-to-surface guided missile

• 2 × UPP-800 suspensions, each with 8 × KBP 9A4172 "Wichr-1" (laser-controlled anti-tank guided missile)
• 2 × AKU-58M launch rails each for one Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC Ch-31P (AS-17 "Krypton") - passive anti-radar guided missile
• 2 × AKU-58M launch rails for one Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC Ch-31A (AS-17 "Krypton") - radar-guided ship target
• 4 × AKU-58 launch rails for 1 × Raduga Ch-58U (AS-11 "Kilter") each - anti-radar guided missile
• 4 × Zvezda Ch-35 "Uran" / 3M24 (AS-20 "Kayak") - anti-ship missile

Guided bombs

• 4 × BD-3U suspension for 1 × region JSC KAB-500L (laser-guided 500 kg bomb)
• 4 × BD-3U suspensions for 1 × region JSC KAB-500KR (television-controlled 500 kg bomb)

External container

• 1 × Tekon / Elektron APK-9E radio data transmission container as a relay for the steering signals for the Ch-59 and KAB-500KR

Self-defense systems

Based on the experience gained from the operation in Afghanistan, the Soviets provided their Su-25s with two to four ASO-2W decoy launchers arranged in double rows above the engine outlets and on both sides of the tail spine .

• 8 × decoy Artem ASO-2W with 32 decoys

Calls

Air-to-surface missile S-8

Afghanistan

In 1981 the aircraft entered the service of the Soviet armed forces , but the official takeover into armament was not announced until 1987. From April to June 1980 the two prototypes T-8-1D and T-8-3 had already been tested under operational conditions in Afghanistan in a test unit from Shindand airfield in Herat province . After the official end of the test operation on December 30, 1980, they received consistently good reviews, so that a deployment in the war zone as soon as possible was sought, because the Su-25 proved to be better suited for the conditions of the Afghan highlands than, for example, those for ground attacks in the narrow mountain valleys too fast Su-17 . The 80th Attack Regiment stationed in Azerbaijan received the first series aircraft in April 1981 and after the crews had been trained, its 200th squadron was relocated to Shindand on June 19, 1981 and used for the first time a few days later. During the war, the aircraft were used with minimal maintenance and in some cases from field airfields. The Su-25 has proven extremely effective in fighting the Afghan resistance forces. According to Soviet data, only 22 total casualties were recorded during the nine-year mission in Afghanistan (approximately 60,000 missions were carried out). Further use of the machines in the 1980s took place in the war of Iraq against Iran and in the civil war in Angola and in the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea . In the 1990s, machines of this type were used against drug smugglers in Chechnya and Macedonia, as well as in Peru.

Chechnya

In the Second Chechnya War , which began in 1999 , the Su-25 carried the brunt of the attack on ground targets due to the lack of other suitable ground attack aircraft, because other suitable types such as the MiG-23 , MiG-27 or Su-17 were after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and which subsequently deteriorated rapidly financial position of the armed forces were retired during the 1990s. It was used by the squares Budyonnovsk and Mozdok stationed 368. OSchAP (Independent battlefield air regiment), with more than put aircraft were also used for other units. Interesting in this context is the use of individual Su-25s of the now defunct aerobatic formation Himmelshusaren ( Russian: Небесные Гусары ), which flew in their striking white-blue-red coloring. The combat flights were usually carried out in small formations, usually in pairs , with the machines being equipped with additional underwing tanks either with free-fall bombs or cartridges with unguided air-to-surface missiles .

South Ossetia

During the Caucasus conflict , Su-25s were used by both Georgia and Russia in early August 2008 . The Russian Su-25 and Su-25SM used belonged to the 368th and 899th OSchAP (Independent Attack Airship Regiment) and operated from the bases in Mozdok and Morosowka. The Georgian Air Force deployed its twelve Su-25s, including two Su-25UB and around six Su-25KM, from the Marneuli base . Russia confirmed the shooting down of three Su-25s by the Georgian air defense . Other sources speak of a total of four confirmed Su-25 losses, two on August 9 and two on August 11, 2008. The modernized Su-25SM, which were mainly used against anti-aircraft positions, had no losses.

Iran

1 November 2012, fired on two Iranian Su-25 an unmanned US reconnaissance aircraft type Predator in international airspace off the coast of Iran with their cannons. The American drone was not hit and returned to its base undamaged .

Ukraine

During the conflict in eastern Ukraine , the Ukrainian air force uses its Su-25 against ground targets in eastern Ukraine . Unguided air-to-surface missiles of the type S-8 were also fired. Once, different armament variants for the only attack in an urban area in the city of Luhansk with eight dead were discussed, on CNN there was talk of cannon fire. One day after an An-26 was shot down , on July 15, a residential building was hit in Snizhne , but the Air Force said that there was no flight on that day because of the shot down the day before. Ukrainian Air Force Su-25s were reportedly shot down by separatists over eastern Ukraine with portable one-man anti-aircraft missiles, but the government blames Russia for two kills near the border and at high altitude. Other Su-25s were lost as a result of combat damage or technical defects. The first Su-25 was shot down on July 16, 2014.

Syria

Landing Su-25SM in Ḫumaymīm

As part of the Russian military operation in Syria , twelve Su-25SMs of the Russian air force were stationed at the Hmeimim military airfield near Latakia in September 2015 . Since then you have been flying missions against rebel groups and militias of the Islamic State in order to support the government forces. In January 2018 ten Su-25s were stationed in Hmeimin. On February 3, 2018, a Su-25 was shot down by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, an al-Qaeda offshoot, believed to be a portable Chinese anti-aircraft missile. The pilot who survived the crash was killed in the fight that followed.

Accidents

On March 20, 2008, a Su-25 at the Chernigovka air base exploded in the Primorye region near the town of Novoselskoye and around 143 kilometers from Vladivostok when it fired an S-8 air-to-surface missile during a training flight. The pilot was killed in the accident. The Russian Air Force ordered a launch ban for all Su-25s until the end of April 2008. On March 30, 2016, a Su-25 crashed near the Chernigovka military airport in the Primorye region. The pilot was able to save himself with the ejector seat. According to preliminary information, the reason was a sudden failure of both engines. Nobody was harmed on the ground. On September 3, 2019 unarmed Su-25UB crashed the 368th Air Regiment hunting in Rajon Budennovsk ( Stavropol region ) from during a training flight. Both pilots, a Russian major and a Belarusian captain, were killed in the accident.

User states

Current users

•  Equatorial Guinea - As of January 2018, 2 Su-25 and 2 Su-25UB are in service .
•  Angola - As of January 2018, there are 8 Su-25s and 2 Su-25UBs in service .
•  Armenia - As of January 2018, there are 13 Su-25 and 2 Su-25UBK in service .
•  Azerbaijan - As of January 2018, there are 16 Su-25s and 3 Su-25UBs in service .
•  Democratic Republic of the Congo - As of January 2018, there are 4 Su-25s in service .
•  Georgia - As of January 2018, there are 3 Su-25KM in service .
•  Iraq - As of January 2018, there are approximately 19 Su-25 / K and Su-25UBK in service .
•  Iran - As of January 2018, there are 7 Su-25K and 3 Su-25UBK in service .
•  Kazakhstan - As of January 2018, there are 12 Su-25 and 2 Su-25UB in service with the Air Force .
•  Niger - As of January 2018, 2 Su-25s are in service .
•  North Korea - As of January 2018, there are 34 Su-25 / UBK in service with the Air Force .

•  Russia
  Russian Air Force - As of May 27, 2019, there are 6 Su-25, 84 Su-25SM, 89 Su-25SM3 and 15 Su-25UB in service.
  Russian Naval Aviators - As of January 2018, there are 5 Su-25UTG in service.
•  Sudan - As of January 2018, 9 Su-25s and 2 Su-25UBs are in service .
•  Chad - As of January 2018, there are 8 Su-25s and 2 Su-25UBs in service .
•  Turkmenistan - As of January 2018, 19 Su-25 and 12 Su-25MK are in service with the Air Force .
•  Ukraine - As of January 2018, there are approximately 31 Su-25s in service .
•  Uzbekistan - As of January 2018, there are 20 Su-25 / BM in service .
•  Belarus - As of January 2018, 22 Su-25K and Su-25UBK are in service with the Air Force .

Former users

•  Ethiopia - Retired by January 2018 at the latest.
•  Bulgaria - Retired by January 2018 at the latest.
•  Ivory Coast - Retired by January 2018 at the latest.
•  Gambia - Retired by January 2018 at the latest.
•  North Macedonia - Retired from the Air Force by January 2018 at the latest .

•  Peru - 10 Su-25A and 8 Su-25UB will no longer be operational by January 2018 at the latest.
•  Slovakia - Retired by January 2018 at the latest.
•  Czech Republic - Retired by January 2018 at the latest.

photos

• 

  Su-25 of the Russian Air Force in special livery

• 

  Bulgarian Su-25K

• 

  Ukrainian Su-25UB

• 

  Su-25UB of the Georgian Air Force

Trivia

The Su-25 is available in various flight simulations , including "Su-25 Stormovik", "DCS World" and " Lock On ".

literature

• Ildar Bedretdinow: SU-25 attack aircraft and its modifications . Moscow 2002, ISBN 5-901668-01-4 (Russian: Ильдар Бедретдинов: Штурмовик Су-25 и его модификации. ).
• Types of aircraft in the world . Models, technology, data. Bechtermünz, Augsburg 1997, ISBN 3-86047-593-2 , Suchoi Su-25 and descendants, p. 867–868 (American English: The encyclopedia of world aircraft . Translated by Thema Produktmarketing und Werbung mbH, Munich).

Web links

Commons : Sukhoi Su-25  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Su-25 at fas.org
• Greg Goebel: The Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot". October 1, 2003, accessed August 3, 2014 . 
• Marco Friedrich: cute beast. Shturmowik, the next generation. In: airpower.at. Retrieved August 4, 2015 . 

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Flight International: World Air Forces, December 10, 2019 (English), pp. 26–54.
2. ↑ Testing complete on Su-25UBM attack aircraft on ruaviation.com, viewed on September 2, 2011
3. ^ What's next for the Russian Air Force? by Ilya Kramnik on December 3rd, 2010 on rian.ru, viewed on September 2nd, 2011
4. ↑ Su-25 M1 Frogfoot. Redstar, accessed August 3, 2014 . 
5. ↑ Ukraine Air Force Modernization. globalsecurity.org. Retrieved August 3, 2014 . 
6. ↑ globalsecurity.org: Su-25 FROGFOOT (SUKHOI) , accessed April 22, 2016
7. ↑ defense-aerospace.com: Su-25SM3 Attack Aircraft Fitted with New Vitebsk-25 System Operate In Syria , accessed on April 22, 2016
8. ↑ Suchoi: Technical Data ( Memento from July 22, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) ( Service ceiling (without external ordnance and stores), km )
9. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Su-25К - Armaments. (No longer available online.) Sukhoi.org, archived from the original on August 15, 2015 ; accessed on August 4, 2015 . 
10. ^ Norman Friedman: The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems. Naval Institute Press, 2006, ISBN 978-1-55750-262-9 , p. 532.
11. ^ Norman Friedman: The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems. Naval Institute Press, 2006, ISBN 978-1-55750-262-9 , p. 533.
12. ^ Spencer C. Tucker: The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars [5 Volumes]: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts. ABC-Clio, ISBN 978-1-85109-947-4 , p. 37.
13. ↑ Alexander Mladenov: Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot. Osprey Publishing, 2013, p. 36.
14. ^ Dieter Stammer: Modern Soviet and Russian warplanes. Berolina, Berlin 2012, p. 194
15. ^ Viktor Markowskij: Hot skies over Afghanistan. Elbe – Dnjepr, Klitzschen 2006, ISBN 3-933395-89-5 , pp. 53–56
16. ^ Air war in the Caucasus . In: Fliegerrevue Extra . No. 6 . Möller, Berlin 2004, p. 52-56 .
17. ↑ Fighting rages in Georgian separatist capital. Reuters , August 8, 2008 (English)
18. ^ Dieter Stammer: The five-day war over South Ossetia . Elbe-Dnjepr, Klitzschen 2011, ISBN 978-3-940541-32-1 , p. 65 ff .
19. ^ General staff recognized the loss of two aircraft in South Osetia. Delfi.ee , August 9, 2008 (English)
20. ^ General staff recognized the loss of the next two aircraft. Lenta.ru , August 11, 2008 (English)
21. ↑ Stammer, p. 50ff.
22. ↑ Iranian fighter planes fire at US drone Spiegel Online , November 9, 2012
23. ↑ FIRST ON CNN: Iranian jets fire on US drone CNN , November 8, 2012 (English)
24. ^ Diana Magnay, Tim Lister: Air attack on pro-Russian separatists in Luhansk kills 8, stuns residents. CNN, June 3, 2014, accessed July 30, 2014 . 
25. ↑ Ukrainian Air Force suspends flights due to AN-26 being shot down. RIA, July 15, 2014
26. ↑ Twelve civilians killed in air strike. (video) tagesschau.de, July 15, 2014, accessed on July 30, 2014 : "The government rejected any responsibility and stated that at the time of the attack there was no military aircraft in the air." 
27. ↑ spiegel.de July 23, 2014: Fighting in Eastern Ukraine: Kiev blames Russia for shooting down fighter jets.
28. ^ Pro-Russia separatists shoot down Ukrainian Su-25, inspect wreckage. In: The Aviationist. July 23, 2014, accessed July 30, 2014 . 
29. ↑ Lukas I. Alpert: Russia Denies Shooting Down Ukrainian Fighter Jets. Kiev Said Missiles That Downed Su-25 Jets Came From Russian Territory. July 24, 2010, accessed February 10, 2017 . 
30. ↑ Fighter jet shot down, Ukrainian government accuses Russia. standard.at, July 17, 2014, accessed on July 30, 2014 . 
31. ↑ Su-25 attack aircraft crashes in Dnipropetrovsk. ITAR-TASS, July 2, 2010, accessed July 30, 2014 . 
32. ↑ Su-25. (No longer available online.) In: Overview: the Air Forces of Ukraine. AIRheads ↑ FLY, archived from the original on April 11, 2017 ; accessed on August 21, 2020 (English). 
33. ↑ Rebels in Syria shoot Russian fighter jets from Tagesanzeiger, February 3, 2018
34. ↑ Babak Taghvaee: 'Frogfoot' down - what happened? www.combataircraft.net, February 5, 2018, accessed on February 6, 2018 (English). 
35. ↑ A Su-25 crashed in the Primorye region , Lenta.ru, March 30, 2016
36. ↑ При крушении штурмовика Су-25 на Ставрополье погибли майор и капитан. Interfax , September 4, 2019, accessed September 4, 2019 (Russian). 
37. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa} The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 (English, January 2018).
38. ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 , pp. 199 (English, January 2018, 40 Su-25 and 140 Su-25SM / 3).
39. ↑ Отстреливался до последнего патрона: пилот Су-25 представлен к званию Героя России. In: Вести.Ру. vesti.ru, February 5, 2018, accessed on February 9, 2018 (Russian, including 1 Su-25 crashed after being shot at). 
40. ↑ Источник анонсировал поставку военным 22 штурмовиков "Грач" в новейшей модификации в апреле. In: Интерфакс. interfax.ru, March 12, 2018, accessed on April 30, 2018 (Russian, including 39 existing Su-25, 22 have been modernized to the SM3 version). 
41. ↑ Три "Суперграча" прилетели в Краснодарский край. In: Mil.Press Военное. военное.рф, October 31, 2018, accessed on November 2, 2018 (Russian, including a further 3 existing Su-25s have been modernized to the SM3 version (there are also 84 Su-25SMs in service)). 
42. ↑ Штурмовую авиацию ЮВО в Ставропольском крае пополнили четыре новейших Су-25СМ3 «Суперграч». In: Министерство обороны Российской Федерации. structure.mil.ru, April 18, 2019, accessed on April 19, 2019 (Russian, including a further 4 existing Su-25s were modernized to the SM3 version). 
43. ↑ В Ставропольском крае сформирована эскадрилья новейших Су-25СМ3 штурмовой авиации ЮВО. In: Министерство обороны Российской Федерации. structure.mil.ru, May 8, 2019, accessed on May 10, 2019 (Russian, including another 3 existing Su-25s modernized to the SM3 version). 
44. ↑ Авиаполк ЮВО в Ставропольском крае пополнился новейшими штурмовиками Су-25СМ3 «Суперграч». In: Министерство обороны Российской Федерации. structure.mil.ru, May 27, 2019, accessed on May 31, 2019 (in Russian, including 1 further existing Su-25 was modernized to the SM3 version). 
45. ^ Review by Richard Sheffield from issue 6/1991 on atarimagazines.com, viewed October 1, 2010