Sukhoi Su-25 | |
|---|---|
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Type | Close air support |
| First flight | 22 February 1975 |
| Built | 1000+ |
The Sukhoi Su-25 Grach (NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) is a subsonic, single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Sukhoi. It was designed to provide close air support for Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975. After testing, the aircraft went into series production in 1978 in Tbilisi in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Source: Sukhoi Su-25 on Wiki
| Suchoj Su-25 Frogfoot Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographers | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 142 |
See also:
Design Philosophy: Close Air Support
The Sukhoi Su-25 was designed as a dedicated Shturmovik (Ground Attack) aircraft, born from lessons learned in WWII. Unlike fast, high-altitude interceptors, the “Frogfoot” was built to fly low and slow, loitering over the battlefield to provide direct support to ground troops. It is the Soviet counterpart to the American A-10 Thunderbolt II, prioritizing survivability, ease of maintenance in austere conditions, and massive ordnance capacity.
| Attribute | Standard Specification (Su-25 / Su-25SM) |
|---|---|
| Role | Close Air Support (CAS) / Ground Attack |
| Crew | 1 Pilot |
| Armor | Titanium “Bathtub” (10mm to 24mm thick) |
| Main Armament | 1 x 30mm GSh-30-2 twin-barrel autocannon (250 rounds) |
| Hardpoints | 11 (Capacity for 4,000 kg / 8,800 lbs of ordnance) |
| Powerplant | 2 x Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets |
| Maximum Speed | 975 km/h (Mach 0.79 / 606 mph) |
| Service Ceiling | 7,000 meters (23,000 ft) |
Survival Features: The Titanium Bathtub
- The Armored Cockpit: The pilot sits inside a 24mm thick titanium alloy welding, capable of withstanding direct hits from 23mm anti-aircraft shells. This “bathtub” design is a hallmark of Su-25 survivability.
- Engine Separation: The two turbojet engines are mounted in separate nacelles on either side of the fuselage. This physical distance ensures that a fire or explosion in one engine is unlikely to disable the other.
- Redundant Systems: The Su-25 utilizes mechanical control linkages protected by armor, ensuring the pilot can still maneuver even if hydraulic systems are compromised.
- Self-Sealing Tanks: All fuel tanks are filled with polyurethane foam to prevent explosions and are protected by 8mm steel plating.
Weaponry and Versatility
- GSh-30-2 Autocannon: Mounted in the lower fuselage, this 30mm gun fires at 3,000 rounds per minute, capable of shredding light armor and infantry positions.
- Rocket Pods: The Su-25 is most famous for its use of unguided rockets, such as the 57mm S-5, 80mm S-8, and the massive 240mm S-24.
- Precision Munitions: Modernized variants like the Su-25SM can deploy laser-guided bombs (KAB-500L) and Kh-25 air-to-surface missiles.
- The “Rook” (Grach): Russian pilots gave the aircraft this nickname because of its ability to pull heavy loads from the dirt, referring to the bird’s habit of finding food in the soil.
Combat History
The Su-25 has seen more combat than almost any other Soviet-era jet. It proved its worth in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, where its ability to maneuver in narrow valleys was superior to faster jets. Since then, it has served in the Chechen Wars, the Syrian Civil War, and extensively in the current conflict in Ukraine, used by both sides.
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