Su-25 Frogfoot

The Su-25 was built to survive heavy punishment over the battlefield when flying in support of ground forces. It has armor protection for critical components and the pilot, the cockpit being protected by 24mm (0.3in) welded titanium. The two R-135 turbojets are housed in widely separated bays, and the internal fuel tanks are filled with reticulated foam for added protection against explosion. Low- speed handling is aided by wing-tip pods that split at the rear to form airbrakes. A flat-glass nose window covers a laser rangefinder/target designator, while at the back a Sirena-3 radar warning system antenna is located above the tailcone. The two-seat combat-capable derivative of the single-seat Su-25 (Su-25K for export) was developed as the Su-25UB (UBK for export), which in turn led to the unarmed Su-25UT two-seater (also known as the Su-28), A navalised version of the Su-25UT was known as the Su-25UTG. However, it was combat experience over Afghanistan that led to the most potent development, namely the Su-39. Based on the Su-25UB two-seater, the Su-39 had a new nav/attack system with automatic weapons selection and release, wing-tip ECM pods, and a large cylindrical fairing at the base of the fin housing chaff/flare dispensers and an IR jammer."

(source: Collins/Jane's Combat Aircraft, by Bob Munro and Christopher Chant, Harper Collins Publishers, 1995)

Model: Sukhoi Su-25
Country of origin: Russia
Type: Close support/ground attack aircraft
Powerplants: Two 44.2kN (99201b) Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets.
Performance: Su-25TM - Max speed at sea level 950km/h (512kt), max cruising speed at 650ft 700km/h (378kt), economical cruising speed 650km/h (350kt). Max initial rate of climb 11,415ft/min. Service ceiling 32,800ft. Combat radius with a 2000kg (44101b) weapon load at altitude 630km (340nm), at low level 400km (215nm). Ferry range 2250km (1215nm).
Weights: Su-25TM - Max takeoff 20,500kg (45,1951b).
Dimensions: Su-25TM - Wing span 14.52m (47ft Sin), length overall 15.35m (50ft 5in), height 5.20m (17ft 1 in). Wing area 31.1 m2 (324.0sq ft).
Accommodation: Pilot only, or two in tandem in Su-25UB.
Armament Su-25T - One NNPU-8M 30mm gun. Ten underwing hardpoints for laser guided rockets, bombs, Vikhr M anti armour tube launched missiles, laser guided Kh-25ML (AS-10 'Karen') and Kh-29L (AS-14 'Kedge') ASMs, KAB-500 laser guided bombs and Kh-58 (AS-11 'Kilter') anti radiation missiles, and R-27, R-77 and R-73 AAMs.
Operators: Afghanistan, Angola, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Iraq, North Korea, Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine.
History: The Su-25 ('Frogfoot' to NATO) was designed specifically for close air support missions in support of ground forces.
Su-25 development began in 1968, although it wasn't until February 22 1975 that a prototype, designated T-8-1, first flew. This prototype was powered by twin Tumansky RD-913s, (non afterburning developments of the MiG-19's engines). Between then and 1984 when the first Soviet Su-25 units were declared operational, the Su-25 underwent a number of detail modifications and engine changes.
A unit of Su-25s, initially pre production aircraft, saw combat in Afghanistan where experience resulted in a number of modifications including bolt on chaff/flare dispensers, engine exhaust IR signature suppressors and titanium shielding between the engines.
The Su-25 features titanium cockpit armouring and wingtip pod airbrakes. The Su-25's engines can run on kerosene, diesel or petrol if necessary while the aircraft can self deploy its own ground support and maintenance equipment in four underwing pods.
The basic Su-25 and export Su-25K (both 'Frogfoot-A') account for most Su-25 production. The Su-25UB and export Su-25UBK (both 'Frogfoot-B') are two seat conversion trainers with a ground attack capability. The Su-25UT later Su-28 (both also 'Frogfoot-B'), was offered as a dedicated advanced trainer. Ten carrier capable two seat Su-25UTGs (with arrester hook and strengthened undercarriage) were built for carrier trials while 10 similar Su-25UBPs were ordered, but may have been cancelled. Su-25BMs are single seater target tugs.

(source: International Directory of Military Aircraft, 1998-1999)