Su-25T: photo, characteristics

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

As the name implies, the Su-25T is a modification of the Su-25 ground attack aircraft produced ten years earlier. Developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau in the early 80s, it became the only combat vehicle that began to be used before the decision of the Ministry of Defense to introduce it into the armed forces.

Even if this model never took to the skies, it would still leave a bright mark on the domestic military aviation. After all, the Su-25T was not the only version of the prototype. The model range of the 25th also included other developments, which, in fact, are the same Su-25, but wear completely different numbers. But about another plane below.

Attack aircraft

From the history of military aviation it is known that, initially developed to cover the ground forces, very soon the Su-25 turned into a separate type, the tasks of which included purely air operations.

Fighter-bombers are able to fly at high altitude, have a good flight range and at the same time are quite fast and maneuverable. But a fighter is not suitable for covering the ground forces.

So there was an attack aircraft, light,invulnerable, due to low speed and height invisible to enemy air defense. In this case, the machine can carry a large fire reserve. Military attack aircraft of the IL-2 class had such advantages. After the end of the Great Patriotic War, aircraft of this type go into the shadows: there is a struggle for air superiority, but at the end of the 70s the situation changes. Sukhoi Design Bureau receives an order for the production of attack aircraft. The aircraft receives the factory name "Product T-8". Subsequently, when entering the series, it will be renamed the Su-25.

Description of the Su-25T. Instruction

The instruction of the aircraft refers it to the class of attack aircraft, which is its prototype. But at the same time, it is quite difficult to call it just an upgrade, it differs so much from the basic configuration. The developers have changed the nose, strengthened the design of the fuselage. New guidance systems simplify piloting, so one person can both control the aircraft and conduct combat operations. Separately, it is worth mentioning the system that helps the pilot reach the target. After pressing the trigger, she, having estimated the power of a possible target, will select the desired ammunition and, if necessary, correct the guidance. Since the attack aircraft is quite mobile in terms of maintenance, an additional television system has appeared on the aircraft for flights at night.

Protection is based on a radio surveillance station, which is able not only to indicate the location of points of ground-based radar stations, but also to find out in which mode they operate: detection or guidance. Having this in advanceinformation, the pilot of "Drying" gets the opportunity to leave the affected area in advance. The surveillance system can also work in tandem with a block to interfere with ground guidance points. It displays a lot of false targets on the screens, generates "snow" and similar effects, and is even able to disable the homing system on the rocket.

Observer Group

The first planes in 1980 are sent to Afghanistan. First a few pieces, then a whole regiment. A group of observers was sent with the regiment, as the aircraft did not have time to pass all the certification checks. And representatives of the Sukhoi Design Bureau, who were among the observers, will have to see how the new machine will prove itself in real combat tests.

Unfortunately, the first samples of the T-8 died due to design flaws. These machines had two engines located side by side. The ignition of one inevitably caused a fire in the second, and ultimately an explosion occurred. The second problem is protection against rocket fragments. Hitting at least one in the tank (located above the motors), and it flares up, the engines are engaged from it, and then the result is known. The result of the observations was the birth of the Su-25T. The main changes were the armor plates below and between the tanks.

Lineup

Several modifications were created on the basis of the Su-25:

• Su-25 - actually the basic version, still produced and used;
• Su-25K - export version of the above model;
• Su-25UB - combat training version of the attack aircraft (2-seat cabin, unlike the single-seat one on other machines);
• Su-25UBK - the second and third modification at the same time. Export version of the training machine;
• Su-25UT - training version, no weapons;
• Su-25 UTG - just like the previous one, there are no weapons. The "G" in the name means so. Naval version with landing capability using ground and deck arresters;
• Su-25BM - target tug, non-combat version;
• Su-25T - a modernized version of the attack aircraft. In addition to reinforced armor, he subsequently received new electrical equipment and more powerful weapons. It was he who served as the prototype of the missile system;
• Su-25TK - the attack aircraft we are describing in an export shell.

Other models based on attack aircraft

In addition to vehicles that can be called modifications of the Su-25, other versions have also been developed on its basis.

Su-28 is an almost complete copy of the Su-25UT variant. Has no weapons, is a training aircraft.

The decision to create another model was the successful, and at the same time not very, use of the Su-25T model in Afghanistan. The Su-39, which can safely be called the "son" of the T version, received all the best features from it and acquired several new ones.

In particular, the production models of the Su-25TM (another name for the 39th), after some modifications, received a set of RLPK "Spear-25" (radar sighting system). As well as ATGM "Whirlwind" (anti-tank missile). The latter, after successful use on the Su-25TM, is installed onhelicopters, small missile boats and even patrol boats.

Weapons

Having gone through all the developed modifications, let's take a closer look at the armament of the Su-25T. The wings of the aircraft have 10 pylons for attaching various ammunition. At the same time, 8 out of 10, located closer to the hull, can carry a load of up to 500 kg each, which is quite enough to mount a rocket-bomb or artillery arsenal. The outermost pylons usually carry short-range missiles (of the R-60 type) used for defensive purposes in aerial combat. Among the weapons that the aircraft can use to destroy ground targets are SPPU (removable mobile gun mount), bombs weighing from 100 to 500 kg or air-to-ground missiles.

SPPU barrels have the ability to deflect downwards (maximum angle of 30 degrees to the plane of the aircraft). Missile armament may consist of laser-guided missiles of the Kh-25ML, Kh-29L or S-25L type. You can use NAR blocks (unguided aircraft missile) with a caliber from 57 to 340 mm.

Besides this, the aircraft has one fixed double-barreled cannon located under the fuselage. Its capabilities are not so great: the 30 mm caliber can only be used against weakly armored vehicles, such as armored personnel carriers.

From the inside

Thanks to the electronic guidance and fire systems described a little earlier, the cockpit of the Su-25T is designed for one person - the pilot. It provides both control and what the shooter does in other machines.

The dashboard is arranged according to the classic version. To the left of the seat are the engine thrust control knobs. There is also a radio control, a brake system, weapons system switches and several valves responsible for the pressure inside the cabin. Under the right hand control of the electrical and fuel systems of the machine. There is also a lamp heating regulator, on the cover of which there is an emergency folding button.

A screen of a combined sighting system is mounted above the dashboard in the center to control all the weapons of the aircraft from a cannon to bomb/missile launch systems.

Other options

The main military qualities of the Su-25T aircraft were discussed above. The characteristics of the flight data will be presented as a list.

• two TRD-95 engines (in later versions of TRD-195) develop a maximum speed of 970 km/h;
• cruising speed - 750 km/h;
• practical ceiling - 7000 m;
• radius of action with a combat load of 3000 kg - 500 km;
• runway length for takeoff - 500-900 m, for landing - 600-800;
• recommended takeoff speed of at least 250 km/h;
• permissible landing speed of at least 260 km/h;
• ferry range -1950 km;
• fuel reserve - 3000 liters.

Some external features:

• wingspan - 29 m;
• area - 60 sq. m;
• aircraft length (including PVD receivers and antennas protruding forward) - 15.53 m;
• height - 4.59 m.

Notethat the external parameters, with the exception of the two-seat training versions, differ little in various modifications. For example, the wingspan of the SU-39 will be 29.3 m.

Names and nicknames

Like the Tu-160, nicknamed the "White Swan", the Su-25T also received its own name, except for the model number. At the same time, Sushka, unlike Tu, has several such nicknames.

"Rook" - the most famous, the aircraft received from the pilots for the characteristic "withers", which consists of a lantern and an aerodynamic ledge behind it.

"Comb" is an extraordinary name derived from the ground units, which had to see Su most often above him in the form of cover. Recall that the aircraft has 10 pylons on which the payload is attached. When viewed from below, given that the load most often protrudes forward in front of the wings, we have a classic comb.

"German miracle" - that's what they called it in Afghanistan, because for a long time they could not believe that the plane was created in the USSR

"Steam locomotive" was the name of the cars given to Czechoslovakia, friendly to the Union.

"Humpbacked Horse" is a love nickname given to the aircraft by the pilots who had to fly it. With external clumsiness, he performed an unusually wide range of tasks.

Conclusion

The Su-25 aircraft and its younger brother Su-25T, photographs and characteristics of which we examined, still serve in the armed forces of the Russian Federation. According to official sources, their application should last until 2020. The aircraft successfully copes with the settasks, preparation for a new flight does not require special actions, so it remains to wish the Rook long years of service and successful work in protecting the borders of Russia.