Su-25
Russian Air Force Su-25T
Type	Close air support aircraft [1]
Manufacturer	Sukhoi Design Bureau
Designed by	Pavel Sukhoi
Maiden flight	22 February 1975 (T8)
Introduced	1981
Status	Active service
Primary users	Russian Air Force Ukrainian Air Force Belarus Air Force Peruvian Air Force
Number built	1,024
Unit cost	US$11 million[1]
Variants	Sukhoi Su-28

The Sukhoi Su-25 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. In Military tactics, close air support ( CAS) is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing building testing selling and maintaining Aircraft, Aircraft parts Sukhoi ( Сухой) is a major Russian manufacturer famous for its fighters Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi (Павел Осипович Сухой ( July 22, 1895 &ndash September 15, 1975 The maiden flight of an Aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Russian Air Force ( Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force The Ukrainian Air Force (Повітряні Сили України Povitryani Syly Ukrayiny) is a part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Belarusian Air Force is the Air force of the Armed Forces of Belarus, formed in 1942 from the 26th Air Army of the Soviet Air Forces which had The Peruvian Air Force ( Spanish: Fuerza Aérea del Perú, abbreviated FAP) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A jet aircraft is an Aircraft propelled by Jet engines Jet aircraft fly much faster than Propeller -powered aircraft and at higher altitudes -- as high as The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Sukhoi ( Сухой) is a major Russian manufacturer famous for its fighters It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. In Military tactics, close air support ( CAS) is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. After testing, the aircraft went into series production in 1978 at Tbilisi in the Soviet Republic of Georgia. Tbilisi (ˌtbiˈliːsi in Georgian: თბილისი is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (საქართველოს საბჭოთასოციალისტური რესპუბლიკა NATO assigned the new aircraft the reporting name "Frogfoot". NATO reporting names are unclassified Code names for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc ( Soviet Union and other nations of the Warsaw pact

Early variants included the Su-25UB two-seat trainer, the Su-25BM for target-towing, and the Su-25K for export customers. Upgraded variants developed by Sukhoi include the Su-25T and the further improved Su-25TM. As of 2007, the Su-25 is the only armoured airplane still in production except the Su-34 whose production just started. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[1] It is currently in service with Russia and various other CIS states as well as export customers. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending

During its more than twenty-five years in service, the Su-25 has seen combat with several air forces. It was heavily involved in the Soviet war in Afghanistan, flying counter-insurgency missions against the Mujahideen. The Soviet war in Afghanistan, also known as the Soviet-Afghan War or just the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, was a nine-year conflict involving See also Insurgency In the context of an occupation or a Civil war, counter-insurgency (abbreviated COIN is a military term for the combat A Mujahid (Arabic ar مجاهد, literally "struggler" is a Muslim involved in a Jihad, id est fighting in a war or The Iraqi Air Force employed Su-25s against Iran during the 1980–89 Iran-Iraq War. The Iraqi Air Force or IQAF (Arabic Al Quwwa al Jawwiya al Iraqiya القوة الجوية العراقية is the military branch in Iraq responsible Most of them were later destroyed or fled to Iran in the 1991 Gulf War. In 1993, Abkhazian separatists used Su-25s against Georgians during Abkhazian War. Abkhazia (Аҧсны Apsny აფხაზეთი Apkhazeti or Abkhazeti Абха́зия Abhazia) is a De facto Separatism refers to the advocacy of a state of cultural ethnic tribal religious racial or gender separation from the larger group often with demands for greater political autonomy The Georgians (ქართველები kartvelebi) are a Nation and Ethnic group originating in the Caucasus, the oldest group of the The War in Abkhazia between 1992 and 1993 was waged chiefly between Georgian government forces on one side and Abkhaz separatist forces supporting ^[2] Eight years later, the Macedonian Air Force employed Su-25s against Albanian separatists in the 2001 Macedonia conflict. The Army of the Republic of Macedonia (Армија на Република Македонија Armija na Republika Makedonija is the name of the unified armed forces of the The insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia ( January - November 2001) was an armed conflict which began when the ethnic Albanian National

Development

In early 1968, the Soviet Ministry of Defence decided to develop a specialised shturmovik armoured assault aircraft in order to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya The idea of creating a ground-support aircraft came about after analysing the experience of shturmovoi (attack) aviation during World War II, and in local wars during the 1950s and 1960s. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including ^[3] The Soviet fighter-bombers in service or under development at this time (Su-7, Su-17, MiG-21 and MiG-23) did not meet the requirements for close air support of the army. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[3] They lacked essential armour plating to protect the pilot and vital equipment from ground fire and missile hits, and their high flight speeds made it difficult for the pilot to maintain visual contact with a target. Having taken into account these problems, Pavel Sukhoi and a group of leading specialists in the Sukhoi Design Bureau started preliminary design work in a comparatively short period of time, with the assistance of leading institutes of the Ministry of the Aviation Industry and the Ministry of Defence. Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi (Павел Осипович Сухой ( July 22, 1895 &ndash September 15, 1975 ^[4]

Artist's concept drawing of the Su-25

In March 1969, a competition was announced by the Soviet Air Force that called for designs for a new battlefield close-support aircraft. The Soviet Air Force, also known under the abbreviation VVS, transliterated from Russian: ВВС, Военно-воздушные силы ( Voenno-Vozdushnye Participants in the competition were the Sukhoi Design Bureau and the Design Bureaux of Yakovlev, Ilyushin and Mikoyan. AS Yakovlev Design Bureau JSC is a Russian aircraft designer and manufacturer (design office prefix Yak) Ilyushin (Илью́шин or Ilyushin Design Bureau is a Russian Design bureau and Aircraft Manufacturer (design office prefix JSC "RSK "MiG" or Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG in full (formerly Mikoyan or Mikoyan-i-Gurevich Design Bureau, Микоян ^[5] Sukhoi finalised its "T-8" design in late 1968, and began in work on the first two prototypes (T8-1 and T8-2) in January 1972. The T8-1, the first airframe to be assembled, was completed just before a major national holiday on 9 May 1974. Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. However, it did not make its first flight until 22 February 1975, after a long series of test flights by Vladimir Ilyushin. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Lieutenant General Vladimir Sergeyevich Ilyushin ( Владимир Сергеевич Илюшин) (born 31 March 1927) is a son of aircraft The Su-25 surpassed its main competitor in the Soviet Air Force competition, the Ilyushin Il-102, and series production was announced by the Ministry of Defence. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[6]

During flight-testing phases of the T8-1 and T8-2 prototypes' development, the Sukhoi Design Bureau's management proposed that the series production of the Su-25 should start at Factory No. 31 in Tbilisi, Soviet Republic of Georgia, which at that time was the major manufacturing base for the MiG-21UM "Mongol-B" trainer. Tbilisi (ˌtbiˈliːsi in Georgian: თბილისი is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between After negotiations and completion of all stages of the state trials, the Soviet Ministry of Aircraft Production authorised manufacture of the Su-25 at Tbilisi, allowing series production to start in 1978. ^[7]

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several Su-25 variants appeared, including modernised versions, and variants for specialised roles. The most significant designs were the Su-25UB dual-seat trainer, the Su-25BM target-towing variant, and the Su-25T for antitank missions. In addition, an Su-25KM prototype was developed by Georgia in co-operation with Israeli company Elbit Systems in 2001, but so far this variant has not achieved much commercial success. Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Elbit Systems Ltd is one of Israel 's largest defense electronics manufacturers and integrators The Su-25 is the only armoured aircraft still in production in 2007. ^[1]

The Russian Air Force operates the largest number of Su-25s, and has plans to upgrade older aircraft to the Su-25SM variant. The Russian Air Force ( Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force However, this process has been slowed due to a funding shortfall, as of early 2007 only seven aircraft had been modified. ^[8]

Design

Su-25 at Kubinka air base

The Su-25 has a normal aerodynamic layout with a shoulder-mounted trapezoidal wing and a conventional tailplane and rudder. Kubinka is an air base in Moscow Oblast, Russia located 5 km northwest of Kubinka. A trapezoid (in North America or a trapezium (in Britain and elsewhere is a Quadrilateral (a closed plane shape with four linear sides that has at least one A tailplane, also known as horizontal stabilizer, is a small lifting surface located behind the main lifting surfaces of a Fixed-wing aircraft A rudder is a device used to steer a Ship, Boat, Submarine, Hovercraft, or other conveyance that move through a fluid (generally air or Several different metals in differing amounts are used in the construction of the airframe: 60% aluminium, 19% steel, 13. The M acro E xpansion T emplate A ttribute L anguage complements TAL, providing macros which allow the reuse of code across Airframe means the mechanical structure of an Aircraft and as generally used does not include the engines WikipediaNaming Steel is an Alloy consisting mostly of Iron, with a Carbon content between 0 5% titanium, 2% magnesium alloy, and 5. Titanium (taɪˈteɪniəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Ti and Atomic number 22 Magnesium (mægˈniːziəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Mg, Atomic number 12 Atomic weight 24 5% other materials. ^[9]

Cockpit

The pilot flies the aircraft by means of a centre stick and left hand throttles. An aircraft Cockpit arrangement where the control column (or Joystick) is located conventionally in the centre of the cockpit between the pilot 's legs A throttle is the mechanism by which the flow of a fluid is managed by constriction or obstruction The pilot sits on a Zvezda K-36 ejection seat (similar to the Sukhoi Su-27), and has standard flight instruments. Research & Development Production Enterprise Zvezda ( R&D PE Zvezda for short НПП Звезда translit Most aircraft are equipped with a standard set of flight instruments which give the pilot information about the aircraft's attitude airspeed and altitude At the rear of the cockpit is a 6 mm (0. A cockpit is the area usually near the front of an Aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft 24 in) thick steel headrest, mounted on the rear bulkhead. The cockpit has a bathtub-shaped armoured enclosure of welded titanium sheets, with transit ports located in the walls. Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials usually Metals or Thermoplastics by causing coalescence. Titanium (taɪˈteɪniəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Ti and Atomic number 22 Guide rails for the ejection seat are mounted on the rear wall of the cockpit. In Aircraft, an ejection seat is a system designed to rescue the pilot or other crew of an aircraft (usually military in an emergency ^[9]

The canopy hinges open to the right, and the pilot enters using the flip-down ladder. Once inside, he rides low in the cockpit, protected by the bathtub assembly which makes for a cramped cockpit. Visibility from the cockpit is limited, being a trade-off for improved pilot protection. Rearwards visibility is very limited, though a periscope fitted on top of the canopy. The cockpit control layout is old-fashioned, lacking even a Head-Up Display (HUD). A head-up display, or HUD, is any transparent display that presents data without requiring the user to look away from his or her usual viewpont ^[10]

The cannon is located in a compartment beneath the cockpit, mounted on a load-bearing beam attached to the cockpit floor and the forward fuselage support structure. | NOTE Throughout this article "cannon" is used as BOTH the || singular and plural An airtight avionics compartment is behind the cockpit and in front of the forward fuel tank. Avionics means "aviation electronics" It comprises electronic systems for use on aircraft artificial satellites and spacecraft comprising Communications On the left-hand rear side of the cockpit, a built-in ladder provides access to the cockpit, the upper part of the engine nacelles, and the wing. A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps. There are two types rigid ladders that can be leaned against a vertical surface such as a Wall, and The nose is fitted with distinctive twin pitot probes and hinges up for service access. ^[9]

Wings and fuselage

Russian Su-25 in flight showing its underside

All versions of the Su-25 have a metal cantilever wing, of moderate sweep and high aspect ratio, and equipped with high-lift devices. A cantilever is a beam supported on only one end The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and Shear stress. A swept-wing is a wing Planform common on high-speed Aircraft, with the wing swept back instead of being set at right angles to the Fuselage. In Aerodynamics, the aspect ratio of a wing is defined as the square of the wing span divided by the wing area The wing consists of two cantilever sections attached to a central torsion box, forming a single unit with the fuselage. A torsion box consists of two skins applied to a core material usually a grid or framework of some kind The air brakes are housed in separate fairings at the tip of each wing. A fairing is a structure whose primary function is to produce a smooth outline and reduce drag. Each wing has five hardpoints for weapons carriage, with the attachment points mounted on load-bearing ribs and spars. Structural engineering is a field of Engineering dealing with the analysis and design of Structures that support or resist loads Structural engineering is ^[11] Each wing also features a five-section leading-edge slat, a two-section flap, and an aileron. Slats is also a nickname for Australian cricketer Michael Slater, and NHL executive Glen Sather Slats are Aerodynamic For the band with a similar name see The Ailerons Ailerons are hinged control surfaces attached to the Trailing edge of the Wing of a Fixed-wing

The flaps are mounted by steel sliders and rollers, attached to brackets on the rear spar. The trapezoidal ailerons are located near the wingtips. ^[12] The fuselage of the Su-25 has an ellipsoidal section and is of semi-monocoque, stressed-skin construction, arranged as a longitudinal load-bearing framework of longerons, beams and stringers, with a transverse load-bearing assembly of frames. The fuselage (from the French fuselé "spindle-shaped" is an Aircraft 's main body section that holds crew and passengers or Cargo An ellipsoid is a type of quadric surface that is a higher dimensional analogue of an Ellipse. Monocoque, from the French for single ( mono) and shell ( coque) is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external In Mechanical engineering, stressed skin is a type of rigid construction intermediate between Monocoque and a rigid frame with a non-loaded covering A framework is a basic conceptual structure used to solve or address complex issues In Aircraft construction a Longeron or Stringer is a thin strip of wood or metal to which the skin of the aircraft is fastened ^[9] The one-piece horizontal tailplane is attached to the load-bearing frame at two mounting points. A tailplane, also known as horizontal stabilizer, is a small lifting surface located behind the main lifting surfaces of a Fixed-wing aircraft ^[12]

Power plant

Early versions of the Su-25 were equipped with two R95Sh non-afterburning turbojets, in separate compartments on either side of the rear fuselage. TurboJET (噴射飛航 is the brand name for the operations of the Hong Kong -based Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited (信德中旅船務管理有限公司 The engines, sub-assemblies, and surrounding fuselage structure are cooled by air provided by the cold air intakes located on top of the engine's nacelles. Cold Air Intakes A cold air intake is a device used to bring down the Temperature of the Air going into a car 's Internal-combustion A drainage system collects oil, hydraulic fluid residues, and fuel from the engines after flight or after an unsuccessful start. Hydraulic fluids are a large group of fluids used as the motive medium in Hydraulic machinery. The engine control systems allows independent operation of each engine. ^[12] The latest versions (Su-25T and TM) are equipped with improved R-195 engines. ^[13]

Avionics

Nose view of the Su-25

The avionics system of the Su-25 consists of several components:^[14]

• Weapons-aiming system, providing targeting data for ground munitions, as well as the targeting of aircraft in VMC: the Klen-PS laser rangefinder utilises a glass porthole in the aircraft's nose and is perhaps the most notable item of avionics. Avionics means "aviation electronics" It comprises electronic systems for use on aircraft artificial satellites and spacecraft comprising Communications It provides a laser target designation capability whereby the pilot locks the designator onto a target through his gun-sight allowing launch of a laser-guided missile and using the Klen-PS to guide it. Dropping a laser-guided bomb would be more difficult, however, given the porthole’s forward view. This suggests that Su-25s often used "buddy designation", with one aircraft standing off a safe distance to illuminate a target while another attacked the target. ^[10]
• A DISS-7 Doppler radar
• Navigation system, permitting flight in day and night conditions, both in VMC and IMC, and providing flight data for the weapons-control system and flight instruments
• Radios for air-to-ground and air-to-air communications
• Weapons-control system
• Self-defence suite, incorporating infra-red, flare and chaff dispensers capable of launching about 250 flares and dipole chaff, and an SRO radar warning receiver that can alert the pilot of incoming attacks on the aircraft
• An SPO-15 radar homing & warning system (RHAWS)
• An SO-69 identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) transponder

Variants

Su-25

Soviet Su-25 in flight. Navigation is the process of reading and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another In Aviation, visual meteorological conditions (or VMC) are those in which Visual flight rules (VFR Flight is permitted—that is conditions Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC sometimes referred to as Blind flying, is an aviation term that describes weather conditions that normally require pilots to Infrared ( IR) radiation is Electromagnetic radiation whose Wavelength is longer than that of Visible light, but shorter than that of Chaff, originally called Window by the British, and Düppel by the World War II era German Luftwaffe, is a In physics there are two kinds of dipoles ( Hellènic: di(s- = two- and pòla = pivot hinge An electric dipole is a

Russian Su-25UB.

Bulgarian Su-25UBK in flight.

Russian Su-25TM. Carries (from tip to fuselage) R-73, R-77, 8*Vikhr, Kh-29T, Kh-58. White dome of "Kopyo" radar container is seen below, while 2 Omul ECM pods lying besides the plane

The basic version of the aircraft was produced at Factory 31, at Tbilisi, in the Soviet Republic of Georgia. The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (საქართველოს საბჭოთასოციალისტური რესპუბლიკა Between 1978 and 1989, 582 single-seat Su-25s were produced in Georgia, not including aircraft produced under the Su-25K export program. This variant of the aircraft represents the backbone of the Russian Air Force's Su-25 fleet, currently the largest in the world. The Russian Air Force ( Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force ^[7]

The aircraft experienced a number of accidents in operational service caused by system failures attributed to salvo firing of weapons. In the wake of these incidents, use of its main armament, the 240 mm S-24 missile, was prohibited. The S-24 is a Rocket weapon designed and used by the Soviet Air Force. In its place, the FAB-500 500 kg general-purpose high-explosive bomb became the primary armament. ^[7]

Su-25K

The basic Su-25 model was used as the basis for a commercial export variant, known as the Su-25K (Komercheskiy). This model was also built at Factory 31 in Tbilisi. The aircraft differed from the Soviet Air Force version in certain minor details concerning internal equipment. A total of 180 Su-25K aircraft were built between 1984 and 1989. ^[7]

Su-25UB

The Su-25UB trainer (Uchebno-Boyevoy) was drawn up in 1977. The first prototype, called "T-8UB-1", was rolled out in July 1985 and its maiden flight was carried out at the Ulan-Ude factory airfield on August 12 of that year. Ulan-Ude (Ула́н-Удэ́ Улаан-Үдэ Ulaan-Üde) is the capital city of the Buryat Republic, Russia, is located about 100 km ^[7] It was intended for training and evaluation flights of active-duty pilots, and for training pilot cadets at Soviet Air Force flying schools. Flight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an Aircraft.

The performance of the Su-25UB did not differ substantially from that of the single-seater. The navigation, attack, sighting devices and weapons-control systems of the two-seater enabled it to be used for both routine training and weapons-training missions. ^[15] By the end of 1986, a total of 25 Su-25UBs had been produced at Ulan-Ude, despite the fact that the twin-seater had not yet completed its State trials and therefore had not been officially cleared for service with the Soviet Air Force. ^[16]

Su-25UBK

From 1986 to 1989, in parallel with the construction of the main Su-25UB combat training variant, the Ulan-Ude plant produced the so-called "commercial" Su-25UBK, intended for export to countries that bought the Su-25K, and with similar modifications to that aircraft. ^[17]

Su-25UTG

The Su-25UTG (Uchebno-Trenirovochnyy s Gakom) is a variant of the Su-25UB designed to train pilots in takeoff and landing on a land-based simulated carrier deck, with a sloping ski-jump section and arrester wires. Ski jumping is a Sport in which skiers go down an "inrun" with a take-off ramp (the jump attempting to go as far as possible The first one flew in September 1988, and approximately ten were produced. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1988: Events January January 26 - the French defence ministry approves full-scale ^[18] About half remained in Russian service after 1991, used with Russia's sole aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov. An aircraft carrier is a Warship designed with Role While designated an aircraft carrier by the West the design of the Admiral Kuznetsov' class implies a mission different from that of either the United States Such a small number of aircraft were insufficient to serve the training needs of Russia's carrier air group, so a number of Su-25UBs were converted into Su-25UTGs, these aircraft being distinguished by the alternative designation Su-25UBP (Uchebno-Boyevoy Palubny) —the adjective "palubnyy" meaning "deck", indicating that these aircraft have a naval function. ^[19] About ten of these aircraft are currently operational in the Russian Navy as part of the 279th Naval Aviation Regiment. The Russian Navy or VMF ( Russian: Военно-Морской Флот (ВМФ России- Voyenno-Morskoy Flot Rossii (VMF or literally Military Maritime ^[20]

Su-25BM

The Su-25BM (Buksirovshchik Misheney) is a target-towing variant of the Su-25 whose development began in 1986. A target tug is an Aircraft which tows a drone or otherwise unmanned target, for the purposes of Gun or Missile target practice This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1986: Events January January 9 - the UK Defence Secretary Michael The prototype, designated "T-8BM1", successfully flew for the first time on 22 March 1990, at Tbilisi, and the aircraft was put into production after completion of the test phase. Events 238 - Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed Roman emperor. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) ^[19]

The Su-25BM target-tower was designed to provide towed target facilities for training ground forces and naval personnel in ground-to-air or naval surface-to-air missile systems. It is powered by an R-195 engine and equipped with an RSDN-10 long-range navigation system, an analogue of the Western LORAN system. Chayka (Чайка lit seagull) is a Russian terrestrial Radio navigation system similar to LORAN-C. LORAN ( LO ng R ange A id to N avigation is a terrestrial Radio navigation system using Low frequency Radio transmitters ^[19]

Su-25T

Russian Su-25SM

The Su-25T (Tankovy) is a dedicated antitank version, which has been battle tested with notable success in combat missions over Chechnya. Anti-tank refers to any method of combating military Armored fighting vehicles notably Tanks The most common anti-tank systems The Chechen Republic (ˈʧɛʧɨn rɪˈpʌblɨk Чече́нская Респу́блика Chechenskaya Respublika; Нохчийн Республика Noxçiyn Respublika ^[21] Avionics has been modified, including sophisticated autopilot and HUD installed. It's equiped with "Shkval" TV observation and aiming system with laser rangefinder and target designator in the nose cone (the same is used on Ka-50 attack helicopter) and may carry "Vikhr" laser beam riding AT missiles in 8-tube launchers (Ka-50 carries the same missiles in 6-tube launchers). Efficiency of this weapon system on a jet plane is disputed, as this is not "fire-and-forget" weapon, and while hovering helicopter may illuminate target with laser staying at maximum range, Su-25T flying towards target until "Vikhr" impact may eventually enter the range of close air defences. Night capabilities of "Shkval" are limited. For night operations a container with low-light TV "Merkuriy" system may be carried under fuselage (having only 5x magnification in comparison with 23x "Shkval"). Alternatively, "Fantasmagoria" passive radar sensor container may be carried, which provides targeting data for anti-radiation missiles, giving Su-25T an air defence suppression capability. Su-25T can also employ the KAB-500Kr TV-guided bomb and Kh-29T TV-guided heavy tactical air-to-ground missile. ^[21]

A second-generation Su-25T, the Su-25TM (also designated Su-39), has been developed with improved navigation and attack systems, and better survivability. While retaining built-in "Shkval" of Su-25T, it may carry "Kopyo" (rus. "Spear") radar in the container under fuselage, which is used for engaging air targets (with RVV-AE/R-77 missiles) as well as ships (with Kh-31 and Kh-35 antiship missiles). The Russian Air Force has received only a small number of each version so far. However, the improved avionics systems designed for these aircraft have been utilised in the Su-25SM, an interim upgrade for the series-produced Russian Air Force Su-25 (this version lacks the "Shkval", but will built-in "Kopyo" in the nose cone instead), resulting in superior survivability and combat capability. ^[21]

Su-25KM

Georgian Su-25KM "Scorpion".

The SU-25KM (Kommercheskiy Modernizirovannyy), nicknamed "Scorpion", is an Su-25 upgrade programme announced in early 2001 by the original manufacturer, Tbilisi Aerospace Manufacturing in Georgia, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel. Elbit Systems Ltd is one of Israel 's largest defense electronics manufacturers and integrators The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Georgian Air Force is the air arm of the Georgian Armed Forces. ^[22]

The aircraft uses a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerised weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. A glass cockpit is an Aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays. A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, Regions, and Themes A head-mounted display or Helmet mounted display, both abbreviated 'HMD' is a display device worn on the head or as part of a helmet that has a small display optic Performance enhancements include a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. ^[22]

Su-28

Sukhoi Su-28

The Sukhoi Su-28 (also designated as Su-25UT - Uchebno-Trenirovochnyy) is an advanced basic jet trainer, built on the basis of the Su-25UB as a private initiative by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Su-28 is a light aircraft designed to replace the Czechoslovak Aero L-39 Albatros. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Unlike the basic Su-25UB, it lacks a weapons-control system, built-in cannon, weapons hardpoints, and engine armour. ^[23]

Other

• Su-25R (Razvedchik) – a tactical reconnaissance variant designed in 1978, but never built. Reconnaissance (also scouting) is a military and medical term denoting exploration conducted to gain information ^[24]
• Su-25U3 (Uchebnyy 3-myestny) – also known as the "Russian Troika", was a three-seat basic trainer aircraft. The project was suspended in 1991 due to lack of funding. ^[24]
• Su-25U (Uchebnyy) – a trainer variant of Su-25s produced in Georgia between 1996 and 1998. Three aircraft were built in total, all for the Georgian Air Force. ^[24]

Combat service

Soviet war in Afghanistan

On 19 July 1981, the 200th Independent Shturmovaya Air Squadron was assigned to Shindand Airbase in western Afghanistan, becoming the first Su-25 unit deployed to that country. Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Shindand Airbase is located in the western part of Afghanistan in the Herat province, 7 miles northwest of the city of Sabzwar. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Its main task was to conduct air strikes against mountain military positions and structures controlled by the Afghan rebels. ^[25]

Over the course of the Soviet war in Afghanistan, Su-25s launched a total of 139 guided missiles of all types against Mujahideen positions. The Soviet war in Afghanistan, also known as the Soviet-Afghan War or just the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, was a nine-year conflict involving A Mujahid (Arabic ar مجاهد, literally "struggler" is a Muslim involved in a Jihad, id est fighting in a war or On average, each aircraft performed 360 sorties per year, a total considerably higher than that of any other combat aircraft in Afghanistan. By the end of the war, nearly 50 Su-25s were deployed at Afghan airbases, carrying out a total of 60,000 sorties. Between the first deployment in 1981 and the end of the war in 1989, 21 aircraft were lost in combat operations. ^[25] One of these aircraft, landed softly after the pilot bailed out, and was then shipped out to be analysed by american experts.

Iran-Iraq War

Iraqi Su-25, destroyed by Coalition forces

The Su-25 also saw combat during the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–88. The first Su-25s were commissioned by the Iraqi Air Force in 1987 and performed approximately 900 combat sorties throughout the course of the war, carrying out the bulk of Iraqi air attack missions. The Iraqi Air Force or IQAF (Arabic Al Quwwa al Jawwiya al Iraqiya القوة الجوية العراقية is the military branch in Iraq responsible During the most intense combat of the war, Iraqi Su-25s were each performing up to fifteen sorties per day each. In one recorded incident, an Iraqi Su-25 was shot down by an Iranian Hawk surface to air missile, but the pilot managed to eject. Development Development of the HAWK missile system began in 1952 when the United States Army began studies into a medium range Semi-active radar homing A surface to air missile ( SAM) or ground-to-air missile ( GTAM) is a Missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy Aircraft This was the only confirmed successful Iranian attack against an Iraqi Su-25. After the war, Saddam Hussein decorated all of the Iraqi Air Force's Su-25 pilots with the country's highest military decoration. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 A military decoration is a decoration given to Military personnel or units for Heroism in battle or distinguished service ^[25]

Gulf War

During the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), the air superiority of the coalition forces was so great that the majority of Iraqi Su-25s did not even manage to get airborne. On 25 January 1991, seven Iraqi Air Force Su-25s fled from Iraq and landed on the territory of their former enemy, Iran. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. ^[26]

On the evening of 6 February 1991, two US Air Force F-15C Eagle fighters of the 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, operating out of Al Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia, intercepted a pair of Iraqi MiG-21s and a pair of Su-25s. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Al-Kharj ( الخرج) is a city and governorate in Riyadh Province in central Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout All four Iraqi aircraft were shot down, with both Su-25s coming down in the desert not far from the Iraqi border with Iran. This was the Iraqi Su-25's only air combat of the war. ^[25]

2001 Macedonian conflict

Su-25s were used by the Macedonian Air Force during the 2001 Macedonia conflict against Albanian separatists. The Army of the Republic of Macedonia (Армија на Република Македонија Armija na Republika Makedonija is the name of the unified armed forces of the The insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia ( January - November 2001) was an armed conflict which began when the ethnic Albanian National Beginning on 24 June 2001, the aircraft made multiple attack runs against separatist positions. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The most successful operation took place on 10 August 2001, in the village of Raduša, when SU-25s attacked Albanian militants who had ambushed and killed sixteen Macedonian soldiers over the previous two days. Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. ^[27]

Ivorian-French War

Main article: Ivorian-French War

On November 6, 2004, At least one Ivorian Sukhoi Su-25 attacked a position of France's Unicorn peacekeeping force in the rebel stronghold of Bouake at 1300 local time, causing 9 deaths and 37 wounded among the French soldiers. Events 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Shortly after that the French military attacked the Yamoussoukro airport destroying the only two Sukhoi Su-25 planes the Ivorian air force had. The District of Yamoussoukro is the official Capital city of Côte d'Ivoire. ^[28]

Operators

Military operators of the Su-25:      Current operator      Former operator      Uncertain

Belarussian Su-25K

Bulgarian Air Force Su-25K

Bulgarian Su-25K landing

 Afghanistan 

Between 1986 and 1990, a number of Su-25s were reportedly handed over by the Soviet Union to the Afghan government. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Depending on the source consulted, the number of Afghan Su-25s varies between twelve and sixty aircraft. The actual number of Afghan Su-25s has never been established, nor has it been verified whether any remain in the Afghan Air Force service. The Afghan National Air Corps is a service branch of the Military of Afghanistan, which is responsible for Air defense and Air warfare. Since no evidence of Afghan operation of the Su-25 has emerged during recent allied operations, it is likely the "Frogfoot" was never actually acquired by the country. ^[29]

 Angola 

An agreement was reached at the beginning of 1988 between the Soviet Union and Angola that arranged for the delivery of a squadron of Su-25s. Angola, officially the Republic of Angola (República de Angola Pronounced ʁɛˈpublikɐ dɨ ɐ̃ˈgɔlɐ Repubilika ya Ngola is a country in south-central The Angolan export agreement comprised twelve single-seat Su-25Ks and two Su-25UBKs trainers. Later, these aircraft were augmented by further deliveries comprising at least three two-seater aircraft. ^[29]

 Armenia 

Following the break-up of the Soviet Union, Armenia had no Su-25s in its inventory, but following the start of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh in 1991–92, the newly independent Republic of Armenia unofficially acquired a small number of aircraft (11 single-seaters and four Su-25UBs). Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani For the republic see Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Nagorno-Karabakh is a Region in the South Caucasus. Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani ^[29][30]

 Azerbaijan 

Like Armenia, Azerbaijan did not inherit any Su-25s after the collapse of the USSR, but a single aircraft was obtained in April 1992 as a consequence of a pilot defecting from the Russian Air Force base at Sital-Chai. Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South The Russian Air Force ( Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force Following the incident, Azerbaijan acquired at least five Su-25s through unofficial channels, and one more aircraft has been obtained as the result of yet another defection, this time from the Georgian Air Force. The Georgian Air Force is the air arm of the Georgian Armed Forces. Other aircraft are believed to have been acquired later, as a 2001 inventory of Azerbaijan aircraft revealed that the Azerbaijan Air Force still had three of the type in its inventory, despite the reported loss of four Su-25s in combat operations relating to Nagorno-Karabakh against Armenia. The Azerbaijan Air Force (AzAF Azeri: Azərbaycan hərbi hava qüvvələri) is the Air force of the Military of Azerbaijan. ^[29]

 Belarus 

After the break-up of the Soviet Union, Belarus was the second member state of the CIS, after Russia, to have a significant number of Su-25s. Belarus ( Belarusian Беларусь / Biełaruś is a Landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the north and east Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Seventy Su-25s and six Su-25UBs are reported to be operational and are mostly concentrated at Lida air base as of 2004. ^[31]

 Bulgaria 

Bulgaria was the second Warsaw Pact country to obtain the Su-25, acquiring its first examples of both Su-25K and the Su-25UBK in 1985. The state of Bulgaria (България transliterated bg-Latn ''Balgaria'' The country preserves the traditions (in ethnic name language and alphabet of the First Bulgarian The Warsaw Pact (see Nomenclature) was an organization of Communist states in Central and Eastern Europe. The aircraft were intended to replace the obsolete MiG-17F Fresco-C which had been the backbone of the Bulgarian Air Force fighter-bomber fleet for many years. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Bulgarian Air Force (Военновъздушни сили ВВС is a branch of the Bulgarian Army, the other two being the Bulgarian Navy and Bulgarian Twenty Su-25Ks and three Su-25UBKs were commissioned and are operational at Bezmer air base as of 2004. ^[31]

 Democratic Republic of the Congo 

In late 1999, the Tbilisi Aerospace Manufacturing plant signed a contract with the Democratic Republic of Congo for the delivery of ten Su-25Ks to the Force Aerienne Congolaise. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to Tbilisi (ˌtbiˈliːsi in Georgian: თბილისი is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo ( Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC is the state military organisation responsible The deal was reported to be valued at 6 million US Dollars, and the first four aircraft were delivered on board an An-124 in November 1999. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The remaining six aircraft were delivered in January 2000. ^[31] One aircraft crashed in December 2006 during a routine flight, while another one crashed on 30 June 2007, during a Congolese independence day display. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[32]

 Ethiopia 

A pair of Su-25Ts and two Su-25UBK combat trainers were delivered to Ethiopia in the first quarter of 2000. NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page The twin-seaters were withdrawn from Russian Air Force service and modified in accordance to a special request by the Ethiopian Air Force. The Russian Air Force ( Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force The Ethiopian Air Force is the air arm of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and is tasked with protecting the air space providing support to the ground forces as well Since acquiring the aircraft, the Ethiopians have used them in combat operations against Eritrean insurgent groups. Eritrea () ( Ge'ez: ኤርትራ ʾErtrā, Arabic: إرتريا Iritriya) officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in ^[31]

 Georgia 

Georgia, which produced hundreds of MiG-21U/UM/US "Mongol" trainers and scores of single-seat Su-25s during the Soviet era, was left with virtually no aircraft following the break-up of the Soviet Union. Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Only a small number of single-seat Su-25s were actually taken on to the inventory of the newly formed Georgian Air Force, these aircraft having been left in the factory at the time of Georgian independence. The Georgian Air Force is the air arm of the Georgian Armed Forces. Georgia has up to 35 Su-25s of various types, with 18 of them Su-25KM "Scorpion"s (an upgraded version of the Su-25 in collaboration with Israel) as of 2008. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics.

 Iran 

On 21 January 1991, seven Iraqi Air Force Su-25s were flown to Iran in an effort to find a temporary safe haven from Operation Desert Storm attacks on major Iraqi airfields. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. The Iraqi Air Force or IQAF (Arabic Al Quwwa al Jawwiya al Iraqiya القوة الجوية العراقية is the military branch in Iraq responsible These Iraqi aircraft were considered by the Iranians to be a gift from their former adversary, and were seized by the Iranian military. However, as a result of lack of spare parts, documentation, and pilot training, these aircraft were never flown by the Iranian Air Force. The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF ( is the aviation branch of the Iranian armed forces. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Air Force has added at least six new aircraft to its inventory and has since likely restored ex-Iraqi Su-25s to flight status as well. The Air Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (AFAGIR also known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force (IRGC AF, is the air force ^[26]

 Kazakhstan 

The Kazakh Air Force received twelve single-seat Su-25s and two Su-25UB trainers in December 1995 as compensatory payment for the return of the Tu-95MS "Bear-H" strategic bombers which had been rapidly flown out of the republic at the time of the collapse of the USSR. Kazakhstan, also Kazakstan ( Қазақстан, Qazaqstan, qɑzɑqˈstɑn Казахстан, Kazakhstán,) officially the The Military of Kazakhstan is derived from a remnant force of the former Soviet Union. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Kazakh Su-25s are located at Chimkent air base in the south of the country. Shymkent (Шымкент is the capital city of South Kazakhstan Province, the most populated region in Kazakhstan. ^[31]

 North Korea 

North Korea was the first Asian country to obtain the Su-25. North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia, In the 1950s, the North Korean Air Force had accumulated useful experience of operating the Su-25's piston-engined predecessor, the Ilyushin Il-10 "Beast". The Korean People's Air Force (aka North Korean Air Force) is the Air force of North Korea. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In the period from the end of 1987 until 1989, the DPRK acquired a total of thirty-two single-seat Su-25Ks and four Su-25UBKs. The aircraft are based at Sonchon air base (80 km from Pyongyang), which features heavily-fortified natural hangars equipped with blast-proof doors capable of protecting the aircraft from conventional and nuclear explosions. Sonchon is a ''kun'', or county on the coast of the Yellow Sea in west-central North Pyongan province North Korea. Pyongyang (pʰjʌŋjaŋ is the Capital and largest City of North Korea, located on the Taedong River, at. A nuclear explosion occurs as a result of the rapid release of energy from an intentionally high-speed Nuclear reaction. ^[27]

The Peruvian Su-25s in line

Russian Air Force Su-25 in specific markings.

 Peru 

Peru received eighteen Su-25s in late 1998 from Belarus, which refurbished them prior to delivery. Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. The shipment comprised ten single-seat and eight dual-seat Su-25UB trainers. The aircraft were all built just before the collapse of the Soviet Union and thus represented the final versions of the Soviet Su-25. It is believed that between 1998 and December 2005, at least twenty-five light aircraft transporting cocaine had been shot down by the Peruvian Su-25s. Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant ^[27]

 Russia 

Today, Russia possesses a reduced fleet of Su-25s, which are operated by "Shturmovoi" Assault Regiments. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The major variants used are the single-seat Su-25, the twin-seat Su-25UB, and the Su-25BM target-towing version. In addition, the Russian Air Force received a small number of Su-25T anti-tank variants, which have been tested with notable success under combat conditions in Chechnya. The Russian Air Force ( Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force The Chechen Republic (ˈʧɛʧɨn rɪˈpʌblɨk Чече́нская Респу́блика Chechenskaya Respublika; Нохчийн Республика Noxçiyn Respublika The Su-25 is also operated by the Russian Navy, both in standard land-based Su-25 and Su-25UB guise, as well as in the specialised Su-25UTG role as a carrier-operable trainer. The Russian Navy or VMF ( Russian: Военно-Морской Флот (ВМФ России- Voyenno-Morskoy Flot Rossii (VMF or literally Military Maritime Overall, 241 Su-25s are currently in service with the Russian Air Force, including 10 being operated by the navy. ^[20] A modernisation program of single-seat Su-25s to the Su-25SM variant is underway. ^[27] The first modernised Su-25SM was delivered in August 2001, while another six were delivered in late December 2006 at Lipetsk air base. Lipetsk (Ли́пецк is a city located in the Central Federal District of Russia. ^[8]

 Turkmenistan 

Following the downfall of the Soviet Union, the newly independent Republic of Turkmenistan was given 46 Su-25s which had been disassembled for storage in Turkmenistan at that time. Turkmenistan ( Türkmenistan; also known as Turkmenia) is a Turkic country in Central Asia. In accordance with an agreement between Georgia and Turkmenistan in 1999, the Tbilisi Aerospace Manufacturing corporation refurbished 45 of these aircraft for use by the Turkmenistan Air Force as payment for the delivery of natural gas. The armed forces of Turkmenistan consist of an Army Air and Air Defense forces a Navy Border Troops and Internal Troops and a National Guard Natural gas is a Gaseous Fossil fuel consisting primarily of Methane but including significant quantities of Ethane, Propane, The refurbished aircraft were relocated at Ak-Tepe air base, and a total of eighteen operational Su-25s are known to be based there as of 2004. ^[27]

Ukrainian Su-25

 Ukraine 

Ukraine obtained 92 Su-25s of differing variants following the country's independence in the wake of the break-up of the USSR. Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Currently, the Ukrainian Air Force operates approximately 60 Su-25, Su25UBs, and Su-25UTGs, which are operated by the 299th Independent Assault Regiment (299 OShAP), based at Saki in the Crimea, and the 456th Assault Regiment (456 ShAP) at Chortkiv. The Ukrainian Air Force (Повітряні Сили України Povitryani Syly Ukrayiny) is a part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Hector Hugh Munro ( December 18, 1870 – November 14, 1916) better known by the Pen name Saki, was a British Crimea (kraɪˈmiːə or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Крим Автономна Республіка Крим Avtonomna Respublika Krym; Крым Chortkiv (Чортків Czortków is a City in the Ternopil oblast ( province) in western Ukraine. Up to 30 Su-25 are reportedly stored at the 4070th Reserve Base. Evidently, three Su-25s sold to Macedonia came from this reserve pool. ^[27]

 Uzbekistan 

Until 1990, a Soviet Air Force pilot training centre equipped with around 20 Su-25, Su-25UB, and Su-25BM variants was located at Chirchik air base in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( Uzbek: O‘zbekiston Respublikasi or Ўзбекистон Республикаси is a doubly The Soviet Air Force, also known under the abbreviation VVS, transliterated from Russian: ВВС, Военно-воздушные силы ( Voenno-Vozdushnye Chirchiq (or Chirchik) is a city (1999 pop 145600 in Toshkent Province, Uzbekistan, about 32 km northeast of Tashkent, along the Chirchiq In 1991, a small number of Su-25s were also located at Dzhizak air base, but after 1991, all Su-25s in Uzbekistan were concentrated at Chirchik, operated by the 59th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (59 APIB) of the Soviet Air Force. Jizzakh (also spelled Jizzax, Djizak; in Джизак is a city (pop 138400 in 2004 and the center of Jizzakh Province in Uzbekistan After the collapse of the Soviet Union, all the Su-25s on the territory of the now independent republic became the property of the new government. ^[27]

Former operators

Czech Su-25Ks

 Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) 

Nine French soldiers were killed and twenty-three wounded when two Ivorian Su-25s bombed French positions in Bouaké. Côte d'Ivoire (ˌkoʊt divˈwɑː(r ' in English, kot diˈvwaʀ in French) or Ivory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a Bouaké (or Bwake) is the second largest city in Côte d'Ivoire, with a population of 775300 (2002 Census) and also the department of which ^[33] As a result, French soldiers destroyed the Su-25s on the ground at Yamoussoukro air base. The Military of France encompasses an army, a navy, an air force and a military police force. The District of Yamoussoukro is the official Capital city of Côte d'Ivoire. ^[34]

 Czechoslovakia 

Passed aircraft onto successor states, in the ratio of 2:1 in favour of the Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic ( ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka short form in Česko ˈt͡ʃɛskɔ also called Czechia, ^[31]

 Czech Republic 

After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic acquired twenty-four Su-25Ks and one Su-25UBK. The Czech Republic ( ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka short form in Česko ˈt͡ʃɛskɔ also called Czechia, Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In December 2000, the Czech Su-25s were retired from service and placed in storage at Přerov air base. Přerov ('pr̝̊ɛrof is a city in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic, situated on the Bečva river. ^[35]

Rare image of a Republic of Macedonia Su-25K

 Macedonia 

the Republic of Macedonia purchased three single-seat Su-25s and one Su-25UB following incursions and attacks by Albanian separatists. The Republic of Macedonia (Република The insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia ( January - November 2001) was an armed conflict which began when the ethnic Albanian National } Albanians (Shqiptarët are an Ethnic group and a Nation, in the sense of sharing a common Albanian culture speaking the Albanian language The aircraft were supplied by Ukrainian authorities after having been withdrawn from Ukrainian Air Force service. Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. The Ukrainian Air Force (Повітряні Сили України Povitryani Syly Ukrayiny) is a part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. ^[36] The aircraft were retired in 2004 and later sold to Georgia in 2005. ^[37]

 Iraq 

During the course of the early phase of the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq approached the Soviet Union with a request to purchase a wide variety of military equipment. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. As a result, Iraq become the first non-Warsaw Pact country to obtain the Su-25K and Su-25UBK combat trainer. It is believed that Iraq received a total of 73 Su-25s, of which four were the Su-25UBK trainer. In January 1998, the Iraqi Air Force still possessed twelve Su-25s, and at least three Su-25Ks were seen in a demonstration over Baghdad in December 2002. Baghdad (بغداد) is the Capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate, with which it is also coterminous However, the remaining Su-25s were phased out immediately after the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia ^[31]

 Slovakia 

The Slovak Air Force received twelve Su-25Ks and one Su-25UBK following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Slovakia (long form Slovak Republic; Slovak:, long form, is a Landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over five million The Slovak Air Force, known since 2002 as the Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Vzdušné sily armády Slovenskej republiky is the Aviation The aircraft were based at the Slovak 33rd Air Base in Malacky-Kuchyna. They were sold to Armenia. ^[31]

 Soviet Union 

Passed aircraft onto successor states. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991

Specifications (Su-25TM)

Data from Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 15. 33 m (50 ft 11)
• Wingspan: 14. The wingspan (or just span) of an airplane or a Bird, is the distance from the left wingtip to the right wingtip 36 m (47 ft 1 in)
• Height: 4. 80 m (15 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 30. 1 m² (324 ft²)
• Empty weight: 10,740 kg (23,677 lb)
• Loaded weight: 16,990 kg (37,456 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 20,500 kg (45,194 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Tumansky R-195 turbojets, 44. The Maximum Takeoff Weight or Maximum Takeoff Mass of an Aircraft is the maximum weight at which the pilot of the aircraft is allowed to attempt to take off Sergei Konstantinovich Tumansky (Сергей Константинович Туманский (b TurboJET (噴射飛航 is the brand name for the operations of the Hong Kong -based Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited (信德中旅船務管理有限公司 18 kN (9,480 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 950 km/h (590 mph, Mach 0. This article deals with the unit of force For the unit of mass see Pound (mass. In Aviation, V-speeds or Velocity-speeds are standard terms used to define Airspeeds important or useful to the operation of Aircraft, such 82)
• Combat radius: 375 km (235 mi)
• Ferry range: 2,500 km (1,553 mi)
• Service ceiling 10,000 m (22,200 ft)
• Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 584 kg/m² (119 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 0. For Aircraft, ferry range means the maximum range the aircraft can fly In Aeronautics, a ceiling is the maximum Density altitude an aircraft can reach under a set of conditions In Aerodynamics, the rate of climb RoC is the speed at which an Aircraft increases its Altitude. In Aerodynamics, wing loading is the loaded weight of the aircraft divided by the area of the wing Thrust-to-weight ratio is as its name suggests the ratio of instantaneous Thrust to Weight (where weight means weight at the Earth ’s surface 51

Armament

• 1× GSh-30-2 30mm cannon with 250 rounds
• 11 hardpoints for up to 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) of disposable ordnance, including rails for two R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') or other air-to-air missiles for self-defence and a wide variety of general-purpose bombs, cluster bombs, gun pods, rocket pods, laser-guided bombs, and air-to-surface missiles such as the Kh-25ML

See also

Comparable aircraft

• A-10 Thunderbolt II
• Northrop YA-9
• Ilyushin Il-102
  

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

• Ulan Ude Aviation Plant Su-25UB page
• Su-25К at Sukhoi.org
• Video with the Su-25KM "Scorpion"
• Su-25 at GlobalSecurity.org
• Su-25 at Russia Military Analysis
• Su-25 at Airforce-Technology.com