Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot

by Alexander Mladenov, Adam Tooby (Illustrator)

Overview

A fully illustrated technical guide to the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot.

The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot was the Soviet Air Force's first mass-produced jet purposely designed for the close air support (CAS) role and was a simple, effective and durable attack aircraft that, by 2012, had seen combat in no fewer than 40 conflicts. Some 630 Su-25s were built between 1979 and 1991, as well as 185 export Su-25Ks, 70 Su-25UB/UBK Frogfoot-B two-seaters that rolled off the production line at the aviation plant in Ulan Ude (UUAP), Russia.

The Frogfoot is known as the most cost-effective ground attack aircraft available to the Russian Air Force (RuAF) and, between the RuAF and the Russian Navy's aviation assets, there are some 200–220 Su-25s still in operation.

Illustrated throughout with photographs and colour artwork, this title examines the development history, evolution and combat performance of the Su-25 Frogfoot, and details its effectiveness and reliability. Such is the reputation the Su-25 has earned, 19 of the 25 nations to have deployed a Frogfoot variant continue to operate them today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472804792
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	09/20/2013
Series:	Air Vanguard , #9
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Alexander Mladenov is an internationally renowned expert on Russian and Eastern European aviation topics, from Soviet era developments through to state of the art equipment. He lives and works in Bulgaria.
Adam Tooby is an internationally renowned digital artist and illustrator. His work can be found in publications worldwide and as box art for model aircraft kits. He also runs a successful illustration studio and aviation prints business. He is based in Cheshire, UK. To buy artwork, or contact the artist, visit http://www.adamtooby.com/.

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Design and Development 5

The need for a dedicated attack jet

Flight testing effort

Production plant for the Su-25

Target-towing Su-25BM

Technical Specifications 18

Fuselage

Wings and undercarriage

Flight controls

Airframe systems

Cockpit

Engine

Fuel system

Combat survivability features

Navigation, attack and communication equipment

Ordnance

Su-25 Versions, Modifications and Projects 28

Su-25K for export customers

Two-seater Frogfoots

Su-25UTG for carrier landing training

Never-built versions

Su-25T Super Frogfoot

All-weather Su-25TM

Su-25SM - the RuAF's current upgrade standard

Su-25K Scorpion

Su-25UB for SEAD

Su-25M1/UBM1 upgrade in Ukraine

Operational History 43

Afghanistan

The Frogfoot in the post-Soviet wars

Export Frogfoots in combat

Conclusion 63

Further Reading 63

Index 64