Russian aviation. Guided bombs, missiles
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is holding a tender for the repair and modernization of Su-25 aircraft into the Su-25SM3 variant. The maximum price of the contract is 1.6 billion rubles, this follows from the materials on the public procurement portal.
By November 10, 2019, the Russian Defense Ministry expects to receive four modernized attack aircraft.
In 2017, the Ministry of Defense has already signed a similar contract with JSC 121 Aviation Repair Plant. To end current year work on the modernization of four attack aircraft will be completed.
Su-25SM3 is a deep modification of the Su-25SM attack aircraft. A new version The aircraft is equipped with a GLONASS navigation system with the ability to program the end point on the map with an accuracy of 10 m. A digital display is installed in the cockpit to display the ground and air situation.
Central to the set of improvements is the system electronic warfare"Vitebsk-25", developed by the Samara Research Institute "Ekran".
"Vitebsk-25" includes a radar warning system, ultraviolet missile launch direction finders, as well as a powerful jammer. Complex electronic countermeasures consists of a radiation warning station and an infrared-guided missile blinding facility. This system is designed to protect the Su-25SM3 from portable anti-aircraft missile systems Stinger, and from Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems.
Since 2015, the Russian Aerospace Forces have already received about a dozen Su-25SM3 attack aircraft. According to data from open sources, the first combat vehicles are in service with the 960th and 368th assault aviation regiments. And the baptism of fire of the Su-25SM3 took place in Syria in the summer of 2017.
Viktor Murakhovsky, editor-in-chief of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, said that the armor integrated into the airframe was retained on the modernized attack aircraft, which repeatedly saved pilots even in hopeless situations. But inside they are completely different cars.
"The main innovation is that the Su-25SM3 received a modern sighting and navigation system SOLT-25 [optical laser thermal imaging system - approx. Aviation of Russia], thanks to which they learned to detect and track ground, surface and air targets in any climatic conditions and at any time of the day. Earlier variants of attack aircraft practically did not fight at night," the expert says.
As the experience of armed conflicts of the last 20-30 years shows, in most cases, "rooks" struck ground targets free-fall bombs and unguided aircraft missiles, little changed since the Great Patriotic War. Su-25SM3 attacks the enemy with a wide range of modern precision weapons. It is known that the updated attack aircraft can use anti-radar missiles to disable enemy air defenses, adjustable bombs, and much more.
At the same time, on the updated version of the aircraft unguided weapons became much more accurate than its predecessors thanks to the SVP-24-25 sighting subsystem, developed on the basis of the standard Su-24 front-line bomber complex, known as the SVP-24 Gefest. New sighting system takes into account many factors - the speed of the attack aircraft, geographical coordinates, flight altitude, distance to the target, weather conditions, visibility - and independently calculates where and when the pilot presses the button. As a result, the accuracy of bombing strikes increases at least three times. This approach is very economical, since it allows the use of old ammunition with an efficiency comparable to more expensive modern adjustable bombs.
The modernized attack aircraft also received RBK-500 SPBE-D bombs, which were used in Syria by Su-24 front-line bombers.
RBK-500 SPBE-D are standard 500 kg cluster bombs with six additional submunitions. Each additional combat element is an anti-tank cluster bomb with infrared guidance and an impact core formed as a result of an explosion, capable of penetrating a katana homogeneous armor 150-160 mm thick - this is enough to hit a tank from the upper hemisphere.
In addition to the GLONASS system for navigation and the use of high-precision weapons, the aircraft is equipped with an inertial navigation system that helps the pilot to perform combat mission even if there is no satellite signal. In addition, the Su-25SM3 received modern digital communications that operate over secure channels. Other attack aircraft systems have undergone modernization, in particular, fuel and engine control equipment.
"It is important to note that the aircraft is not just equipped with new equipment - the very tactics of its combat use are changing," Viktor Murakhovsky emphasized. "The Su-25SM3 is built into automated system command of the Aerospace Forces and in reconnaissance and strike circuits of interspecific groupings of troops. This integration of the attack aircraft into a single network significantly speeds up the exchange of information between "heaven" and "ground" and reduces the time from the moment targets are detected to their destruction by several times.
Having become more sophisticated technologically, the Su-25SM3 retained its security and reliability. The cockpit is covered with titanium armor plates with a thickness of ten to 24 millimeters. The pilot is not dangerous for shelling from any barreled weapons caliber up to 12.7 mm, and in the most dangerous areas - from anti-aircraft guns up to 30 millimeters. All critical systems of the attack aircraft are duplicated and also sheathed in titanium. If the main is damaged, the spare immediately turns on.
The baptism of fire of the Su-25 took place in Afghanistan. low speed flight allowed him to deliver accurate strikes in the most difficult conditions highlands. During the ten years of the war, 23 attack aircraft were shot down. At the same time, not a single case of aircraft loss due to the explosion of fuel tanks or the death of the pilot was recorded. On average, for every downed Su-25, there were 80-90 combat damage. It used to be that attack aircraft returned to base after completing a combat mission with more than a hundred holes in the fuselage.
(3 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)
Reportedly Russian media The Aerospace Forces intend to begin operational testing of the upgraded Su-25SM3 close air support aircraft as early as this month. If the upgraded vehicles are allowed to be put into service, the first fully combat-ready Su-25SM3s will enter the units by the end of this year. The Russian Aerospace Forces are expected to undergo deep modernization of more than forty Su-25S at the 121st aircraft repair plant in Kubinka, near Moscow.
"Integrated testing of the Su-25SM3 will begin as early as April," a spokesman for the Aerospace Forces told Izvestia weekly. "We expect that by the end of this year, this modernized attack aircraft will enter the troops."
The deep modernization of the Su-25SM3 includes many improvements in sensors and defense systems, which the Russian military hopes will allow this "flying tank" to work successfully in modern warfare. The main element of the modernization program is the installation of a defensive on-board electronic system "Vitebsk", developed in Samara research institute.
Aviation complex personal protection "Vitebsk" includes a radar warning receiver, a missile attack warning system (SPRN), as well as powerful complex electronic interference. According to sources cited by the Izvestia newspaper, defensive countermeasures will be carried out not only by a radar jamming transmitter, but also by an infrared homing missile "blinding" system similar to Northrop Grumman's Common Infrared Countermeasures, in addition to thermal reflectors. The system is capable of protecting the Su-25SM3 from absolutely any attack, from man-portable air defense systems of the Stinger type to missile batteries"Patriot".
In addition, the Vitebsk system is designed for automatic identification and precise geolocation of threat sources. The received coordinates can then be sent to the control unit of the X-58 anti-radar missile, which will destroy the enemy radar. Potentially, this is able to provide the modernized “frog leg” (according to NATO codification, the Su25 is called Frogfoot) with some capabilities to suppress systems air defense enemy if necessary.
The offensive capabilities of the Su-25SM3 are also significantly improved. The Russians are installing a new SOLT-25 electro-optical aiming system on this machine. The new sensor will allow the pilot to detect and track enemy ground forces within a “several kilometers” radius, day or night, in any weather, including rain and snowstorms. The Russians apparently equipped the Su-25SM3 with a real-time video transmission system that provides capabilities similar to the Pentagon's "ROVER" system, installed only on the most modern fighters USA fourth generation.
This upgraded attack aircraft will also be capable of carrying a range of new weapons, including next-generation precision-guided missiles. Among these new weapons is a one-time bomb cassette RBC SPBE 500-D, which was recently used in Syria on Russian Su-24 supersonic bombers. This is a standard 500 kg cluster bomb with "smart" damaging elements SPBE-D. Each striking element is equipped with dual-mode infrared target coordinators, and the anti-tank version of the cassette is equipped with a warhead with a penetrating-type impact core capable of breaking rolled homogeneous armor 150-160 mm thick, which is enough to destroy the turret of any tank. Each RBC SPBE 500-D cassette is equipped with six striking SPBE-D elements.
So, the Soviet-era frog leg looks set to serve well into the 21st century, even though its American rival, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Warthog, is scheduled to be retired by the US Air Force by 2022.
Reference:
deep modification aircraft based on the Su-25SM which is equipped with the GLONASS navigation system with the ability to program the end point on the map with an accuracy of 10 m. The cockpit is equipped with a digital display that can display the ground and air situation. combat effectiveness machine improved 3 times compared to other modifications.
The first modified Su-25SM3 attack aircraft entered service at the air base in the Southern Military District.
The first modified Su-25SM3 attack aircraft entered service at the airbase in the Southern Military District. By 2020, it is planned to modernize about 80 Su-25SMs, by now more than 30 modified attack aircraft have already entered service.
The Su-25SM3, unlike its predecessors, is capable of destroying small mobile and stationary ground targets out of their visual visibility in adverse weather conditions, as well as air targets.
Upgraded single-seat attack aircraft, created as a combat attack aircraft to replace all existing Su-25s up to the modification of the Su-25SM3 (based on the Su-25UB), in which an additional place for the second pilot will be installed fuel tank which will increase the combat radius to 3000 km. According to preliminary data, the upgraded Su-25 will receive a new SOLT-25 optical, laser and thermal system, and it is also proposed to install an airborne phased array radar.
General form aircraft:
Tactical-technical and flight-technical data, as well as the armament of the Su-25SM3:
According to REDSTAR
MOSCOW, May 4 - RIA Novosti, Andrey Kots. The famous Russian "rooks" will soon find a second youth:. Cars will get fundamentally new combat capabilities, which previously only high-tech and expensive fighter-bombers could boast of. At the same time, they will retain their main advantages - time-tested reliability and amazing survivability. About the features of the Su-25SM3 attack aircraft - in the material of RIA Novosti.
New "stuffing"
Attack aviation of the Southern Military District was replenished with the latest Su-25SM3Advanced attack aircraft, using upgraded system guidance, can launch missiles or drop bombs, even being at a considerable distance from a given target.Since 2015, about a dozen Su-25SM3 attack aircraft have entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces. The price of the contract for the modernization of the next batch is about 1.6 billion rubles. The aircraft are being modified by the 121st Aircraft Repair Plant, which has accumulated vast experience over decades in overhaul, maintenance and improvement of Soviet and Russian "rooks". According to open sources, the first combat vehicles entered service with the 960th and 368th assault aviation regiments. And the baptism of fire of the Su-25SM3 took place in Syria last summer. Although the updated vehicles are a variant of the basic Su-25, which has been fighting since the mid-1970s, they meet all the requirements for modern strike aircraft.
“On the upgraded attack aircraft, they retained the reservation integrated into the airframe, which repeatedly saved pilots in even seemingly hopeless situations. But inside they are completely different machines,” RIA Novosti said. Chief Editor magazine "Arsenal of the Fatherland" Viktor Murakhovsky. - The main innovation - the Su-25SM3 received a modern sighting and navigation system SOLT-25 (optical laser thermal imaging system), thanks to which they learned to detect and track ground, surface and air targets in any climatic conditions and at any time of the day. Earlier variants of attack aircraft practically did not fight at night."
As the experience of armed conflicts of the last 20-30 years shows, in most cases, "rooks" hit ground targets with free-falling bombs and unguided aircraft missiles (NARs), which have not changed much since the Great Patriotic War. Su-25SM3 attacks the enemy with a wide range of modern "smart" weapons. It is known that the updated attack aircraft can use anti-radar missiles to disable enemy air defenses, adjustable bombs, and much more.
"Prompter" for the pilot
At the same time, the "supergrach" uses unguided weapons much more accurately than its predecessors - thanks to the SVP-24-25 aiming subsystem, developed on the basis of the standard Su-24 front-line bomber complex, known as the SVP-24 Gefest. This device takes into account many factors - the speed of the attack aircraft, geographic coordinates, flight altitude, distance to the target, weather conditions, visibility - and independently calculates where and when the pilot should press the button. As a result, the accuracy of bombing strikes increases at least three times. This approach is very economical, since it allows the use of old ammunition with no less efficiency than the much more expensive modern adjustable bombs. Moreover, it drops them on the target of the Su-25SM3 not only from a dive and a nose-up, but also, for example, from a coup.
Of course, the Su-25SM3 is equipped with a GLONASS module for navigation and the use of high-precision weapons. At the same time, the pilot can always count on the inertial navigation system, which helps to complete the combat mission even in the absence of a satellite signal. To protect against enemy fighters and air defense systems, the aircraft is equipped with the Vitebsk-25 electronic warfare system, capable of deceiving even the most cunning missile. In addition, the Su-25SM3 received modern digital communications that operate over secure channels. Other attack aircraft systems have undergone modernization, in particular, fuel and engine control equipment. Simply put, the "rook" learned to fly longer and further.
“It is important to note that the aircraft is not just equipped with new equipment – the very tactics of its combat use are changing,” Viktor Murakhovsky emphasized. significantly accelerates the exchange of information between "heaven" and "earth" and several times reduces the time from the moment targets are detected to their destruction.
Time tested
All this significantly prolongs the life of the Su-25. According to a number of experts, in the era of long-range precision weapons, subsonic attack aircraft have lost their relevance and become obsolete. However, even the Americans, with their colossal military budget, are in no hurry to abandon the main A-10 Thunderbolt II fire support aircraft, which has been fighting since the late 1970s and has been heavily upgraded several times. He is constantly criticized, but he consistently performs well in battle.
Having become more sophisticated technologically, the Su-25SM3 retained its legendary security and reliability. The cockpit is covered with aircraft-grade titanium armor with a thickness of armor plates from ten to 24 millimeters. The pilot is not afraid of shelling from any barrel weapon of up to 12.7 mm caliber, and in the most dangerous areas - from anti-aircraft guns up to 30 mm. All critical systems of the attack aircraft are also sheathed in titanium and, in addition, are duplicated. If the main is damaged, the spare immediately turns on.
The "rook"'s baptism of fire took place in Afghanistan. The low flight speed allowed him to deliver accurate strikes in the most difficult conditions of mountainous terrain and at the last moment to rescue the infantry, who got into serious trouble. During the ten years of the war, 23 attack aircraft were shot down. At the same time, not a single case of aircraft loss due to the explosion of fuel tanks or the death of the pilot was recorded. On average, for every downed Su-25, there were 80-90 combat damage. Sometimes, "rooks" returned to base after completing a combat mission with more than a hundred holes in the fuselage.
This reliability has earned the Su-25 widespread recognition throughout the world. It is too early to talk about the export potential of the latest Su-25SM3, but the "rooks" various modifications are in service with more than 20 countries. Contracts for their modernization would be valuable gift for the national defense industry.
One step away from armament Russian army there is a new modification of the well-proven Su-25 attack aircraft. According to breaking news, tests of the aircraft upgraded to the Su-25SM3 level should be completed during 2018, and the Aerospace Forces of Russia will receive a batch of 22 vehicles in April. Let's see why this news is very important.
The indispensable workhorse
The Su-25 attack aircraft made its first flight in 1975, and began operating in 1981. Since then, the car has participated in huge number conflicts around the world, having established itself as a very reliable and tenacious aircraft. The main emphasis in the development of the aircraft was placed on the criterion of "price-quality" and survivability. The Su-25 is a subsonic aircraft, and taking into account the specifics of the application - working on targets on the battlefield from low altitudes, it is not even equipped with a pressurized cockpit. As for security, the developers did a great job with this element. Cabin with titanium armor, armored partition between engines, duplication key systems etc. saved more than one life and the plane.
Nevertheless, the Su-25 in its original form is already outdated - mainly due to onboard equipment. So, the plane is poorly adapted for use guided weapons(mostly used rockets and bombs), has an outdated navigation system, communications, etc. At the same time, some statements about the development of a new attack aircraft, although they sounded, have not yet found any real confirmation. Moreover, not so long ago, the former commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces Viktor Bondarev said that the replacement for the Su-25 and Su-24 front-line bombers should be modern bombers Su-34.
In fact, the operation of the “fancy” Su-34 is more expensive (as is the cost of the aircraft itself), and the machine can make fewer sorties per day. And the tasks of an attack aircraft and a front-line bomber are different - to “drive” an expensive Su-34, equipped with equipment for delivering high-precision strikes from high altitudes and distances, directly above the battlefield, exposing itself to fire anti-aircraft artillery and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) is not a good idea.
Thus, there is a real need to keep in service with Russia either the Su-25 itself, but with a deep modernization, or to create a new aircraft of a similar class. Given the limited available funding and the Su-25 platform that has not lost its relevance, to today it is planned to carry out the modernization of the Rooks in service.
It must be said that since the mid-late 2000s, such work has already begun to be carried out: since then, 84 aircraft have been upgraded to the level of the Su-25SM, while receiving updated on-board electronics that ensure the successful use of guided missiles and bombs, and enough modern facilities navigation. Even with such a fairly budget upgrade, the Su-25 has become much more efficient, demonstrating this during civil war in Syria. But everything tends to become obsolete.
Su-25SM3 "Supergrach" may soon show itself in Syria
Adoption new modification The Su-25, which received the name Su-25SM3 and the nickname "Supergrach", was somewhat delayed, however last test should be completed soon, after which the first batch of attack aircraft will go to the troops. The capabilities of the Su-25 will grow very much this time - the machine will receive the SOLT-25 optoelectronic system (optical, laser, thermal imaging system), the name of which reflects the essence of its work. SOLT-25 provides automatic detection and tracking of moving ground targets at distances up to 6-8 km.
Also, the aircraft will receive a new airborne defense system "Vitebsk", which ensures the detection of MANPADS launches (by detecting a characteristic flash in the ultraviolet range) and jamming radars, and the release of thermal "traps" (to deceive infrared homing missiles), and new system connections. The aircraft will be able to use a wide range of guided missiles and bombs, as well as anti-radar missiles (they fly at the radiation of enemy radars).
However, some sources report that State program By 2027, it is planned to modernize the entire fleet of existing Su-25 attack aircraft (about 200 units), including those aircraft that have already been brought to the state of the Su-25SM. Such work is really very relevant, given the indispensability of the Su-25 and the lack of a real replacement for the Rook on the horizon.
It is also important that the car will be able to pass full-fledged combat trials in Syria, which will identify and eliminate the existing shortcomings of the new equipment installed on the aircraft. Obviously, earlier and more effective automatic detection of opponents and the presence of a modern airborne defense system will help minimize the risks of such tragedies as the death of a major Filipova(his Su-25SM was shot down in Syria on February 3, 2018 from a MANPADS).
The Su-25 attack aircraft has been one of the most belligerent vehicles for more than thirty years.. Behind the "Rooks" of the war in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, both Chechen conflicts, the Georgian campaign and, of course, the ongoing operation in Syria.
To date, the Su-25 fleet has been upgraded. The updated vehicles, which received the SM index, are equipped with modern navigation systems and a sighting system. There were other improvements as well. But, starting from the August events of 2008, it can no longer be denied that the modified Su-25SMs are too vulnerable to modern war even against a technologically underdeveloped adversary. The two main problems of the Rook are how to detect the enemy in a timely manner and evade air defense fire.
On August 9, 2008, in Tskhinvali, as a result of a meeting with Georgian troops, part of the battalion tactical group of the Russian 135th SME was cut off and, having taken up all-round defense, repelled enemy attacks. At 15.30, the command of the 4th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense redirected the planes of the 368th Assault Aviation Regiment based in Budennovsk to support the blocked motorized riflemen. Regular Su-25s and .
It turned out that in the conditions of urban combat, when the Georgian troops not only returned fire small arms, but also actively used MANPADS, "Rooks" did not act effectively enough. Due to the lack of modern optoelectronic systems, it was very difficult for pilots to find an enemy in urban combat and heavy smoke. Suffice it to say that one side was looking for a target for almost 11 minutes. All this time, the Georgian military fired at the "Rook" from small arms and MANPADS.
The intensity of the work of enemy air defense in that battle is evidenced by the fact that, according to the Sukhoi Research and Production Corporation, on average, up to six missiles were launched for each Su-25, which in that battle supported the fighters of the 135th SME in Tskhinval MANPADS. Only their high professionalism saved from the loss of attack aircraft pilots. At 17.00, unable to withstand continuous air strikes, as well as fire Russian artillery and close combat with cut off motorized riflemen, Georgian units and subunits began to retreat, and after 19.00 they completely left Tskhinvali. Undoubtedly essential role in that battle belonged to the pilots of the 368th oshap.
And now you're a bomber
At the time of the first air strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces on the positions of militants in Syria, ten and two combat training Su-25UBs from the 960th separate assault regiment from Primorsko-Akhtarsk were deployed at the Khmeimim airbase. By the beginning of the withdrawal of troops, according to the "VPK", "Rooks" completed 3,500 sorties out of a total of nine thousand. On average, each of ten attack aircraft spent 250 to 300 hours in the air in five months of fighting. Combat training vehicles, which primarily performed auxiliary tasks (weather reconnaissance, inspection of areas), flew only 60-80 hours on board.
Note: in Syria, the Su-25 did not work like classic attack aircraft. They acted in a somewhat unusual role for themselves as conventional bombers, dropping ammunition on the enemy from a height of five thousand meters. Moreover, the pilots did not even look for targets, their coordinates were laid in onboard systems before departure.
Unmanned vehicles became the eyes of the Su-25 aircrafts and force fighters special operations, which, after detecting and identifying enemy objects, gave out their exact coordinates. Depending on the type of target, attack aircraft went on a mission with two or four free-falling aerial bombs.
After taking off from the Khmeimim airbase, the pilot went to the target area and activated the onboard sighting system, which brought the attack aircraft to the object and automatically dropped bombs.
"Rooks" showed very high accuracy in Syria, sometimes not inferior to front-line bombers, equipped with a special computing subsystem SVP-24. Thus, according to the Military-Industrial Courier, the vast majority of air bombs dropped by attack aircraft, regardless of the time of day and weather conditions, fell within a radius of 10–15 meters from the aiming point.
At the same time, due to the higher operational characteristics of the Su-25, they managed to make more sorties per day than the Su-24M and working together with them. On the most intense days, attack aircraft took to the skies up to ten times.
According to a representative of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who is familiar with the situation, now that the intensity of the fighting has dropped sharply, there is no need for Su-25s. But if the confrontation resumes with the same intensity, it will be the Su-25s that, as the interlocutor put it, will be the first to return to the Khmeimim airbase, which, as the interlocutor put it, are capable of high precision bombard the enemy.
But, despite the rather good results of the Syrian mission, it cannot be denied that the attack aircraft actually worked as bomb carriers. The Su-25 turned out to be invulnerable to the militants' air defense systems, primarily due to the fact that they flew at least five thousand meters. Remained serious problem with the search for targets and, as recognized by the Sukhoi Stormtroopers, if it were not for the fighters of the KSSO and reconnaissance drones, who found targets, the effectiveness of the "Rooks" in Syria would be much lower.
Sharper and stronger
At present, the Russian Aerospace Forces includes four separate assault aviation regiments (Chernigovka, Domna, Budennovsk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk) and an assault squadron (Crimea). Until 2017, it is planned to restore the disbanded during the transition to new look 899th oshap at Buturlinovka airfield. So for the time being, the Aerospace Forces do not plan to abandon the Su-25 attack aircraft.
According to a representative of the military department, since the beginning of the 90s, the idea to write off the Rooks has arisen several times. The main argument of the opponents of attack aircraft is that the Tbilisi Aviation Plant, which mass-produced them, remained outside of Russia, and in Ulan-Ude, the production of only the combat training Su-25UB and the anti-tank Su-25T created on its basis, but never went into series, was mastered .
At the same time, the Su-25 is a reliable, unpretentious and fairly cheap machine to operate. “Flying Kalashnikov assault rifle”, as the pilots themselves and technical staff assault air regiments. The experience of fighting in Chechnya showed that only these vehicles could provide support for ground troops.
In 2011, the Russian Ministry of Defense made an attempt to find a replacement for the Rooks by opening a competition for the so-called advanced attack aircraft (PSSH). Several projects were considered, including a machine based on the Su-25UB, which was planned to be equipped with a pressurized cabin, a new optoelectronic system, a radar and armed with anti-tank guided missiles"Vortex".
But as far as the "VPK" knows, at present, work on the PSSh is closed. The military department opted for a deep modernization project for the Grach, which received the Su-25SM3 index.
According to the chief designer of the Su-25, Vladimir Babak, the first work on the SM3 began immediately after Georgia was forced to peace. Attack aircraft had to be made capable of hitting well-protected mobile targets covered by modern air defense systems.
The SOLT-25 optoelectronic system and the Vitebsk electronic defense complex became the heart of the new attack aircraft. SALT, installed in place of the Klen laser station, allows not only to detect, but also to take targets for tracking day and night in bad weather conditions at a distance of up to eight kilometers with an accuracy of half a meter. The system, capable of producing a 16x image, includes a television channel, a thermal imager and laser rangefinder, which not only determines the distance to the target, but also highlights it for missiles and bombs with a laser homing head. True, work on optoelectronic system, which was developed for the new attack aircraft by Krasnogorsk mechanical plant, were somewhat delayed and it is only now coming out for testing as part of the entire Su-25SM3 complex.
« In August 2008, Georgian air defense received information from radio equipment southern flank of NATO. As soon as the Su-25s of the Budyonnovsky Regiment rose over the Caucasus Range, they were immediately detected by stationary radars, AWACS aircraft, and radar stations mounted on ships. The data was transmitted to the Georgian military in automatic mode, and "Rooks" was waiting hot meeting. After all, Georgia had fairly modern air defense systems. Not only MANPADS, but also long-range "Buks" and "Wasps", - says Vladimir Babak.
Therefore, the second the most important task, in addition to detecting targets on the battlefield, the Su-25SM3 was equipped for the designers of the Su-25SM3 onboard complex self-defense, able to cope with both the Buk, Osa, Thor and Patriot air defense systems, as well as anti-aircraft gun mounts and MANPADS.
« Previously, an air defense breakthrough meant overcoming a certain line. Crossed it - and the resistance is already minimal. But in modern combat All possible targets covers object air defense. We must not be afraid of her, but destroy", - says the chief designer of the Su-25. That's why electronic warfare complex"Vitebsk" not only puts powerful noise and imitation interference, but, having detected the launch of a MANPADS missile on an aircraft, shoots special traps, but also allows you to hit enemy radars using Kh-58 missiles.
By the way, "Vitebsk", developed by the Samara Research Institute "Ekran", became part of the on-board equipment of the Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-8MTV-5 transport helicopters, as well as attack helicopters. Machines with the latest complex, hallmark which are mounted on the fuselage and hardpoints "balls" of laser spotlights, are actively involved in hostilities in Syria.
True, to place the entire complex on board the aircraft, a lot of space is required, therefore, part of the Vitebsk elements in the L370-3S-K25 containers is placed on the hardpoints, where the R- 60.
The self-defense complex detects the operation of MANPADS using ultraviolet sensors. True, again, due to the design features of the Su-25SM3, it was not possible to place a laser searchlight on board, capable of suppressing even the latest multispectral thermal homing heads.
« When creating the Su-25SM3, we, based on the experience of August 2008, laid the foundation for a situation where up to six MANPADS missiles are already flying behind the aircraft, and each one needs to be fought back. In such a situation, it is necessary to put group interference. A laser projector can only do one thing. Save the traps. We have made a fairly large set of heat traps of different calibers, and also developed various programs for shooting them, which are selected automatically depending on the angle from which the threat comes to the aircraft”, explains Vladimir Babak.
The Su-25SM3 will be able to use the entire range of modern aviation weapons, including those with laser and television guidance, as well as those corrected by GLONASS. Unfortunately, the new Rook's armament did not include the Vikhr supersonic ATGMs already implemented on the Su-25T, since, according to representatives of the Sukhoi Attack Aircraft Research and Production Company, difficulties arise with setting up a laser-beam channel necessary for missile control.
As Vladimir Babak noted, the Klevok complex, also known as Hermes, being created by the Tula Instrument Design Bureau, is being considered as a standard ATGM for the latest Su-25SM3. But since work continues, alas, he has not yet entered the Grach armament.
Russian Aerospace Forces plan to receive at least 45 Su-25SM3 attack aircraft by 2020. Modernization will be carried out at the 121st aircraft repair plant in Kubinka, where the Su-25SM is also produced. But the plans of the command of the Aerospace Forces and the Sukhoi Attack Aircraft Research and Production Complex may be affected by the fact that during the work on the modernized Rooks it will be necessary not only to install on-board equipment, but also to carry out a comprehensive repair of aircraft in advance - with the restoration of components, assemblies and mechanisms.
How further development of the Su-25 family, its developers have currently proposed Russian Aerospace Forces Su-25SMT aircraft.
« At the plant in Ulan-Ude, there are several previously produced Su-25T airframes. We propose to install on-board equipment similar to the Su-25SM3 on them. The flight range will increase on the new machine, and due to the pressurized cabin, the ceiling will grow to 12,000 meters. We are ready to make other changes that increase the capabilities of the new attack aircraft. If we get good new car we can lift into the air already in next year ”, sums up the chief designer of the Su-25 Vladimir Babak.
Role change
If you look at the modern aviation fleet of the Russian Aerospace Forces, it is striking that it does not include relatively light, cheap, multifunctional fighter-bombers. In the early 90s, Boris Yeltsin, then president of the country, decided that only combat aircraft with two engines. As a result, the Su-17 and MiG-27, which formed the basis of strike aviation, were decommissioned, and their tasks were transferred to highly specialized Su-25s.
As further experience of wars and military conflicts showed, the Russian Air Force was sorely lacking in light, easy to operate and capable of performing a large number of sorties on the day of strike aircraft equipped with modern optoelectronic stations and using both high-precision and unguided aviation facilities defeat. Not only the old Su-24s, but also the newest Su-34s are quite complex and expensive cars requiring lengthy preparation for a sortie. It can be assumed that it was for this reason that unpretentious Su-25s were deployed to Syria, performing the tasks of front-line bombers.
Su-25SM3 is no longer a classic attack aircraft - the heir to the Il-2, as they say. This is a multifunctional vehicle capable of solving a wide range of tasks, from destroying tanks and other armored vehicles to suppressing enemy air defenses. The updated Grach can effectively operate both against a high-tech enemy and against militant units.
In fact, the Su-25 has left the niche of a highly specialized machine for direct support troops on the battlefield and is now gradually taking the place of light multifunctional strike aircraft, solving a wide range of tasks, spending moderate funds on this. Therefore, the appearance of the Su-25SMT becomes quite logical, which will finally secure the status of a multifunctional machine for the Rook family.