Su-25 attack aircraft

Trials of the first two upgraded Sukhoi Su-25SM3 single-seat strike aircraft will start before the end of the year, a Russian defence industry source has told IHS Jane's .

"The first two Su-25SM3 aircraft must be commissioned in December. Both aircraft will be shipped for trials. One of them will be delivered to the combat operation and pilot retraining center in Lipetsk for performance evaluation," the source said.

According to information published on Russia's defence procurement website, the Su-25SM3 and Su-25UBM2 (a two-seat operational trainer version) will essentially differ from their predecessors in their avionics and their suite of airborne weapons.

The upgraded attack aircraft will be fitted with the PrNK-25SM-1 sighting and navigation system comprising the following: a BTsU-25S onboard digital computing system, a MFTsI-0332M multifunctional colour display, and a SOLT-25 optical laser remote thermal imaging system. In addition, the Su-25SM3 and Su-25UBM2 will receive the KSS-25 communication system with Banker-8-TM-1 antenna and the L370K25 Vitebsk-25 electronic countermeasures system, which protects the individual platform any other aircraft it flies with by providing countermeasures against different radars and the homing heads of enemy air-to-air guided missiles.

The upgraded aircraft will also be fitted with the T-SOK-UBD-130-03 onboard TV system for objective monitoring of training and combat actions as well as the SUO-39M armament control system.

Regarding weaponry, the Su-25SM3 and Su-25UBM2 will be able to use Kh-58USh (NATO reporting name AS-11 'Kilter'), Kh-25ML (AS-10 'Karen') and Kh-29L (AS-14 'Kedge') laser-guided missiles, TV-guided missiles like the Kh-29T/TD/TE, as well as the KAB-500S (satellite-aided) and KAB-500Kr (TV-aided) guided aerial bombs. Each aircraft will be able to carry two R-73 short-range air-to-air missiles for self defence.

The aircraft will also be able to carry a wide range of unguided bombs (eg FAB-500, OFAB-500U, OFZAB-500) and rockets (S-13, S-24 and S-25) and will be armed with a 9A623 30 mm cannon incorporating the VPU-17A fixed gun mount, the standard ammunition supply for which is 250 rounds.

Об этом сообщил Интерфаксу-АВН источник в оборонно-промышленном комплексе. «На 121-м авиационно-ремонтном заводе в подмосковной Кубинке модернизирована первая партия штурмовиков Су-25 в «техническом лице» Су-25СМ3», - сказал собеседник агентства.

По его словам, поставка Воздушно-космическим силам (ВКС) России штурмовиков Су-25СМ3 состоится до конца текущего года. Он отметил, что вариант штурмовика Су-25СМ3 существенно отличается не только от строевых Су-25, но и от модернизированных ранее Су-25СМ за счет применения нового радиоэлектронного оборудования и авиационных средств поражения. Модификация Су-25СМ3 является вторым этапом модернизации строевых одноместных штурмовиков Су-25, первая модификация - Су-25СМ, напомнил собеседник агентства.

Cyberspec wrote:

GarryB wrote:So the Su-25s being used by Russia in Syria... are they SM3?

Regular SM by most reports....SM3's aren't ready yet

GarryB wrote:So the Su-25s being used by Russia in Syria... are they SM3?

Are there any plans for operational deployment and testing of SM3s?

Obviously using new models of the Su-25 will be more testing in a real environment as they wont be flying above 6km to avoid MANPADS, but if you want to find out how your aircraft perform you need to test them in a realistic environment and this is as real as it gets without starting WWIII.

franco wrote:

GarryB wrote:So the Su-25s being used by Russia in Syria... are they SM3?

Are there any plans for operational deployment and testing of SM3s?

Obviously using new models of the Su-25 will be more testing in a real environment as they wont be flying above 6km to avoid MANPADS, but if you want to find out how your aircraft perform you need to test them in a realistic environment and this is as real as it gets without starting WWIII.

First 5 Su-25SM3's are going or have gone operational in the South Military District.

franco wrote:Some of the specs for the Su-25SM3 in Russian, cost to be around 70 ml rubles per;

http://twower.livejournal.com/1912037.html

franco wrote:Some of the specs for the Su-25SM3 in Russian, cost to be around 70 ml rubles per;

http://twower.livejournal.com/1912037.html

AlfaT8 wrote:

franco wrote:Some of the specs for the Su-25SM3 in Russian, cost to be around 70 ml rubles per;

http://twower.livejournal.com/1912037.html

So $1ml a pop, that sounds like a steal.

Are these new or upgrades?

AlfaT8 wrote:

franco wrote:Some of the specs for the Su-25SM3 in Russian, cost to be around 70 ml rubles per;

http://twower.livejournal.com/1912037.html

So $1ml a pop, that sounds like a steal.

Are these new or upgrades?

magnumcromagnon wrote:

AlfaT8 wrote:

franco wrote:Some of the specs for the Su-25SM3 in Russian, cost to be around 70 ml rubles per;

http://twower.livejournal.com/1912037.html

So $1ml a pop, that sounds like a steal.

Are these new or upgrades?

I think it may actually be just under $1 million. I haven't checked recently, but last I checked the Ruble was trading at 75-to-1 Dollar. 70 million Rubles equates to $933,333 if my calculations are right...but again I haven't check the current exchange rates.

George1 wrote:Order for nine modernized Su-25SM3

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1919182.html

franco wrote:

George1 wrote:Order for nine modernized Su-25SM3

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1919182.html

A little puzzling in that they are asking for tenders to modernize 9 planes to 25SM3 standard. And then talk about the 121st Aircraft Repair plant (Air Force owned) at Kubinka modernizing 40 Su-25 to SM3 standards by 2020.

Austin wrote:Su-25UBM

http://arsenal-otechestva.ru/article/615-su-25ubm