Su-25 attack aircraft

What are the differences between Su-25SM, Su-25SM3 and Su-25BM mentioned in article?

The Su-25BM is a target towing version. The Su-25SM3 is the latest version of the SM variant

http://russianplanes.net/id126931

The Su-25 with Omul is active it seems.

TR1 wrote:The Su-25 with Omul is active it seems.

Nice find...

Nice.

Pilots JUVO made its first flight on upgraded Su-25SM3

Newest Su-25SM3 production company "Sukhoi" capable of hitting small-sized mobile and stationary ground targets "without visual visibility day and night."

Curious how they do that. So far Su-25SMs have not been seen with any new thermal sighting systems, or radar pods.


Really hoping Su-25SM3 actually materialized with new targeting systems and active defense features. Otherwise it is just too vulnerable, even with its sturdy build.

I heared the Shkval-V LLLTV sight system that are installed on Su-25's and Ka-50's were upgraded to have a IR channel but get little bit bigger than the housing for the standard Shkval-V would fit in Ka-50's thats why they first run it on FLIR pod and than upgraded it to EO ball FLIR sight.

Does the Su-25SM still uses a shkval-V or VM/VN sight or a different one?

Nothing as fancy as Shkval- so far good old Klen has been kept.

TR1 wrote:Nothing as fancy as Shkval- so far good old Klen has been kept.

But shkval-V was the standard EO sight for Su-25/Ka-50, never heared of KLEN...tbh.

You are thinking of Su-25T and TM...they are the only ones with Shkval, and were never serially produced anyways.

All other Su-25s have the simple Klen-PS laser rangefinder/designator.

Ka-50 indeed has Shkval, though the system is dead for all purposes.



Klen



Shkval.

For stationary targets I would say Su-25SM3 could use satellite guiding bombs, but for moving targets it need to see them. Maybe a new targeting pod is integrated in its complex.

Any informations, if RuAF plan to equip Su-25 with MAWS and laser warning sensors?

There was mention of the SM3 being equipped with the Vitebsk-25 EW + DIRCM suit...but no sight of it yet.
I think modernizing the birds without this suit is pointless.

TR1 wrote:There was mention of the SM3 being equipped with the Vitebsk-25 EW + DIRCM suit...but no sight of it yet.
I think modernizing the birds without this suit is pointless.

Vitebsk-25?

What is the difference between Vitebsk (L-370) to that? Or just designation for fixed wing aircrafts?

No clue about details but this is what we have so far:

"During the tests also confirmed the high efficiency of the new means of communication and a set of electronic warfare (EW) "Vitebsk-25." The complex, in particular, is equipped with a modern digital Jammer (TSSAP) A-370-3C, and can not only assess the radiation enemy radar, but also "inhibit" signals in a wide frequency range. In addition, the complex includes protection against missiles targeting the thermal head, which blinds the enemy ammunition with a laser beam."

Though posters here think it is domestic version of President-S.

Hmm, could that also be the same jamming device on Ka-52 wingtip pods they were also designed for a brider spectrum to jam against radars.


Edit: A very quick search, indicates that Ka-52 and Su-25SM will have the same jamming pods.

http://survincity.com/2010/04/russian-air-force-will-protect-the-planes-and/


Quote:
""The source said the newspaper, some elements "Vitebsk"Is already over 2-years installed on helicopters. Namely, the system L-370P-2 installed on the Ka-52 and A-370E-8 — Mi-8MTs. At the same time, the complex digital jammer is not adapted for helicopters and aircraft are only protected from thermal homing missiles. Besides, instead of laser projectors system Self-defense is using ordinary light.

Fitted TSSAP planned to put on the Ka-52 in 2013. Then will begin the installation "Vitebsk" for transport helicopters Mi-26 and E-26T2. It is planned to make a version of "Vitebsk"For transport aircraft IL-476 (Il-76MD-90A).""


So it said that Ka-52s are fitted with jammers only since 2013 of the TSSAP system which are also intented for Su-25SM's.

http://alexeyvvo.livejournal.com/55603.html

Tender for 5 Su-25s to be modernized to SM level.

Great   

Russian Air Force will continue the modernization of the newest Su-25SM3

They desperately need a new stealthy replacement for the SU25 and then they will be unbeatable.

sepheronx wrote:

Hannibal Barca wrote:They desperately need a new stealthy replacement for the SU25 and then they will be unbeatable.

aa, stealthis no good for this type of aircraft. I would say heavy EW/ECM/ECCM variant with more efficiency. A stealth strike aircraft like Su-34 would be important though.

Like USAF F-117?

Actually stealth would make little difference...aimed small arms fire will still hit it so armour is needed, and optically guided SAMs are defeated by DIRCMs.

The low flying Su-25 is only in danger from radar guided threats in WWIII with enemy fighters packing AMRAAM.

Any stealth it might have would be ruined by combat damage from small arms fire anyway...

sepheronx wrote:

Hannibal Barca wrote:They desperately need a new stealthy replacement for the SU25 and then they will be unbeatable.

aa, stealthis no good for this type of aircraft. I would say heavy EW/ECM/ECCM variant with more efficiency. A stealth strike aircraft like Su-34 would be important though.

Who said this? Stealth characteristics are very important to an attacking plane that need to penetrate repeatedly enemy defenses and is designed to be more or less constantly under enemy fire.

Whatever happened to the talk of new production Su-25UBMs?

http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsrussian-su-25ubm-aircraft-completes-flight-tests

Su-25s were mostly hit by MANPADS in Georgia. Modernizing the bird without the full DIRCM suit like on the Ka-52 is pointless IMO. At low alt MANPADs are still the most common threat.