Combat payload of Su-25TM goes up

As Result of Upgrade, Maximum Combat Payload of Su-25TM Attack Aircraft Increased

As a result of upgrade of the Su-25TM attack aircraft performed at the Ulan-Ude Aircraft Plant (UUAZ), the maximum weight of the combat payload has increased to six tonnes. an informed source at the Sukhoy OKB reported on Wednesday to Interfax-AVN.

“The increase in the attack aircraft’s maximum combat payload by almost two tonnes became possible after performing work on strengthening the airplane’s landing gear,” the source explained.

According to him, Russia’s state arms program for the period to 2010 provides for the production of upgraded Su-25TM attack aircraft for the domestic air force.

“However, for the time being the air force in not able fully to finance the performance both of state joint tests of the airplane and the series production of them at the Ulan-Ude aircraft plant,” the source declared.

According to him, the fourth Su-25TM attack aircraft built by UUAZ and an Su-25UB combat training attack aircraft will be demonstrated on the hardstand and in flight at the MAKS-2003 international aerospace salon.

The anti-tank Su-25TM attack airplane is intended for around-the-clock and all-weather combat operations in support of the ground forces. The airplane is equipped with the SUV-25TM “Voskhod” targeting and navigation system with two “Orbita-20” computers. The SUO-39 weapons control system provides targeting accuracy within 60 centimeters at a distance of 10 kilometers. The I-251M “Shkval-M” optoelectronic targeting station is located in the nose part of the fuselage.

For carrying out strikes by night and during poor lighting conditions, the “Merkuriy” podded low-level television targeting system is included in the targeting complex, and for combat operations at night, a pod with the “Khod” infrared equipment can be used beneath the fuselage. An ELINT station, which takes the bearings of all detection and fire control radars in the region of 1.2 – 18 gigahertz and establishes their priority, is the “Irtysh” electronic warfare complex’s main information system.

Two smallish pods can be placed on the external attachment points with the “Gardeniya” station for generation of stand-off ((UVODYASHCHIE)), noise, intermittent and other jamming. A satellite navigation system and a new inertial system also have been installed on the Su-25TM. The “Kop’yo-25” (N027) radar targeting complex has been tests in a podded variant on the attack aircraft.

Source: 06.08.03, Interfax-AVN