The Sukhoi Su-25T 'Grach' (Rook), NATO codename 'Frogfoot', is a Russian-built, single-seat twin-engined aircraft that excels in the close air support, anti-armor and battlefield interdiction roles. A flying tank, the Su-25T can deliver a fearsome array of air-to-ground weaponry from its ten hardpoints. This includes S-25L 340 mm laser-guided rockets; S-8 KOM and S-13 unguided rockets; Kh-25Ml ‘Karen’ ASMs; guided and unguided bombs and a variety of cluster bomb units. For air-to-air combat, the Su-25T carries the R-60 Molniya (AA-8 Aphid) IR homing missile.
Armed with 250 rounds, the Frogfoot’s internal, twin-barrel GSh-2-30 mm autocannon can deliver devastating bursts of 3,000 HEAP/depleted uranium rounds per minute. Additional GSh-23 23 mm gun pods can be fitted. A nose-mounted Kylon PS laser target designator and rangefinder helps ensure accurate fire. Survivability is enhanced by welded-titanium cockpit armor; a rugged avionics system; and a range of countermeasures.
Powered by 2 × Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets each producing 9,921 lbf of dry thrust, the Frogfoot has a maximum speed of 970 km/h/525 kts at sea level and a combat radius of 1250 km. More than 1,000 Su-25 variants have been built since it entered service in 1978.
The Soviet Air Force flew some 60,000 Su-25 missions during the Soviet-Afghan War for the loss of no more than 24 aircraft. In September 2015, Russia deployed a squadron of Su-25s to Syria to support the offensive against ISIS. The devastation the Frogfoot can wreak on ground targets has to be seen to be believed. Strap in and feel the power.
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