Basic Information

Name

Su-39 (Frogfoot) Russian Attack Aircraft

Designation

—

Alternate Designation

—

Equipment Type

—

Manufacturer

Sukhoi

Date of Introduction

1995

Description

The Su-39 Frogfoot is a derivative of the Su-25 Frogfoot . It resulted in part from the lessons learned in combat by the Su-25 in Afghanistan. However, significant changes have been made not only in capabilities but also in performance, making it effectively a different aircraft. The Su-39 (also known as the Su-25T or Su-25TM) is a Frogfoot variant incorporating post-Afghanistan lessons learned. Considering the combat experience of using the attack aircraft, the Su-25 modification conception was designed and implemented, and realized in the Su-39 attack airplane. The conception provided the extension of its combat functions, and a high level of effectiveness in achieving the main purpose destruction of single mobile targets of "tank", "armored troop-carrier" and "ship" types. In 1976 Design Bureau started work to produce a "tank buster" version of the attack aircraft Su-25T (T-8M) designed for antitank warfare. In the course of subsequent work, efforts were focused on making the plane capable of round-the-clock deployment. With this end in view, it was equipped with a highly automated electro-optical aiming system Shkval, and a sophisticated antitank weapons system Vikhr. The first flight on the prototype aeroplane, T8M-1, was performed on 17th August 1984 by the design bureau's test pilot A.N. Isakov. In the period 1984-87, the three prototype planes were used to perform flight development tests, and official testing of the aeroplane took place in 1988-92. In 1989-91, Tbilisi produced a development batch of planes, with the first production Su-25T flight tested at the plant on 26th July 1990 by test pilot V.P. Korostiyev. At the beginning of the '90s, NPK Shturmoviki Sukhogo, or the Sukhoi Attack Aircraft Research-and-Production Facility, attempted to launch a project to develop a Su-25T-based attack aircraft under the name of Su-39. The Ulan-Ude factory put in place production arrangements and made the first two pre-production planes. The Su-39 (also known as the Su-25T or Su-25TM) is a Frogfoot variant incorporating post-Afghanistan lessons learned. It is based on the Su-25UB two-seat trainer, with the rear seat and cockpit replaced with a fuel cell and extra avionics. The Su-39 carries the Kopyo-25 multi-mode radar in a pod under the fuselage. Armament includes ground attack missiles such as the AT-16 Vikhr , anti-ship missiles, and AAMs such as the R-27, R-27ER, R-60, R-73, and R-77. A four-fold reduction in the thermal signature has been achieved through cooling intakes on the upper surface of aircraft, and a new center body that masks hot turbine blades. Only a few dozen of these aircraft have been built.

Air & Air Defense Specifications

Crew 1

Engine Turbojet (9920 hp)

Max Speed 950.0 km/h

Cruise Speed 650.0 km/h

Wingspan 14.52 m

Variants

Su-25 The basic version of the aircraft was produced at Factory 31, at Tbilisi, in the Soviet Republic of Georgia. Between 1978 and 1989, 582 single-seat Su-25s were produced in Georgia, not including aircraft produced under the Su-25K export program. This variant of the aircraft represents the backbone of the Russian Air Force's Su-25 fleet, currently the largest in the world. The aircraft experienced a number of accidents in operational service caused by system failures attributed to salvo firing of weapons. In the wake of these incidents, the use of its main armament, the 240 mm S-24 rocket, was prohibited. In its place, the FAB-500 500 kg (1,100 lb) general-purpose high-explosive bomb became the primary armament.

Su-25K The basic Su-25 model was used as the basis for a commercial export variant, known as the Su-25K (Komercheskiy). This model was also built at Factory 31 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The aircraft differed from the Soviet Air Force version in certain minor details concerning internal equipment. A total of 180 Su-25K aircraft were built between 1984 and 1989.

Su-25UB The Su-25UB trainer (Uchebno-Boyevoy) was drawn up in 1977. The first prototype, called "T-8UB-1", was rolled out in July 1985 and its maiden flight was carried out at the Ulan-Ude factory airfield on 12 August of that year. By the end of 1986, 25 Su-25UBs had been produced at Ulan-Ude before the twin-seater completed its State trials and officially cleared for service with the Soviet Air Force. It was intended for training and evaluation flights of active-duty pilots, and for training pilot cadets at Soviet Air Force flying schools. The performance did not differ substantially from that of the single-seater. The navigation, attack, sighting devices, and weapons-control systems of the two-seater enabled it to be used for both routine training and weapons-training missions.

Su-25UBK From 1986 to 1989, in parallel with the construction of the main Su-25UB combat training variant, the Ulan-Ude plant produced the so-called "commercial" Su-25UBK, intended for export to countries that bought the Su-25K, and with similar modifications to that aircraft.

Su-25UBM The Su-25UBM is a twin-seat variant that can be used as an operational trainer, but also has attack capabilities, and can be used for reconnaissance, target designation, and airborne control. Its first flight was on 6 December 2008 and it was certified in December 2010. It will enter operational use with the Russian Air Force later. The variant has a Phazotron NIIR Kopyo radar and Bars-2 equipment on board. Su-25UBM's range is believed to be 1,300 km (810 mi) and it may have protection against infra-red guided missiles (IRGM), a minimal requirement on today's battlefields where IRGMs proliferate.

Su-25UTG The Su-25UTG (Uchebno-Trenirovochnyy s Gakom) is a variant of the Su-25UB designed to train pilots in takeoff and landing on a land-based simulated carrier deck, with a sloping ski-jump section and arrester wires. The first one flew in September 1988, and approximately 10 were produced. About half remained in Russian service after 1991; they were used on Russia's sole aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov. This small number of aircraft was insufficient to meet the training needs of Russia's carrier air group, so a number of Su-25UBs were converted into Su-25UTGs. These aircraft being distinguished by the alternative designation Su-25UBP (Uchebno-Boyevoy Palubny)—the adjective palubnyy meaning "deck", indicating that these aircraft have a naval function. Approximately 10 of these aircraft are currently operational in the Russian Navy as part of the 279th Naval Aviation Regiment.

Su-25BM The Su-25BM (Buksirovshchik Misheney) is a target-towing variant of the Su-25 whose development began in 1986. The prototype, designated T-8BM1, successfully flew for the first time on 22 March 1990, at Tbilisi. After completion of the test phase, the aircraft was put into production. The Su-25BM target-tower was designed to provide towed target facilities for training ground forces and naval personnel in ground-to-air or naval surface-to-air missile systems. It is powered by an R-195 engine and equipped with an RSDN-10 long-range navigation system, an analog of the Western LORAN system.

Su-25T The Su-25T (Tankovy) is a dedicated antitank version, which has been combat-tested with notable success in Chechnya. The design of the aircraft is similar to the Su-25UB. The variant was converted to a one-seater, with the rear seat replaced by additional avionics. It has all-weather and night attack capability. In addition to the full arsenal of weapons of the standard Su-25, the Su-25T can employ the KAB-500Kr TV-guided bomb and the semi-active laser-guided Kh-25ML. Its enlarged nosecone houses the Shkval optical TV and aiming system with the Prichal laser rangefinder and target designator. It can also carry Vikhr laser-guided, tube-launched missiles, which is its main antitank armament. For night operations, the low-light TV Merkuriy pod system can be carried under the fuselage. Three Su-25Ts prototypes were built in 1983–86 and 8 production aircraft were built in 1990. With the introduction of a definitive Russian Air Force Su-25 upgrade program, in the form of Stroyevoy Modernizirovannyi, the Su-25T program was officially canceled in 2000.

Su-25TM (Su-39) A second-generation Su-25T, the Su-25TM (also designated Su-39), has been developed with improved navigation and attack systems, and better survivability. While retaining the built-in Shkval of Su-25T, it may carry Kopyo (rus. "Spear") radar in the container under the fuselage, which is used for engaging air targets (with RVV-AE/R-77 missiles) as well as ships (with Kh-31 and Kh-35 anti-ship missiles). The Russian Air Force has received 8 aircraft as of 2008. Some of the improved avionics systems designed for T and TM variants have been included in the Su-25SM, an interim upgrade of the operational Russian Air Force Su-25, for improved survivability and combat capability. The Su-25TM, as an all-inclusive upgrade program has been replaced with the "affordable" Su-25SM program.

Su-25SM The Su-25SM (Stroyevoy Modernizirovannyi) is an "affordable" upgrade program for the Su-25, conceived by the Russian Air Force in 2000. The program stems from the attempted Su-25T and Su-25TM upgrades, which were evaluated and labeled as over-sophisticated and expensive. The SM upgrade incorporates avionics enhancements and airframe refurbishment to extend the Frogfoot's service life by up to 500 flight hours or 5 years. The Su-25SM's all-new PRnK-25SM "Bars" navigation/attack suite is built around the BTsVM-90 digital computer system, originally planned for the Su-25TM upgrade program. Navigation and attack precision provided by the new suite is three times better than the baseline Su-25 and is reported to be within 15 m (49 ft) using satellite correction and 200 m (660 ft) without it.

Su-25KM The Su-25KM (Kommercheskiy Modernizirovannyy), nicknamed "Scorpion", is a Su-25 upgrade program announced in early 2001 by the original manufacturer, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing in Georgia, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft uses a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements include a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the-art safety, and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. It has the ability to use Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73.

Su-28 The Sukhoi Su-28 (also designated Su-25UT – Uchebno-Trenirovochnyy) is an advanced basic jet trainer, built on the basis of the Su-25UB as a private initiative by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. The Su-28 is a light aircraft designed to replace the Czechoslovak Aero L-39 Albatros. Unlike the basic Su-25UB, it lacks a weapons-control system, built-in cannon, weapons hardpoints, and engine armor.

Su-25R (Razvedchik) A tactical reconnaissance variant designed in 1978, but never built.

Su-25U3 Also known as the "Russian Troika", was a three-seat basic trainer aircraft. The project was suspended in 1991 due to a lack of funding.

Su-25U (Uchebnyy) A trainer variant of Su-25s produced in Georgia between 1996 and 1998. Three aircraft were built in total, all for the Georgian Air Force.

Su-25M1/Su-25UBM1 Su-25 and Su-25UB exemplars slightly modernized by Ukrainian Air Force, at least nine modernized (eight single-seat and one two-seat). Upgrades include a new navigation system, enhanced survivability, more accurate weapon delivery, and other minor changes.

Ge-31 An ongoing Georgian program of Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing aiming at producing a renewed version of Su-25 without Russian components and parts.

System

Alternate Designation(s) Su-39; NATO: Frogfoot; (also known as the Su-25T or Su-25TM)

Primary Function / Type Attack Aircraft

Manufacturer Sukhoi

Crew 1

Number of Engines 2

Number of Hard Points 11 hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) of stores

Dimensions

Length 15.33 m

Height 5.20 m

Wingspan 14.52 m

Wing Area 30.10 m sq

Wing Load 716.7 kg/m sq

Weight, Empty 10,600 kg

Weight, Maximum Takeoff 21,500 kg

Automotive

Engine Name 2 x R-195

Number of Engines 2

Engine Type Turbojet

Engine Power 9,920 lb (4,500 kg) each

Thrust-to-Weight Ratio 1.38

Internal Fuel 1,292 U.S. gal (4,890 liters)

Maximum SPeed 950 km/h

Cruise Speed 650 km/h

Ceiling 18,000 m

Radius 900 km

Ferry Distance 2,500 km

Takeoff Roll, Concrete Runway 600 m

Takeoff Roll, Unpaved Runway 650 m

Landing Roll, Concrete Runway 600 m

Landing Roll, Unpaved Runway 750 m

Maximum G-Load 6.5 g

Main Gun System

System

Name Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2

Type Autocannon

Caliber 30 mm

Quantity 1 ea

Length 2,044 mm

Weight 105 kg

Barrels 2

Action Recoil operated

Rate of Fire 1,000-3,000 rpm

Muzzle Velocity 870 m/s

Maximum Firing Range 1,800m

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 30 mm

Shell 30×165mm

Basic Load 200 rounds

Missile Weapon Systems

Armament Load 6,000 kg

Missile Options R-27T, R-27ER, AAM-M, R-73E, S-25L, X-31(A), X-25(ML), X-29, Vikhr (up to 16 max), ASM-M, ASM-M2, S-8, S-13, S-25, X-31P, X-58UE

Missile #1

Name R-27T/Alamo B; AA-10b

Type Air-to-Air Missile

Manufacturer Spetzetekhnika Vympel NPO, Moscow, Russia, in cooperation with Artem, Ukraine

Length 3.70 m

DIameter 230 mm

Wingspan 0.77 m

Weight 245 kg

Warhead Conventional high-explosive wrapped by rods

Control Plane Span 0.97 m

Propulsion single-stage boost motor

Guidance System IR-cooled seeker, all-aspect capability, flare countermeasure filters; semi-active radar J band, CW monopulse seeker; ARM J band, passive IR homing, passive radar seeker

Maximum Speed supersonic

Maximum Range 65 km

Missile #2

Name R-27ER/Alamo C; AA-10c

Type Air-to-Air Missile

Manufacturer Spetzetekhnika Vympel NPO, Moscow, Russia, in cooperation with Artem, Ukraine

Length 4.78 m

DIameter 260 mm

Wingspan 0.80 m

Weight 350 kg

Warhead 39 kg

Control Plane Span 0.97 m

Propulsion single-stage boost motor and sustainer engine

Guidance System IR-cooled seeker, all-aspect capability, flare countermeasure filters; semi-active radar J band, CW monopulse seeker; ARM J band, passive IR homing, passive radar seeker

Maximum Speed supersonic

Maximum Range 60-63 km

Missile #3

Name R-73E

Type Air-to-Air Missile

Length 2.90 m

Diameter 170 mm

Wingspan 0.51 m

Warhead conventional high-explosive expanding rod

Maximum Launch Distance, Front Hemisphere 30 km

Maximum Range 30 km

Maximum Launch Distance, Rear Hemisphere 300 m

Minimum Range 200 m

Guidance System cooled IR seeker, probably with all-aspect capability, flare countermeasure filters

Maximum Target Speed 2,500 km/h, Mach 2.35

Maximum Target Load 12 g

Bomb Weapon Systems

Bomb Options AB-100, AB-250, AB-500, FB-500, RBK-250, RBK-500,KGM-U munitions pods, KAB-500R, BETAB-500.

Bomb #1

Name BETAB-500

Type Concrete-Piercing Bomb

Length 2,200 mm

Diameter 350 mm

Weight 477 kg

Explosive Weight 98 kg

Release Altitude 30–5,000 m

Release Speed 600–1,200 km/h

Bomb #2

Name RBK-250

Type Cluster Bomb

Manufacturer VO GED (General Export for Defense), Moscow, Russia Bazalt State Research and Production Enterprise, Moscow, Russia

Length 2.12 m

Diameter 325 mm

Lug Spacing 250 mm

Weight 275 kg

Warhead HE Bomblets

Fuzes INA

Fire Control / Avionics

Fire Control System Type INA

Fire Control Radar 1 x coherent-pulse RLPK Kopyu-25 radar

Fire Control Radar Band 3-cm band, including cartographic mapping mode

Laser Desingator INA

IFF Yes

Protection

Stealth Properties No

Heat Signature Reduction INA

Add on Armor INA

NBC Protection INA

Electronic Recon 1 x SRTR, 1.2-18 GHz range

Chaffs/Flares INA

Active Jammer Deflecting, noise, scintillating and re-targeting countermeasures, automatic

Optronic Jammer Amplitude-frequency modulation interference against infrared (IR) seekers

IR Decoys 192 projectiles

Aircraft Decoys Used to detect and deceive enemy air defense systems

Image Sources

Notes https://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia-Air-Force/Sukhoi-Su-39/459039; https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/556118;