Royal Defense Industries Su-25RM

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Su-25RM
Su-25TM.jpg
The Su-25TM, on which the Su-25RM is based.
Role Close air support aircraft
National origin  Radictistan
Manufacturer Royal Defense Industries
First flight 8 November 2009
Status Production ended; in service.
Primary users Royal Radictistan Air Force
Royal Radictistan Navy
Number built 105
Developed from Su-25

The Royal Defense Industries Su-25RM is a Radictistani single-seat, twin-engine jet ground attack aircraft. The type is a heavily modified variant of the Sukhoi Su-25. Changes from the original design include new Radictistani engines and avionics as well as the replacement of many metallic structural components with ones made of lighter composite material. Over a hundred were produced for the Radictistani military with some newly-built examples in addition to those converted from imported Su-25UB trainers. The type remains in service.

Development

While the Aero L-159 light attack aircraft was sufficient for the needs of the fledgling Royal Radictistan Air Force, there was a stated requirement for a close air support aircraft with greater ordinance capability and a higher level of onboard target acquisition capability. To avoid the costs associated with developing an entirely new aircraft, it was decided to undertake an extensive modernization of the proven Su-25 platform with modern avionics and sensors. The Su-25TM variant was chosen as a baseline to which additional improvements would be made. The new aircraft was to be called the Su-25 RM (Radictistan Moderniziert).

Design

The airframe of the Su-25RM is based off the Su-25UB combat-capable trainer. The rear seat has been replaced by the additional avionics equipment. The replacement of certain metallic components with ones made of composite materials was undertaken to compensate for the weight of new equipment. Aircraft produced for the RRAF and RRN are identical except for slight differences in electronic landing aids.

Cockpit

One of the most significant improvement of the Su-25RM over previous models is the installation of a glass cockpit. Two liquid crystal displays are provided for the pilot. The primary flight display is located on the left side of the pilot. On his right side is a multi-function display of equal size. There is also a head-up display providing flight, navigation, and targeting information. As with other Su-25 variants, the pilot controls the aircraft using a center stick and left hand throttle controls. The pilot is provided with a zero-zero ejection seat. The Su-25RM retains the titanium "bathtub" armor protection of previous Su-25 variants.

Powerplant

The Su-25RM is powered by two RDI63 low-bypass turbofan engines each providing 46.5 kN of thrust. The new engines alleviate some of the poor handling characteristics of the Su-25TM aircraft by which the RM program was inspired. The new engine type also improves the specific fuel consumption of the type.

Avionics

The avionics suite of the Su-25RM is extensively upgraded compared to the stock Su-25. The most significant change is the replacement of the Su-25TM's Shkval-M daytime optronics system with the GOES-611 Doppelzungig Uhu complex. This system consists of a common signal processing unit to which one of two imaging units can be attached. The first of these units is the Shkval-M2 daytime camera. This device displays to the pilot a 1080x1440 gyrostabilized, full color image for use in target acquisition and fire control. The second unit is the Vampir forward looking infrared system. With this unit the pilot is provided with the capability of long-distance observation and identification of targets under any visibility conditions. Both head units feature automatic target tracking and are boresighted with the onboard Prichal laser rangefinder and target designator. The two units can be swapped in under an hour by a trained ground crew. The aircraft's radar homing and warning system has also been upgraded to improve its survivability in combat. The aircraft can use a variety of external targeting pods such as the Thales Damocles FLIR system or the Kopyo-M radar pod.

The Su-25RM has a comprehensive electronic self-protection suite which includes a SPO-32/L150 Pastel radar warning receiver, L166S1 Sukhogruz IR jammer, L136 Mak-UFM missile approach warning system, and L140 Otklik laser warning receiver. The Pastel is not only capable of detecting and locating radar emissions but can also cue anti-radiation missiles for attack.

The Su-25RM is compatible with all navigational systems presently in use by the Radictistani military including TACAN, RSDN-10, and the GLONASS-R satellite navigation system. With these aids, the Su-25RM pilot can navigate in both IMC and VMC conditions. A full inertial navigation system supplements the DISS-7 doppler navigation radar first used on the original Su-25 and the pilot has the assistance of a fully digital automatic flight control system. The pilot is provided with two VHF/UHF radios. The aircraft can receive both targeting and navigational information from all standard RRAF datalinks.

Armament

Internal armament consists of a single GSh-30-2 automatic cannon which carries 250 rounds of 30mm armor-piercing or high explosive incendiary ammunition. The aircraft has ten under-wing hardpoints and one center hardpoint under the fuselage. Maximum external payload is 4600 kilograms. The Su-25RM carries a wide range of ordinance including both free-fall and guided bombs, air-to-surface missiles, and free-flight rockets.

Modernization

A Mid-Life Update (MLU) of the Su-25RM was unveiled in 2017 with the first upgraded aircraft delivered to the RRAF in September 2019. The MLU focused on improving the electronic warfare capabilities of the aircraft. The existing self-defense systems are replaced by the Vitebsk-25BR suite comprising two L-370-3S radar jamming pods, the Zakhvat ultraviolet missile approach warning system (MAWS), and a new DIRCM The aircraft also received a new wide-angle heads-up display. The navigation/attack system received improvements in the level of precision and reliability. Deliveries of updated aircraft are expected to continue through the end of 2022.

Operational history

The Su-25RM serves both from land with the Royal Radictistan Air Force and on aircraft carriers with the Royal Radictistan Navy. One hundred and five examples have been produced, with the first forty converted from Su-25UB trainers and the remainder new productions. Fifty-one were allocated to the Air Force where they serve with 58, 59, and 144 Squadrons. Fifty-four went to the Navy for use on the aircraft carriers Count of Nuxenstat, Count of Merylbrook, and Count of Spauling. These aircraft are flown by the AS 1, AS 2, and AS 3 squadrons. The naval Su-25RM force has suffered two hull losses in service.

Attack Squadron 2 (Radictistani: Angriffstaffel 2) deployed to Greater Dienstad with sixteen Su-25RMs onboard Count of Nuxenstat to support Royal Radictistan Army troops engaged in counterinsurgency operations on the island of Indras. The aircraft saw extensive use in the close air support role. AG 2 and Count of Nuxenstat were later relieved by AS 3 onboard Count of Spauling.

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Wingspan: 14.52 m
  • Height: 5.20 m
  • Max. takeoff weight: 21,500 kg
  • Powerplant: 2 x Royal Defense Industries RDI63 turbofans, 46.5 kN each

Armament

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