Su-39 (Su-25TM), P.O.Sukhoj

The latest upgrade of Su-25 attack plane. Evolution included Su-25T (anti-tank), Su-25TK (commercial, export version) and Su-25TM (Modified). Externally it differs by hunch behind the cockpit and TV sight in the nose. Since then, design has moved farther away from the original Su-25. Production started at Ulan-Ude (South Siberia) factory.

The Su-39 is intended for accurate destruction of any targets on ground, sea and in the air located up to 900km from home aerodrome day and night, in VFR and IFR of the weather conditions and enemy air defense counteraction.

The aircraft features the following characteristics ensure its highly effective combat use:

1. Sight/navigation system comprising:

Armament control system that provides for the use of aboard weapons in a horizontal flight, diving, recovery from diving and pitching-up and two different weapon types in one attack:

- Shkval day/night automatic sight system constituting an optical radar with 23 power magnification of a target and terrain, including a system used for the search, identification, tracking and target designation for Vikhr missiles and weapons with laser guidance system, featuring 0.6m guidance precision.

For night missions the Mercury low-level TV system is used. It is installed on under-wing pylon for night sorties.

- Coherent-Pulse RLPK-25 Kopiye radar sight system operating in a 3 cm band of electromagnetic waves intended for detection and target designation in "air-to-surface", "air-to-air", "air-to-sea" modes of operation and in a cartography mode. It is capable to detect a tank column moving along the road in wooded area at distance of 20km.

Navigation aids providing for automatic approach with up to 10-15 meter precision irrespective of a flight range.

2. The electronic countermeasure (ECM) system is intended to carry out electronic reconnaissance and all-directional protection of aircraft in radar and IR band of electromagnetic waves in automatic mode of operation without the pilot's interference.

The system comprises:

SRTR warning electronic reconnaissance set intended to pinpoint all existing ground, airborne and shipborn radars used for detection and fire-control, operating in 1.2-18GHz and determine the most dangerous target, its coordinates and distance to it;

small-size electronic active jammer, generating deflecting, noise, scintillating and re-targeting to underlying surface interferences;

optronic jammer, generating an amplitude-frequency modulating interference to IR missile seekers;

dispenser of IR decoys with 192 decoy projectiles generating passive jamming in conjunction with "cold"

aircraft engines intended to frustrate at a critical moment over a target the AD missile portable systems of enemy attack;

aircraft decoys to detect and deceive AD enemy systems lurking in ambushes, on-board fighter radars and missiles with all types of seekers.

3.The large nomenclature of precession weapons, including "air-to-surface", "air-to-sea", "air-to-air" and "air-to-radar" missiles and all nomenclature of cheap and effective means of destruction: 85-250mm rockets, 30mm guns and air bombs up to 500kg (total up to 6,000kg).

However, the Vikhr antitank missile is the main versatile weapon of the Su-39. The aircraft is armed with 16 such missiles capable of directly hitting a moving tank at a 10km range featuring up to one meter of reduced armoring, rapid boats, rapid maneuvering helicopters and heavy aircraft. Tests performed by Sukhoj Design Bureau allow to estimate that the Su-39 carrying 16 Vikhrs in favorable circumstances can destroy up to 12 tanks and helicopters in one sortie.

4. The unique effectiveness of a combat survival system, providing for a 100 % protection of the pilot and vital parts of an aircraft from 30mm gun rounds and missile splinters and returning the aircraft to its home aerodrome when hit by an AD portable Stinger type missile system. Titanium-welded cockpit provide the pilot with comfort of safety, substantially decreasing combat workload. To shoot down the Sukhoi, it is necessary to score at least 30 hits with 20mm shells of the Vulcan cannon.

The high efficiency of the Vikhr system was revealed during combat employment of the Su-25 in armed conflicts worldwide. The total weight of combat survival equipment of the Su-39 is equal to 1,115 kg.

5. The high aircraft maneuverability enables it at low and average altitudes and speeds to turn "on its tail" and launch a second attack almost without visual loss of contact with an air and ground (surface) target, especially in limited space over the target- in hard accessible forest and mountainous areas, when the use of other strike systems is virtually impossible. In addition, high-lift wing allows it to outmaneuver any existing fighter at low altitude (where Su-39 supposed to operate).

6. The high reliability of the Su-39 and its systems was revealed by extended operation of the Su-25 attack aircraft.

7. The Su-39 capability to perform take-off and landing with a combat payload on poorly prepared unpaved runways, including those located in the mountains up to 3,000m high above sea level thereby making the Su-39 appropriate for combat use in close vicinity to combat actions region ensuring a rapid change of aircraft basing and the rapid delivery surprise blows on the enemy.

8. The technical-economical indices characterize the Su-39 in any kind of operation as the "genuine soldier" weapon.

The Su-39 is:

cheapest and effective attack aircraft of its type;

most undemanding - can use diesel fuel instead of kerosene and does not require high-skilled maintenance. Pilots of any grade can muster the aircraft;

the aircraft boasts a 30 year service life, involving routine repairs of an air frame and engine at home aerodrome.

The various and highly effective armament of the Su-39 used in conjunction with an on-board armament control system, sight/navigation system, ECM devices and combat survivability, constitute a powerful attack system capable of executing a large number of combat missions assigned to effectively and reliably safeguard the ground, sea and air frontiers of the country. The aircraft was put in series production 1995.

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More links...

Sukhoi Su-25TM (Su-39);

Sukhoi Su-39 attack plane ;

MAKS-97 overview

Su-39 in local conflicts, article in the Military Parade magazine;

King of the 21th century;

Su-39;

Modified December 8, 1997

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