Sukhoi SU-25 "FROG FOOT" on SEAD (LOMAC)
The Su-25 Frogfoot, known as the Grach or “Rook” by Russian pilots, is one of those aircraft that may not be at the cutting edge of technology, but still has seen widespread service around the world because it offers an effective and useful solution to the need to blast targets on the ground.
The SU-25 was primarily designed for Close Air Support (CAS) operations same as America’s A-10. Nevertheless, both aircraft have proven their effectiveness in performing the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) operations.
The SU-25 is equipped with dedicated Anti-Radar missiles which can be locked on to enemy radars and blast them off the ground. Kh-25MP (AS-12 Kegler) and Kh-58 (AS-11 Kitler) are medium-range Anti-Radar air to surface missiles with inertial and passive radar homing guidance systems. Kh-25MP can be fired within its effective range within 25km while Kh-58 within 70km. Kh-58 (AS-11 Kitler) is a Mach 4 missile and compared to Kh-25MP, Kh-58 has a larger warhead (TNT equivalent: 150kg).
SU-25 can also be armed with S-25, 340mm unguided rockets for SEAD operations to destroy SAM launching platforms and other heavy amours. S-25 unguided rockets can be fired within 3km from the target and able to destroy thick amour with its firepower, TNT equivalent 190kg.
About this video:
Pair of SU-25s is on a SEAD operation to clear the way for another pair of SU-25 flights to drop their ordnance on enemy ground formations, armour and artillery units. The target area is heavily defended with short to medium range Surface to Air (SAM) missile systems and self-propelled AAA such as ZSU-23-4 “Shilka” and 2C6M “Tunguska” (2x30mm 2A38M canons). 9A331 “Tor” (SA-15) low to medium altitude SAMs and 2C6M “Tunguska” (SA-19) SAM systems are providing 12km SAM umbrella for ground formations.
In this video, you can see SU-25s are engaging these SAM batteries being in a safe distance locking on to radar emitting sources marking them on the HUD (Heads Up Display) and destroy them with Kh-25MP and Kh-58 Anti-Radar missiles.
During the operation, one SU-25 which was carrying bombs was shot down by Tunguska’s 30mm cannon rounds. ZSU-23-4 “Shilkas” open up their 23mm cannon rounds every time they are flown by. These AAA rounds are deadly if you would fly on a predictable path. After destroying all the Air Defenses, remaining tanks and artillery units were engaged with SU-25’s GSH-30-2 canons and S-25 Unguided Rockets.
Air Combat Simulator: Lock On Modern Air Combat by Eagle Dynamics (LOMAC)
