[FAMOUS RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT] — SUKHOI Su-25 — ** LIKE NEW **

Characteristics

Description

In early 1969, the question of close air support for the Soviet ground forces began to circulate within the Soviet Ministry of Defence. Over the next few years, Soviet military analysts assessed the capabilities of Soviet and foreign attack aircraft, the performance of tanks and other armour used by the ground forces of the 'potential adversary' and the organisation of the latter's tactical air defences.

Two Soviet aircraft design bureaux took on the challenge. The Il'yushin OKB responsible for the Il-2 attack aircraft of World War II fame had designed a jet-powered successor - the Il-40 - in 1953, but the aircraft did not achieve production due to changing operational requirements. The competitor was the Sukhoi OKB which offered the T-8 - eventually designated Su-25. The T-8 had straight wings for good low-speed handling, two turbojets and a welded armour cockpit 'bathtub'; however, it had a more modern airframe design, emerging as the winner of the fly-off.

The Su-25 made its first flight in 1972. After five years of tests the aircraft reached its definitive configuration with new engines, a revised airframe and new armament, entering certification trials which were completed in 1981. A year earlier, however, the initial production Su-25 had received its baptism of fire in the Afghan War. The aircraft was first identified in the West as early as 1977, receiving the reporting name Frogfoot.

Illustrated throughout with over 600 photos and artworks, Sukhoi Su-25 describes the full development and service history of the Su-25, featuring fleet lists and a design descriptions. This welcome new addition to the hugely successful Famous Russian Aircraft series provides both a design and operation history of the Su-25 and its many variants.