This volume details the technical features and operational performance of the Soviet Su-25 'Frogfoot', which proved itself as a durable and versatile attack aircraft in a variety of theatres such as Afghanistan, Georgia and Ossetia. Today it is widely accepted as the true successor to the types of specialised ground--attack aircraft that emerged during World War II. This book illuminates the service history of the 'Frogfoot' in over 30 years of combat using first-hand accounts and revealing archive photographs. The awkward-looking Su-25 has often been underrated, but the faithful 'Frogfoot' is now slated to remain in service with most of its current operators across the globe until at least 2020. This study explores the successes of the 'Frogfoot' in full, demonstrating its strengths as a formidably armed, armoured and very agile attack aircraft.

A fully illustrated technical guide to the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot. The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot was the Soviet Air Force's first mass-produced jet purposely designed for the close air support (CAS) role and was a simple, effective and durable attack aircraft that, by 2012, had seen combat in no fewer than 40 conflicts. Some 630 Su-25s were built between 1979 and 1991, as well as 185 export Su-25Ks, 70 Su-25UB/UBK Frogfoot-B two-seaters that rolled off the production line at the aviation plant in Ulan Ude (UUAP), Russia. The Frogfoot is known as the most cost-effective ground attack aircraft available to the Russian Air Force (RuAF) and, between the RuAF and the Russian Navy's aviation assets, there are some 200–220 Su-25s still in operation. Illustrated throughout with photographs and colour artwork, this title examines the development history, evolution and combat performance of the Su-25 Frogfoot, and details its effectiveness and reliability. Such is the reputation the Su-25 has earned, 19 of the 25 nations to have deployed a Frogfoot variant continue to operate them today.

The Su-25 ground attack aircraft made its first flight on February 22, 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. Gradually the Su-25 became the progenitor of a family. The Su-25UB combat trainer came first; the single-seater and two-seater were also built for export as the Su-25K/Su-25UBK. A new line of development began in 1979 with a series of single-seat 'tank buster' variants based on the Su-25UB's airframe but featuring more advanced sighting systems and weapons. The first of these was the Su-25T of 1984, followed by Su-25TM (Su-39) of 1993 making the Su-25 in the end the sole Russian light attack aircraft. The Su-25 has been widely exported, serving with air forces in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America. Apart from the Afghan War, it has seen action in Iraq, Angola, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Macedonia, Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan and in conflicts between the former Soviet republics. More recently the Frogfoot has been used in the Russian participation in the civil war in Syria War. The book describes the full development and service history of the Su-25, featuring fleet lists and a design descriptions. It is illustrated throughout with numerous photos and color profiles.

The Tactical Aviation branch (FA-Frontovaya aviatsiya) has always occupied an important place in the structure of the Soviet, and subsequently Russian, Air Force. In the 20-odd post-Soviet years the Russian Air Force has been repeatedly reformed and in the course of the reforms the importance of Tactical Aviation has risen. The brief military conflict with Georgia in August 2008 highlighted poor organization of operations and in 2009 the customary air armies, air divisions and air regiments were replaced by aviation bases. Much importance has attached to fleet renewal and upgrading of the Russian Tactical Aviation capability. The Su-35S 'Generation 4++' single-seat fighter is entering full-scale production and service. Deliveries of single-seat Su-27SM3 (a mid-life update) and two-seat Su-30SM and Su-30M2 multi-role fighters are also underway. The Beriyev A-50 AWACS aircraft, which supports the Tactical Aviation's air defense role, are also being updated. Production and deliveries of the Su-34 tactical bomber are continuing and for want of a next-generation attack aircraft, the Russian Air Force is continuing to upgrade its Su-25 fleet--the latest Su-25SM3 is now in service. Much attention has been paid to combat training. Exercises are being held more frequently than in the 1990s and in-flight refuelling of various aircraft, including tactical bombers, is practiced on a much wider scale than before, as are long-range flights by groups of fighters. The book, companion to the highly successful Soviet Tactical Aviation, illustrates the current state of the Russian Air Force's tactical aviation as well as its recent history in various overseas conflicts. Details are given of the aviation bases (units), their locations and the principal types currently in service. Russian Tactical Aviationis illustrated throughout with many previously unpublished photos, including air-to-air shots during recent Russian Force exercises, as well as color profiles of Russian tactical aircraft and helicopters operated by various aviation bases.

- Covers the development and service of the Sukhoi Su-25, detailing the various versions and operator nations. - The Sukhoi Su-25 quickly earned a reputation as a mean fighting machine after entering service. - Contains approximately 200 black & white and color photos.

Detailed coverage of the Sukhoi Su-25, one of the most well-known and popular Russian combat aircraft types.

The Sukhoi Design Bureau was tasked in 1969 with developing a fourth-generation heavy fighter and thus began the story of the Su-27, known to the western world as the Flanker--an aircraft which turned out to be one of the most successful Soviet fighter designs. This book tells the story of how the original project developed, how the final configuration of what was known as the T-10 was selected and why the brave decision to scrap the original project and rework it as the T-10S was taken, a decision that proved to be justified. The book covers the design and testing of the prototypes in both configurations, the production entry of the basic Su-27 single-seat fighter and the Su-27UB two-seat combat trainer together with the efforts of Sukhoi to keep them up to date with mid-life upgrades to Generation 4++' (Su-35S) level. The operational histories of Su-27 versions including the Su-30/Su-34/Su-35 are also described. When the Soviet Navy decided to bolster its fleet with carriers optimized for conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft, Sukhoi responded by developing the Su-27K, which later entered service as the Su-33, Russia's first operational CTOL shipboard fighter. These naval variants are included in the book as is a chapter describing the story of how China purchased license manufacturing rights for the Su-27 and went on to develop its own versions with indigenous avionics and weapons, including the basic J-11 fighter and the J-15 Flying Shark--a clone of the Su-33. The post-Soviet republics included, the Su-27/Su-30/Su-34/Su-35 family has seen service with nearly 20 nations, including places as far apart as Vietnam, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Angola, India and Venezuela. The book describes in depth the development and operational career of the Su-27 family, including mid-life upgrades and the latest variants, and features detailed fleet lists. Richly illustrated with color photographs, line drawings and color profiles of the various color schemes carried by the type, this is the definitive work on a truly outstanding aircraft.

This book consists of an A-Z of modern fighters, from 1945 to the present day. From the propeller-driven Hawker SEa Fury to the jet-powered Eurofighter Typhoon, all the principal post-war fighters are described, illustrated and analyzed.

This manual is primarily a ready reference to assist the ground observer in aircraft recognition and identification. It provides information on current operational aircraft of the United States and foreign countries, which may be observed worldwide in the combat area. It can be used as source material for personnel conducting unit training in visual aircraft recognition. The procedures in this publication apply throughout the US Army. The data is based on the best information available at the time of publication; however, it is not all-inclusive because of some classification guidelines. This publication, by nature, has a built-in time lag, and some aircraft may still be under development or classified at the time of writing, but may be fielded or unclassified at, or after, publication.

The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot is one of the world's most effective close air support aircraft and is the only true armored attack aircraft still in production. The State trials of the aircraft were completed in December 1980 and it became operational in the following year. During the production run a number of improvements were incorporated, derived from experience gained during operations in the Russian campaign against Afghanistan. Throughout the entire Afghan campaign, Su-25s launched a total of 139 guided missiles of all types against Mujahideen positions. On average each aircraft performed 360 sorties per year, which was considerably higher than any other combat type in Afghanistan. By the end of the war, the number of Su-25s deployed to Afghanistan had reached around 50 and they had carried out a total of 60,000 sorties.