SU-25SM3 Frogfoot A - loadout overhaul (WIP)

[nuk92]

DB Selector

DB3K

User(s)

4231 - SU-25SM3 Frogfoot A, Russia

Weapons Carried

4x 1150 liter Drop Tank (Ferry Loadout)

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x AS-10 Karen [Kh-25ML] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 2x AS-11 Kilter [Kh-58U, ARM, Semi-Ballistic] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 2x AS-14 Kedge [Kh-29L] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 2x AS-14 Kedge [Kh-29T] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 2x AS-14 Kedge [Kh-29TE] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x S-25L Laser-Guided 266mm Rocket [HEAT/Penetrator] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x S-25L Laser-Guided 266mm Rocket [HEAT/Penetrator]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x S-25LD Laser-Guided 266mm Rocket [HEAT/Penetrator] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x S-25LD Laser-Guided 266mm Rocket [HEAT/Penetrator]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x BetAB-500 [Penetrator] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x BetAB-500 [Penetrator]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x BetAB-500ShP [Penetrator], Retarded 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x BetAB-500ShP [Penetrator], Retarded

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 16x FAB-100M-62 GPB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 32x FAB-100M-62 GPB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x FAB-250M-54 GPB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 16x FAB-250M-54 GPB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x FAB-250M-62 GPB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 16x FAB-250M-62 GPB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x FAB-500M-54 GPB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x FAB-500M-54 GPB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x FAB-500M-62 GPB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x FAB-500M-62 GPB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x FAB-500ShL GPB -- Parabrake, 1986 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x FAB-500ShL GPB -- Parabrake, 1986

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x KAB-250LG-E 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x KAB-250S-E GLONASS 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x KAB-500Kr TV/EO 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x KAB-500Kr-OD TV/EO [FAE] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x KAB-500L LGB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x KAB-500L-OD LGB [FAE] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 16x OFAB-100-120 Frag 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 32x OFAB-100-120 Frag

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x OFAB-250-275 Frag 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 16x OFAB-250-275 Frag

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x OFAB-500U HE/Frag 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x OFAB-500U HE/Frag

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x OFAB-500U HE/Frag, Airburst Mode 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x OFAB-500U HE/Frag, Airburst Mode

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x OFAB-500U HE/Frag, Penetrator Mode 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x OFAB-500U HE/Frag, Penetrator Mode

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-250-275 CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-250-275 CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-250-AO CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-250-AO CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-250-PTAB CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-250-PTAB CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-250-ZAB CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-250-ZAB CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-500-AO CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-500-AO CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-500-PTAB CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-500-PTAB CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-500 SPBE-D 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-500 SPBE-D

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-500-Sh CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-500-Sh CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-500-BetAB CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-500-BetAB CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x RBK-500-ZAB CB 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x RBK-500-ZAB CB

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 128x S-5K 57mm Rocket 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 256x S-5K 57mm Rocket

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 80x S-8B 80mm Rocket [Penetrator] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 160x S-8B 80mm Rocket [Penetrator]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 80x S-8D 80mm Rocket [FAE] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 160x S-8D 80mm Rocket [FAE]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 80x S-8KO 80mm Rocket [HEAT/FRAG] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 160x S-8KO 80mm Rocket [HEAT/FRAG]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 80x S-8T 80mm Rocket [Tandem HEAT] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 160x S-8T 80mm Rocket [Tandem HEAT]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 20x S-13B 122mm Rocket [Penetrator] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 40x S-13B 122mm Rocket [Penetrator]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 20x S-13D 122mm Rocket [FAE] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 40x S-13D 122mm Rocket [FAE]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 20x S-13OF 122mm Rocket [HE/FRAG] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 40x S-13OF 122mm Rocket [HE/FRAG]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 20x S-13T 122mm Rocket [Tandem HE Penetrator] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 40x S-13T 122mm Rocket [Tandem HE Penetrator]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x S-24B 240mm Rocket, V-24A Fuze 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x S-24B 240mm Rocket, V-24A Fuze

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x S-24B 240mm Rocket, V-24A Fuze [Penetrator] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x S-24B 240mm Rocket, V-24A Fuze [Penetrator]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x S-24B 240mm Rocket, RV-24 Proximity Fuze [Airburst] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x S-24B 240mm Rocket, RV-24 Proximity Fuze [Airburst]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x S-25O 266mm Rocket [HE/FRAG Airburst] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x S-25O 266mm Rocket [HE/FRAG Airburst]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x S-25OFM 266mm Rocket [Penetrator] 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x S-25OFM 266mm Rocket [Penetrator]

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x ZAB-500Sh Incendiary Bomb 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x ZAB-500Sh Incendiary Bomb

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x FZAB-500 HE/Incendiary 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x FZAB-500 HE/Incendiary

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x FZAB-500M HE/Incendiary 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x FZAB-500M HE/Incendiary

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x OFZAB-500 HE/FRAG/Thermobaric 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x OFZAB-500 HE/FRAG/Thermobaric

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 4x ODAB-500PM FAE 2x 1150 liter Drop Tank

2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M] (optional) 8x ODAB-500PM FAE

Requires Buddy Illumination

No

Default Combat Radius (nm)

No response

Weather Restrictions

Limited All-Weather

Time-of-Day Restrictions

Day-Only

Capable of Quick Turnaround

No

Comments

Feel free to comment if you have any suggestions or objections to this loadout overhaul. This could be the basis for more loadout requests and more diverse loadouts for eastern block combat aircraft. Since there are different unguided rocket versions in the DB, why not put them to good use? The following weapons were added:

AS-14 Kedge [Kh-29TE] BetAB-500 [Penetrator] BetAB-500ShP [Penetrator], Retarded FAB-500ShL GPB -- Parabrake, 1986 KAB-500Kr-OD TV/EO [FAE] OFAB-500U HE/Frag RBK-500 SPBE-D RBK-500-BetAB CB S-8B 80mm Rocket [Penetrator] S-8D 80mm Rocket [FAE] S-8T 80mm Rocket [Tandem HEAT] S-13D 122mm Rocket [FAE] S-13OF 122mm Rocket [HE/FRAG] S-13T 122mm Rocket [Tandem HE Penetrator] S-24B 240mm Rocket, RV-24 Proximity Fuze [Airburst] S-25L Laser-Guided 266mm Rocket [HEAT/Penetrator] S-25LD Laser-Guided 266mm Rocket [HEAT/Penetrator] ZAB-500Sh Incendiary Bomb FZAB-500 HE/Incendiary FZAB-500M HE/Incendiary OFZAB-500 HE/FRAG/Thermobaric ODAB-500PM FAE

Sources

-

[KLABDB3K]

Is there any solid evidence from operational aircraft that these laser guided rockets have ever been anything but design bureau projects? Look at the range envelope and threat envelope from low altitude SAM SPAAG and Manpad and ask if they are viable? If they were in service use wouldn't be evidence from Ukraine?

[bostonmyk]

There is little LGB usage in general. Guy Plopski (hush kit guy) pointed out that many of the integrated systems don't have laser lead guidance so can't direct against a moving target. He also mentioned that Flir is rare but instead relies on older low-light TV tech which isn't as good. Pods that do are in development and rare because they need western components. Need to dig into this more but suddenly makes sense why we see electro-optical guided bombs on Ru aircraft so much (which limits them to certain times and weather conditions).

[nuk92]

Just adding some older sources for the S-25L and LD, mentioned in 1996 and 2001. But yes it would certainly be usefull to find examples of them being used in service. What I understood from reading Russian sources, this seems to be a guidance kit that is attached to the S-25OFM. Between the part that attaches to the rocket and the guidance section is a low friction bearing. This way the guidance section doesn't rotate with the rest of the rocket at 600 odd rpm. Maybe this could be an explanation why they are not seen, maybe.

https://archive.org/details/DTIC_ADA310895/page/n5/mode/2up?q=%22s-25l%22&view=theater https://i.imgur.com/bdIxEdR.png

[nuk92]

Well... never mind. :eyes: I have just found a S-25L loaded on a Polish Su-22M4 on a Serbian military forum and it doesn't have prototype markings: https://www.mycity-military.com/imgs2/2705_88478692_s25_3.jpg

[nuk92]

I have found no evidence that the Su-25 can carry something as heavy as the KAB-1500 on one of it's pylons.

[nuk92]

Regarding the S-25L I've found some information on this Brazilian page. There are two images that aren't available anymore, but one of them has a very interesting description:

google translate

Um S25L nas asas de um Su-17.

An S25L on the wings of a Su-17.

http://sistemasdearmas.com.br/pgm/kh.html

O mais novo míssil tático russo na verdade é baseado no foguete não guiado S-250FM com sensor laser semi-ativo 24NI e designado S-25LD sendo bem mais barato que os mísseis Kh-25 e Kh-29. O míssil também recebeu quatro canards de controle no nariz além das quatro asas delta dobráveis na traseira. O novo míssil foi visto pela primeira vez em 1993 entrando em serviço em 1989. Pode ser disparado pelo Su-17, Su-24 e Su-25. O S-25LD tem 4,1 metros de comprimento, diâmetro de 34cm, envergadura de 1,17 metros e pesa 400kg. A cabeça de guerra penetradora é um penetrador com auto-explosiva pesando 155kg. O motor foguete sólido foi mantido. O alcance mínimo é de 2km e o máximo de 10km. A precisão é de 8 metros (CEP). O primeiro foguete guiado russo foi o S-25L que entrou em serviço em 1979. O S-25L era baseado no foguete S-250FM de 400kg com seeker 24N1 do Kh-25. O alcance aumentou de 3 km para 7km e a precisão melhorou seis vezes (CEP de 8 metros contra 50 metros da versão não guiada). O preço era um terço do Kh-25. Depois foi aceito uma versão de 122mm enquanto versões de 80mm e 57mm foram considerados pouco potentes para receber um sensor que diminuía o peso da ogiva.

The newest Russian tactical missile is actually based on the S-250FM unguided rocket with 24NI semi-active laser sensor and designated S-25LD being much cheaper than the Kh-25 and Kh-29 missiles. The missile also received four control canards in the nose in addition to the four folding delta wings in the rear. The new missile was first seen in 1993 entering service in 1989. It can be fired by Su-17, Su-24 and Su-25. The S-25LD is 4.1 meters long, 34 cm in diameter, has a wingspan of 1.17 meters and weighs 400 kg. The penetrator warhead is a self-explosive penetrator weighing 155kg. The solid rocket engine was retained. The minimum range is 2km and the maximum range is 10km. Accuracy is 8 meters (CEP). The first Russian guided rocket was the S-25L which entered service in 1979. The S-25L was based on the Kh-25's 400kg S-250FM rocket with 24N1 seeker. Range has increased from 3km to 7km and accuracy has improved six times (CEP of 8 meters versus 50 meters for the unguided version). The price was a third of the Kh-25. Later, a 122mm version was accepted, while 80mm and 57mm versions were considered not very powerful to receive a sensor that reduced the weight of the warhead.

Having this information and the Polish Su-22M4 I think it is plausible that the S-25L was in service. Having done research on Yugoslavia I am pretty certain that there are more pictures hiding in some Polish Forums, Russian Forums, etc.

here's an even better picture for the DB, the missile doesn't seem to be a test model:

[Roman5018]

1. The Su-25 cannot use laser-guided bombs due to the limited aiming angles of the sighting system. KAB-500L, KAB-250 LG-E should be removed from the available armament of all Su-25, not only SM3.
2. I don't quite understand why in all loadouts with drop tanks two pylons remain empty? The Su-25 has 10 pylons. The two outermost ones are usually occupied by the R-60M, and the two inner ones by external fuel tanks. There are still 6 left. There are a lot of photos on the Internet where all 10 pilots are engaged in arming
3. I agree about the lack of the possibility of using the KAB-1500. I think it is too heavy for an attack aircraft and is used only on front-line SU-24/34 bombers