Sukhoi Su-25T / Su-25TM (Su-39)
The tank-hunter — a two-seat airframe turned single-seater, with the back seat full of sensors · First flight 1984 · Su-25TM 1995
The Su-25T (Tankovy) is a specialised anti-tank version based on the two-seat Su-25UB airframe. The rear cockpit was deleted and filled with avionics, and the enlarged nose houses the Shkval optical TV sighting system with the Prichal laser rangefinder and target designator. Its main weapon is the laser-guided, tube-launched Vikhr missile, and a Merkuriy low-light TV pod under the fuselage gives it night capability. The first prototype flew on 17 August 1984.
Three Su-25T prototypes were built between 1983 and 1986 and eight production aircraft followed in 1990. A second-generation version, the Su-25TM — also called Su-39 — first flew on 15 August 1995 with the upgraded Shkval-M and the option of a Kopyo radar pod under the fuselage, allowing it to engage aircraft with R-77 missiles and ships with Kh-31 and Kh-35 missiles. About eight Su-25TMs were completed.
Both projects were judged too sophisticated and expensive. The Su-25T programme was officially cancelled in 2000 in favour of the Su-25SM upgrade, which reused part of the TM's avionics. Ethiopia is reported to have been the only export customer for the Su-25T.
