The Su-39 is an extensively modified version of an outstanding performance at the Su-25. However, given the experience of the war in Afghanistan, it became clear that the Su-25 requires an additional reservation of vital units and fuel systems. So in January 1986 by the decision of the Military-Industrial Commission under the Council of Ministers of the USSR, work began on a new aircraft, able to operate at any time of the day, designated Su-25TM (hereinafter the Su-39). On the new machine include the installation of new avionics and extended range weapons. Developed from the aircraft required a reliable overcoming enemy air defense, as well as the possibility of flying at low altitude terrain following.
It seemed like the Su-39 provided a bright future. Production of the new stormtrooper even mastered at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in 1993. However, Yeltsin#39;s budget for the defense of money was not going dashing nineties ... A Su-25 th continued (and continue) to become obsolete. And from 1995 to the present day it was released ... Only four new aircraft!
Su-39 - a truly unique attack aircraft. If the Su-25, the dominant objective was to fight with tanks, the new machine has a new weapon that allows you to successfully deal with the ships in the coastal areas, and with the battle with Pakistani F-16 fighters Su-39 is able to dogfight with rockets air -air P-73, P-27 and P-77. But that#39;s not all. The new Su-39 has a number of innovations:
- The pilot of the Su-39 is located in the cockpit of the aircraft welded titanium armor, but its total mass, compared to its predecessor, reduced by 153 kg, or 25%. At the same time almost the same, increased weight of polyurethane foam and fast-swelling outer tread of the increased capacity of fuel tanks. Filling with fuel tanks adjacent compartments elastic porous materials prevents the pulse of fuel sloshing through the holes from shells and debris to prevent a fire. The gaps between the fuel tanks and the air intake ducts virtually eliminate the risk of fire from fuel to enter the engine. Strengthened as the design of the central part of the fuselage, the fuel line system and traction control system;
- To reduce the visibility of the battlefield in the optical plane has a special color, and radio-absorbing coating reduces the EPR irradiation radars;
- Protection of the aircraft, where the pilot is unable to detect missile launch, is installed at the bottom of the keel station opto-electronic interference Bulk. Cesium lamp with 6000 W creates an amplitude-modulated interference missiles, leading them to the side. Not forgotten the traditional means - a software shooting false thermal targets. The product release - 192 jamming cartridge;
- Reduce the visibility of the Su-39 facilitates installation nonafterburning turbojet engine with a fixed nozzle and reduced several times in the IR signature of the nozzle. This is achieved by increasing the central body and profiling flame tube, eliminating the line of sight of the turbine blades, as well as reducing the temperature of exhaust gases supplied with atmospheric air.
New radar Spear-25 provides all-weather detection and preliminary target designation in different modes, including mapping, significantly expanding the range of combat tasks undertaken by the Su-39. It uses a slot antenna array with a diameter of 500 mm.
Spear-25 allows the use of tactical anti-ship missiles: the supersonic X-31A with an active radar seeker and subsonic Kh-35 with a combined guidance system. The Su-39 can carry four of RCC. Link stormtroopers is a real threat of tactical group of surface ships and can attack the destroyers of the Spryuens deadweight 7800 tons, without going into range of its air defense weapon systems.
Also, a new radar detects air targets such as fighter is on a collision course at a distance of 57 km, in the Dogon - 25 km, 10 and at the same time accompanied by two fires at goal.
To defeat the most dangerous targets the Su-39 is equipped with 16 missiles Whirlwind with the range of up to 10 km, and woe to those who fall under the blow of such missiles!
Having found the quality of multi-role aircraft, the Su-39 has retained its reputation as a highly effective ground attack that will sweep a whirlwind of fire and the gang fighters and NATO naval squadron. And these hard years of stormtroopers need our country as the air ...
Konstantin Fedorov
