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Su-25KM Scorpion | Ground attack aircraft

Su-25KM Scorpion
Su-25KM Scorpion 

Militarymedia.net | The Su-25KM, also referred to as the "Scorpion" is a modernized version of the Soviet Su-25 ground attack aircraft. The letter "KM" in the designation stands for "Commercial Model, Modern". It was produced in the early 2000s by Tbilisi Aerospace Manufacturer (TAM) Georgia - the former Soviet Dimitrov Plant Nr.31. Has great experience in manufacturing Su-25, Su-24 and various types of aerospace products. Georgian TAM teamed up with Israel's Elbit Systems and Elgad to create a modernized export version of the Su-25. Production began in 2001. The first aircraft took off in the same year.

Despite the Su-25's airframe which proved highly durable during the wars in Afghanistan and Chechnya, and even earned the nickname "Flying Tank", it needed serious upgrades to meet modern requirements. During the modernization the fuselage was updated. Comprehensive changes were mainly made to the avionics, optics and navigation systems.

The analogue tools and gauges in the old cockpit have been replaced with state-of-the-art digital equipment. Two wide color displays are attached to each side of the control stick. Also a control panel in advance and a head on top display are installed. In addition, the Su-25KM is equipped with a computerized weapons system, an advanced debriefing system and a friend or foe identification system, which is compatible with NATO standards. The Scorpion gains a full glass cockpit with simple, functional and user-friendly operational setup, including mission pre-planning capability and modern radio communications equipment.

The Scorpion can carry 4,500 kg of ordnance. There are 10 hardpoints for missiles, bombs and unguided rockets. There is a built-in 30 mm twin tube cannon with 250 mm ammunition. The aircraft can also carry a pod with additional weapons.

With new software such as digital map generators, modern warplanes can operate day and night and in adverse weather conditions. The Su-25KM can carry out precision air-to-ground attacks with laser-guided bombs and even air-to-air strikes against helicopters and low-performance flying objects such as unmanned aerial vehicles. The Su-25KM can be equipped and reconfigured according to customer requirements.

With all the aforementioned updates, the Scorpion becomes fully compatible with NATO standards and is capable of using both Western and Russian munitions. The Su-25KM Scorpion combines a battle-proven airframe with ready-to-use technology. It emerged as a flexible and efficient close support aircraft that could compete with Western ground attack aircraft. This upgrade extends the life of the Su-25 airframe by another decade.

Su-25KM Scorpion
Su-25KM Scorpion

However production was discontinued in late 2010, after the Georgian Air Force was permanently laid off and abolished. At that time, about 12 Scorpions were produced, but the Georgian Air Force was still using the base model Su-25 due to the high cost of the Su-25KM and because it was intended primarily for export. According to unofficial sources some Scorpions have been moved to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

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