Su-25 "Rook". All about the legendary attack aircraft. Markovsky V.Yu., Podkhodchenko I.V.

The legendary Su-25 fulfilled its first flight more than a quarter of a century ago, when it was believed that the “aircraft of direct support for the troops” should be universal, that is, it is capable of equal air combat with enemy fighters. And the Su-25 (then under the T-8 index) was designed for combat use at low altitude, subsonic speed and relatively small distances from the place of basing. But it was precisely the rejection of “universality” that allowed the machine to provide phenomenal survivability, which more than once saved the life of pilots in seemingly hopeless situations. The history of the Su-25 is inextricably linked with Afghanistan, where, upon completion of state tests, a specially formed 200th separate assault airscapadrille was sent. It was in the Afghan war of the attack aircraft that the nickname “Rook” was fixed, and the bird’s drawing adorned the nose of the aircraft. After the Afghanistan Su-25, I had a chance to participate in many conflicts-Iran-Iraqi (1980-1988), in the Gulf of Persian (1991), in the Congo (1997-2002), Ethiopo-Assetreisky (1998-2000), Macedonian (2001), French-Ivoariysk (2004), as well as in wars in the territory of the former USSR. Now “rooks” are actively and successfully used in the course of a special military operation in Ukraine.

In the book of famous aviation historians, you find comprehensive information about the creation, design, weapons, improve the illustrious attack aircraft, as well as a detailed analysis of the richest experience of his combat use. The publication is richly illustrated by exclusive schemes, projections and photographs.