Bimbac

Hi Olgerd, I don't want to look like a liar, but right now I have some problems in my private life which require my immediate attention.. But I haven't forgotten you and will provide the info as promised, let's say, in the first half of January. I just hope that you guys aren't delaying Flamming Cliffs just because of me. :)

To Olgerd I have just recently got together again with my good friend who used to be an actual Su-25 pilot! :!: So more news within a few days.

I'm on it! Hold on. :)

To Avimimus: Well, not exactly. I am an aicraft technician and a few years ago I worked with Su-22M4 (export version of Su-17M4). Thus I got pretty well acquainted with its weapons and avionics. There are many commonalities with Su-25. But I still have some friends who actually worked with Su-25, including weapons. So, I can get some pretty detailed info :D However, because we are still in active duty, don't expect to get anything classified.

All 3 guesses are almost correct. The system can be pre-programmed during the mission preparation (good in poor visibility or during night missions, however target must not move and have the known coordinates), or controlled directly by a pilot. The SPPU-22 has 3 operation modes: 1. 0 angle - good for airborne targets or diving strafing runs. The guns are pointed directly ahead. 2. Programmed mode - target data entered either by waypoint or acquired using gunsight and laser designator. The pilot simply pushes the trigger and the system autonomously computes firing solution (in this mode the barrels automatically follow the target). 3. Fixed mode - pilot controls the barrel depression manually using hat switch on the control column. I hope this helps. However it's been a long time since I worked with these things, so my explanation can be a little inaccurate.

To Avimimus: I'm not sure about your question. You have asked about the operation of the SPPU gunpod, but did you mean the way how it is controlled by a pilot or the actual function (firing mechanism, etc.)? I am sorry, but I don't have any information about Russian helicopter weaponry.

Hi everybody. Su-17M4 (Su-22) can be fitted with one pair of SPPU facing forward and one pair facing backward, however only a forward-facing gunpods have the ability to change their depression angle. It is possible due to a targetting computer, which is able to provide a real-time firing solution but against a stationary target only. The circular aiming error is just about 6m (six meters!!), even when shooting backwards! A really accurate son-of-a-bitch! :D Su-25, however, is not equipped with a targetting computer, just a simple ballistic computer. Thus it can also use the SPPU gunpods, but only in forward hemisphere. I don't have any information about more advanced Su-25 variants (like Su-25T or Su-39), but it is very likely that these aircraft have the appropriate equipment on-board, so they are able to use the gunpods in a same way as mentioned above. This is a very simple explanation, but if needed, I can provide some more.