What is the round object on top of the cockpit?

[Dilbflo1]

Hi all.

Maybe the question can seem simple to the expert here, but I did not find answers neither in the manual nor online.

What is the big round object present on top of the SU-25 cockpit?

Thanks.

[golani79]

I'm not entirely sure but I think this might be the gun camera.

[pyromaniac4002]

I'm not entirely sure but I think this might be the gun camera.

 

That's right. The same thing pops up magically in the MiG-21 when you flip the gun camera switch.

[Dilbflo1]

Thanks guys, this makes sense.

I wasn't able to find any reference, now thanks to your indications I noticed some interesting threads, in particular this one about the gun camera on the MIG-21 model:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=130503

 

Anyway, if I understood correctly, the gun cameras both in the SU-25 and in the Mig-21 are not functional in DCS, but at least now I know what is the misterious object not described in the manual.

Thanks.

[Fri13]

Learned now what that is

[strikeeagle]

Film canister for the camera.

 

I think.

[cichlidfan]

Film canister for the camera.

 

I think.

 

Guys,

 

so called "gun-camera" is not what it seems.

 

This device is used for training purposes, to make images of fixed net and reticle when - during the training - pilot presses fire/launch button (firing/launching could be simulated - no actual firing or launching, or real). Images are processed after the flight (note that this is the single seat aircraft) for evaluating purposes: pilot will receive "the grade" (I hope this is the right term) according to those images. Most of A-A missiles have their training counterparts with recorders inside. Similarly to this camera, recorder will record all radar+weapons+buttons operations, and pilot would be "graded" after the training flight. These devices along with the SARPP are called "resources of objective control" (naive translation).

 

(This was very brief explanation.)

 

When the aircraft is combat-ready, this camera is removed.

 

In essence, the only way to simulate real thing is to remove it completely. We did not want this.

 

.