SU-25 & SU-25T Laser Differences?

[Lanzfeld]

I have read the SU-25 manual from FC and I have read the SU-25T manual from World.

 

In the SU-25 you use the laser for unguided bombs, gun pods, guns, and rockets. Pretty much everything.

 

In the SU-25T you DO NOT use the laser (at least according to the manual) for these weapons. Is this an oversight in the T's manual or is range finding now automatic for these functions in the T? With upgraded avionics it may be all internal now for the T.

 

Has anyone noticed a difference in accuracy using the laser in either aircraft?

[kontiuka]

A related question is how does the "T" get range information without its laser on? You can use CCIP, CCRP, and get range information on your shkval all without the laser being on. Does it do it through optical triangulation?

[Gloom Demon]

I have noticed, that when I do strafing in the Su-25T, the aiming piper changes it's location on the HUD, once I turn on the laser. So, I would guess, that with the laser turned on it should be more accurate...

[Esac_mirmidon]

On russian aircrafts the weapons computer can obtain target data like range, elevation etc, not only by the laser rangefinder but also using computed calculations with the radio altimeter data and the position of the aircraft feeded by gyros.

 

Obvioulsy less accurated but the weapons computer can calculate target data without laser on.

[esb77]

Using the laser substantially improves accuracy for unguided munitions in the Su-25T. Or at least it substantially reduces range estimation related errors.

 

The difference is that in addition to using it whenever you would in a baseline Su-25 you also use it (or in some cases use it much more effectively) for the more advanced laser guided munitions.

 

The actual laser system is the same in both the Su-25 and 25T. It's the electro-optical system and computers that are upgrades in the 25T.

[Lanzfeld]

Good. Thanks.

 

I just wonder why they didn't put it in the T's manual?

[Boberro]

Because in real life you obey procedures. If weapon is to be fired from 10 km, you fire it from 10 km. Not 11 km.

 

Of course every weapon has some kind of margins, in MiG-21 manual there is sentence you cannot fire S-5 rockets from further than 4 or 5 km. But it is obvious you can if you have to, but you cannot predict what could happen.

[Lanzfeld]

No I mean why didn't they put laser activation in the T's manual for unguided bombs, rockets, etc

[Hielor]

Depends on elevation of target. If the target is at higher elevations (in the mountains, perhaps), the laser is pretty much required for the fuselage cannon or rockets. Gunpods appear to do it automatically.

[esb77]

No I mean why didn't they put laser activation in the T's manual for unguided bombs, rockets, etc

 

Well if you're rewriting a manual for a single plane mostly by using copy and paste from a manual for that plane and about 6 other planes, it's easy to miss a few sections.

 

The Su-25T manual is basically the LOMAC 2 manual after severe weight loss, only a few bits are new, such as the expanded section on crosswind landings.