We’ve explored quite a few weapons systems in the Su-25T thus far: bombs, rockets, missiles and guns. Today we’ll look at some of the naval strike capabilities of the Su-25. There is actually a navalized version of the Su-25 called the Su-25UTG, which features a dual cockpit and an arresting hook for aircraft carrier operations. While it isn’t truly possible to fly an Su-25UTG in LOMAC/FC there is a mod out there that gives us a “faux” -25UTG that will at least allow us to explore a little bit of what flying one might be like. The Navy Super Mod, put together by “Brit Glider Pilot”; the mod can be found at http://www.lockonfiles.com.



For our mission today we’ll be flying as the lead in a 3-ship Su-25UTG flight. We’ll be taking off from Gelendzhik and proceeding off the coast to perform a strike on a ship convoy. After the strike we’ve been asked to fly some important parts to a communications station deep in the mountains near enemy lines.



The communications station is an unprepared location with a road that will be our rudimentary landing strip. It should be a challenging area to operate from.



The Navy Mod does not allow us to carry anti-ship weapons on human controlled aircraft, but our AI wingmen will be carrying anti-ship loadouts. We’ll have to make due with Kh-29T “Kedge” missiles that are also designed for use against ships. Additionally we’ll be carrying extra fuel for the flight inland after the strike.



While we prepare to takeoff from Gelendzhik a flight of Su-33s is departing an aircraft carrier offshore in our exercise area.







Our RWR equipment indicates that an air-to-air radar is out there with a strong signal. Since we know our naval aircraft are in the area we can rest assured that it is a friendly spike.



My wingman sticks with me on the takeoff roll and climb-out.



Wingman #2 is carrying two Kh-35 “Kayak” anti-ship missiles. This variety of missile is a subsonic sea-skimmer similar in design and operation to the U.S. AGM-84 “Harpoon”.



Wingman #3 is carrying two Kh-31 “Krypton” anti-ship missiles. Unlike the Kh-35 this missile is a long range, super-fast missile capable of reaching speeds of Mach 4.5 at altitude.



While we maneuver out toward the strike waypoint another Su-33 lands aboard the aircraft carrier carrying the massive Kh-41 “Sunburn” anti-ship missile. The Su-33 is one sexy beast.







The flight of Su-33s that departed the carrier performs a section landing.



As the Su-33 folds up his wings and taxis to a parking area on deck a MiG-29K slides into the groove to land on the carrier.



We reach our strike waypoint and I cut my wingmen loose by giving them the “Attack Mission and RTB” which means they will attack the pre-briefed mission target and then proceed directly to home base instead of me having to round them up. This will give me the flexibility to continue the post-strike mission once it is complete.



Back at the airfield the Su-33s taxi into hardened aircraft shelters.



Wingman #2 slides out in front of the formation and is the first to launch his Kh-35 missiles at the convoy. A minute or so later Wingman #3 drops his Kh-31 and we sit back to watch the events unfold.





The Kh-35 skims over the water at sub-sonic speed which gives the convoy escort ship (Molniya) an opportunity to attempt an intercept with his guns. The tracers reach out toward the trailing Kh-35 and blast it from the sky but while the attention is diverted the first “Kayak” is able to penetrate the defenses and slams into the middle freighter.









Nearly simultaneously, the trailing freighter is just barely missed by the first high speed Kh-31 while the second missile strikes the stern in a massive fireball. The ship stops dead in the water and is ablaze but continues to float.





Even though my wingmen are out of missiles they press in for canon attacks and I become alarmed because I know the Molniya is still a threat to them. I activate my air-to-ground mode, turn on my Shkval system and start slewing the designator toward the threat before releasing my weapon.







As my Kh-29T homes in on the designated spot the Molniya opens up in an attempt to shoot the missile down.



Peering through the magnified HUD I can see my missile throw up a plume of water as it just misses to port. I can also see my wingman coming off a strafing pass against the still burning freighter while the Molniya starts firing on him as he pops flares.



I bump my targeting to the right slightly and fire my last missile which tracks in with a nice explosion and secondary. The burning freighter explodes shortly thereafter and it too heads to the bottom.





My wingmen head back to base while I continue eastbound toward my rendezvous in the mountains. The spectacular hills and mountains roll by and I imagine myself zipping up and down the valleys during combat.



Arriving at the final waypoint I survey the scene and make my approach into the valley after dirtying up to keep my airspeed in check.





As I slip into the valley a spiky rebel with a Stinger takes a shot at me and I can see the missile arc up toward me. Popping flares I hold my breath as the missiles slides by my tail.



Once you pass the village with the spire and the bridge you can start looking through the HUD and find the landing area next to the improvised communications base.





Keeping my airspeed around 250 kph I drag it in and set my aircraft down just at the point where the road straightens for a brief period. Heavy braking and use of the drag chute will be necessary and dancing on the rudder pedals to keep straight and in the center of the road is necessary.





Rolling up to the communications post I open the canopy, toss out the parts and do a careful 180 to point back down the road. (Be careful not to fall off into the soft shoulder or you might get stuck or damage something!)







Rocketing off down the road I rotate early and stagger into the air as the dust flies behind me. As I get cleaned up I keep a watchful eye out in front and sure enough another white smoke trail starts flying up as the brave (or foolhardy!) Stinger trooper takes another shot at me.





I pop flares and pull up my canon and peer intently through the HUD hoping to spy the little bugger to take a shot at him. He is so small and well camouflaged that I can’t spot him though and it would be a risky strafing run anyway facing into that sheer mountain. I turn out to the left while popping flares and escape down the valley.







I head south and land safely at Guduata despite not having a braking chute since it didn’t get repacked on the ground at the communications center.





This was a fun little mission that let me dabble a bit with wingman commands and I got to see how the AI managed their attacks. I can see that I’ll have to keep a tight rein on them because they aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed (they are probably saying the same about their flight leader!). I found it interesting that the debrief actually did record my landing at my hand-made communications center, although they credit the landing at the nearest airfield I guess (?). It would be very cool if it were possible to build forward refueling and rearming points such as this to allow for some interesting and challenging flying conditions.



This mission can be downloaded here: http://www.mudspike.com/lomac/simhq12.zip Be aware that you may have to have the Super Mod pack installed for it to work properly.

BeachAV8R