The Soviet Su-25 attack aircraft, a бронированный subsonic military aircraft, will participate in the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9. The "rook" crews are preparing for an air show over Red Square.
More than 9,000 people will participate in the event, which will take place from 10:00 to 12:00. The air show will be especially spectacular. Helicopters and airplanes performing combat missions in real conditions will fly over Moscow.
The head of the Ministry of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, announced the flight of aviation on May 9. However, this depends on the weather: in 2023, the air show was canceled.
Rehearsals for the parade have been taking place since the beginning of April at the Alabino training ground. There is a special area there that replicates the size of Red Square.
About the Su-25 Attack Aircraft
The aircraft is designed to support the ground forces of the Russian Armed Forces, as well as to eliminate targets at specified coordinates. The Su-25 performs combat missions in any weather.
The attack aircraft, developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, first took to the air in February 1975. It was adopted into service in 1981. Now it is flown by Russian pilots and pilots from a dozen other countries.
Features of the Su-25:
- Crew — 1 person
- Maximum take-off weight — 17,600 kg
- Maximum speed with normal combat load — up to 950 km/h
- Armor weight — 595 kg
- Armament — twin-barreled 30-mm GSh-30-2 cannon with 250 rounds of ammunition
- Guided missiles — X2 ML
- Aviation bombs — FAB-500, FAB-250
The Su-25 was nicknamed "Rook" thanks to Major Grigory Alekseevich Chekhov. In January 1984, he headed the 200th separate assault aviation squadron. The initials "Gr.A.Ch." were on the back of his cap. The pilots of Grachev's squadron began to be called "rooks", and then this nickname was given to the attack aircraft itself.
Earlier, the American media admired the Russian Su-35 aircraft.
