The Su-25BM attack aircraft of the Uzbekistan Air Force have been modernized to use 227-kilogram Mk 82 bombs with modular laser guidance kits. The work transformed conventional free-fall munitions into guided weapons with increased accuracy.
The modernization was carried out by integrating Israeli Lizard-3 guidance kits, which use a reflected laser beam to correct the bomb's trajectory. This allowed the Su-25 to hit targets with fewer munitions and reduce the probability of missing compared to the classic use of unguided aerial bombs.
The Lizard-3 kit is installed on the body of the Mk 82 aerial bomb, weighing approximately 227 kg, and includes control elements, aerodynamic rudders, and a laser seeker head. After release, the munition can adjust its flight and home in on a target marked by a laser designator.
The Su-25BM is a modernized version of the Soviet armored Su-25 attack aircraft, designed for close air support of ground forces. The aircraft received enhanced protection for vital components, powerful armament, and the ability to operate in conditions of strong ground opposition.
The basic design of the Su-25 is intended for low-altitude operations and the use of a wide range of air-launched weapons – from missiles to free-fall bombs. Thanks to its high survivability, ease of maintenance, and upgrade potential, this aircraft remains in demand decades after its first flight.