Page 52 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

Polish Su-22 force

for the poor accuracy of the navigation system). in each wing root (only the starboard cannon
The Su- M s had the equipment required for is fitted in two-seaters), with 80 rounds each. From the cockpit
carrying nuclear weapons – as had all Polish In a real-world mission in low-level flight, a
tactical aircraft beginning with the MiG-21PFM major portion of the 8,818lb (4,000kg) load
in 1968. However, in peacetime the Polish units capacity would be taken up by external fuel
did not receive the bombs themselves. tanks. Typically, the Su-22s fly with two 800-
Poland purchased four types of guided air- lit (176-Imp gal) PTB-800 drop tanks, less
to-surface missiles (ASMs) for the Su-22. Two often with four PTB-800s, and very rarely with
were laser guided onto a laser spot placed on two 1,150-lit (253-Imp gal) PTB-1150 tanks.
the target by the Klyon-54 designator housed The Su-22M4’s self-protection devices
in the inlet cone, or by an external laser. These include SPO-15LM Beryoza radar warning
were the heavy 1,448lb (657kg) Kh-29L (AS-14 receiver (RWR), two KDS-23 chaff/flare
Kedge) and the lighter 662lb (300kg) Kh-25ML dispensers (six 50mm/1.97in cartridges each)
(AS-10 Karen), both with a range of 6.2 miles built into the dorsal spine and eight ASO-
(10km). The third missile was the TV-guided 2V dispensers (each with 32 26mm/1.02in
Kh-29T that homes automatically onto an cartridges) mounted on the rear fuselage. In the opinion of most pilots, the Su-22 is not easy to fly.
optically contrasting object, designated by Additionally, an SPS-141MVG-E active jamming Speaking to AFM, one of the Polish Fitter pilots explained: “The
the pilot using an IT-23M CRT monitor in the pod can be suspended under the wing. variable wing geometry requires much attention. The pilot
cockpit. Finally, for use against ground-based However, these devices are not integrated must take into account several operational limitations, related
radars, Poland purchased Kh-25MP (AS-12 in a single system and operate separately. to the position of the movable section of the wing and wing
Kegler) anti-radiation missiles with a range of high-lift devices.” Furthermore, he added: “The automatic
25 miles (40km); this missile requires the Vyuga Upgrade proposals flight control system, although aiding the pilot in many
(snowstorm) guidance pod for target acquisition. In the 1990s, Poland received many offers to situations, is not a fly-by-wire system and is not pilot-friendly.”
The Su-22’s unguided weapons include upgrade its Su-22s. A joint offer of 1994 from However, a well-trained pilot “is able to get much out of
freefall bombs of up to 1,102lb (500kg), KMGU Sukhoi, Thomson-CSF and Sextant Avionique the aircraft”. The aviator continued: “The aircraft handles
submunition dispensers, 57mm to 370mm featured a new PrNK-55 navigation/attack very well in low-altitude high-speed flight, providing good
(2.24in to 14.57in) rockets, and 23mm UPK- system with mission computer, NSS100-P manoeuvrability in strafing flights; it can also attain pretty
23-250 and SPPU-22-01 cannon pods (up to Navstar/Glonass GPS receiver, Totem inertial long range and endurance.” In terms of the jet’s analogue
four, with the option of two firing backwards). navigation system, TMV 630 laser rangefinder/ avionics: “Using the flight instruments does not pose great
Fixed armament consists of two Nudelman/ target designator, Sherloc RWR and others. As problems, despite the fact that the Su-22M4 unfortunately
Rikhter NR-30 single-barrel 30mm cannon, one an option, the aircraft could receive a lightweight differs significantly in this respect from the Su-22UM3K.”

Below: The laser-guided Kh-25ML was final ASM in
the Polish Su-22’s inventory. The Kh-25ML training
round under the wing of Su-22M4 ‘3816’ comprises
the body of the missile with the seeker, enabling
simulated delivery without actual launching.

52 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero

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