With all the chit-chat about SEAD and the SU-25T airframe, I decided to run a small experiment to determine optimal cruising altitudes. To give data similar to a real mission, I collected data using a standard SEAD loadout with 2 Kh-58u, 4 MPUs, 2 R-73, and jammer pods on 80% fuel.


Raw data:





Interesting data, you can decipher the data for yourself. I would suggest flying at 2000m-3000m at 90% for max fuel efficiency for this particular payload.

Thanks! This is good data for flight planning, and should help in optimizing required fuel load and / or usage for a mission. I'll include it in my own pre-flight considerations; the "T" is a cow with wings if it is too heavy, and I often find myself returning to base with 60% to 70% fuel remaining, LOL! Basically, the business does not include taking fuel for a ride; I may as well not have taken it in the first place.

For a while now I have been slowly collecting some other performance data from SP test flights on both the SU-25A and SU-25T, mostly take off and landing distances, climb/fuel/distance... such stuff. I won't publish anything until I have got it all organized.