Su-25A FrogfootDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 162 steps
Su-25A Frogfoot
DCS WORLD - 0/162 STEPS
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AttackCold War
AIRCRAFT BRIEF
The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1981 and gained immediate combat experience in Afghanistan, flying over 60,000 sorties. Designed as a purpose-built close air support aircraft with heavy armour protection - including a titanium bathtub around the cockpit - it proved highly survivable against ground fire. The Su-25 remains in widespread operational service worldwide and has seen combat in nearly every major conflict involving its operators from Afghanistan to Ukraine.
RANGE VISUALIZER
SPECIFICATIONS
manufacturerSukhoi Design Bureau
first Flight1975
roleClose air support / Ground attack
crew1 pilot
engines2x Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojet (44.18 kN / 9,930 lbf each)
max Speed975 km/h (526 kts)
range1,000 km (540 nmi)
ceiling23,000 ft
weight19,300 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefNOTE: Review target type, attack geometry, ROE, and egress routes. Su-25A is a low-level CAS platform - plan attack runs and pop-up parameters. | REVIEWED | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingNOTE: Check target area and recovery airfield weather. Low cloud ceilings limit Su-25A attack profiles significantly. | REVIEWED | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / Airspace | REVIEWED | |
| 04 | Fuel Planning - Bingo / JokerNOTE: Internal fuel 3,600 kg. Plan joker (RTB initiate) and bingo (minimum recovery) values. Add external tanks if range required. | SET | |
| 05 | Stores / LoadoutNOTE: Confirm weapons per mission: S-5/S-8/S-24 rockets, Kh-25/Kh-29 missiles, bombs, gun (250 rounds GSh-30-2). Check pylon limits. | VERIFIED | |
| 06 | Attack PlanningNOTE: Determine attack run headings, safe escape maneuver, and break-off altitude. Plan minimum recovery altitude. | PLANNED | |
| 07 | Radio Frequencies / IFFNOTE: Note ATC, FAC (forward air controller), and emergency frequencies. Su-25A uses R-862 radio. | SET | |
| 08 | Divert Bases | IDENTIFIED |
PHS 2 — Electrical10 steps
| 01 | Ejection Seat Safety PinWARNING: Confirm ejection seat is armed - remove safety pin before flight. Pin in = seat will not fire. | REMOVED | |
| 02 | Seat Adjustment | ADJUSTED | |
| 03 | Harness | FASTENED AND TIGHT | |
| 04 | Battery SwitchNOTE: Main battery switch on left console to ON. Powers essential bus. | ON | |
| 05 | DC Bus Voltage | CHECK - 27 V NOMINAL | |
| 06 | Generator 1 Switch | ON | |
| 07 | Generator 2 Switch | ON | |
| 08 | AC Power Panel | CHECK - INVERTERS ON | |
| 09 | Instrument Lights | AS REQUIRED | |
| 10 | Warning / Caution Panel | CHECK - IDENTIFY ANY FAULTS |
PHS 3 — INS / Navigation Alignment6 steps
| 01 | PNK Navigation System PowerNOTE: Turn on the nav system (PNK-10 navigation complex). Requires time to align - initiate before engine start. | ON | |
| 02 | Navigation Mode SelectorNOTE: Set to alignment mode. Do not move aircraft until alignment complete. | ALIGN | |
| 03 | INS AlignmentCAUTION: Aircraft must remain stationary during alignment. Movement invalidates alignment. | WAIT 3-5 MIN | |
| 04 | RSBN / ARC Navigation Beacons | SET HOME BASE FREQUENCY | |
| 05 | Altimeter | SET QNH / AIRFIELD ELEVATION | |
| 06 | IFF System | CODES SET |
PHS 4 — Engine Start20 steps
| 01 | CanopyCAUTION: Ensure canopy is fully latched before engine start. | CLOSED AND LOCKED | |
| 02 | ThrottlesCAUTION: Confirm both throttle levers at idle stop before initiating start. | IDLE | |
| 03 | Fuel Cock LeversNOTE: Open fuel shutoff cocks to supply fuel to engines. | OPEN (both) | |
| 04 | Fire Warning System | TEST - CHECK BOTH CHANNELS | |
| 05 | Right Engine Start SwitchNOTE: Press and hold start button for right engine. Starter engages. | START | |
| 06 | Right Engine N1 / RPMCAUTION: Monitor EGT during light-off. Hot start if EGT rises rapidly past 500 C before RPM reaches 33%. | RISING - CONFIRM IGNITION | |
| 07 | Right Engine EGT at StartWARNING: If EGT exceeds 500 C before 33% RPM - fuel cock CLOSE immediately to prevent hot start damage. | < 500 C DURING LIGHT-OFF | |
| 08 | Right Engine RPM at 33% | CHECK - EGT STABILIZING | |
| 09 | Right Engine Throttle | ADVANCE TO 40% RPM - CHECK EGT < 440 C | |
| 10 | Right Engine Idle RPM | ~70% RPM STABLE | |
| 11 | Right Engine Instruments | ALL IN GREEN | |
| 12 | Left Engine Start Switch | START | |
| 13 | Left Engine N1 / RPMCAUTION: Same hot start monitoring applies for left engine. | RISING - CONFIRM IGNITION | |
| 14 | Left Engine EGT at StartWARNING: If EGT exceeds 500 C before 33% RPM - fuel cock CLOSE immediately. | < 500 C DURING LIGHT-OFF | |
| 15 | Left Engine RPM at 33% | CHECK - EGT STABILIZING | |
| 16 | Left Engine Throttle | ADVANCE TO 40% RPM - CHECK EGT < 440 C | |
| 17 | Left Engine Idle RPM | ~70% RPM STABLE | |
| 18 | Left Engine Instruments | ALL IN GREEN | |
| 19 | Both Generators Online | CONFIRMED | |
| 20 | Hydraulic Pressure | NORMAL - CHECK GAUGES |
PHS 5 — Post-Start / Avionics11 steps
| 01 | Navigation ModeNOTE: Switch navigation system from alignment to normal mode once alignment is complete. | NORMAL OPERATION (from ALIGN) | |
| 02 | HUD (ASP-17BTs Sight)NOTE: The ASP-17BTs is the primary attack sight. Set brightness for ambient conditions. | ON - BRIGHTNESS SET | |
| 03 | Optical Attack SightNOTE: Set delivery mode (guns, rockets, bombs) as required by mission loadout. | ARMED AND SET | |
| 04 | SPO-15 Radar Warning ReceiverNOTE: RWR provides threat warning. Essential for low-level operations in defended airspace. | ON | |
| 05 | Active Jamming Pod (if fitted) | ON - STANDBY | |
| 06 | IFF Transponder | ON - CODES CONFIRMED | |
| 07 | R-862 Radio | ON - FREQUENCY SET | |
| 08 | Oxygen SystemNOTE: Check oxygen pressure and confirm flow indicator cycling. | ON - FLOW CONFIRMED | |
| 09 | Pitot HeatNOTE: Enable pitot heat to prevent airspeed indicator icing. | ON | |
| 10 | Engine Anti-ice | AS REQUIRED | |
| 11 | Weapon StationsCAUTION: Keep Master Arm SAFE on ground until arming area or runway. | VERIFY LOADS - MASTER ARM SAFE |
PHS 6 — Before Taxi10 steps
| 01 | INS Alignment StatusCAUTION: Do not taxi if alignment is not complete. Navigation will be degraded. | COMPLETE | |
| 02 | Flight ControlsNOTE: Cycle stick and rudder through full deflection. Verify correct surface movement. | FULL TRAVEL - FREE AND CORRECT | |
| 03 | Air Brakes | RETRACTED | |
| 04 | FlapsNOTE: Set flaps to takeoff position per mission weight. | TAKEOFF POSITION (CHECK) | |
| 05 | Trim | SET FOR TAKEOFF (NEUTRAL) | |
| 06 | Engine Parameters | BOTH IN LIMITS | |
| 07 | Hydraulic Pressure | NORMAL - BOTH SYSTEMS | |
| 08 | Fuel Quantity | CONFIRMED AS BRIEFED | |
| 09 | Warning / Caution Panel | CLEAR (or faults understood) | |
| 10 | Parking Brake | SET |
PHS 7 — Taxi6 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | RELEASE | |
| 02 | Throttles | ADVANCE - INITIATE ROLL | |
| 03 | Brakes | CHECK LEFT AND RIGHT | |
| 04 | Nosewheel SteeringNOTE: Su-25A uses differential braking and rudder for directional control. NWS engages at low speed. | ACTIVE | |
| 05 | Taxi SpeedNOTE: Use throttle carefully - response is slower than Western jets. | < 30 KM/H ON RAMP | |
| 06 | Navigation Lights | ON (STEADY) |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff11 steps
| 01 | Runway Entry | CLEARED | |
| 02 | Flight Controls | FREE AND CORRECT | |
| 03 | Flaps | TAKEOFF POSITION - SET AND CHECKED | |
| 04 | Trim | NEUTRAL / TAKEOFF SETTING | |
| 05 | Engine Parameters | BOTH ENGINES - RPM, EGT IN LIMITS | |
| 06 | Air Brakes | RETRACTED | |
| 07 | Speedbrake | IN | |
| 08 | IFF | MASTER MODE ON - CODES CONFIRMED | |
| 09 | Warning / Caution PanelCAUTION: Resolve all active warnings before takeoff roll. | CLEAR | |
| 10 | Master Arm | AS BRIEFED (SAFE until airborne unless required) | |
| 11 | Abort Procedure | REVIEWED - IDLE, AIR BRAKES, DRAG CHUTE, BRAKES |
PHS 9 — Takeoff8 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | RELEASE | |
| 02 | ThrottlesNOTE: Su-25A has no afterburner. Military power is maximum thrust. | ADVANCE TO MILITARY POWER (100%) | |
| 03 | Engine Parameters at Full Power | CHECK SYMMETRICAL - RPM AND EGT MATCHED | |
| 04 | Nose Gear Relief SpeedNOTE: Ease front gear off ground at 160-180 km/h to reduce drag. | ~160-180 KM/H - EASE FORWARD PRESSURE | |
| 05 | Rotation SpeedNOTE: Rotate at 240-260 km/h at normal weight; up to 280 km/h fully loaded. | ~240-260 KM/H | |
| 06 | RotateCAUTION: Do not over-rotate - risk of tail strike with heavy weapons loads. | 7-10 DEGREES NOSE UP | |
| 07 | Positive Climb RateNOTE: Retract gear after positive climb rate confirmed. Gear retracts below 400 km/h. | GEAR UP | |
| 08 | Climb Speed | 340-360 KM/H INITIAL |
PHS 10 — After Takeoff / Climb9 steps
| 01 | Landing Gear | UP AND LOCKED - 3 LIGHTS OUT | |
| 02 | FlapsNOTE: Retract flaps above safe altitude once at 320-340 km/h. | RETRACT ABOVE 150 M AGL AT > 320 KM/H | |
| 03 | Air Brakes | IN | |
| 04 | Climb Power | MILITARY (100%) - MAINTAIN | |
| 05 | Climb Speed | 500 KM/H IAS (NORMAL CRUISE CLIMB) | |
| 06 | Navigation Mode | CONFIRM CORRECT MODE SELECTED | |
| 07 | SPO-15 RWR | ACTIVE - MONITOR FOR THREATS | |
| 08 | Fuel State | CHECK | |
| 09 | Engine Parameters | BOTH IN LIMITS |
PHS 11 — Cruise / Transit8 steps
| 01 | Cruise Altitude | AS BRIEFED (LOW-LEVEL OR HIGH-ALT) | |
| 02 | Throttle Setting | 75-85% RPM FOR CRUISE | |
| 03 | Cruise Speed | 700-750 KM/H AT ALTITUDE / 500 KM/H LOW-LEVEL | |
| 04 | Navigation | MONITOR RSBN / ARC WAYPOINTS | |
| 05 | Fuel State | MONITOR - COMPARE TO PLAN | |
| 06 | SPO-15 RWR | CONTINUOUS MONITOR | |
| 07 | Bingo Fuel | MONITOR - INITIATE RTB IF REACHED | |
| 08 | Master Arm | SAFE UNTIL COMBAT AREA |
PHS 12 — Attack / Weapons Employment12 steps
| 01 | Master ArmWARNING: Confirm clear of own forces and within authorized engagement area before arming. | ARM | |
| 02 | Weapon Mode Select | SELECT (ROCKETS / BOMBS / GUN / MISSILES) | |
| 03 | Attack Sight (ASP-17BTs) | CONFIGURED FOR WEAPON TYPE | |
| 04 | Chaff / Flare System (SPO-15 / APP-50)NOTE: Pre-arm countermeasures before entering defended airspace. | ARMED - AUTO OR MANUAL | |
| 05 | Attack Run Altitude | AS BRIEFED (MIN 100 M AGL GUNS / 300 M ROCKETS) | |
| 06 | Attack Airspeed | 550-700 KM/H FOR STRAFE / ROCKETS | |
| 07 | Weapons Release / Fire | EXECUTE | |
| 08 | Break-off ManeuverNOTE: Su-25A is susceptible to own-weapon fragmentation - maintain safe escape distance. | INITIATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER RELEASE | |
| 09 | Safe Escape Altitude | CLIMB OR EGRESS - CLEAR THREAT ENVELOPE | |
| 10 | Master Arm | SAFE AFTER ATTACK | |
| 11 | Countermeasures | DISPENSE AS REQUIRED | |
| 12 | Fuel / Engine Check | POST-ATTACK CHECK |
PHS 13 — Descent / Approach10 steps
| 01 | Weapons | MASTER ARM SAFE | |
| 02 | Navigation Mode | RTB / RETURN NAV SET | |
| 03 | RSBN | SET TO RECOVERY AIRFIELD | |
| 04 | Altimeter | SET QNH FOR RECOVERY AIRFIELD | |
| 05 | Fuel State | CONFIRM SUFFICIENT FOR APPROACH AND LANDING | |
| 06 | Engine Parameters | BOTH IN LIMITS | |
| 07 | Descent Speed | 500-600 KM/H | |
| 08 | IFF | ON - MODE AND CODES CONFIRMED | |
| 09 | Navigation Lights | ON (FLASHING / STANDARD) | |
| 10 | Pattern Entry | DOWNWIND AT 400 KM/H / 500 M AGL |
PHS 14 — Landing12 steps
| 01 | Landing GearCAUTION: Lower gear on downwind below 400 km/h. Do not exceed gear limit speed. | DOWN - 3 LIGHTS GREEN | |
| 02 | FlapsNOTE: Deploy full flaps on final approach. | FULL LANDING POSITION | |
| 03 | Air Brakes | CLOSED FOR APPROACH | |
| 04 | Final Approach SpeedNOTE: Maintain 250 km/h on short final at normal landing weight. | 250 KM/H (CLEAN) / 270-280 KM/H (HEAVY) | |
| 05 | Glideslope | 5 DEG - 5 M/S RATE OF DESCENT | |
| 06 | Turn Rate on Base | 30 DEG BANK / 1.4 G | |
| 07 | Runway Alignment | CONFIRMED ON SHORT FINAL | |
| 08 | Touchdown | MAINS FIRST - FIRM CONTACT | |
| 09 | Throttles at Touchdown | IDLE | |
| 10 | Drag ChuteNOTE: Pull drag chute handle after main wheels touch. Provides significant braking - standard procedure. | DEPLOY IMMEDIATELY AFTER MAIN GEAR CONTACT | |
| 11 | Air Brakes | FULL OPEN AFTER TOUCHDOWN | |
| 12 | Wheel Brakes | APPLY PROGRESSIVELY |
PHS 15 — After Landing8 steps
| 01 | Drag Chute | JETTISON AFTER CLEARING RUNWAY | |
| 02 | Air Brakes | RETRACT | |
| 03 | Flaps | RETRACT | |
| 04 | Master Arm | SAFE | |
| 05 | IFF | STANDBY | |
| 06 | Navigation Lights | STEADY (OR AS REQUIRED) | |
| 07 | SPO-15 RWR | STANDBY | |
| 08 | Taxi Speed | < 30 KM/H ON RAMP |
PHS 16 — Shutdown13 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 02 | ThrottlesNOTE: Allow engines to cool at idle for 2 minutes before shutdown to prevent turbine damage. | IDLE - 2 MINUTE COOLDOWN | |
| 03 | Avionics | OFF (RWR, IFF, nav systems) | |
| 04 | Weapon Systems | OFF - ALL SAFE | |
| 05 | Right Engine Fuel Cock | CLOSE - CUT OFF | |
| 06 | Right Engine RPM | DECREASING TO ZERO | |
| 07 | Left Engine Fuel Cock | CLOSE - CUT OFF | |
| 08 | Left Engine RPM | DECREASING TO ZERO | |
| 09 | Generator Switches | OFF (after both engines stopped) | |
| 10 | All Electrical Systems | OFF | |
| 11 | Battery Switch | OFF | |
| 12 | Canopy | OPEN | |
| 13 | Ejection Seat Safety PinWARNING: Re-insert ejection seat safety pin when exiting aircraft to make seat safe. | INSERT |