Russia’s Version of the A-10 Was Built to Fly Low Over the Battlefield — Ukraine Just Proved That Mission Is ‘Flying Coffin’ Time
AI Analysis
The Russian Su-25 Frogfoot, designed for low-altitude close air support, is proving highly vulnerable in the Ukrainian conflict due to the proliferation of drones, MANPADS, and SAMs. Consequently, Russia is repurposing the Su-25 for standoff bombing roles. This highlights the evolving threat landscape for all close air support aircraft.
Key Takeaways
- Su-25 Frogfoot is suffering high attrition rates in Ukraine.
- Primary threats to the Su-25 are drones, MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense Systems), and SAMs (Surface-to-Air Missiles).
- Russia is adapting by converting Su-25s into standoff bombers, reducing their exposure to ground-based threats.
- The article draws a parallel, warning of similar vulnerabilities for the US A-10 Warthog.
- The shift in tactics demonstrates a recognition of the increased risk associated with traditional low-altitude CAS missions.
Why It Matters
This situation underscores the increasing dominance of asymmetric threats – particularly drones – in modern warfare, challenging established air superiority doctrines. The adaptation of the Su-25 fleet signals a broader shift towards standoff tactics, potentially influencing future aircraft design and operational employment. The US Air Force should closely evaluate the lessons learned from Ukraine regarding the A-10's survivability in a high-drone environment.
<img width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Su-25.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Su-25. Image Credit: Creative Commons." style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Su-25.jpg 1280w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Su-25-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Su-25-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Su-25-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Su-25-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Su-25-600x337.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><p>The Su-25 Frogfoot — often called "Russia's A-10" — was built to fly low and slow over the front, absorbing fire to support troops. The war in Ukraine has made that mission nearly suicidal, with both sides losing the rugged jets to drones, MANPADS, and SAMs. Now it's being rebuilt as a standoff bomber — a warning for America's own A-10.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.19fortyfive.com/2026/06/russias-version-of-the-a-10-was-built-to-fly-low-over-the-battlefield-ukraine-just-proved-that-mission-is-flying-coffin-time/">Russia’s Version of the A-10 Was Built to Fly Low Over the Battlefield — Ukraine Just Proved That Mission Is ‘Flying Coffin’ Time</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.19fortyfive.com">19FortyFive</a>.</p>