Based strictly on published specifications in Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 2003–2004 [1], the U.S. Army TRADOC Worldwide Equipment Guide: Air and Air Defense Systems [2], Sukhoi Su-39 : Sukhoi [3], which its contents are supported by “Aerofax: Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot: The Soviet Union’s Tank-Buster” [3’], and “OKB Sukhoi: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft” [3"] and an official report made by Rosoboronexport’s “Aerospace Systems Export Catalogue” [4], the current in-game representation of the Su-39 (Su-25TM) in War Thunder does not fully reflect the aircraft’s documented weapons integration capability. While the game correctly models Kh-25/Kh-29 variants, 9K127 Vikhr (However, not the Vikhr-M) missiles, KAB-500Kr, standard unguided bombs and rockets, and short-range air-to-air missiles (R-73 and R-60M) — all consistent with published references [1][2][3][3’][3"][4] — authoritative sources further describe the Su-39 as compatible with radar-guided medium-range air-to-air missiles, R-27R1/ER1 and R-77, enabled by the Kopyo-25 radar suite [1][2][3][4], 4 external pods of SPPU-678 pod with GSh-30-1 cannon[2][3], as well as anti-ship (Kh-31A) and anti-radiation (Kh-58E) missiles forming part of its expanded multi-role strike and SEAD capability [1][2][3][4]. Moreover, it retained and improved the Shkval of Su-25T, to the Shkval-M: an Optical-TV sight system with night/all-weather capabilities, while also installing the Khod thermal imager, and a 23X image magnification aiming system (to 25 km)[2][4]. The omission of these documented radar-guided AAM, anti-ship, and SEAD munitions results in a configuration that aligns more closely with the Su-25T rather than the fully realized Su-39 standard described in professional aviation literature.
The Su-39 differs from the Su-25T in three major aspects:
Integration of Kopyo-25 radar
Expanded air-to-air capability (R27R1/ER1 and R77)
SEAD mission role via anti-radiation missile integration (Kh-31A and Kh-58E)
The in-game Su-39 currently includes:
Kopyo-25 radar pod
Vikhr missiles
Kh-25/Kh-29
R-73 / R-60M
However, omission of radar-guided AAM and anti-radiation systems does not align with the documented expansion of capability described in references [1]–[4].
This results in a configuration functionally equivalent to the Su-25T baseline rather than the radar-equipped Su-39 modernization.
Given War Thunder’s stated emphasis on historical vehicle modeling based on documented technical sources, a review of the Su-39’s radar-integrated armament suite appears warranted.
References
[1] Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 2003–2004, Jane’s Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5 (link: SUKHOI Su-39)
[2] U.S. Army TRADOC. Worldwide Equipment Guide: Air and Air Defense Systems. ISBN 978-1727024784 (link: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/WorldwideEquipmentGuide_2015_Air_and_Air_Defense_Systems.pdf, especially, but not exclusively, from pp.31-32)
[3] Sukhoi Su-39 : Sukhoi
[3’] Aerofax: Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot: The Soviet Union’s Tank-Buster ISBN 978-1857802542
[3"] Antonov, Vladimir; Gordon, Yefim et al. OKB Sukhoi: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft. Midland Publishing, Hinckley 1996. ISBN 1-85780-012-5.
[4] Rosoboronexport “Aerospace Systems Export Catalogue” (2005), Publisher: Rosoboronexport State Corporation, pp.14/95
Images
Additional clarification:
In NATO, R77, Kh-31, Kh-58 are called AA-12, AS-17, and AS-11, respectively.
