Originally Posted by Dmcontent

First is not called maximum ceiling it´s absolute ceiling.

Service ceiling is the altitude airplanes are designed to fly safely

Absolute ceiling is max altitude an airplane can fly check also coffin corner.

Check on the links what happen when any aircraft flies at their limit service ceiling just bellow absolute ceiling.

http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2007/aar0701.pdf

Easier read

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnacl...es_Flight_3701

Any variant of SU-25 (except TM) will stall into a flat spin like a mofo at around 8 000 meters and due to it´s high wing design is not easy to recover.

Enough said do you know or at least have knowledge that Nato studies in deep each military equipment Russia has and the other way also applies.