29.10.2019

Classification of military aircraft. New Russian military aircraft - what do we have and what can we expect from the military-industrial complex? What technology is in aviation

Military aircraft are aircraft used for military front-line or combat sorties, respectively, designed for high power without regard to economy, in contrast to civil aviation aircraft.

From military aircraft, first of all, a high rate of climb is required, as well as high speed, altitude and flight range. For the operational conduct of air warfare, long-range bomber aircraft and missile carriers are used to destroy military installations. Tanker aircraft, which have only fuel on board, have the ability to refuel combat aircraft directly in flight. Military aircraft include long-range reconnaissance aircraft with long range, altitude and airspeed. Tactical military aircraft include fighter (or fighter) aircraft, fighter-bombers, light bombers, and aircraft tactical intelligence. Modern military aircraft are often designed as multipurpose, i.e. they are intended for combat use as attack aircraft, fighter-interceptors and reconnaissance aircraft.

1) Fighter aircraft (fighters)

A fighter aircraft is a very fast one- or two-seat combat aircraft for destroying (search) enemy combat aircraft, unmanned missiles, etc. All modern fighters are equipped with one or two air-jet engines as a drive. The speed exceeds the sound speed and is currently about 3,500 km/h, the rate of climb near the ground is over 200 m/s, and the maximum operating altitude is up to 30,000 m. .7 cm) and ballistic, radio-controlled or homing air-to-air missiles. In addition, for the most part, fighter planes have extensive electronic equipment such as radar, recognition device, etc.

Heavy fighter aircraft or fighter-bombers combine the flight power and flight qualities of fighters - high combat speed and rate of climb, high maximum flight altitude, good maneuverability - and the qualities of light and medium bombers - long flight range, good armament, high payload, extensive electronic and radar equipment. In their combat capabilities, they are highly versatile. Their intended purpose, among other things, includes actions to intercept and assault ground targets, search submarines, support for ship formations and ground combat operations, combat use as an escort fighter or reconnaissance aircraft. Armament and equipment correspond to the tasks assigned. Radar installations are standard; armament consists, as a rule, of large-caliber guns and missiles (air-to-air or air-to-ground), as well as bombs and torpedoes as bomber weapons. Since there is no free space in the fuselage of these military aircraft, bombs, rockets and additional fuel tanks are suspended under and at the ends of the wings. The speed indicators of heavy bombers are between Mach 0.2 and 2, the maximum flight altitude is from 15,000 to 20,000 m, and the flight range is from 1,500 to 4,500 km.

Previously, there were special night fighters that were used specifically for combat operations at night, as they were equipped with devices for blind flight. Most modern fighter planes are all-weather, i.e. they can make sorties in bad weather conditions, as well as at night. Also, often all-weather fighter aircraft are called heavy fighters, since they are in most cases two-seat and equipped with two engines.

The essence of effective air defense is to “intercept” an incoming enemy and prevent him from completing his combat mission, and therefore destroy him. This requires fighter planes with good takeoff power, high speeds, with a large maximum flight altitude and good weapons, namely interceptor fighters. First of all, they are deployed in close proximity to the border of industrial centers and other protected objects.

The use of high-speed and high-flying combat aircraft (bombers) with a jet engine has significantly increased the requirements for rate of climb, speed and maximum height interceptor fighters. This results in the following power characteristics: maximum speed from 2000 to 2500 km/h, flight range is 2000-3500 km. Such indicators require, with an average takeoff weight of 7 to 12 tons, the use of engines with a thrust of 3000 to 5000 kgf, whose power can be increased by another 50% due to additional fuel combustion. For short-term acceleration, especially when climbing, additional rocket propulsion systems can serve.

2) Bomber planes (bombers)

Fighter aircraft are primarily used to solve defensive tasks, while for bombers, offensive operations are put in the foreground. A bomber is a large, heavy military aircraft with multiple turbojet engines (jet turbines or turboprops). On short runways or when overburdened, bombers are often equipped with auxiliary launch rockets.

Bombers are tasked with quickly and at high altitudes to attack distant targets with bursting charges in the form of bombs. Due to the great danger of approaching a target in an enemy area, more and more bombers are being upgraded to missile carriers, which launch missiles at a great distance from the target and remotely control it until it is hit, while the bomber itself is outside the area controlled by enemy forces. The take-off weight of modern bombers reaches 230 tons, and the total thrust is over 50,000 kgf, or, accordingly, the total power is approximately 50,000 hp. Bomb load depends on tactical range; it is up to 16,000 km without refueling, and even more with air refueling. The flight altitude reaches 20,000 m, and the crew can be 12 people. The speed of modern bombers exceeds 2000 km/h; on this moment bombers are being designed that will have more great speed. Defensive armament consists of missiles, machine guns and automatic cannons.

Like all types of aircraft, bombers can also be classified according to different aspects, for example, according to the bomb load and thus the take-off weight (light, medium and heavy bombers) or depending on their combat mission (tactical and strategic bombers).

Tactical bombers are aircraft designed to solve certain particular tasks of operational warfare, namely, tactical missions. This refers to such actions that change the situation on a certain sector of the front and subjugate the entire target, and therefore the destruction of enemy troops, assembly areas, firing positions, airfields, supply routes, etc. in a certain area of concentration of enemy troops.

Proceeding from such a statement of the problem, it is possible to formulate the main requirements for tactical bombers: high combat speed, bomb load up to 10 tons, maximum flight range up to 6000 km. As a result of these requirements, design features, which can be summarized as follows: aircraft with one, two, three or four jet engines with a takeoff weight of 20 to 50 tons, with remotely controlled defensive weapons or air-to-air missiles, electronic and radar equipment, with a strong body capable of withstanding heavy loads when flying at low altitudes. From all this, it can be argued that tactical bombers have a certain similarity with heavy fighters, both in their tasks and in terms of parameters.

strategic bombers. Strategy is the science of waging war on a large scale. The word strategic means large-scale military operations. This also explains the combat mission of strategic bombers. These military aircraft are designed to perform combat missions deep behind enemy lines.

All bombers are equipped with radar devices to search for targets and determine the location of attacking fighter aircraft. A sortie is made in small groups or alone. Since modern bombers have almost the same speed as fighters, the same range as them, and significant defense capability due to air-to-air missiles, fighter cover is often abandoned today.

For the first time, bombers began to be used during the First World War alone or in small groups. In the Second World War, "massive" sorties took place as part of large groups, which numbered several hundred bombers and flew under the cover of fighter planes. The then bombers had several engines, were relatively slow, designed for a maximum bomb load and a large number of defensive weapons. Modern ones, on the other hand, are designed for long range, altitude, and flight speed. In most cases, reconnaissance aircraft flew ahead and were intended to search for a target. Unlike the bombers of the time, they were equipped with radar instruments. Thanks to the luminous aerial bombs dropped by parachutes, the target was designated. A dive bomber was considered a special type, which approached the target from a high altitude, then rammed it in a fast dive flight, and dropped one or more bombs from a short distance. After that, the bomber again leveled its position in flight. After design intercontinental missiles there was an opinion that strategic bombers were outdated. But thanks to their improvement to missile carriers and flying launchers in Lately they have regained their importance.

3) Reconnaissance aircraft (scouts)

These are multi-seat, lightly armed fighters or bombers (without bomb load), which are equipped with aerial cameras, radar instruments, often devices for transmitting television signals, or also shipborne aircraft for aerial reconnaissance, i.e. for reconnaissance of positions, objects, etc. of the enemy, territory and weather conditions in the interests of all parts of their own armed forces. Previously, depending on the maximum flight range and scope, short-range and long-range reconnaissance aircraft were distinguished. Today they talk, depending on the combat mission, about tactical and strategic intelligence officers. There are special reconnaissance aircraft for conducting artillery fire from the air, for reconnaissance of the area in the zone of fire of their own artillery thanks to visual reconnaissance or aerial photographs, as well as to control the camouflage of their own artillery. Such aircraft are called artillery aircraft. They refer to short-range reconnaissance or tactical reconnaissance.

4) Military transport aircraft

These are large aircraft that have from 2 to 8 engines and a flight range of 3000 km or more. They are lightly armed or not armed at all and are designed to transport supplies for the troops (food, fuel, ammunition, weapons, as well as guns, tanks, vehicles, etc.). Military transport aircraft are used for landing (landing) airborne troops, as well as the transportation of troops during regroupings. military vehicle fleet transport aviation consists of transport aircraft, cargo gliders and helicopters, which are suitably equipped.

What is military aviation

Modern air forces include special troops and services, as well as a rather complex set of technical means that are diverse in their intended purpose, which can be used to solve strike, reconnaissance, transport and some other tasks.

The main part of this complex are the following types of aviation:

Strategic;
front;
sanitary;
Transport.

Additional aviation units are also part of the air defense forces, the navy and the ground forces.

The history of the creation of military aviation

Sikorsky's "Ilya Muromets" aircraft - the world's first four-engine bomber

The first airplanes for a long time used almost exclusively for recreational and sporting purposes. But already in 1911, during the armed conflict between Italy and Turkey, the aircraft were used in the interests of the army. At first, these were reconnaissance flights, the first of which took place on October 23, and already on November 1, the Italian pilot Gavoti used weapons on ground targets, dropping several conventional hand grenades on them.

By the beginning of the First World War, the great powers managed to acquire air fleets. They consisted mainly of reconnaissance aircraft. There were no fighters at all, and only Russia had bombers - these were the famous Ilya Muromets aircraft. Unfortunately, it was not possible to establish a full-fledged serial production of these machines, so their total number did not exceed 80 copies. Meanwhile, Germany in the second half of the war produced hundreds of its own bombers.

In February 1915, the world's first fighter aircraft, created by the French pilot Roland Garros, appeared on the Western Front. The device he invented for firing through a propeller was quite primitive, although it worked, however, already in May of the same year, the Germans commissioned their own fighters equipped with a full-fledged synchronizer. Since then, dogfights have become more and more common.

German fighter Fokker Dr.I. One of these aircraft was used by the best ace of the First World War, Manfred von Richthofen.

After the end of the First World War, aircraft continued to develop rapidly: their speed, flight range and carrying capacity increased. At the same time, the so-called “Douai Doctrine” appeared, named after its author, an Italian general who believed that victory in a war could be achieved only by aerial bombardment, methodically destroying the enemy’s defense and industrial potential, undermining his morale and will. to resistance.

As subsequent events showed, this theory does not always justify itself, but it was it that largely determined the subsequent directions in the development of military aviation throughout the world. The most notable attempt to put the Douai doctrine into practice was the strategic bombing of Germany during World War II. Eventually military aviation made a huge contribution to the subsequent defeat of the "Third Reich", however, it was still not possible to do without the active actions of the ground forces.

Armadas of long-range bombers were considered the main strike tool in the post-war period. It was in those years that jet aircraft appeared, which in many ways changed the very idea of \u200b\u200bmilitary aviation. Huge "flying fortresses" became just a convenient target for Soviet high-speed and well-armed MiGs.

B-29 - American strategic bomber of the 40s, the first carrier nuclear weapons

This meant that the bombers also had to become jet-powered, which soon happened. During these years, aircraft became more and more complex. If during the Second World War only one aircraft technician was engaged in servicing the fighter, then in subsequent years it was necessary to attract a whole team of specialists.

During the Vietnam War, multi-role aircraft capable of strikes against ground targets, as well as air combat, came to the fore. Such was the American F-4 Phantom, which became to some extent a source of inspiration for the Soviet designers who developed the MiG-23. At the same time, the conflict in Vietnam Once again showed that bombardments alone, even the most intense ones, are not enough for victory: combat aviation, without the help of ground forces, is capable of forcing only a morally broken enemy, prepared in advance for defeat, to surrender.

In the 70-80s of the last century, fourth-generation fighters appeared in the sky. They differed from their predecessors not only in flight characteristics, but also in the composition of weapons. The use of high-precision weapons once again changed the face of the air war: there was a transition from massive air strikes to "pinpoint" ones.

Su-27 (left) and F-15 - the best fighters of the 80s of the last century

Today, the main direction in the development of military aviation has become the intensive use of drones, both reconnaissance and attack, as well as the creation of stealth multi-purpose aircraft, such as the American F-35, or the Russian Su-57.

The purpose of military aviation

The list of the main tasks that are solved with the help of military aircraft and helicopters:

Carrying out all types of aerial reconnaissance;
Artillery fire adjustment;
Destruction of land, sea, air and space targets, small and large, stationary and mobile, area and point;
Mining of areas of the area;
Protection of airspace and ground forces;
Transportation and landing of troops;
Delivery of various military cargoes and equipment;
Evacuation of the wounded and sick;
Carrying out promotional campaigns;
Examination of the area, detection of radiation, chemical and bacteriological contamination.

Thus, military aviation can be of great benefit, of course, if it is used correctly.

Military aviation technology

During the First World War, shock airships ("Zeppelins") were actively used, however, today there is nothing like this in the Air Force. All the equipment used is airplanes (airplanes) and helicopters.

Aircraft

The breadth of the spectrum of tasks solved with the help of aviation makes it necessary to include several machines in the Air Force different types. Each of them has its own purpose.

F-111 - American front-line bomber with variable sweep wing

Combat aircraft

This type of aviation includes:

Fighters. Their main purpose is to destroy enemy aircraft and gain air superiority, local or complete. All other tasks are secondary. Armament - guided air-to-air missiles, automatic guns;
Bombers. They can be front-line or strategic. They are mainly used for strikes against ground targets. Armament - air-to-surface missiles (including unguided ones), free-fall, glide and guided bombs, as well as torpedoes (for anti-submarine aircraft);
Stormtroopers. They are mainly used for direct support of troops on the battlefield;
Fighter-bombers are aircraft capable of attacking ground targets and leading air battle. All modern fighters are to some extent such.

Strategic bombers differ significantly from other combat aircraft in their weapons system, which includes long-range cruise missiles.

Reconnaissance and air surveillance aircraft

In principle, "ordinary" fighters or bombers equipped with the necessary equipment can be used to solve reconnaissance tasks. An example is the MiG-25R. But there is also specialized technology. These are, in particular, the American U-2 and SR-71, the Soviet An-30.

Super high-speed reconnaissance aircraft SR-71 Blackbird

This category also includes early warning aircraft - the Russian A-50 (created on the basis of the Il-76), the American E-3 Sentry. Such machines are capable of conducting deep radio reconnaissance, however, they are not distinguished by stealth, since they are a source of powerful electromagnetic radiation. Significantly more "modestly" behave such intelligence officers as the Il-20, which are mainly engaged in radio interception.

Transport aircraft

This type of aircraft is used to transport troops and equipment. Some models of vehicles that are part of transport aviation are adapted for landing - both conventional and non-parachute, carried out from extremely low altitudes.

In the Russian army, the Il-76 and An-26 military transport aircraft are most often used. If it is necessary to deliver cargo of significant weight or volume, heavy An-124s can be used. Of the American military aircraft of a similar purpose, the most famous are the C-5 Galaxy and C-130 Hercules.

Il-76 - the main aircraft of the Russian military transport aviation

training aircraft

Becoming a military pilot is quite difficult. The most difficult thing is to get real skills that cannot be replaced by virtual flights on a simulator or a deep study of theory. Training aviation is used to solve this problem. Such aircraft can be either specialized vehicles or combat aircraft variants.

For example, the Su-27UB, although it is used for training pilots, can be used as a full-fledged fighter. At the same time, the Yak-130 or the British BAE Hawk are specialized training aircraft. In some cases, even such models can be used as a light attack aircraft to strike at ground targets. Usually this happens "out of poverty", in the absence of full-fledged combat aircraft.

Helicopters

Although rotorcraft were used to a limited extent already during the Second World War, after the end of hostilities, interest in "helicopters" decreased markedly. It soon became clear that this was a mistake, and today helicopters are used in the armies of the most different countries peace.

Transport helicopters

Conventional airplanes cannot take off and land vertically, which limits their scope somewhat. Helicopters originally had this property, which made them a very attractive means of delivering goods and transporting people. The first full-fledged "debut" of such machines took place during the war in Korea. The US Army, using helicopters, evacuated the wounded directly from the battlefield, delivered ammunition and equipment to the soldiers, created problems for the enemy by landing small armed detachments in his rear.

V-22 Osprey - one of the most unusual examples of rotorcraft

Today, the most typical transport helicopter in the Russian army is the Mi-8. The huge heavy Mi-26 is also used. The U.S. military operates the UH-60 Blackhawk, the CH-47 Chinook, and the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.

attack helicopters

The first rotorcraft, designed specifically to engage ground targets and provide direct fire support for own troops, appeared in the United States in the 60s. It was a UH-1 Cobra helicopter, some modifications of which are used by the US military today. The functions of these machines to some extent overlap with the tasks of attack aircraft.

In the 70s, attack helicopters were considered perhaps the most effective anti-tank weapon. This was made possible thanks to new types of guided aircraft missiles, such as the American TOW and Hellfire, as well as the Soviet "Phalanx", "Ataka" and "Whirlwinds". A little later, combat helicopters were additionally equipped with air-to-air missiles.

The most "brutal" combat helicopter in the world - the Mi-24 - is capable of not only attacking ground targets, but also transporting paratroopers

The most famous machines of this class are Mi-24, Ka-52, AH-64 Apache.

Reconnaissance helicopters

In the Soviet, and then Russian army aviation, reconnaissance tasks were usually assigned not to specialized, but to conventional combat or transport helicopters. The US took a different path and developed the OH-58 Kiowa. The equipment placed on board this machine allows you to confidently detect and recognize various targets at a great distance. The weak side of the helicopter is its poor security, which sometimes led to losses.

From Russian models The Ka-52 has the most advanced reconnaissance equipment, which makes it possible to use this machine as a kind of "gunner".

UAV

Over the past decades, the importance of unmanned aerial vehicles has grown significantly. Drones allow you to conduct reconnaissance and even inflict surprise strikes on targets, while remaining invulnerable. They are not only difficult to shoot down, but even easy to detect.

Drones are likely to become a priority in the development of aviation in the foreseeable future. Such machines will, in particular, be used as assistants for the most modern tanks and fifth-generation fighters. Over time, they can completely replace manned combat aircraft.

Promising Russian UAV "Hunter"

air defense

To solve air defense tasks, both conventional front-line fighters and specialized interceptors can be involved. Particular attention was paid to such aviation in the USSR, since American strategic bombers were considered the No. 1 threat for a long time.

The most famous air defense aircraft were the Soviet MiG-25 and MiG-31 interceptors. These are relatively low-maneuverable aircraft, but they are capable of quickly accelerating to speeds of more than 3,000 kilometers per hour.

Of the American fighters of a similar purpose, the F-14 Tomcat was the most famous. This carrier-based aircraft was the only carrier of the AIM-54 Phoenix long-range missiles and was used to protect aircraft carrier strike groups from air attacks.

MiG-25 interceptor on takeoff. Using their record speed, such aircraft successfully evaded dozens of air-to-air missiles fired at them.

In recent decades, aviation technology has not been developing at such a fast pace as it was before. Fighters such as the F-15, F-16, F / A-18 and Su-27 still dominate the air forces of different countries, although these machines first took to the air back in the 70-80s of the last century . Of course, this does not mean that progress has stopped. The composition of weapons is changing, on-board electronics are being updated, the main thing is that the tactics and strategy for the use of aviation are being reviewed, which in the future may become mostly unmanned. One thing is clear - whatever the technical composition of the Air Force, aircraft and helicopters will remain one of the most powerful means of achieving victory in any military conflict.

The modern Air Force of the Russian Federation is traditionally the most mobile and maneuverable branch of the Armed Forces. The equipment and other means in service with the Air Force are intended, first of all, to repel aggression in the aerospace sphere and protect the administrative and industrial and economic centers of the country, groupings of troops and important objects from enemy attacks; to ensure the actions of the Ground Forces and the Navy; strikes against enemy groupings in the sky, on land and at sea, as well as against its administrative-political and military-economic centers.

The existing Air Forces, in terms of their organizational and staffing structure, date back to 2008, when the country began to form a new look for the Russian Armed Forces. Then the Air Force and Air Defense Commands were formed, subordinate to the newly created operational-strategic commands: Western, Southern, Central and Eastern. The Air Force High Command was assigned the tasks of planning and organizing combat training, the long-term development of the Air Force, as well as training the leadership of the control bodies. In 2009-2010, a transition was made to a two-level air force command and control system, as a result of which the number of formations was reduced from 8 to 6, and air defense formations were reorganized into 11 aerospace defense brigades. Air regiments were consolidated into air bases total about 70, including 25 air bases for tactical (front-line) aviation, of which 14 are purely fighter.

In 2014, the reform of the Air Force structure continued: the air defense forces and assets were concentrated in air defense divisions, and the formation of aviation divisions and regiments began in aviation. An air force and air defense army is being created as part of the joint strategic command "North".

The most fundamental transformation is expected in 2015: the creation of a new type - Aerospace Forces based on the integration of forces and means of the Air Force (aviation and air defense) and the Aerospace Defense Forces (space forces, air defense and missile defense).

Simultaneously with the reorganization, an active renewal of the aircraft fleet is taking place. The planes and helicopters of previous generations were replaced by their new modifications, as well as promising machines with wider combat capabilities and flight performance. Current development work was continued and new development work was started on advanced aviation systems. Active development of unmanned aircraft began.

Modern air fleet The Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force in terms of numbers. True, its exact quantitative composition has not been officially published, but on the basis of open sources, quite adequate calculations can be made. As for the renewal of the air fleet, according to the representative of the press service and information department of the Russian Ministry of Defense for VVSI.Klimov, the Russian Air Force in 2015 alone, in accordance with the state defense order, will receive more than 150 new aircraft and helicopters. These include latest aircraft Su-30 SM, Su-30 M2, MiG-29 SMT, Su-34, Su-35 S, Yak-130, Il-76 MD-90 A, as well as helicopters Ka-52, Mi-28 N, Mi 8 AMTSh/MTV-5-1, Mi-8 MTPR, Mi-35M, Mi-26, Ka-226 and Ansat-U. It is also known from the words of the former Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Colonel-General A. Zelin, that as of November 2010, the total number of Air Force personnel was about 170 thousand people (including 40 thousand officers).

All aviation of the Russian Air Force as a branch of service is divided into:

Long-range (strategic) aviation,
Operational-tactical (front-line) aviation,
military transport aviation,
Army aviation.

In addition, the Air Force includes such types of troops as anti-aircraft missile troops, radio engineering troops, special troops, as well as rear units and institutions (all of them will not be considered in this material).

In turn, aviation by birth is divided into:

bomber aircraft,
assault aircraft,
fighter aircraft,
reconnaissance aircraft,
transport aviation,
special aviation.

Further, all types of aircraft in the Air Force of the Russian Federation, as well as promising machines, are considered. The first part of the article covers long-range (strategic) and operational-tactical (front-line) aviation, the second part - military transport, reconnaissance, special and army aviation.

Long-range (strategic) aviation

Long-range aviation is the means of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Russia and is designed to solve strategic, operational-strategic and operational tasks in theaters of military operations (strategic directions). Long-range aviation is also a component of the triad of strategic nuclear forces.

The main tasks performed in peacetime are deterrence (including nuclear) of potential adversaries; in the event of a war - the maximum reduction in the military-economic potential of the enemy by destroying his important military facilities and violating state and military control.

The main promising areas for the development of long-range aviation are the maintenance and enhancement of operational capabilities to fulfill the assigned tasks as part of the strategic deterrence forces and general-purpose forces through the modernization of aircraft with the extension of their service life, the purchase of new aircraft (Tu-160 M), as well as the creation of a promising long-range aviation complex PAK-DA.

The main weapons of long-range aircraft are guided missiles, both in nuclear and conventional equipment:

Kh-55SM long-range strategic cruise missiles;
aeroballistic hypersonic missiles X-15 C;
operational-tactical cruise missiles X-22.

As well as free-falling bombs of various calibers, including those in nuclear weapons, one-time bomb clusters, and sea mines.

In the future, it is planned to introduce high-precision cruise missiles of the new generation X-555 and X-101 with a significantly increased range and accuracy into the armament of long-range aviation aircraft.

The basis of the modern fleet of long-range aviation of the Russian Air Force is bombers-missile carriers:

strategic missile carriers Tu-160-16 units. Until 2020, it is possible to supply about 50 modernized Tu-160 M2 machines.
Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers - 38 units, and about 60 more are in storage. Since 2013, these aircraft have been upgraded to the level of Tu-95 MSM in order to extend their service life.
Tu-22M3 long-range missile bombers - about 40 units, and another 109 in reserve. Since 2012, 30 aircraft have been upgraded to the level of Tu-22 M3 M.

The long-range aviation also includes Il-78 tanker aircraft and Tu-22MR reconnaissance aircraft.

Tu‑160

Work on a new multi-mode strategic intercontinental bomber began in the USSR in 1967. Having tried a variety of layout options, the designers eventually came up with the design of an integral low-wing with variable sweep wing with four engines installed in pairs in engine nacelles under the fuselage.

In 1984, the Tu-160 was put into mass production at the Kazan Aviation Plant. At the time of the collapse of the USSR, 35 aircraft were produced (of which 8 prototypes), by 1994, KAPO transferred six more Tu-160 bombers to the Russian Air Force, which were stationed near Engels in the Saratov region. In 2009, 3 new aircraft were built and put into service, by 2015 their number is 16 units.

In 2002, the Ministry of Defense entered into an agreement with KAPO for the modernization of the Tu-160 in order to gradually repair and modernize all bombers of this type in service. According to the latest data, by 2020, 10 Tu-160M modification aircraft will be put into service with the Russian Air Force. conventional bomb weapons. In view of the need to replenish the fleet of long-range aviation in April 2015, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu instructed to consider the issue of resuming the production of Tu-160 M. In May of the same year, Supreme Commander V. V. Putin officially instructed to resume production of improved Tu-160 M2.

Main characteristics of Tu-160
	4 people

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	4 × turbofan NK-32
Thrust maximum	4 × 18,000 kgf
Afterburner thrust	4 × 25,000 kgf
	2230 km/h (M=1.87)
Cruising speed	917 km/h (M=0.77)
Maximum range without refueling
Range with combat load
Combat radius
Flight duration
practical ceiling	about 22000 m
rate of climb
Take-off / run length
Armament:
Strategic cruise missiles X‑55 SM/X‑101
Tactical aeroballistic missiles Kh-15 S
Free-falling aviation bombs of caliber up to 4000 kg, cluster bombs, mines.

Tu‑95MS

The creation of the aircraft was started by the design bureau headed by Andrey Tupolev in the distant 1950s. At the end of 1951, the developed project was approved, and then the layout built by that time was approved and approved. The construction of the first two aircraft began at the Moscow Aviation Plant No. 156, and already in the fall of 1952, the prototype made its first flight.

In 1956, the aircraft, which received the official designation Tu-95, began to arrive in the long-range aviation unit. Subsequently, various modifications were developed, including carriers of anti-ship missiles.

In the late 1970s, a completely new modification of the bomber was created, which received the designation Tu-95 MS. The new aircraft in 1981 was put into serial production at the Kuibyshev Aviation Plant, which continued until 1992 (about 100 aircraft were produced).

Now, the 37th Air Army of Strategic Aviation has been formed as part of the Air Force of the Russian Federation, consisting of two divisions, which includes two regiments on the Tu-95 MS-16 (Amur and Saratov regions) - a total of 38 aircraft. About 60 more units are in storage.

Due to the obsolescence of equipment, since 2013, the modernization of aircraft in service to the level of Tu-95 MSM began, the service life of which will last until 2025. They will be equipped with new electronics, a sighting and navigation system, a satellite navigation system, and it will be possible to carry new Kh-101 strategic cruise missiles.

Main characteristics of Tu-95MS
	7 people

Wingspan:

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	4 × TVD NK-12 MP
Power	4 × 15,000 l. With.
Maximum speed at altitude
Cruising speed	about 700 km/h
Maximum range
Practical range
Combat radius
practical ceiling	about 11000 m
Take-off / run length
Armament:
built-in Strategic cruise missiles X‑55 SM/X‑101–6 or 16 Free-falling bombs of caliber up to 9000 kg, bomb clusters, mines.

Tu‑22M3

The Tu-22 M3 long-range supersonic bomber with variable wing geometry is designed to conduct combat operations in the operational zones of land and sea theaters of war day and night in simple and adverse weather conditions. It is capable of delivering Kh-22 cruise missile strikes against naval targets, Kh-15 supersonic aeroballistic missiles against land targets, as well as precision bombing. Named "Backfire" in the west.

In total, 268 Tu-22 M3 bombers were built at the Kazan Aviation Production Association until 1993.

Currently, about 40 Tu-22M3 units are in service, and another 109 are in reserve. By 2020, it is planned to upgrade about 30 vehicles at KAPO to the level of Tu-22 M3 M (the modification was put into service in 2014). They will install new electronics, expand the range of weapons through the introduction of the latest precision-guided munitions, and extend their service life to 40 years.

Main characteristics of Tu‑22M3
	4 people

Wingspan: At the minimum sweep angle At maximum sweep angle

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × TRDDF NK-25
Thrust maximum	2 × 14 500 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 25,000 kgf
Maximum speed at altitude
Cruising speed
Range of flight
Combat radius with a load of 12 t	1500…2400 km
practical ceiling
Take-off / run length
Armament:
built-in 23 mm defensive installation with guns GSh-23
X-22 anti-ship cruise missiles
Tactical aeroballistic missiles Kh-15 S.

Promising developments

PAK YES

In 2008, R&D funding was opened in Russia to create a promising long-range aviation complex PAK DA. The program provides for the development of a fifth-generation long-range bomber to replace aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force. The fact that the Russian Air Force formulated the tactical and technical requirements for the PAK DA program and preparations began for the participation of design bureaus in the development competition was announced back in 2007. According to I. Shevchuk, Director General of JSC Tupolev, the contract under the PAK DA program was won by Tupolev Design Bureau. In 2011, it was reported that a preliminary design of the avionics integration complex of a promising complex had been developed, and the long-range aviation command of the Russian Air Force issued a tactical and technical assignment for the creation of a promising bomber. It was announced plans to build 100 vehicles, which they expect to be put into service before 2027.

Most likely, advanced hypersonic missiles, long-range cruise missiles of the X-101 type, short-range precision missiles and guided bombs, as well as free-fall bombs, will most likely be used as weapons. It was stated that some of the missiles had already been developed by the Tactical Missiles Corporation. It is possible that the aircraft will also be used as an air carrier for an operational-strategic reconnaissance and strike complex. It is possible that for self-defense, in addition to the electronic warfare complex, the bomber will be armed with air-to-air missiles.

Operational-tactical (front-line) aviation

Operational-tactical (front-line) aviation is designed to solve operational, operational-tactical and tactical tasks in operations (combat actions) of groupings of troops (forces) in theaters of military operations (strategic directions).

Bomber aviation, which is part of front-line aviation, is the main strike weapon of the Air Force, mainly in operational and operational-tactical depths.

Assault aviation is intended primarily for aviation support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects mainly on the front line, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy. In addition, it can also fight enemy aircraft in the air.

The main promising areas for the development of bombers and attack aircraft of tactical aviation are maintaining and building up capabilities in the framework of solving operational, operational-tactical and tactical tasks during combat operations in the theater by supplying new ones (Su-34) and upgrading existing ones (Su-25SM ) aircraft.

Bombers and ground attack aircraft are armed with air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, unguided missiles different types, aviation bombs, including corrected ones, cluster bombs, aircraft guns.

Fighter aviation is represented by multi-role and front-line fighters, as well as fighter-interceptors. Its purpose is to destroy enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the air, as well as ground and sea targets.

The task of air defense fighter aviation is to cover the most important directions and individual objects from an enemy air attack by destroying his aircraft at maximum ranges with the help of interceptors. Air defense aviation is also armed with combat helicopters, special and transport aircraft and helicopters.

The main promising areas for the development of fighter aviation are maintaining and increasing the capabilities to fulfill the tasks set through the modernization of existing aircraft, the purchase of new aircraft (Su-30, Su-35), as well as the creation of a promising PAK-FA aviation complex, which has been tested since 2010 of the year and, possibly, a promising long-range interceptor.

The main armament of fighter aircraft is air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles of various ranges, as well as free-fall and corrected bombs, unguided rockets, cluster bombs, and aircraft guns. Advanced missile weapons are being developed.

The modern aircraft fleet of attack and front-line bomber aviation includes the following types of aircraft:

attack aircraft Su-25-200 units, including Su-25UB, about 100 more are in storage. Despite the fact that these aircraft were put into service in the USSR, their combat potential, taking into account modernization, remains quite high. By 2020, it is planned to upgrade about 80 attack aircraft to the level of the Su-25SM.
front-line bombers Su-24M - 21 units. These Soviet-made aircraft are already outdated and are being actively put out of action. In 2020, it is planned to dispose of all the Su-24M in service.
fighter-bombers Su-34-69 units. The latest multi-purpose aircraft that replace obsolete Su-24M bombers in the units. The total number of ordered Su-34s is 124 units, which will go into service in the near future.

Su-25

Su-25 is an armored subsonic attack aircraft designed for close support of ground forces over the battlefield. It is capable of destroying point and area targets on the ground day and night under any weather conditions. We can say that this is the best aircraft of its class in the world, tested in real combat operations. In the army, the Su-25 received the unofficial nickname "Rook", in the west - the designation "Frogfoot".

Serial production was carried out at aircraft factories in Tbilisi and Ulan-Ude (1320 aircraft of all modifications were produced for the entire time, including for export).

The vehicles were produced in various modifications, including the combat training Su-25UB and the carrier-based Su-25UTD for the Navy. Currently, the Russian Air Force has about 200 Su-25 aircraft of various modifications, which are in service with 6 combat and several training aviation regiments. About 100 more old cars are in storage.

In 2009, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the resumption of purchases of Su-25 attack aircraft for the Air Force. At the same time, a program was adopted to upgrade 80 vehicles to the level of the Su-25SM. The latest electronics are installed on them, including the sighting system, multifunctional indicators, new electronic warfare equipment, and the Spear outboard radar. The new Su-25UBM aircraft, which will have equipment similar to the Su-25 SM, has been adopted as a combat training aircraft.

The main characteristics of the Su-25
	1 person

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × TRD R-95Sh
Thrust maximum	2 × 4100 kgf
Max Speed
Cruising speed
Practical range with combat load
ferry range
practical ceiling
rate of climb
Take-off / run length
Armament:
built-in 30 mm double-barreled gun GSh‑30–2 (250 rounds) On external suspension Air-to-surface guided missiles - Kh‑25 ML, Kh‑25 MLP, S‑25 L, Kh‑29 L Air bombs, cassettes - FAB‑500, RBC‑500, FAB‑250, RBC‑250, FAB‑100, KMGU‑2 containers Shooting-cannon containers - SPPU-22-1 (23-mm cannon GSh-23)

Su-24M

The Su-24M variable-sweep wing front-line bomber is designed to deliver missile and bomb strikes in the operational and operational-tactical depths of the enemy day and night in simple and adverse weather conditions, including at low altitudes, with targeted destruction of ground and surface targets with guided and unguided munitions. In the west received the designation "Fencer"

Serial production was carried out at NAPO named after Chkalov in Novosibirsk (with the participation of KNAAPO) until 1993, about 1200 machines of various modifications were built, including for export.

At the turn of the century due to obsolescence aviation technology in Russia, a program was launched to modernize front-line bombers to the level of the Su-24 M2. In 2007, the first two Su-24 M2s were transferred to the Lipetsk Combat Operations Center. The delivery of other vehicles to the Russian Air Force was completed in 2009.

Currently, the Russian Air Force has 21 Su-24M aircraft of several modifications, but as the newest Su-34s and Su-24s enter service, they are removed from service and disposed of (by 2015, 103 aircraft were disposed of). By 2020, they should be completely withdrawn from the Air Force.

The main characteristics of the Su-24M
	2 persons

Wingspan At maximum sweep angle At the minimum sweep angle

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × turbofan AL-21 F-3
Thrust maximum	2 × 7800 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 11200 kgf
Maximum speed at altitude	1700 km/h (M=1.35)
Maximum speed at 200 m
ferry range
Combat radius
practical ceiling	about 11500 m
Take-off / run length
Armament:
built-in 23 mm 6-barrel gun GSh‑6–23 (500 rounds) On external suspension: Guided air-to-air missiles - R-60 Air-to-surface guided missiles - X-25 ML / MR, X-23, X-29 L / T, X-59, S-25 L, X-58 Unguided rockets - 57 mm S-5, 80 mm S-8, 122 mm S-13, 240 mm S-24, 266 mm S-25 Air bombs, cassettes - FAB‑1500, KAB‑1500 L/TK, KAB‑500 L/KR, ZB‑500, FAB‑500, RBC‑500, FAB‑250, RBC‑250, OFAB‑100, KMGU‑2 containers Shooting-cannon containers - SPPU-6 (23-mm cannon GSh-6-23)

Su-34

The Su-34 multifunctional fighter-bomber is the latest aircraft of this class in Russian Air Force and belongs to the generation of aircraft "4+". At the same time, it is positioned as a front-line bomber, as it should replace obsolete Su-24M aircraft in the troops. Designed for delivering high-precision missile and bomb strikes, including using nuclear weapons, against ground (surface) targets at any time of the day in any weather conditions . In the west it has the designation "Fullback".

By the middle of 2015, 69 Su-34 aircraft (including 8 prototypes) out of 124 ordered were delivered to combat units.

In the future, the Russian Air Force plans to supply approximately 150-200 new aircraft and by 2020 completely replace the obsolete Su-24s with them. Thus, now the Su-34 is the main strike aircraft of our Air Force, capable of using the entire range of high-precision air-to-surface weapons.

The main characteristics of the Su-34
	2 persons

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × TRDDF AL-31 F-M1
Thrust maximum	2 × 8250 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 13500 kgf
Maximum speed at altitude	1900 km/h (M=1.8)
Maximum ground speed
ferry range
Combat radius
practical ceiling
Armament:
Built-in - 30 mm gun GSh‑30–1 On the external sling - all types of modern air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, unguided rockets, aerial bombs, bomb clusters

The modern aircraft fleet of fighter aviation consists of the following types of aircraft:

MiG-29 front-line fighters of various modifications - 184 units. In addition to modifications of the MiG-29 S, MiG-29 M and MiG-29UB, the latest versions of the MiG-29 SMT and MiG-29UBT were put into service (28 and 6 units as of 2013). At the same time, there are no plans to upgrade old-built aircraft. On the basis of the MiG-29, a promising multirole fighter MiG-35, but the signing of the contract for its production was postponed in favor of the MiG-29 SMT.
Su-27 front-line fighters of various modifications - 360 units, including 52 Su-27UB. Since 2010, there has been a re-equipment with new modifications of the Su-27SM and Su-27SM3, of which 82 units have been delivered.
Su-35 S front-line fighters - 34 units. According to the contract, by 2015 it is planned to complete the delivery of a series of 48 aircraft of this type.
Su-30 multirole fighters of various modifications - 51 units, including 16 Su-30 M2 and 32 Su-30 SM. At the same time, the delivery of the second series of Su-30SM is currently underway, until 2016 30 units should be delivered.
fighter-interceptors MiG-31 of several modifications - 252 units. It is known that since 2014 the MiG-31BS aircraft have been upgraded to the MiG-31 BSM level, another 60 MiG-31 B aircraft are planned to be upgraded to the MiG-31 BM level by 2020.

MiG-29

The fourth-generation light front-line fighter MiG-29 was developed back in the USSR and has been mass-produced since 1983. In fact, it was one of the best fighters of its class in the world and, having a very successful design, was repeatedly modernized and, in the form of the latest modifications in the Russian Air Force, entered the 21st century as a multi-purpose one. It was originally intended to gain air superiority at tactical depth. Known in the west as "Fulcrum".

By the time of the collapse of the USSR, about 1400 cars were produced at factories in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod various options. Now the MiG-29 in different versions is in service with the armies of more than two dozen countries of near and far abroad, where he managed to take part in local wars and armed conflicts.

Now the Russian Air Force is armed with 184 MiG-29 fighters of the following modifications:

MiG-29 S - had an increased combat load compared to the MiG-29, was equipped with new weapons;
MiG-29M - a multi-role fighter of the "4+" generation, had an increased range and combat load, was equipped with new weapons;
MiG-29UB - two-seat combat training version without radar;
MiG-29 SMT is the latest upgraded version with the ability to use high-precision air-to-surface weapons, increased flight range, the latest electronics (first flight in 1997, put into service in 2004, 28 units were delivered by 2013), weapons are placed on six underwing and one ventral external suspension units, there is a built-in 30 mm gun;
MiG-29UBT - combat training version of the MiG-29 SMT (supplied 6 units).

For the most part, all MiG-29 aircraft of the old production were physically obsolete and it was decided not to repair or modernize them, but to purchase new equipment instead - MiG-29 SMT (in 2014 a contract was signed for the supply of 16 aircraft) and MiG-29UBT, and also promising MiG-35 fighters.

The main characteristics of the MiG‑29 SMT
	1 person

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × turbofan RD-33
Thrust maximum	2 × 5040 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 8300 kgf

Maximum ground speed
Cruising speed
Practical range
Practical range with PTB	2800…3500 km
practical ceiling
Armament:
On external suspension: Air-to-surface guided missiles - Kh‑29 L/T, Kh‑31 A/P, Kh‑35 Containers KMGU‑2

MiG‑35

The new Russian multi-role fighter of the 4++ generation MiG-35 is a deep modernization of the MiG-29M series aircraft developed by the MiG Design Bureau. By design, it is maximally unified with early production aircraft, but at the same time it has an increased combat load and flight range, reduced radar visibility, is equipped with an active phased array radar, the latest electronics, an on-board electronic warfare system, has an open avionics architecture, and the ability to refuel in the air. The two-seat modification is designated MiG‑35 D.

The MiG-35 is designed to gain air supremacy and intercept enemy air attack means, strike precision weapons on ground (surface) targets without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather conditions, as well as conducting aerial reconnaissance using airborne means.

The issue of equipping the Russian Air Force with MiG-35 aircraft remains open until the contract with the Ministry of Defense is signed.

The main characteristics of the MiG‑35
	1 - 2 persons

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × TRDDF RD‑33 MK/MKV
Thrust maximum	2 × 5400 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 9000 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	2400 km/h (M=2.25)
Maximum ground speed
Cruising speed
Practical range
Practical range with PTB
Combat radius
Flight duration
practical ceiling
rate of climb
Armament:
Built-in - 30 mm gun GSh‑30–1 (150 rounds) On external suspension: Air-to-air guided missiles - R-73, R-27 R/T, R-27ET/ER, R-77 Air-to-surface guided missiles - Kh‑25 ML/MR, Kh‑29 L/T, Kh‑31 A/P, Kh‑35 Unguided rockets - 80 mm S-8, 122 mm S-13, 240 mm S-24 Air bombs, cassettes - FAB‑500, KAB‑500 L / KR, ZB‑500, FAB‑250, RBC‑250, OFAB‑100

Su-27

The Su-27 front-line fighter is a fourth-generation aircraft developed in the USSR at the Sukhoi Design Bureau in the early 1980s. It was intended to gain air superiority and was at one time one of the best fighters in its class. The latest modifications of the Su-27 continue to be in service with the Russian Air Force, in addition, as a result of the deep modernization of the Su-27, new types of 4+ generation fighters have been developed. Along with the light front-line fighter of the fourth generation, the MiG-29 was one of the best aircraft in its class in the world. According to Western classification, it has the name "Flanker".

Currently, the Air Force combat units include 226 Su-27 and 52 Su-27UB fighters of the old production. Since 2010, the rearmament to the upgraded version of the Su-27SM began (first flight in 2002). Now 70 such machines have been delivered to the troops. In addition, fighters of the Su-27SM3 modification (12 units were produced) are supplied, which differ from the previous version in the AL-31 F-M1 engines (afterburner thrust 13,500 kgf), a reinforced airframe structure and additional weapon suspension points.

The main characteristics of the Su-27 SM
	1 person

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × turbofan AL‑31F
Thrust maximum	2 × 7600 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 12500 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	2500 km/h (M=2.35)
Maximum ground speed
Practical range
practical ceiling
rate of climb	over 330 m/s
Take-off / run length
Armament:
Built-in - 30 mm gun GSh‑30–1 (150 rounds) Air-to-surface guided missiles - Kh‑29 L/T, Kh‑31 A/P, Kh‑59 Air bombs, cassettes - FAB‑500, KAB‑500 L / KR, ZB‑500, FAB‑250, RBC‑250, OFAB‑100

Su-30

The heavy two-seat multi-role fighter Su-30 of the 4+ generation was created at the Sukhoi Design Bureau on the basis of the Su-27UB combat training aircraft through a deep modernization. The main purpose is to control group combat operations of fighters in solving the tasks of gaining air supremacy, to ensure the combat operations of other types of aviation, to cover ground troops and objects, to destroy airborne assault forces, as well as to conduct aerial reconnaissance and destroy ground (surface) targets. The features of the Su-30 were the long range and duration of flights and the effective control of a group of fighters. The aircraft's western designation is "Flanker-C".

The Russian Air Force currently has 3 Su-30s, 16 Su-30 M2s (all manufactured by KNAAPO) and 32 Su-30 SMs (manufactured by the Irkut plant). The last two modifications are supplied in accordance with contracts dated 2012, when two batches of 30 Su-30SM units (until 2016) and 16 Su-30M2 units were ordered.

The main characteristics of the Su-30 SM
	2 persons

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × turbofan AL-31FP
Thrust maximum	2 × 7700 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 12500 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	2125 km/h (M=2)
Maximum ground speed
Flight range without refueling near the ground
Flight range without refueling at altitude
Combat radius
Flight duration without refueling
practical ceiling
rate of climb
Take-off / run length
Armament:
Built-in - 30 mm gun GSh‑30–1 (150 rounds) On an external sling: Guided air-to-air missiles - R-73, R-27 R/T, R-27ET/ER, R-77 Air-to-surface guided missiles - Kh‑29 L/T, Kh‑31 A/P, Kh‑59 M Unguided rockets - 80 mm S-8, 122 mm S-13 Air bombs, cassettes - FAB‑500, KAB‑500 L / KR, FAB‑250, RBC‑250, KMGU

Su-35

The Su-35 multipurpose super-maneuverable fighter belongs to the 4++ generation and is equipped with thrust vector control engines. Developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau, this aircraft is close in its characteristics to fifth-generation fighters. The Su-35 is designed to gain air supremacy and intercept enemy air attack weapons, strike ground (surface) targets with precision weapons without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather.

conditions, as well as conducting aerial reconnaissance using airborne means. In the west, it has the designation "Flanker-E +".

In 2009, a contract was signed to supply the Russian Air Force with 48 of the latest production Su-35C fighters in the period 2012-2015, of which 34 units are already in service. It is planned to conclude another contract for the supply of these aircraft in 2015-2020.

The main characteristics of the Su-35
	1 person

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × TRDDF with OVT AL‑41F1S
Thrust maximum	2 × 8800 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 14500 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	2500 km/h (M=2.25)
Maximum ground speed
ground flight range
Flight range at altitude	3600…4500 km
practical ceiling
rate of climb
Take-off / run length
Armament:
Built-in - 30 mm gun GSh‑30–1 (150 rounds) On external suspension: Air-to-air guided missiles - R-73, R-27 R/T, R-27ET/ER, R-77 Air-to-surface guided missiles - Kh‑29 T/L, Kh‑31 A/P, Kh‑59 M, advanced long-range missiles Unguided rockets - 80 mm S-8, 122 mm S-13, 266 mm S-25 Air bombs, cassettes - KAB‑500 L/KR, FAB‑500, FAB‑250, RBC‑250, KMGU

MiG‑31

The MiG-31 long-range supersonic all-weather fighter-interceptor was developed in the USSR at the Mikoyan Design Bureau in the 1970s. At that time it was the first aircraft of the fourth generation. It was designed to intercept and destroy air targets at all altitudes - from the lowest to the highest, day and night, in any weather conditions, in a difficult jamming environment. Actually main task MiG-31 was the interception of cruise missiles in the entire range of altitudes and speeds, as well as low-flying satellites. The fastest combat aircraft. The modern MiG-31BM has an onboard radar with unique characteristics so far inaccessible to other foreign aircraft. According to Western classification, it has the designation "Foxhound".

The MiG-31 fighter-interceptors (252 units) now in service with the Russian Air Force have several modifications:

MiG‑31 B - serial modification with aerial refueling system (adopted in 1990)
MiG-31 BS is a variant of the basic MiG-31, upgraded to the level of the MiG-31 B, but without aerial refueling.
The MiG-31 BM is a modernized version with the Zaslon-M radar (developed in 1998), with a range increased to 320 km, equipped with the latest electronic systems, including satellite navigation, capable of using air-to-surface guided missiles. Until 2020, it is planned to upgrade 60 MiG-31Bs to the level of the MiG-31BM. The second stage of state testing of the aircraft was completed in 2012.
MiG-31 BSM - an upgraded version of the MiG-31 BS with the Zaslon-M radar and related electronics. Modernization of combat aircraft has been underway since 2014.

Thus, the Russian Air Force will have 60 MiG-31 BM and 30-40 MiG-31 BSM aircraft in service, and approximately 150 older aircraft will be decommissioned. It is possible that in the future there will be a new interceptor, known under the code name MiG-41.

The main characteristics of the MiG‑31 BM
	2 persons

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × turbofan D-30 F6
Thrust maximum	2 × 9500 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 15500 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	3000 km/h (M=2.82)
Maximum ground speed
Cruise speed subsonic
Cruise speed supersonic
Practical range	1450…3000 km
Range at high altitude with one refueling
Combat radius
practical ceiling
rate of climb
Take-off / run length
Armament:
Built-in: 23 mm 6-barrel gun GSh‑23–6 (260 rounds) On external suspension: Guided air-to-air missiles - R-60 M, R-73, R-77, R-40, R-33 C, R-37 Air-to-surface guided missiles - Kh‑25 MPU, Kh‑29 T/L, Kh‑31 A/P, Kh‑59 M Air bombs, cassettes - KAB‑500 L/KR, FAB‑500, FAB‑250, RBC‑250

Promising developments

PAK-FA

Perspective aviation complex front-line aviation - PAK FA - includes a fifth-generation multi-role fighter developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau under the designation T-50. In terms of the totality of characteristics, it will have to surpass all foreign analogues and in the near future, after being put into service, it will become the main aircraft of the front-line fighter aviation of the Russian Air Force.

PAK FA is designed to gain air supremacy and intercept enemy air attack weapons in all altitude ranges, as well as strike ground (surface) targets with high-precision weapons without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather conditions, can be used for air reconnaissance using onboard equipment. The aircraft fully meets all the requirements for fifth-generation fighters: stealth, supersonic cruising speed, high maneuverability with high g-forces, advanced electronics, multifunctionality.

According to plans, serial production of the T-50 aircraft for the Russian Air Force should begin in 2016, and by 2020 the first aviation units equipped with it will appear in Russia. It is also known that production for export is also possible. In particular, an export modification is being created jointly with India, which received the designation FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft).

Main characteristics (estimated) PAK-FA
	1 person

Wingspan

Wing area
Empty weight
Normal takeoff weight
Maximum takeoff weight

Engines	2 × TRDDF with UVT AL‑41F1
Thrust maximum	2 × 8800 kgf
Afterburner thrust	2 × 15000 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude
Cruising speed
Practical range at subsonic speed	2700…4300 km
Practical range with PTB
Practical range at supersonic speed	1200…2000 km
Flight duration
practical ceiling
rate of climb
Armament:
Built-in - 30 mm gun 9 A1-4071 K (260 cartridges) On the internal suspension - all types of modern and promising air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, aerial bombs, bomb clusters

PAK-DP (MiG‑41)

Some sources report that at present the MiG Design Bureau, together with the design bureau of the Sokol aircraft plant ( Nizhny Novgorod) are developing a long-range high-speed interceptor fighter with the code name "promising long-range interception aviation complex" - PAK DP, also known as the MiG-41. It was stated that the development was started in 2013 on the basis of the MiG-31 fighter by order of the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. Perhaps, this refers to the deep modernization of the MiG-31, the study of which was carried out earlier, but was not implemented. It was also reported that a promising interceptor is planned to be developed as part of the arms program until 2020 and put into service until 2028.

In 2014, the media reported that the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, V. Bondarev, said that now only research work is underway, and in 2017 it is planned to begin development work to create a promising long-range aircraft interception complex.

(continued in the next issue)

Summary table of the quantitative composition of aircraft
Air Force of the Russian Federation (2014–2015)*

aircraft type	Quantity in service	Scheduled build	Scheduled modernize
Bomber aviation as part of long-range aviation
Strategic missile carriers Tu-160
Strategic missile carriers Tu-95MS
Long Tu-22M3 bomber bombers
Bomber and assault aviation as part of front-line aviation
Attack aircraft Su-25
Su-24M front-line bombers
Su-34 fighter-bombers		124 (total)
Fighter aviation as part of front-line aviation
Front-line fighters MiG-29, MiG-29SMT
Front-line fighters Su-27, Su-27SM
Front-line fighters Su-35S
Multipurpose fighters Su-30, Su-30SM
Fighter-interceptors MiG-31, MiG-31BSM
Prospective aviation complex of front-line aviation - PAK FA
Military transport aviation
An-22 transport aircraft
An-124 and An-124-100 transport aircraft
Transport aircraft Il-76M, Il-76MDM, Il-76MD-90A
An-12 transport aircraft
An-72 transport aircraft
Transport aircraft An-26, An-24
Transport and passenger aircraft Il-18, Tu-134, Il-62, Tu-154, An-148, An-140
Promising military transport aircraft Il-112V
Promising military transport aircraft Il-214
Army aviation helicopters
Multipurpose helicopters Mi-8M, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-8AMT, Mi-8MTV
Transport and combat helicopters Mi-24V, Mi-24P, Mi-35
Mi-28N attack helicopters
Attack helicopters Ka-50
Attack helicopters Ka-52		146 (total)
Transport helicopters Mi-26, Mi-26M
Promising multi-purpose helicopter Mi-38
Reconnaissance and special aviation
Aircraft AWACS A-50, A-50U
RER and EW aircraft Il-20M
An-30 reconnaissance aircraft
Tu-214R reconnaissance aircraft
Tu-214ON reconnaissance aircraft
Air command posts IL-80
Tanker aircraft Il-78, Il-78M
Promising aircraft AWACS A-100
Prospective aircraft RER and EW A-90
Tanker aircraft Il-96-400TZ
Unmanned aircrafts(transferred to the Ground Forces)
"Pchela-1T"

The latest best military aircraft of the Air Force of Russia and the world photos, pictures, videos about the value of a fighter aircraft as weapon able to ensure "air supremacy", was recognized by the military circles of all states by the spring of 1916. This required the creation of a combat special aircraft, surpassing all others in speed, maneuverability, altitude and the use of offensive small arms. In November 1915, Nieuport II Webe biplanes arrived at the front. This is the first aircraft built in France, which was intended for air combat. The most modern domestic military aircraft in Russia and the world owe their appearance to the popularization and development of aviation in Russia, which was facilitated by the flights of Russian pilots M. Efimov, N. Popov, G. Alekhnovich, A. Shiukov, B. Rossiysky, S. Utochkin. The first began to appear domestic cars designers J. Gakkel, I. Sikorsky, D. Grigorovich, V. Slesarev, I. Steglau. In 1913, the heavy aircraft "Russian Knight" made its first flight. But one cannot fail to recall the first aircraft creator in the world - Captain 1st Rank Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaisky. Soviet military aircraft of the Great USSR Patriotic War sought to hit the enemy troops, his communications and other objects in the rear with air strikes, which led to the creation of bomber aircraft capable of carrying a large bomb load over considerable distances. The variety of combat missions for bombing enemy forces in the tactical and operational depth of the fronts led to the understanding of the fact that their performance should be commensurate with the tactical and technical capabilities of a particular aircraft. Therefore, the design teams had to resolve the issue of specialization of bomber aircraft, which led to the emergence of several classes of these machines. Types and classification, latest models military aircraft of Russia and the world. It was obvious that it would take time to create a specialized fighter aircraft, so the first step in this direction was to try to equip existing aircraft with small arms offensive weapons. Mobile machine-gun mounts, which began to equip the aircraft, required excessive efforts from the pilots, since the control of the machine in a maneuverable battle and the simultaneous firing of an unstable weapon reduced the effectiveness of firing. The use of a two-seat aircraft as a fighter, where one of the crew members played the role of a gunner, also created certain problems, because an increase in the weight and drag of the machine led to a decrease in its flight qualities. What are the planes. In our years, aviation has made a big qualitative leap, expressed in a significant increase in flight speed. This was facilitated by progress in the field of aerodynamics, the creation of new more powerful engines, structural materials, and electronic equipment. computerization of calculation methods, etc. Supersonic speeds have become the main modes of fighter flight. However, the race for speed also had its negative sides - the takeoff and landing characteristics and the maneuverability of aircraft deteriorated sharply. During these years, the level of aircraft construction reached such a level that it was possible to start creating aircraft with a variable sweep wing. In order to further increase the flight speeds of jet fighters exceeding the speed of sound, Russian combat aircraft required an increase in their power-to-weight ratio, an increase in the specific characteristics of turbojet engines, and also an improvement in the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft. For this purpose, engines with an axial compressor were developed, which had smaller frontal dimensions, higher efficiency and better weight characteristics. For a significant increase in thrust, and hence the flight speed, afterburners were introduced into the engine design. The improvement of the aerodynamic forms of aircraft consisted in the use of wings and empennage with large sweep angles (in the transition to thin delta wings), as well as supersonic air intakes. Fashion & Style 1 0 0 If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter. Editor's Choice Vegetable diet: description, menu, reviews and results Exercises to lose weight after childbirth or how to lose weight after having a baby Oatmeal diet menu for weight loss, reviews of the results Oatmeal diet menu for 7 The most poisonous mushroom: photo and description All dangerous mushrooms Easy ways to make sour cream from milk at home Step-by-step recipe with photos and videos Oven-baked fish with green peas tfmarket.ru Contacts about the project Advertising Jobs 16+

Classification of military aircraft. New Russian military aircraft - what do we have and what can we expect from the military-industrial complex? What technology is in aviation

What is military aviation

The history of the creation of military aviation

The purpose of military aviation

Military aviation technology

Aircraft

Combat aircraft

Reconnaissance and air surveillance aircraft

Transport aircraft

training aircraft

Helicopters

Transport helicopters

attack helicopters

Reconnaissance helicopters

UAV

air defense

Long-range (strategic) aviation

Tu‑160

Tu‑95MS

Tu‑22M3

Promising developments

PAK YES

Operational-tactical (front-line) aviation

Su-25

Su-24M

Su-34

MiG-29

MiG‑35

Su-27

Su-30

Su-35

MiG‑31

Promising developments

PAK-FA

PAK-DP (MiG‑41)

Summary table of the quantitative composition of aircraft Air Force of the Russian Federation (2014–2015)*

Editor's Choice

Summary table of the quantitative composition of aircraft
Air Force of the Russian Federation (2014–2015)*