Fighters of the Russian Federation. Air Force (Air Force) and airborne troops, their composition and purpose, weapons and military equipment

Air Force Day can rightfully be considered a holiday that promotes the development of military traditions in Russia and increases the importance of military service.

Facts from history

The history of the emergence of the Air Force in Russia began in 1910 thanks to the appearance in the country of the first air fleet, whose purpose was to conduct military intelligence. On August 12, 1912, an order from the Military Department was issued, according to which an aeronautical unit was created in Russia.

This air fleet existed for seven years and rose to become the best in the world. He played a fundamental role in shaping world aviation. With the advent of the revolution in 1917, the imperial air fleet ceased to exist.

In 1918, the Soviet government created its own military aviation, which took part in civil war. After its completion about the military air force Ah, the country forgot until the early thirties.

With the onset of the thirties, the authorities began to pay close attention to military aviation. Aviation factories began to be built in the country, and schools were opened to train flight personnel.

The purpose of the air fleet was expanded, military aviation began to develop rapidly.

During the Great Patriotic War, the production of military aircraft in the Soviet Union sharply increased, and new technologies began to be introduced.

Facts about the date of celebration

There is reliable information that Air Force Day was not always celebrated in Russia on August 12. At the beginning of the 20th century, during the formation of aviation, pilots celebrated their day on August 2. Then, in 1924, by decision of Frunze, the holiday of the air force began to be celebrated on July 14.

Stalin in 1933 moved the date of celebration to August 18. At the same time, Air Force Day was recognized as a public holiday. This was influenced by the successful development of the aviation industry in the country.

Since 1980, the date on which Air Force Day is celebrated has changed periodically.

In 2006, taking into account historical facts, the President of Russia signed a decree, thanks to which the air force of our country began to celebrate its day on August 12. This day, in compliance with all formalities, became the professional day of military pilots of the Russian Federation.

Great Patriotic War (role of the Air Force)

During the war, the Germans used rush war tactics, expecting a quick surrender Soviet troops. One of the main points of their plan was the destruction of airfields serving as locations for military vehicles. The Germans, thanks to information received by intelligence, were aware of their location.

Having received an order from the center, the command of certain military districts was unable to redeploy the aircraft to alternate airfields within the prescribed period. They were not properly prepared, so in the first days of the war the Nazis exterminated a large number of our planes. This fact allowed them to dominate the air for some time.

Soviet pilots, showing heroism, resisted German aces flying aircraft superior to ours. technical specifications combat vehicles. Heroic exploits, committed by the pilots, instilled fear in the Nazis. With their actions, they laid the foundations of the Russian Air Force traditions, filled with courage, resilience and a sense of duty.

By the end of this bloody war, the superiority of the Air Force Soviet Union has become an indisputable fact.

Cold War period

After the victory of the Soviet Union over fascism, the Air Force troops were subjected to serious modernization. Active work was carried out on the development new technology, air combat tactics were honed. By the end of the 1980s, the military aviation of the Soviet Union became the most powerful in the world.

The USSR Air Force in those years was divided into the following types:

• Frontline.
• Far.
• Military transport.
• Auxiliary.

It also included special forces and rear services. But the economic crisis and the collapse of the country led to the fact that the Air Force began to divide the newly formed CIS republics among themselves.

At the end of the section, Russia became the only state on the territory of the former Soviet Union with long-range aviation.

The current situation of the Russian Air Force

The authority of Russian military aviation today in the conditions of any military conflict situation, cannot be underestimated. Rarely can anyone express their opinion that Russian aviation is not capable of solving combat missions under any circumstances.

This revaluation of the essence of things became possible thanks to the work of the developers of the latest combat aircraft; technical personnel servicing combat vehicles at home bases, and directly to highly qualified flight personnel.

Nowadays, the air force of the Russian Federation is actively undergoing rearmament and modernization. They carry out a huge range of work to ensure the security of our country’s borders and patrol separate zones planets in the interests of Russia.

Even on their holiday (August 12 - Russian Air Force Day), a large number of military pilots are at their combat posts, protecting the tranquility of their native country.

Tasks of the Russian Air Force

Nowadays, the Russian Air Force is entrusted with many important tasks:

• Intelligence operations.
• Transportation of material assets and resource potential.
• Landing and assistance to ground units.
• Protecting the country from air strikes.
• If necessary, strikes against enemy groups and military-economic territories.

The Air Force of the Russian Federation plays one of the main roles in protecting Russian territory from the threat of enemy attack. They are able to repel any blow and are a deterrent to the plans of any ill-wisher.

Holiday traditions

Each year, when Air Force Day arrives, military air bases host exciting tours, military aircraft displays, and other events.

In certain cities of our country, on the day when the military aviation of the Russian Federation celebrates its holiday, spectacular flight shows are held. Those present can admire the most complex stunts and appreciate the high level of professionalism of the flying aces.

On Russian Air Force Day (the date of the holiday remains unchanged since 2006), various films about the air force are also shown, and exciting events are held. sporting events. Flowers and wreaths are brought to the graves of military pilots who gave their lives for their Motherland, because the memory of the exploits they accomplished lives forever in the souls of the Russian people.

Aviation museums also open their doors on the holiday, everyone can visit them for free, and various sporting events take place.

On August 12, everyone without exception wishes the representatives of the Russian military aviation, who are the guarantors of peace, Russian people, best wishes.

The latest best military aircraft of the Russian Air Force and the world photos, pictures, videos about the value of a fighter aircraft as weapon capable of ensuring “superiority in the air”, was recognized by the military circles of all states by the spring of 1916. This required the creation of a special combat aircraft, superior to all others in speed, maneuverability, altitude and the use of offensive weapons. small arms. In November 1915, Nieuport II Webe biplanes arrived at the front. This was the first aircraft built in France that 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 domestic cars of designers J. Gakkel, I. Sikorsky, D. Grigorovich, V. Slesarev, I. Steglau began to appear. In 1913, the Russian Knight heavy aircraft made its first flight. But one cannot help but recall the first creator of the aircraft in the world - Captain 1st Rank Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaisky.

Soviet military aircraft of the USSR Great Patriotic War sought to hit enemy troops, his communications and other targets 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 to bomb enemy forces in the tactical and operational depth of the fronts led to the understanding of the fact that their implementation must 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 an attempt to arm existing aircraft with small offensive weapons. Mobile machine gun mounts, which began to be equipped with aircraft, required excessive efforts from pilots, since controlling the machine in maneuverable combat and simultaneously firing from unstable weapons reduced the effectiveness of shooting. The use of a two-seater aircraft as a fighter, where one of the crew members served as a gunner, also created certain problems, because the increase in weight and drag of the machine led to a decrease in its flight qualities.

What types of planes are there? 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 flight modes of fighter aircraft. However, the race for speed also had its own negative sides- the takeoff and landing characteristics and maneuverability of aircraft have sharply deteriorated. During these years, the level of aircraft construction reached such a level that it became possible to begin creating aircraft with variable sweep wings.

Russian combat aircraft to further increase flight speeds jet fighters exceeding the speed of sound, it was necessary to increase their power supply, increase the specific characteristics of the turbojet engine, and also improve 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. To significantly increase thrust, and therefore flight speed, afterburners were introduced into the engine design. Improving the aerodynamic shapes of aircraft consisted of using wings and tail surfaces with large sweep angles (in the transition to thin delta wings), as well as supersonic air intakes.

The Air Force includes the following types of troops:

• aviation (types of aviation - bomber, attack, fighter aircraft air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special),
• anti-aircraft missile forces,
• radio technical troops,
• special troops,
• units and institutions of the rear.

Bomber aircraft has long-range (strategic) and front-line (tactical) bombers in service various types. It is designed to defeat troop groups, destroy important military, energy facilities and communications centers primarily in the strategic and operational depths of enemy defenses. The bomber can carry bombs of various calibers, both conventional and nuclear, as well as air-to-surface guided missiles.

Attack aircraft designed for air support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects primarily at the front line, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as combating aircraft enemy in the air.

One of the main requirements for an attack aircraft is high accuracy in hitting ground targets. Weapons: large-caliber guns, bombs, rockets.

Fighter aircraft air defense is the main maneuverable force of the air defense system and is designed to cover the most important directions and objects from enemy air attack. She is capable of destroying the enemy at maximum ranges from defended objects.

The air defense aviation is armed with air defense fighter aircraft, combat helicopters, special and transport aircraft and helicopters.

Reconnaissance aircraft designed for conducting aerial reconnaissance of the enemy, terrain and weather, and can destroy hidden enemy objects.

Reconnaissance flights can also be carried out by bomber, fighter-bomber, attack and fighter aircraft. For this purpose, they are specially equipped with photographic equipment for day and night photography at various scales, radio and radar stations with high resolution, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, magnetometers.

Reconnaissance aviation is divided into tactical, operational and strategic reconnaissance aviation.

Transport aviation designed for the transportation of troops, military equipment, weapons, ammunition, fuel, food, airborne landings, evacuation of the wounded, sick, etc.

Special aviation designed for long-range radar detection and guidance, refueling aircraft in the air, conducting electronic warfare, radiation, chemical and biological protection, control and communications, meteorological and technical support, rescuing crews in distress, evacuating the wounded and sick.

Anti-aircraft missile forces designed to protect the country's most important facilities and troop groups from enemy air strikes.

They constitute the main firepower of the air defense system and are armed with anti-aircraft guns. missile systems and anti-aircraft missile systems for various purposes, possessing great firepower and high accuracy in destroying enemy air attack weapons.

Radio technical troops- the main source of information about the air enemy and are intended for conducting radar reconnaissance, monitoring the flights of their aircraft and compliance by aircraft of all departments with the rules for the use of airspace.

They provide information about the beginning of an air attack, combat information for anti-aircraft missile forces and air defense aviation, as well as information for controlling formations, units and air defense units.

Radio technical troops are armed with radar stations and radar systems, capable at any time of the year and day, regardless of meteorological conditions and interference, detect not only air, but also surface targets.

Communication units and subdivisions designed for deployment and operation of communication systems in order to ensure command and control of troops in all types of combat activities.

Electronic warfare units and units designed to interfere with airborne radars, bomb sights, communications and radio navigation of enemy air attack systems.

Units and subdivisions of communications and radio engineering support designed to provide control of aviation units and subunits, aircraft navigation, takeoff and landing of aircraft and helicopters.

Units and subdivisions engineering troops , and units and divisions of radiation, chemical and biological protection designed to perform the most complex engineering and chemical support tasks, respectively.

The Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force in terms of fleet size.

As of 2010, the number of personnel in the Russian Air Force is about 148,000. The Air Force operates more than 4,000 pieces of military equipment, as well as 833 in storage.

After the reform, the air regiments were consolidated into air bases, with a total of 60 air bases.

Tactical aviation consists of the following squadrons:

• 38 fighter aircraft)
• 14 bomber aircraft,
• 14 assault ae,
• 9 reconnaissance aircraft,
• training and testing - 13 ae.

Location of tactical aviation air bases:

• KOR - 2 AB
• GVZ - 1 AB
• ZVO - 6 AB
• YuVO - 5 AB
• CVO - 4 AB
• VVO - 7 AB

At the end of 2003, Lieutenant General Viktor Nikolaevich Sokerin, having resigned from the post of Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Baltic Fleet, described the situation in the Air Force at that time: “The Armed Forces are experiencing an uncontrollable collapse of their combat aviation.” “...The aviation regiments are staffed by officers who, over the course of five years of training, had only a few hours of training flight time, mostly with an instructor. Only 3 percent of 1st and 2nd class pilots are under 36 years of age, and only 1 percent of 1st class navigators of the Baltic Fleet Air Force are under 40 years of age. 60 percent of crew commanders are over 35 years old, half of them are over 40 years old.”

At the end of 2006, the average flight time in the Russian Air Force was 40 hours. The flight time depends on the type of aircraft. In military transport aviation it was 60 hours, while in fighter and front-line aviation it was 20-25 hours. For comparison, for the same year this figure in the USA was 189, France 180, Romania 120 hours. In 2007, as a result of improving the supply of aviation fuel and intensifying combat training, the average annual flight time increased: in Long-Range Aviation it amounted to 80-100 hours, in Air Defense Aviation - approximately 55 hours. Young pilots often have more than 100 hours of flight time.

In addition to the Air Force, there are military aviation in other types and branches of the military Armed Forces Russia: Navy, Strategic Missile Forces. Air defense aviation and aviation ground forces are part of the Air Force. Aviation Missile Forces strategic purpose by April 1, 2011 will be transferred to the Air Force of the Russian Federation.

The plan to reduce the number of bases provides for a reduction to 33 air bases, and the decommissioning of about 1000 aircraft, up to 2000 aircraft.

The exact quantitative and qualitative composition of the Russian Air Force is classified information. The data below is collected from open sources and may contain significant inaccuracies.

Sources

MiG-31 - heavy high-speed interceptor

MiG-29 - light multi-role fighter

Su-35BM - heavy multi-role fighter of the 4++ generation

Tu-22M3 - medium missile-carrying bomber

Tu-160 - heavy strategic bomber-missile carrier and Su-27 - fighter-interceptor

Il-78 - air tanker and a pair of Su-24 - front-line bombers

Ka-50 - attack helicopter

Rearmament

In 2010, the Russian aviation industry supplied the Russian Ministry of Defense with 21 aircraft and 57 helicopters.

In 2011, the Russian Ministry of Defense will receive at least 28 aircraft and more than 100 helicopters from industry. Also this year, the modernization of the Su-25 attack aircraft fleet to the SM standard will continue.

As of May 2011, 8 production Ka-52 helicopters entered service. The plant can assemble up to 2 Ka-52s per month

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, in 2011, 35 aircraft, 109 helicopters and 21 anti-aircraft missile systems will be purchased.

As of early 2011, 8 of 38 fighter aviation squadrons were re-equipped with new and modernized aircraft; attack aircraft - 3 out of 14 air units; bomber aviation - 2 out of 14 air forces. In the same year, one bomber aircraft at the Baltimore air base near Voronezh will be re-equipped with the Su-34.

It has become known that the Russian Ministry of Defense has ordered 100 Ka-60 helicopters with a start date for deliveries in 2015.

It became known that at the MAKS-2011 air show, it is planned to sign a contract for the supply of an additional batch of Yak-130 in the amount of 60 aircraft. A contract for the modernization of the MiG-31 into the MiG-31BM variant in the amount of 30 aircraft. A contract for the supply of MiG-29K in the amount of 24 aircraft for the Russian Navy Aviation.

Number of aircraft received by the Air Force during last years as part of the rearmament program:

Concluded contracts for the supply of aircraft for the Russian Air Force and Navy:

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The Russian Air Force has two UAV regiments, a research squadron and a Center combat use UAV in Yegoryevsk. At the same time, the development of UAVs in Russia lags significantly behind similar programs in NATO countries. In 2010, the Russian Defense Ministry ordered 3 types of reconnaissance unmanned aircraft from Israel for the needs of its army. The total number of devices is estimated at 63 units. It is planned to open a joint venture with Israel to produce UAVs in Russia.

Types of purchased UAVs:

• IAI Bird-Eye 400
• IAI I-View
• IAI Searcher 2

The following domestic UAVs are known to be in service:

• ZALA 421-08
• Bee-1T
• Fescue
• Tu-243

Educational establishments

Educational institutions that train specialists for the Russian Air Force:

• Air Force Academy named after prof. N. E. Zhukovsky and Yu. A. Gagarin
• Military Academy of Aerospace Defense named after Marshal of the Soviet Union G. K. Zhukov
• Krasnodar branch of VUNTS Air Force "VVA"

• Military aviation engineering university Voronezh

Air Force are rightfully considered the most mobile and operational branch of our army. The Air Force includes aviation, anti-aircraft missile and radar troops, and special forces.

Tasks of the Russian Air Force

The range of tasks of the Air Force includes:

1. Detection of the onset of an attack at distant stages through air patrols and radar reconnaissance.
2. Notification of the start of an attack to all headquarters of the RF Armed Forces, all types and branches of troops in all military districts of Russia, including civil defense headquarters.
3. Repelling an attack in the air, establishing complete control over the airspace.
4. Protection of military and civilian objects from attack from the air and from space, as well as from aerial reconnaissance.
5. Air support for ground and Navy RF.
6. Defeat military, rear and other enemy targets.
7. Defeat air, land, ground and sea groups and formations of the enemy, his air and sea landings.
8. Transportation of personnel, weapons and military equipment, landing of troops.
9. Conducting all types of aerial reconnaissance, radar reconnaissance, electronic warfare.
10. Control of land, sea and air space in the border zone.

Structure of the Russian Air Force

The structure of the Russian Air Force has a complex multi-level system. By branch and strength of troops, the Air Force is divided into:

• aviation;
• anti-aircraft missile forces;
• radio technical troops;
• special troops.

Aviation, in turn, is divided into:

• long-range and strategic;
• frontline;
• army;
• fighter;
• military transport;
• special

Long-range aviation is designed to launch missile and bomb strikes deep behind enemy lines at a considerable distance from the borders of the Russian Federation. Strategic aviation, in addition, is armed with nuclear missiles and bombs. Its aircraft are capable of covering significant distances at supersonic speeds and at high altitudes, while carrying a significant bomb load.

Fighter aviation has the task of protecting the most important directions and important objects from air attack and represents the main maneuverable force of air defense. The main requirement for fighters is high maneuverability, speed, and the ability to effectively conduct air combat and intercept various air targets (fighter-interceptors).

Front-line aviation includes attack and bomber vehicles. The former are intended to support ground forces and naval groups, to destroy ground targets at the forefront of combat operations, and to combat enemy aircraft. Front-line bombers, in contrast to long-range and strategic bombers, are intended to destroy ground targets and troop groups at close and medium distances from home airfields.

Army aviation in the Russian Air Force is represented by helicopters for various purposes. It, first of all, carries out close interaction with land forces army troops, solving a wide variety of combat and transport missions.

Special aviation is designed to solve various highly specialized tasks: to conduct aerial reconnaissance, electronic warfare, detect ground and air targets at long distances, refuel other aircraft in the air, provide command and communications.

Special troops include:

• reconnaissance;
• engineering;
• aeronautics;
• meteorological;
• topogeodetic troops;
• electronic warfare forces;
• RCBZ forces;
• search and rescue forces;
• parts of radio-electronic support and automated control systems;
• parts of logistics;
• rear units.

In addition, the Russian Air Force associations are divided according to their organizational structure:

• command special purpose;
• special forces air forces;
• air armies of military transport aviation;
• Air Force and Air Defense armies (4th, 6th, 11th, 14th and 45th);
• units of the central subordination of the Air Force;
• foreign air bases.

The current state and composition of the Russian Air Force

The active process of degradation of the Air Force, which took place in the 90s, led to critical condition this type of troops. The number of personnel and the level of their training fell sharply.

According to many media reports, at that time Russia could count a little more than a dozen highly trained fighter and attack aircraft pilots with combat experience. Most of the pilots had almost no experience flying airplanes.

The vast majority of aircraft fleet equipment required major repairs; airfields and ground military facilities did not stand up to criticism.

The process of loss of combat capability of the Air Force after 2000 was completely stopped. Since 2009, the process of total modernization and overhaul of equipment began. Thus, plans for the purchase of new military equipment were brought to the level of Soviet times, and the development of promising weapons began again.

As of 2018, many authoritative publications, including foreign ones, in terms of size and level of equipment, place the Air Force of our country in second place after the US Air Force. However, they note that the growth in the number and equipment of the Chinese Air Force is ahead of the Russian Air Force and in the very near future the Chinese Air Force may become equal to ours.

During the military operation from Syria, the Air Force was not only able to carry out full-fledged combat tests new weapons and air defense systems, but also, by rotating the number of personnel, to carry out “firing” in combat conditions for the majority of fighter and attack aircraft pilots. 80-90% of pilots now have combat experience.

Military equipment

Fighter aviation in the troops is represented by multi-role fighters SU-30 and SU-35 of various modifications, front-line fighters MIG-29 and SU-27, and fighter-interceptor MIG-31.

Front-line aviation is dominated by the SU-24 bomber, SU-25 attack aircraft and SU-34 fighter-bomber.

Far and strategic aviation armed with supersonic strategic missile-carrying bombers TU-22M and TU-160. There are also a number of outdated TU-95 turboprops that are being modernized to the modern level.

Transport aviation includes transport aircraft AN-12, AN-22, AN-26, AN-72, AN-124, IL-76 and passenger AN-140, AN-148, IL-18, IL-62, TU -134, TU-154 and the joint Czechoslovak-Russian development of Let L-410 Turbolet.

Part special aviation brings together AWACS aircraft, air command posts, reconnaissance aircraft, tanker aircraft, electronic warfare and reconnaissance aircraft, and relay aircraft.

Helicopter fleet presented attack helicopters KA-50, KA-52 and MI-28, transport and combat MI-24 and MI-25, multi-purpose Ansat-U, KA-226 and MI-8, as well as a heavy transport helicopter MI-26.

In the future, the air force will have: the MIG-35 front-line fighter, the PAK-FA fifth-generation fighter, the SU-57 multi-role fighter, the new A-100 type AWACS aircraft, the PAK-DA multi-role strategic missile-carrying bomber, the MI-38 and multi-role helicopters. PLV, attack helicopter SBV.

Among the air defense systems in service with the Air Force are the world-famous anti-aircraft missile systems long range S-300 and S-400, missile and gun systems short-range "Pantsir S-1" and "Pantsir S-2". In the future, the appearance of a complex like the S-500 is expected.