Types of military equipment and armaments of the Air Force: Long-range aviation Long-range aviation Front-line aviation Front-line aviation Army aviation Army aviation Military transport aviation Military transport aviation Special aviation Special aviation Anti-aircraft missile troops Anti-aircraft missile troops Radio technical troops Radio technical troops

Let's consider them in more detail: Long-range aviation Long-range aviation is the main strike weapon of the Air Force, designed to defeat enemy groups, aircraft, naval forces and destroy its important military, military-industrial, energy facilities, communications centers, mainly in strategic and operational depth. It can also be used for aerial reconnaissance and mining. The main types of strategic and long-range bombers Tu-160, Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3. The main types of strategic and long-range bombers Tu-160, Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3.

Front-line aviation Front-line aviation is the main striking force of the Air Force, it solves missions in combined-arms, joint and independent operations, it is designed to destroy troops and enemy targets in operational depths in the air, on land and at sea. It can be used for aerial reconnaissance and mining. The main types of Su-24M, Su-25, Su-27, MiG-31, MiG-29, Su-24MR.

Army aviation Army aviation is designed to provide air support to the Ground Forces by hitting ground, mainly small, armored enemy mobile targets mainly at the front line and in tactical depths, as well as to solve the tasks of comprehensively providing combined arms combat and increasing troop mobility. At the same time, army aviation units and subunits carry out fire, airborne transport, reconnaissance, and special combat missions.

Military transport aviation Military transport aviation is a means of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and ensures the transportation of his troops, military equipment and cargo, as well as the deployment of airborne assault forces. The main types include aircraft of various modifications: An-124, Il-76, An-26, An-22, An-12. The main types include aircraft of various modifications: An-124, Il-76, An-26, An-22, An-12.

Special aviation Special aviation is designed to solve special tasks: long-range radar detection and control, electronic warfare, reconnaissance and target designation as part of reconnaissance and strike systems, providing control and communications, refueling aircraft in the air, conducting radiation, chemical and engineering reconnaissance, evacuating the wounded and sick, search and rescue flight crews.

Anti-aircraft missile troops Anti-aircraft missile troops (ZRV) are designed to cover important administrative, political, industrial, economic, military and other objects of the country from an air attack. The air defense systems are armed with unique S-300PM anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) that are superior to the best foreign counterparts, which have high capabilities to destroy all modern air attack systems, in the entire range of altitudes and flight speeds, in the presence of radio interference. The air defense systems are armed with unique S-300PM anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) that are superior to the best foreign counterparts, which have high capabilities to destroy all modern air attack systems, in the entire range of altitudes and flight speeds, in the presence of radio interference.

Radioengineering troops Radioengineering troops (RTV) are designed to conduct radar reconnaissance of an air adversary, to provide information for the radar support of anti-aircraft missile troops and aviation, as well as to control the use of the country's airspace. They are equipped with various types of modern radar stations and complexes, allowing at any time of the year and day in the conditions of enemy electronic countermeasures to detect air attack means at long ranges and in a wide range of heights, determine their exact coordinates and nationality. They are equipped with various types of modern radar stations and complexes, allowing at any time of the year and day in the conditions of enemy electronic countermeasures to detect air attack means at long ranges and in a wide range of heights, determine their exact coordinates and nationality. The basics include: The basics include: Opponent-G radar, Nebo-U radar, Gamma-DE, Gamma-C1, Kasta-2 Opponent-G radar, Neo-radar U ”,“ Gamma - DE ”,“ Gamma-C1 ”,“ Casta-2 ”

Air Force (Air Force) - a type of Armed Forces designed to protect the bodies of state and military command and control, strategic nuclear forces, groupings of troops, important administrative and industrial centers and regions of the country from reconnaissance and air strikes, to gain air supremacy, enemy fire and nuclear destruction from the air, increasing mobility and ensuring the actions of formations of various types of the Armed Forces, conducting integrated reconnaissance and performing special missions.

The Russian Air Force consists of associations, formations and military units and includes the types of aviation: long-range, military transport; front-line (it includes bomber, assault, fighter, reconnaissance aircraft), army, as well as the type of anti-aircraft troops: anti-aircraft missile troops, radio technical troops.

Long-range aviation  - the main striking force of the Air Force, capable of effectively hitting important objects of aviation groups, carrier ships of sea-based cruise missiles (SLCMs), power facilities and objects of the highest military and state administration, nodes of railway, automobile and sea communications.

Military transport aircraft - the main means of landing troops and military equipment in the interests of operations on continental and oceanic theaters of war, it is the most mobile means of delivery to specified areas of materiel, military equipment, food, units and subunits.

Front-line bomber and attack aircraft  It is intended primarily for the implementation of air support for the Ground Forces in all types of military operations.

Front-line reconnaissance aircraft  Designed for air reconnaissance in the interests of all types and arms.

Front-line fighter aircraft  It is intended for the destruction of the enemy’s air assault while solving the tasks of covering groups, economic regions, administrative and political centers, military and other facilities.

Army Aviation  Designed for fire support of the Ground Forces. It is also entrusted with the tasks of combat and rear support. During the battle, army aviation strikes at the enemy’s troops, destroys its airborne assault forces, raid, advanced and bypass detachments, provides for the landing and support of airborne assault forces, fights against enemy helicopters, destroys its nuclear weapons, tanks and other armored vehicles .

Anti-aircraft missile forces  designed to protect troops and objects from attacks by air attacks of the enemy.

Radio Engineering Troops  designed to detect enemy air attacks in the air, to identify them, to escort them, to notify the command, troops and civil defense authorities about them, to control the flights of their aircraft.

Armament and military equipment of the Air Force

Strategic supersonic bomber with variable wing geometry Tu-160  - designed to defeat nuclear and conventional weapons of the most important targets in remote military-geographical areas and the deep rear of continental theaters of operations.

Strategic missile carrier Tu-95MS  - Designed to solve striking tasks of defeating the most important targets in remote military-geographical areas and in the deep rear of continental theaters of operations.

Heavy military transport aircraft An-22 (Antei)  - is intended for the transportation of heavy and large-sized military equipment and troops over long distances, as well as for parachuting and landing.

Heavy long-range military transport aircraft An-124 (Ruslan) - is intended for the delivery of troops with standard military equipment and weapons from the deep rear of the country to theaters of operations (theater of operations), the transportation of troops between theater of operations and inside rear zones, the strengthening of airborne assault forces with heavy military equipment, the delivery of cargo to naval forces in oceanic theater of operations, the transportation of heavy and bulky economic cargo.

Front bomber with variable geometry of the wing Su-24M  - Designed to destroy ground and surface targets in all weather conditions day and night, in the tactical and near operational depths of enemy territory.

Su-25 attack plane  - designed to destroy small-sized moving and stationary ground objects in conditions of visual visibility day and night, as well as low-speed air targets at the leading edge in the tactical and near operational depths.

conclusions

1. The Air Force consists of long-range and military transport aircraft, front-line bomber and attack aircraft, front-line reconnaissance aircraft, front-line fighter aircraft, army aircraft, anti-aircraft missile and radio-technical troops.
2. The Air Force is designed for air strikes against enemy groups, its rear and transport.
3. The air forces conduct air reconnaissance and organize air transportation.
4. Military transport aircraft of the Air Force are capable of landing and dropping airborne assault forces, transporting troops and military equipment over long distances.

Questions

1. What types of aviation are part of the Air Force?
2. What kind of anti-aircraft troops are part of the Air Force?
3. What are the main aircraft armed with long-range aviation?
4. In what type of front-line aviation did the legendary heroes of World War II Alexander Pokryshkin and Ivan Kozhedub serve?

Tasks

1. Prepare a short report on the mission of the air forces and their armament and military equipment.
2. Prepare a message about the heroic exploits and records of the famous Russian pilot of the First World War, Peter Nesterov.
3. Using historical literature, write an essay on the theme "Chief Marshal of Aviation A. A. Novikov - Commander of the Air Force during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945."
4. Using special materials and the Internet, prepare a message about one of the modern military pilots.

| Types of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation | Aerospace Forces (VKS). Air Force

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Aerospace Forces (VKS)

Air Force

From the history of creation

The aviation took its first steps without a sufficient scientific base, only thanks to enthusiasts. However, in the late XIX - early XX century. theoretical and experimental studies in this area have appeared. The leading role in the development of aviation belongs to Russian scientists N.E. Zhukovsky and S.A. Chaplygin. The first successful flight of the aircraft was carried out on December 17, 1903 by American mechanics brothers U. and O. Wright.

Subsequently, various types of aircraft were created in Russia and some other countries. Their speed then reached 90-120 km / h. The use of aviation during the First World War determined the importance of the aircraft as a new military weapon, and caused the division of aviation into fighter, bomber and reconnaissance.

In the warring countries, during the war years the fleet of aircraft expanded, their characteristics improved. The speed of fighters reached 200-220 km / h, and the ceiling increased from 2 to 7 km. Since the mid-20s. XX century in aircraft construction, duralumin began to be widely used. In the 30s. in the design of aircraft, they switched from a biplane to a monoplane, which made it possible to increase the speed of fighters to 560-580 km / h.

A powerful impetus to the development of aviation was the Second World War. After it, jet aircraft and helicopter industry began to develop rapidly. In the Air Force appeared supersonic aircraft. In the 80s. much attention was paid to the creation of shortened takeoff and landing aircraft, heavy payloads, and the improvement of helicopters. Currently, in some countries, work is underway to create and improve orbital and aerospace aircraft.

Organizational structure of the Air Force

• Air Force Command
• Aviation (aviation type - bomber, assault, fighter, air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special);
• Anti-aircraft missile forces
• Radio Engineering Troops
• Special Forces
• units and institutions of the rear

Air Force- the most mobile and maneuverable type of the Armed Forces, designed to protect the bodies of higher state and military command and control, strategic nuclear forces, troop groups, important administrative and industrial centers and regions of the country from reconnaissance and air strikes, and striking air, land and naval groups enemy, its administrative-political, industrial and economic centers in order to disorganize state and military administration, disruption of the rear and transport, as well as Ia aerial reconnaissance and air transport. They can perform these tasks under any weather conditions, at any time of the day or year.

The main tasks of the Air Force in modern conditions  are:
• opening the start of an attack by an air opponent;
• notification of the main headquarters of the Armed Forces, headquarters of the military districts, fleets, civil defense bodies of the beginning of an air attack by the enemy;
• gaining and maintaining air supremacy;
• covering troops and rear facilities from aerial reconnaissance, air and space strikes;
• air support for the Ground Forces and the Navy;
• defeat of the objects of the military-economic potential of the enemy;
• violation of the military and public administration of the enemy;
• the defeat of the nuclear missile, anti-air and aviation groups of the enemy and his reserves, as well as air and sea landing;
• defeat of enemy naval groups in the sea, ocean, at naval bases, in ports and basing points;
• ejection of military equipment and landing of troops;
• air transportation of troops and military equipment;
• strategic, operational and tactical air reconnaissance;
• control over the use of airspace in the border strip.

The Air Force includes the following types of troops (Fig. 1):
• aviation (aviation types - bomber, assault, fighter, air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special);
• anti-aircraft missile troops;
• radio engineering troops;
• special forces;
• units and institutions of the rear.

The aviation units are armed with airplanes, seaplanes and helicopters. The basis of the combat power of the Air Force is supersonic all-weather aircraft equipped with a variety of bomber, missile and small-arms weapons.

The armament of the anti-aircraft missile and radio-technical troops are various anti-aircraft missile systems, short-range air defense systems, radar stations and other means of warfare.

In peacetime, the Air Force performs tasks to protect the state border of Russia in the airspace, notify about flights of foreign reconnaissance vehicles in the border zone.

Bomber aircraft  It is armed with long-range (strategic) and front-line (tactical) bombers of various types. It is designed to defeat groupings of troops, destroy important military, energy facilities and communications centers, mainly in the strategic and operational depth of enemy defense. The bomber can carry bombs of various calibers, both conventional and nuclear, as well as guided air-to-surface missiles.

Attack aircraft  it is intended for air support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects mainly at the front line, in the tactical and near operational depths of the enemy, as well as the command to combat enemy aircraft in the air.
One of the main requirements for an attack aircraft is the high accuracy of the destruction of ground targets. Armament: large-caliber guns, bombs, rockets.

Fighter aircraft  Air defense is the main maneuvering force of the air defense system and is designed to cover the most important directions and objects from an enemy air attack. It is able to destroy the enemy at maximum ranges from defended objects.
Air defense aircraft are armed with air defense fighter planes, combat helicopters, special and transport aircraft, and helicopters.

Reconnaissance aircraft  It is intended for conducting air reconnaissance of the enemy, terrain and weather; it can destroy the hidden objects of the enemy.
Reconnaissance flights can also be carried out by bomber, fighter-bomber, attack and fighter aircraft. To this end, they are specially equipped with day and night shooting equipment at various scales, high-resolution radio and radar stations, heat direction finders, sound recording and television apparatus, magnetometers.
Reconnaissance aviation is divided into tactical, operational and strategic reconnaissance aviation.

Transport aviation  It is intended for the transport of troops, military equipment, weapons, ammunition, fuel, food, airborne landing, evacuation of the wounded, sick, etc.

Special aviation Designed for long-range radar detection and guidance, aircraft refueling in the air, electronic warfare, radiation, chemical and biological defense, control and communications, meteorological and technical support, rescue crews in distress, evacuation of the wounded and sick.

Anti-aircraft missile forcesthey are designed to protect the country's most important facilities and groupings of forces from air strikes.
They constitute the main firepower of the air defense system (air defense) and are armed with anti-aircraft missile systems and anti-aircraft missile systems for various purposes, which have great firepower and high accuracy of hitting enemy air attack weapons.

Radio Engineering Troops  - the main source of information about the air adversary and is intended for conducting its radar reconnaissance, monitoring the flights of its aviation and observing by aircraft of all departments the rules for using 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 air defense units, units and subunits.
Radio engineering troops are armed with radar stations and radar systems, capable at any time of the year or day, regardless of meteorological conditions and interference, to detect not only air but also surface targets.

Parts and divisions of communication  designed to deploy and operate communication systems in order to ensure command and control of troops in all types of combat activities.

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

Parts and divisions of communication and radio engineering  designed to provide control of aviation units and divisions, aircraft navigation, takeoff and landing of aircraft and helicopters.

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

The Russian Federation is a mighty power; this is no secret to anyone. Therefore, many are interested in how many aircraft are in service with Russia and how military equipment is mobile and modern? According to analytical studies, the modern air forces of the Russian Federation really have a huge amount of such equipment. The world-famous publication Flight International proved this fact by publishing in its publication a rating of countries that have the most powerful air weapons.

"Swifts"

1. The leader in this ranking is America. At the disposal of the US Army about 26% of military air assets that were created in the world. According to data published in the publication, the Army of America has about 13,717 military aircraft, of which about 586 military tanker vessels.
2. The army of the Russian Federation took the third place of honor. How many military aircraft does Russia have according to Flight International? According to data published by the publication, the Russian army currently has 3,547 aircraft that can be used for military purposes. If translated into percentages, it will indicate that about 7% of all military courts that exist in the world belong to the Russian Federation. This year, the country's army should be replenished with new Su-34 bombers, which showed themselves excellently during the hostilities that unfolded in Syria. Analysts say that by the end of the year the number of vehicles of this type will reach 123 units, which will significantly increase the capacity of the Russian army.
3. The third place ranking is the air force of China.

• about 1,500 air assets;
• approximately 800 helicopters;
• about 120 attack rotorcraft Harbin Z.

In total, according to the publication, the Chinese army has 2,942 units of aircraft, that is, 6% of all military aircraft in the world. After reviewing the published data, Russian experts noted that some of the information is indeed true, however, not all facts can be called reliable. Therefore, do not try to find the answer to the question - how many planes does Russia have using only this source. Experts noted that the publication was not able to fully analyze the strategically important aircraft, and if we make a comparison between combat aircraft and military transport vessels belonging to the US and Russian armies, we can see that the US Air Force is not so superior to the Russian air fleet, experts say Flight International.

The composition of the air fleet of the Russian Federation

So how many airplanes do Russia have in service? The answer to this question definitely will not work, because the amount of military equipment is not officially published anywhere, this information is kept in the strictest confidence. But, as you know, even the strictest secret can be revealed, even if only partially. So, according to information that was published by a reliable source, the Russian air fleet is really inferior, albeit not by much, to the American army. The source indicates that in the arsenal of the Russian air force there are about 3,600 aircraft, which are operated by the army and about a thousand are in storage. The fleet of the Russian Federation includes:

• long-range military equipment;
• military transport aircraft;
• military aircraft;
• anti-aircraft, radio engineering and missile forces;
• troops for communications and intelligence.

In addition to the above units, the Air Force includes troops involved in rescue operations, rear services and engineering units.

The military fleet of aircraft is constantly replenished with airplanes; currently, the Russian army has the following military aircraft:

• Su-30 M2 and Su-30 SM;
• Su-24 and Su-35;
• MiG-29 SMT;
• IL-76 MD-90 A;
• Yak-130.

In addition, the army owns military helicopters:

• Mi-8 AMTSH / MTV-5-1;
• Ka-52;
• Mi-8 MTPR and MI-35 M;
• Mi-26 and Ka-226.

In the army of the Russian Federation he serves about 170000   human. 40000   of which are officers.

Victory Parade on Red Square

What types of structures operate in the army?

The main structures of the Russian fleet are:

• brigades;
• bases on which the air force equipment is located;
• command staff of the army;
• a separate commanding staff that controls the activities of long-range aviation;
• command staff, leading transport air forces.

Currently, 4 commands operate in the Russian Navy; they are located;

• in the Novosibirsk region;
• in the Khabarovsk district;
• in Rostov-on-Don;
• in St. Petersburg.

More recently, several reforms have been carried out by officers. After their completion, the previously called regiments were renamed into air bases. There are currently air bases in Russia about 70.

Tasks of the Air Force of the Russian Federation

The air forces of the Russian Federation must perform the following tasks:

1. Reflect the enemy attack both in the sky and in outer space;
2. Act as a defender against an air adversary for the following facilities: military and state; administrative and industrial; for other objects that are valuable to the country.
3. To repel an enemy attack, the Russian fleet can use any ammunition, including nuclear.
4. Vessels, if necessary, must conduct reconnaissance from the sky.
5. Air equipment, during hostilities should provide support from the sky for other branches of the armed forces that are in the army of the Russian Federation.

The Russian Navy is constantly replenished with new flying equipment, and old cars are certainly updated. As it became known, the Russian Air Force began to develop a 5th generation fighter jointly with the US, India and China naval fleet. Apparently, soon the Russian base will replenish with completely new flying equipment of the 5th generation.

In contact with

The modern air forces of the Russian Federation are traditionally the most mobile and maneuverable form of the Armed Forces. The equipment and other weapons used by the Air Force are intended, first of all, to repel aggression in the aerospace sphere and protect the country's administrative and industrial-economic centers, troop groups and important objects from enemy attacks; to ensure the actions of the Ground Forces and the Navy; delivering strikes against enemy groups in the sky, on land and at sea, as well as at its administrative-political and military-economic centers.

The existing Air Force in its organizational and staff structure dates back to 2008, when the country began to form a new look for the Russian Armed Forces. Then the Air Force and Air Defense Command were formed, subordinate to the newly created operational and strategic commands: Western, Southern, Central and Eastern. The Air Force High Command was entrusted with the tasks of planning and organizing combat training, the prospective development of the Air Force, as well as the training of management personnel. In 2009–2010, a transition was made to a two-tier air force control system, as a result of which the number of associations was reduced from 8 to 6, and air defense units were reorganized into 11 aerospace defense brigades. Air regiments were reduced to airbases with a total of about 70, including 25 tactical (front-line) aviation airbases, of which 14 are purely fighter.

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

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

Along with the reorganization, an active renewal of the aircraft fleet is taking place. The aircraft and helicopters of previous generations began to be replaced by their new modifications, as well as promising machines with broader combat capabilities and flight performance. Ongoing ongoing and new development work began on promising aviation systems. The active development of unmanned aircraft began.

The modern air fleet of the Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force. True, its exact quantitative composition has not been officially published, but based on open sources, quite adequate estimates can be made. As for updating the fleet, according to the representative of the press service and information department of the Russian Ministry of Defense for Air Force I. Klimov, the Air Force of Russia alone in 2015 will receive more than 150 new planes and helicopters in accordance with the state defense order. These include the 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 АМТШ / МТВ-5–1, Mi-8 МТПР, Mi-35 М, Mi-26, Ka-226 and Ansat-U. It is also known from the words of the former commander of the Russian Air Force Colonel General A. Zelin that in November 2010 the total number of personnel of the Air Force was about 170 thousand people (including 40 thousand officers).

All aviation of the Russian Air Force as a branch of the military in its mission and tasks is divided into:

• Long-range (strategic) aviation
• Tactical (front-line) aviation,
• Military transport aircraft
• Army Aviation.

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

In turn, aviation by birth is divided into:

• bomber aircraft
• attack aircraft
• fighter aircraft
• reconnaissance aircraft
• transport aviation
• special aviation.

Next, we consider all types of aircraft as part of the Air Force of the Russian Federation, as well as promising machines. 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 a 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 part of the triad of strategic nuclear forces.

The main tasks performed in peacetime are to deter (including nuclear) potential opponents; in the event of a war, the maximum reduction in the military-economic potential of the enemy by defeating his important military installations and disrupting state and military control.

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

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

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

As well as free-falling bombs of various calibers, including in nuclear equipment, one-time bomb cartridges, naval mines.

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

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

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

Long-range aviation also includes Il-78 refueling aircraft and Tu-22 MR reconnaissance aircraft.

Tu-160

Work on a new multi-mode strategic intercontinental bomber was launched in the USSR in 1967. Having tried a variety of layout options, the designers finally came to the design of an integrated low wing with a variable sweep wing with four engines mounted in pairs in the engine nacelles under the fuselage.

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

In 2002, the Ministry of Defense entered into an agreement with KAPO on the modernization of the Tu-160 in order to gradually repair and modernize all bombers of this type in operation. According to the latest data, by 2020, the aircraft of the Russian Air Force will be supplied with 10 aircraft of the Tu-160 M modification. Modernized vehicles will receive a space communications system, improved sighting guidance systems and electronics, they will be able to use promising and modernized (X-55 SM) cruise missiles and conventional bomb weapons. In view of the need to replenish the long-range aviation fleet in April 2015, Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu ordered to consider the resumption of production of the Tu-160 M. In May of that same year, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin officially ordered the resumption of production of the improved Tu-160 M2.

Main characteristics of the Tu ‑ 160
	4 people
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	4 × turbofan NK-32
Max thrust	4 × 18 000 kgf
Afterburner rod	4 × 25 000 kgf
	2230 km / h (M \u003d 1.87)
Cruising speed	917 km / h (M \u003d 0.77)
Maximum range without refueling
Range with combat load
Combat radius
Flight duration
Practical ceiling	about 22000 m
Rate of climb
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Strategic cruise missiles X ‑ 55 CM / X ‑ 101
Tactical aeroballistic missiles X-15 S
Free-fall aircraft bombs of caliber up to 4000 kg, bomb cartridges, mines.

Tu ‑ 95MS

The creation of the aircraft was started by the Design Bureau, headed by Andrei Tupolev in the distant 1950s. At the end of 1951, the developed project was approved, and then the model built by then 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 part of long-range aviation. Subsequently, various modifications were developed, including the carriers of anti-ship missiles.

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

Now the 37th Strategic Air Force Army 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 obsolescence of equipment, in 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, an aiming and navigation complex, a satellite navigation complex, and it will be possible to carry new X-101 strategic cruise missiles.

Main characteristics of the Tu ‑ 95MS
	7 people
Wingspan:
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	4 × TVD NK ‑ 12 MP
Power	4 × 15,000 liters from.
Maximum speed at altitude
Cruising speed	about 700 km / h
Maximum range
Practical range
Combat radius
Practical ceiling	about 11000 m
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Built-in Strategic cruise missiles X ‑ 55 CM / X ‑ 101–6 or 16 Free-fall aircraft bombs of caliber up to 9000 kg, bomb cassettes, mines.

Tu ‑ 22M3

The Tu-22 M3 long-range supersonic missile bomber with variable wing geometry is designed for combat operations in the operational zones of land and sea theaters of military operations day and night in simple and difficult weather conditions. It is capable of striking with X-22 cruise missiles at sea targets, X-15 supersonic aerial ballistic missiles at ground targets, and also carry out targeted bombing. In the west, received the name "Backfire".

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

Currently, about 40 Tu-22 M3 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 high-precision ammunition, and extend the service life of up to 40 years.

Main characteristics of the Tu ‑ 22M3
	4 people
Wingspan: With minimal sweep angle At maximum sweep angle
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan NK-25
Max thrust	2 × 14 500 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 25 000 kgf
Maximum speed at altitude
Cruising speed
Range of flight
12 t combat radius	1500 ... 2400 km
Practical ceiling
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Built-in 23 mm defensive installation with guns GS-23
X-22 anti-ship cruise missiles
Tactical aeroballistic missiles X-15 C.

Promising developments

PACK 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 the aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force. The fact that the Russian Air Force formulated tactical and technical requirements for the PAK DA program and preparations for the participation of design bureaus in the development competition was announced back in 2007. According to the statement of the General Director of Tupolev OJSC I. Shevchuk, the contract for the PAK DA program was won by Tupolev Design Bureau. In 2011, it was reported that a preliminary project for the integration complex of the avionics avionics complex of the promising complex was developed, and the long-range aviation command of the Russian Air Force issued a tactical and technical task for the creation of a promising bomber. It was announced plans to build 100 cars that are expected to be adopted by 2027.

The weapons most likely to be used are promising hypersonic missiles, long-range cruise missiles of the X-101 type, high-precision short-range missiles and adjustable bombs, as well as free-falling bombs. It was stated that some of the rocket models were already developed by Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation. Perhaps the aircraft will also be used as an air carrier of the operational-strategic reconnaissance and strike complex. It is possible that for self-defense, in addition to the EW 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 operations) of groupings of troops (forces) in theaters of military operations (strategic directions).

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

Assault aviation is primarily intended for aviation support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects mainly at the front line, in the tactical and near operational depths of the enemy. In addition, she can also fight with enemy aircraft in the air.

The main promising areas for the development of operational-tactical bombers and attack aircraft are maintaining and building capabilities as part of solving operational, operational-tactical and tactical missions during combat operations on theater of operations by supplying new (Su-34) and modernizing existing (Su-25 SM ) aircraft.

The front-line bombers and attack aircraft are armed with air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, unguided missiles of various types, aerial bombs, including adjustable ones, bomb cartridges, and air guns.

Fighter aircraft are represented by multi-purpose and front-line fighters, as well as interceptor fighters. Its purpose is to destroy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles of the enemy in the air, as well as land and sea targets.

The task of fighter aircraft of air defense 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 also includes combat helicopters, special and transport aircraft, and helicopters.

The main promising directions for the development of fighter aviation are to maintain and increase the ability to accomplish tasks by modernizing existing aircraft, purchasing new aircraft (Su-30, Su-35), as well as creating a promising PAK-FA aviation complex, which has been tested since 2010 years and, possibly, a promising long-range interceptor.

The main weapons of fighter aviation are air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various ranges, as well as freely falling and adjustable bombs, unguided missiles, bomb cartridges, and air guns. The development of promising missile weapons.

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

• su-25-200 attack aircraft, including the Su-25UB, about 100 more are in storage. Despite the fact that these aircraft were adopted 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 ‑ 25 SM.
• su-24 M front-line bombers - 21 units. These aircraft are still Soviet-made already outdated and are actively incapacitated. In 2020, it is planned to dispose of all available in service with the Su-24 M.
• fighter-bomber Su-34–69 units. The latest multi-purpose aircraft that replace obsolete Su-24 M bombers in the units. The total number of Su-34s ordered is 124, which will be put into service in the near future.

Su-25

Su-25 is an armored subsonic attack aircraft designed to directly support ground forces over the battlefield. It is capable of destroying point and area targets on the earth day and night under any weather conditions. We can say that this is the best aircraft of its class in the world, proven 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 (for all the time 1320 aircraft of all modifications were produced, including for export).

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

In 2009, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the resumption of procurement of Su-25 attack aircraft for the Air Force. At the same time, a program was adopted to modernize 80 aircraft to the level of Su-25 SM. They are equipped with the latest electronics, including an aiming system, multifunctional indicators, new electronic warfare equipment, and the Lance “Spear”. The new Su-25UBM aircraft, which will have similar Su-25 SM equipment, was adopted as a combat training weapon.

Main characteristics of Su-25
	1 person
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan engine R ‑ 95Sh
Max thrust	2 × 4100 kgf
Top speed
Cruising speed
Practical range with combat load
Ferry Range
Practical ceiling
Rate of climb
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Built-in 30-mm double-barrel gun GSh-30–2 (250 patr.) On the outside Air-to-surface guided missiles - X ‑ 25 ML, X ‑ 25 MLP, S ‑ 25 L, X ‑ 29 L Air bombs, cartridges - FAB-500, RBC-500, FAB-250, RBC-250, FAB-100, containers KMGU-2 Rifle-cannon containers - SPPU-22-1 (23-mm gun GSh-23)

Su ‑ 24M

The Su-24 M front-mounted bomber with a variable sweep wing is intended for delivering missile and bomb strikes in the operational and operational-tactical depths of the enemy day and night in simple and difficult weather conditions, including at low altitudes, with targeted destruction of ground and surface targets controlled and unguided ammunition. In the West, received the designation "Fencer"

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

At the turn of the century due to the obsolescence of aircraft in Russia, a program was launched to modernize front-line bombers to the level of Su-24 M2. In 2007, the first two Su-24 M2 were transferred to the Lipetsk center for combat use. The delivery of the remaining aircraft to the Russian Air Force was completed in 2009.

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

Main characteristics of Su-24M
	2 people
Wingspan At maximum sweep angle With minimal sweep angle
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan AL-21 F-3
Max thrust	2 × 7800 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 11200 kgf
Maximum speed at altitude	1700 km / h (M \u003d 1.35)
Maximum speed at a height of 200 m
Ferry Range
Combat radius
Practical ceiling	about 11500 m
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Built-in 23 ‑ mm 6 ‑ barrel gun GSh ‑ 6–23 (500 rounds) On the external sling: Air-to-air guided missiles - R ‑ 60 Guided air-to-surface missiles - X ‑ 25 ML / MP, X ‑ 23, X ‑ 29 L / T, X ‑ 59, C ‑ 25 L, X ‑ 58 Unguided missiles - 57 ‑ mm S ‑ 5, 80 ‑ mm S ‑ 8, 122 ‑ mm S ‑ 13, 240 ‑ mm S ‑ 24, 266 ‑ mm S ‑ 25 Air bombs, cartridges - 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 Rifle-cannon containers - SPPU-6 (23-mm gun GSh-6-23)

Su-34

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

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

In the future, it is planned to supply approximately 150-200 new aircraft to the Russian Air Force and completely replace the obsolete Su-24s by 2020. 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.

Main characteristics of Su-34
	2 people
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan AL-31 F-M1
Max thrust	2 × 8250 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 13500 kgf
Maximum speed at altitude	1900 km / h (M \u003d 1.8)
Maximum speed at the ground
Ferry Range
Combat radius
Practical ceiling
Armament:
Built-in - 30 ‑ mm gun GSh ‑ 30–1 On the external sling are all types of modern air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, unguided missiles, aerial bombs, bomb cartridges

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

• miG-29 front-line fighters of various modifications - 184 units. In addition to the modifications of the MiG-29 S, MiG-29 M and MiG-29UB, the latest versions of the MiG-29 SMT and MiG-29UBT were adopted (28 and 6 units as of 2013). At the same time, it is not planned to upgrade old-built aircraft. On the basis of the MiG-29, a promising multi-role fighter MiG-35 was created, but the signing of a contract for its production was postponed in favor of the MiG-29 SMT.
• 360-unit Su-27 front-line fighters of various modifications, including 52 Su-27UB. Since 2010, re-equipment for new modifications of the Su-27 SM and Su-27 SM3 has been underway, 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.
• multipurpose Su-30 fighters of various modifications - 51 units, including 16 Su-30 M2 and 32 Su-30 SM. At the same time, the second Su-30 SM series is currently being delivered; 30 units must be delivered by 2016.
• miG-31 fighter-interceptors of several modifications - 252 units. It is known that from 2014 the MiG-31 BS aircraft will be upgraded to the MiG-31 BSM level, another 60 MiG-31 B aircraft will be upgraded to the MiG-31 BM level by 2020.

MiG-29

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

By the time of the collapse of the USSR, about 1,400 vehicles of various variants were produced at factories in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod. Now the MiG-29 in various versions is in service with the armies of more than two dozen countries of the near and far abroad, where it managed to participate 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-29 M - multi-purpose fighter of the “4+” generation, had an increased range and combat load, was equipped with new weapons;
• MiG-29UB - two-seat combat training option without a radar;
• The MiG-29 SMT is the latest modernized version with the ability to use high-precision air-to-surface weapons, increased flight range, and the latest electronics (first flight in 1997, put into service in 2004, 28 units delivered by 2013), weapons are deployed six underwing and one ventral external suspension, there is a built-in 30-mm gun;
• MiG-29UBT - combat training version of the MiG-29 SMT (delivered 6 units).

For the most part, all MiG-29 airplanes of the old release are physically outdated and it was decided not to repair or upgrade them, but to buy new equipment in exchange - the MiG-29 SMT (in 2014, a contract was signed for the supply of 16 aircraft) and the MiG-29UBT, and also promising MiG-35 fighters.

The main characteristics of the MiG-29 SMT
	1 person
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × Turbofan RD-33
Max thrust	2 × 5040 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 8300 kgf
Maximum speed at the ground
Cruising speed
Practical range
Practical range with PTB	2800 ... 3500 km
Practical ceiling
Armament:
On the external sling: Guided air-to-surface missiles - X ‑ 29 L / T, X ‑ 31 A / P, X ‑ 35 KMGU-2 containers

MiG-35

The new Russian MiG-35 generation 4 ++ multi-purpose fighter is a deep modernization of the MiG-29 M series aircraft developed at the MiG Design Bureau. By design, it is unified as much as possible with early-release aircraft, but at the same time it has an increased combat load and flight range, reduced radar visibility, it is equipped with a radar with an active phased antenna array, the latest electronics, an electronic warfare system, has an open avionics architecture, and the possibility of refueling in the air. Double modification has the designation MiG-35 D.

The MiG-35 is designed to gain air supremacy and intercept the enemy’s air attack, to strike high-precision weapons against ground (surface) targets without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather conditions, and to conduct air reconnaissance using airborne equipment.

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

The main characteristics of the MiG-35
	1 - 2 people
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan RD-33 MK / MKV
Max thrust	2 × 5400 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 9000 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	2400 km / h (M \u003d 2.25)
Maximum speed at the ground
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 pat.) On the external sling: Air-to-air guided missiles - R-73, R-27 R / T, R-27ET / ER, R-77 Guided air-to-surface missiles - X ‑ 25 ML / MR, X ‑ 29 L / T, X ‑ 31 A / P, X ‑ 35 Unguided missiles - 80 ‑ mm S ‑ 8, 122 ‑ mm S ‑ 13, 240 ‑ mm S ‑ 24 Air bombs, cartridges - 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 superiority in the air and was at one time one of the best fighters of 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 deep modernization of the Su-27, new models of 4+ generation fighters were developed. Along with the fourth-generation light front-line fighter, the MiG-29 was one of the best aircraft of its class in the world. According to the western classification it has the name "Flanker".

At present, 226 Su-27 fighters and 52 Su-27UB old-release aircraft are registered in the Air Force combat units. In 2010, re-equipment began on a modernized version of the Su-27 SM (first flight in 2002). Now 70 such vehicles have been delivered to the troops. In addition, fighters of the Su-27 SM3 modification are delivered (12 units are produced), which differ from the previous version with AL-31 F-M1 engines (thrust on afterburner 13,500 kgf), reinforced airframe design and additional weapons suspension points.

Main characteristics of the Su ‑ 27 SM
	1 person
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan AL-31F
Max thrust	2 × 7600 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 12500 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	2500 km / h (M \u003d 2.35)
Maximum speed at the ground
Practical range
Practical ceiling
Rate of climb	more than 330 m / s
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Built-in - 30 ‑ mm gun GSh ‑ 30–1 (150 pat.) Guided air-to-surface missiles - X ‑ 29 L / T, X ‑ 31 A / P, X ‑ 59 Air bombs, cartridges - FAB ‑ 500, KAB ‑ 500 L / KR, ZB ‑ 500, FAB ‑ 250, RBC ‑ 250, OFAB ‑ 100

Su-30

The heavy double-seat multipurpose fighter Su-30 of the 4+ generation was created at Sukhoi Design Bureau on the basis of the Su-27UB training and combat aircraft by means of deep modernization. The main purpose is to manage group combat operations of fighters in solving the problems of gaining air supremacy, ensuring combat operations of other branches of aviation, covering ground troops and objects, destroying airborne assault forces, as well as conducting air reconnaissance and destroying ground (surface) targets. The features of the Su-30 were the long range and duration of flights and the effective management of a group of fighters. The western designation for the aircraft is Flanker-C.

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

Main characteristics of Su-30 SM
	2 people
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Ultimate take-off weight
Engines	2 × TRDDF AL ‑ 31FP
Max thrust	2 × 7700 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 12500 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	2125 km / h (M \u003d 2)
Maximum speed at the ground
Range without refueling near the ground
Range without refueling at altitude
Combat radius
Duration of flight without refueling
Practical ceiling
Rate of climb
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Built-in - 30 ‑ mm gun GSh ‑ 30–1 (150 pat.) On the outside: Air-to-air guided missiles - R-73, R-27 R / T, R-27ET / ER, R-77 Guided air-to-surface missiles - X ‑ 29 L / T, X ‑ 31 A / P, X ‑ 59 M Unguided missiles - 80 ‑ mm S ‑ 8, 122 ‑ mm S ‑ 13 Air bombs, cartridges - FAB ‑ 500, KAB ‑ 500 L / KR, FAB ‑ 250, RBC ‑ 250, KMGU

Su ‑ 35

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

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

In 2009, a contract was signed for the Russian Air Force to supply 48 of the newest Su-35C production fighters from 2012-2015, of which 34 are already in the army. It is supposed in 2015–2020 to conclude another contract for the supply of these aircraft.

Main characteristics of Su-35
	1 person
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan with OVT AL ‑ 41F1S
Max thrust	2 × 8800 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 14500 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	2500 km / h (M \u003d 2.25)
Maximum speed at the ground
Ground Range
Range at altitude	3600 ... 4500 km
Practical ceiling
Rate of climb
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Built-in - 30 ‑ mm gun GSh ‑ 30–1 (150 pat.) On the external sling: Air-to-air guided missiles - R-73, R-27 R / T, R-27ET / ER, R-77 Air-to-surface guided missiles - X ‑ 29 T / L, X ‑ 31 A / P, X ‑ 59 M, long-range promising missiles Unguided missiles - 80-mm S-8, 122-mm S-13, 266-mm S-25 Air bombs, cartridges - KAB-500 L / KR, FAB-500, FAB-250, RBC-250, KMGU

MiG-31

The MiG-31 double supersonic all-weather long-range fighter-interceptor was developed in the USSR in the Mikoyan Design Bureau in the 1970s. At that time it was the first aircraft of the fourth generation. Intended for the interception and destruction of air targets at all heights - from extremely small to the largest, day and night, in any weather conditions, in difficult jamming conditions. In fact, the main task of the MiG-31 was to intercept cruise missiles over the entire range of altitudes and speeds, as well as low-flying satellites. The fastest combat aircraft. The modern MiG-31 BM has an airborne radar with unique characteristics that are not yet available to other foreign aircraft. According to Western classification has the designation "Foxhound".

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

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

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

Main characteristics of the MiG-31 BM
	2 people
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan D-30 F6
Max thrust	2 × 9500 kgf
Afterburner rod	2 × 15500 kgf
Maximum speed at high altitude	3000 km / h (M \u003d 2.82)
Maximum speed at the ground
Subsonic cruising speed
Supersonic cruising speed
Practical range	1450 ... 3000 km
High altitude flight range with one refueling
Combat radius
Practical ceiling
Rate of climb
Takeoff / Run Length
Armament:
Built-in: 23 ‑ mm 6 ‑ barrel gun GSh ‑ 23–6 (260 pat.) On the external sling: Guided air-to-air missiles - R-60 M, R-73, R-77, R-40, R-33 C, R-37 Guided air-to-surface missiles - X ‑ 25 MPU, X ‑ 29 T / L, X ‑ 31 A / P, X ‑ 59 M Air bombs, cartridges - KAB ‑ 500 L / KR, FAB ‑ 500, FAB ‑ 250, RBC ‑ 250

Promising developments

PAK-FA

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

PAK FA is designed to gain air supremacy and intercept the enemy’s air attack at all altitude ranges, as well as to strike high-precision weapons at ground (surface) targets without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather conditions, and 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 large overloads, advanced electronics, and 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 is possible for export. In particular, together with India, an export modification is created, which has received the designation FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft).

Main characteristics (hypothetical) PAK-FA
	1 person
Wingspan
Wing area
Empty mass
Normal take-off weight
Maximum take-off weight
Engines	2 × turbofan with UVT AL ‑ 41F1
Max thrust	2 × 8800 kgf
Afterburner rod	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 pat.) On the internal suspension - all types of modern and promising air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, air bombs, bomb cartridges

PAK-DP (MiG-41)

Some sources report that the MiG OKB, together with the Design Bureau of the Sokol aircraft plant (Nizhny Novgorod), is developing a long-range high-speed interceptor fighter with the code name "promising long-range interception aircraft complex" - PAK DP, also known as 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 Armed forces of Russia. Perhaps this refers to the deep modernization of the MiG-31, the development 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 armament program until 2020 and to be adopted by 2028.

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

(continued in next issue)

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

Type of aircraft	number in the ranks	Scheduled to build	Scheduled to upgrade
Long-range bomber aircraft
Strategic missile carriers Tu-160
Strategic missile carriers Tu-95MS
Long-range missile bombers Tu-22M3
Bomber and attack aircraft as part of front-line aviation
Attack aircraft Su-25
Front-line bombers Su-24M
Su-34 fighter bomber		124 (total)
Fighter aircraft 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
MiG-31, MiG-31BSM fighter interceptors
Advanced Aviation Complex of Frontline Aviation - PAK FA
Military transport aircraft
Transport aircraft An-22
Transport aircraft An-124 and An-124-100
Transport aircraft IL-76M, IL-76MDM, IL-76MD-90A
Transport aircraft An-12
Transport aircraft An-72
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 Helicopters
Multipurpose Mi-8M, Mi-8AMTSH, Mi-8AMT, Mi-8MTV helicopters
Transport and combat helicopters Mi-24V, Mi-24P, Mi-35
Attack helicopters Mi-28N
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
Aircraft RER and REB IL-20M
An-30 reconnaissance aircraft
Aircraft reconnaissance Tu-214R
Aircraft reconnaissance Tu-214ON
Air command posts IL-80
Refueling aircraft Il-78, Il-78M
Promising Aircraft AWACS A-100
Promising RER and EW A-90 aircraft
Refueling aircraft Il-96-400TZ
Unmanned aerial vehicles (transferred to the Ground Forces)
Bee-1T
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