| Types of the 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

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 researches in this area appeared. The leading role in the development of aviation belongs to the Russian scientists N. E. Zhukovsky and S. A. Chaplygin. The first successful flight of an aircraft was carried out on December 17, 1903 by American mechanics brothers W. 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 combat weapon, caused the division of aviation into fighter, bomber and reconnaissance.

In the belligerent countries during the war years, the fleet of aircraft has expanded, and their characteristics have improved. The speed of the fighters reached 200-220 km / h, and the ceiling increased from 2 to 7 km. Since the mid 20s. 20th century duralumin began to be widely used in aircraft construction. 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 aviation and helicopter construction began to develop rapidly. The Air Force has supersonic aircraft. In the 80s. much attention was paid to the creation of short takeoff and landing aircraft, large payload, and the improvement of helicopters. Currently, some countries are working on the creation and improvement of orbital and aerospace aircraft.

Organizational structure of the Air Force

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

Air Force- the most mobile and maneuverable type of the Armed Forces, designed to protect the organs of the highest state and military administration, strategic nuclear forces, groupings of troops, important administrative and industrial centers and regions of the country from reconnaissance and air strikes, strikes against aviation, land and sea groups enemy, its administrative, political, industrial and economic centers in order to disrupt state and military administration, disrupt the work of the rear and transport, as well as conduct air reconnaissance and air transportation. They can perform these tasks under any weather conditions, at any time of the day and year.

The main tasks of the Air Force in modern conditions are:
• opening the beginning of an attack by an air enemy;
• notification of the main headquarters of the Armed Forces, headquarters of military districts, fleets, civil defense agencies about the beginning of an enemy air attack;
• 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;
• destruction of objects of the military-economic potential of the enemy;
• violation of the military and state administration of the enemy;
• the destruction of nuclear missile, anti-aircraft and aviation groups of the enemy and his reserves, as well as air and sea landings;
• defeating enemy ship groupings at sea, in the ocean, at naval bases, in ports and bases;
• dropping military equipment and landing troops;
• transportation by air of troops and military equipment;
• conducting strategic, operational and tactical air reconnaissance;
• control over the use of airspace in the border zone.

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

Aircraft units are armed with aircraft, 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 and cannon weapons.

The anti-aircraft missile and radio engineering troops are armed with various anti-aircraft missile systems, short-range air defense systems, radar stations and other means of armed struggle.

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

bomber aviation 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 the enemy’s defense. The bomber can carry bombs of various calibers, both conventional and nuclear, as well as air-to-surface guided missiles.

Attack aircraft designed for aviation support of troops, defeating manpower and objects mainly at the forefront, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as commanding the fight against enemy aircraft in the air.
One of the main requirements for an attack aircraft is the high accuracy of hitting ground targets. Armament: large-caliber guns, bombs, rockets.

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

reconnaissance aviation Designed to conduct aerial reconnaissance of the enemy, terrain and weather, can destroy enemy hidden objects.
Reconnaissance flights can also be carried out by bomber, fighter-bomber, attack and fighter aircraft. To do this, they are specially equipped with photographic equipment for day and night shooting at various scales, radio and radar stations with high resolution, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, and magnetometers.
Reconnaissance aviation is subdivided into tactical, operational and strategic reconnaissance aviation.

Transport aviation designed to transport 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, air-to-air refueling, electronic warfare, radiation, chemical and biological protection, control and communications, meteorological and technical support, rescue of crews in distress, evacuation of the wounded and sick.

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

Radio engineering troops- the main source of information about an air enemy and are designed to conduct its radar reconnaissance, control the flights of its aircraft and comply with the rules for the use of airspace by aircraft of all departments.
They issue 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 formations, units and subunits.
Radio-technical troops are armed with radar stations and radar complexes capable of detecting not only air but also surface targets at any time of the year and day, regardless of meteorological conditions and interference.

Units and divisions of communications are intended for the deployment and operation of communication systems in order to ensure command and control of troops in all types of combat activities.

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

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

It is well known all over the world that the Russian army is one of the most powerful on our planet. And it is considered as such by right. The Air Force is part of the RF Armed Forces and is one of the key units of our army. Therefore, it is necessary to tell about the Air Force in more detail.

A bit of history

History in the modern sense begins in 1998. It was then that the Air Force, which we know today, was formed. And they were formed as a result of the merger of the so-called troops and the Air Force. True, and now they as such no longer exist. Since the past, 2015, there has been an Aerospace Forces - Aerospace Forces. By combining the units of the space and air forces, it was possible to rally the potential and resources, as well as to concentrate the command in one hand - due to which the effectiveness of the forces also increased. In any case, this is how the need to form a VKS was justified.

These troops perform many tasks. They repel aggression in the air and space spheres, protect the earth, people, country and important objects from attacks coming from the same place, and provide air support for the combat operations of other military units of Russia.

Structure

The Russian Federation (after all, many are more accustomed to calling them in the old way than the VKS) include many divisions. This is aviation, as well as radio engineering and anti-aircraft in the first place. These are the arms of the Air Force. The structure also includes special troops. These include reconnaissance, as well as communications of automated control systems and radio engineering support. Without this, the Russian Air Force cannot exist.

The special troops also include meteorological, topographic and geodetic, engineering, RKhBZ, aeronautical, and also engineering. But this is not yet a complete list. It is also complemented by security, search and rescue, and even meteorological. But, in addition to the above, there are units whose main task is to protect the military command and control.

Other features of the structure

It should be noted that the structure, which distinguishes the air force of the Russian Federation, also has subdivisions. The first is long-range aviation (YES). The second is military transport (VTA). The third is operational tactical (OTA) and, finally, the fourth is army (AA). But that's not all. Subunits may include special, transport, reconnaissance, fighter aircraft, as well as ground attack and bomber aircraft. And each has its own tasks, which they are obliged to carry out by the Air Force.

The composition still has a certain basis on which the whole structure rests. Naturally, these are air bases and brigades belonging to the Aerospace Defense Forces.

Situation in the 21st century

Every person who is at least a little versed in this topic knows very well that in the 90s the air force of the Russian Federation was actively degraded. And all due to the fact that the number of personnel of the troops and the level of their training was very small. Plus, the technique was not particularly new, and there were not enough airfields. In addition, the structure was not funded, and therefore there were practically no flights. But in the 2000s, the situation began to improve. To be more precise, everything began to progress in 2009. It was then that fruitful and capital work began on the repair and modernization of the entire fleet of the Russian Air Force.

Perhaps the impetus for this was the statement of the commander-in-chief of the troops - A. N. Zelin. In 2008, he said that the aerospace defense of our state was in a catastrophic state. Therefore, the purchase of equipment and the improvement of the entire system as a whole began.

Symbolism

The flag of the Air Force is very bright and conspicuous. This is a blue cloth, in the center of which there is an image of two silvery propellers. They seem to intersect with each other. Together with them, an anti-aircraft gun is also depicted. And the background is made up of silver wings. In general, quite original and symbolic. Even from the center of the cloth, golden rays seem to diverge (their number is 14 pieces). By the way, their location is strictly regulated - this is not a chaotic choice. If you turn on fantasy and imagination, then it begins to seem as if this emblem is in the middle of the sun, blocking it - that's why the rays.

And if you look at history, you can understand that it is so. Because in Soviet times, the flag was a blue cloth with a golden sun, in the middle of which was a red star with a hammer and sickle in the center. And a little lower - silver wings, which seem to be mounted on a black propeller ring.

It is worth noting that the Federation, together with the US Air Force, planned to conduct joint anti-terrorist exercises in 2008. This was to happen in the Far East. The scenario was planned as follows: terrorists seize a plane at the airport, and the troops prevent the consequences. The Russian side was supposed to bring into action four fighters, search and rescue services and an early warning aircraft. The US Air Force required the participation of a civilian airliner and fighters. Plus the notorious plane. However, shortly before the planned event, literally a week before, it was reported that it was decided to mark the exercises. Many believe that the aggravated relations between NATO and Russia served as the reason.

Any state at all times needed dedicated people who would be ready to defend it at any moment. After all, humanity throughout its history has used violence to conquer the weaker. Therefore, martial art has become an integral activity in every state. In this case, it should be noted that people engaged in such a craft have always enjoyed honor and respect in society. This fact is not surprising, because they were always at risk. The work of such people was associated with the performance of dangerous tasks. To date, the essence of military craft has changed somewhat. However, the status of military personnel remains the same. This sector of human activity is highly developed in many modern states. Speaking specifically about the Russian Federation, this country has one of the most combat-ready armies in the world. The armed forces are made up of several professionals. Against the backdrop of the entire structure of the Russian army, military aviation stands out. This sector of the armed forces plays a significant role. At the same time, the majority of citizens of the Russian Federation tend to serve in the aviation industry, which leads to the existence of many educational institutions that produce specialists in this field.

Air force concept

The tasks of military aviation

Any combat type unit exists to perform certain tasks. Modern military aviation of Russia in this case is no exception. A large number of different areas of activity are assigned to this functional element of the armed forces. Given this fact, we can single out the most urgent tasks of Russian military aviation, for example:

• protection of airspace over the territory of the state;
• destruction of enemy manpower from the air;
• transportation of personnel, weapons, provisions;
• conducting reconnaissance activities;
• defeat of the enemy air fleet;
• combat assistance to ground forces.

At the same time, it should be noted that the modern military aviation of Russia is constantly evolving. This leads to the expansion of its functional tasks. In addition, the current legislation may impose other obligations on aviation.

Combat strength of aviation

The new military aviation of Russia, that is, the formation of an independent Russian Federation, is represented by a large number of different equipment. To date, as part of this sector of the armed forces, there are aircraft of various technical characteristics. All of them are suitable for combat missions of any kind and complexity. It should be noted that the military aviation equipment belongs to the domestic manufacturer in full. Thus, the following devices are used in the activities of military aviation:

There is also a special aviation sector, which includes devices used for atypical tasks. This includes tanker aircraft, air command posts, reconnaissance aircraft, as well as aviation guidance and radio detection systems.

Promising innovation

The armament of the state is effective only if it is constantly developed. To do this, it is necessary to invent new technologies that will help in the implementation of the tasks of the military sector. In the aviation industry today there are several innovative developments. For example, the family of fighters will soon be replenished with new aircraft of the 5th and 4th generation, which include the T-50 (PAK FA) and MiG - 35. Transport aviation did not stand aside. Soon, new aircraft will appear in the fleet of this type of aircraft: Il-112 and 214.

Training in the relevant sector

One should be aware of the fact that the military aviation of Russia consists not only of aircraft, but also of people, personnel, which directly performs the functional tasks of the represented sphere of the armed forces. Therefore, the availability of qualified personnel is essential. For the training of specialists in the mentioned field, Russian military aviation schools operate in our state. In such educational institutions, qualified professionals are trained for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Qualities required for admission to specialized educational institutions

Aviation schools of Russian military aviation are special places of education. In other words, to enter this kind of institution, a person must possess a number of certain qualities. First of all, you need to be in excellent health. After all, the control of aircraft is associated with large loads on the body. Therefore, any deviation from the norm will put an end to the career of a pilot. In addition, pilots wishing to write an article must have the following characterizing aspects:

• have a high level of academic achievement in general education subjects;
• have high stress resistance;
• a person must be ready for team work;

In this case, all the moments presented are not inherent in all people. However, the military sphere is a rather specific type of activity that requires employees with a special temperament. If a person in the future profession is attracted only by the uniform of a Russian military aviation pilot, then he clearly should not work in this area.

List of schools

For everyone who wants to join the ranks of professionals in the military aviation of the Russian Federation, special educational institutions operate on the territory of the state. It should be noted that in order to enter such places, it is necessary to have all the qualities listed above, pass a competition and a series of test exams. Every year, the requirements for applicants to specific educational institutions of military aviation change. As for the choice of a particular university, it is quite large. Today, the following specialized schools operate in Russia:

Thus, everyone who wants to connect their lives with flying in the sky can safely enter the presented educational institutions, which will subsequently give them the opportunity to do what they love.

Conclusion

Thus, in the Russian Federation today, the flight sector of the armed forces is quite well developed, which is supported by the corresponding photos. Russian military aviation is experiencing a moment of technical evolution. This means that in a few years we will see completely new aircraft in the sky. In addition, the state does not spare funds for the training of specialists in the relevant field of military art.

The military-industrial complex of Russia is one of the most modern in the world, so the Russian military aviation is also one of the most modern on the planet.

The Russian military-industrial complex is capable of producing almost any type of modern military aircraft, including fifth-generation fighters.

Russian military aviation consists of:

• Bombers of Russia
• Russian fighters
• Stormtroopers of Russia
• AWACS aircraft of Russia
• Flying tankers (refuelers) of Russia
• Military transport aircraft of Russia
• Russian military transport helicopters
• Russian attack helicopters

The main manufacturers of military aircraft in Russia are PJSC Sukhoi Company, JSC RAC MiG, the Moscow Helicopter Plant named after M. L. Mil, OJSC Kamov and others.

You can see photos and descriptions of the products of some companies at the links:

Let's look at each class of military aircraft with descriptions and photographs.

Bombers of Russia

Wikipedia will explain what a bomber is to us very accurately: A bomber is a military aircraft designed to destroy ground, underground, surface, underwater objects with bomb and / or missile weapons. .

Russian long-range bombers

Long-range bombers in Russia are developed and produced by the Tupolev Design Bureau.

Long-range bomber Tu-160

The Tu-160, unofficially called the White Swan, is the fastest and heaviest long-range bomber in the world. Tu-160 "White Swan" is capable of developing supersonic speed, not every fighter is able to keep up with him.

Long-range bomber Tu-95

Tu-95 is a veteran of Russian long-range aviation. Developed back in 1955, having gone through many upgrades, the Tu-95 is still Russia's main long-range bomber.

Long-range bomber Tu-22M

Tu-22M is another long-range bomber of the Russian Aerospace Forces. It has variable sweep wings, like the Tu-160, but its dimensions are smaller.

Front-line bombers of Russia

Front-line bombers in Russia are developed and produced by PJSC Sukhoi Company.

Front-line bomber Su-34

The Su-34 is a 4++ generation combat aircraft, a fighter-bomber, although it would be more accurate to call it a front-line bomber.

Front-line bomber Su-24

Su-24 is a front-line bomber, the development of which began in the USSR in the early 60s of the last century. Currently, he is being replaced by the Su-34.

Russian fighters

Fighters in Russia are developed and manufactured by two companies: PJSC Sukhoi Company and JSC RAC MiG.

Su Fighters

PJSC "Company" Sukhoi "delivers to the troops such modern combat vehicles as the fifth generation fighter Su-50 (PAK FA), Su-35, front-line bomber Su-34, carrier-based fighter Su-33, Su-30, heavy fighter Su- 27, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-24M3 front-line bomber.

Fighter of the fifth generation PAK FA (T-50)

PAK FA (T-50 or Su-50) is a fifth-generation fighter developed by Sukhoi Company PJSC for the Russian Aerospace Forces since 2002. As of the end of 2016, tests are being completed and the aircraft is being prepared for transfer to regular units.

Photo by PAK FA (T-50).

Su-35 is a 4++ generation fighter.

Photo Su-35.

Su-33 carrier-based fighter

Su-33 is a 4++ generation carrier-based fighter. Several of these aircraft are in service with the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.

Fighter Su-27

Su-27 is the main combat fighter of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Based on it, the Su-34, Su-35, Su-33 and several other fighters were developed.

Su-27 in flight

MiG fighters

JSC "RSK" MiG "" today supplies the troops with the MiG-31 fighter-interceptor and the MiG-29 fighter.

Fighter-interceptor MiG-31

The MiG-31 is a fighter-interceptor designed to perform tasks at any time of the day and in any weather. The MiG-31 is a very fast aircraft.

Fighter MiG-29

MiG-29 - is one of the main combat fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces. There is a deck version - MiG-29K.

Stormtroopers

The only attack aircraft in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces is the Su-25 attack aircraft.

Attack aircraft Su-25

Su-25 - armored subsonic attack aircraft. The machine made its first flight in 1975 since then, having undergone many upgrades, it has been reliably fulfilling its tasks.

Russian military helicopters

Helicopters for the army are produced by the Moscow Helicopter Plant named after M.L. Mil and OJSC Kamov.

Kamov helicopters

JSC "Kamov" specializes in the production of coaxial helicopters.

Helicopter Ka-52

The Ka-52 "Alligator" is a two-seat helicopter capable of performing both attack and reconnaissance functions.

Deck helicopter Ka-31

The Ka-31 is a carrier-based helicopter equipped with a long-range radio detection and guidance system, which is in service with the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.

Deck helicopter Ka-27

Ka-27 is a multi-purpose carrier-based helicopter. The main modifications are anti-submarine and rescue.

Photo Ka-27PL Russian Navy

Mil helicopters

Mi helicopters are being developed by the Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant.

Mi-28 helicopter

The Mi-28 is a Soviet-designed attack helicopter used by the Russian army.

Mi-24 helicopter

Mi-24 is a world-famous attack helicopter, created in the 1970s in the USSR.

Mi-26 helicopter

The Mi-24 is a heavy transport helicopter, also developed back in Soviet times. At the moment it is the largest helicopter in the world.

The Russian Air Force has long been a formidable force that ensures the inviolability of Russian borders in the airspace, on land and even at sea. After all, thanks to the powerful technical potential of the Russian Federation, the air forces of our country are equipped with equipment that allows them to perform any task of preventing, repelling an attack and delivering a retaliatory strike.

Russian Air Force

The Air Force of any state is an indicator of the economic and scientific potential of the state. To date, the Russian Air Force in terms of technical equipment is one of the best in the world, if not the best. This type of armed forces is the youngest, as it was created only at the beginning of the 20th century. But not one land and sea operation can do without the participation of military aviation. After all, reconnaissance, striking at tactical and strategic depths, the transfer of manpower and equipment in the shortest possible time can only be carried out by the "wings of the army."

Story

In 1910, at the behest of Emperor Nicholas II, the Russian Empire purchased several aircraft from France to create its own Air Force. After that, the training of officers who could fly the aircraft immediately began in Sevastopol. Already by the beginning of the First World War, Russia had an air fleet of 263 aircraft, which was the first indicator among all countries participating in the global slaughter. Aircraft were used exclusively to correct artillery fire. But soon air battles began in the blue heights, and the sky began to bear death in the form of bombs, which generously began to fall on the heads of soldiers in the trenches. Of the Russian pilots, the most famous is Pyotr Nesterov, who was the first to perform the famous "dead loop" in 1913 and the first to make an aerial ram in 1914.

In 1917, the Imperial Air Fleet ceased to exist as a result of the Great October Revolution. Many pilots, who had invaluable experience in air combat, died or immigrated. In 1918, the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Air Fleet was created in the young socialist state. The country's industry developed, the scientific and technical potential grew. Therefore, it is not surprising that by 1917 the country, which had only 700 aircraft in the armed forces, which made it extremely vulnerable from the air, already in the 1930s was able to become one of the leaders in the aircraft industry and create a powerful military aviation. The design bureaus of Tupolev and Polikarpov were able to organize the mass production of TB-1, TB-3 bombers and I-15, I-16 fighters. In the USSR, the training of pilots began to be treated more competently, creating flying clubs throughout the country, flight schools, whose graduates joined the ranks of the armed forces, Osoaviakhim, the Civil Air Fleet, or were sent to the reserve.

Our pilots got their first combat experience in Spain, where from 1936 to 1939 they performed their international duty. During the Spanish Civil War, our pilots on domestic aircraft successfully acted against the German aces who flew the latest Messerschmitts. Later, success in the sky during the war with Finland, whose air force was much weaker, turned the head of the Soviet command. But as the first years of the armed confrontation with Nazi Germany showed, the USSR was significantly inferior in technical equipment, as well as in the training of pilots. But every day the experience of our pilots grew, and courage and heroism have always distinguished our pilots. Ultimately, this made it possible to gain an advantage over the enemy in the air.

After the Second World War, relations with the former allies in the anti-Hitler coalition began to rapidly heat up. The USA and its allies began to develop plans directed against the country of the Soviets. The response was to build up the military potential of the USSR, including the modernization of the Air Force. In the course of modernization, a lot of money from the country's budget was spent on the development of modern aircraft, which were supposed to create an air superiority over enemy aircraft, as well as to ensure the fulfillment of the tasks of delivering an adequate strike on important economic and military targets of the enemy, his groupings of troops. It is also worth noting that no less attention was paid to the training of flight crews, air combat tactics were constantly improved, and the possibility of conducting maneuvers was studied using all the capabilities of modern aircraft.

After the USSR ceased to exist, 40% of the entire fleet of equipment went to the Russian Federation. 65% of the personnel remained to serve in parts of the Russian Air Force. From the early 1990s to the early 2000s, the "wings of the army" were in a deplorable state, when, due to poor funding, there was practically no renewal of the park, and flight hours were extremely scarce. After the change of leadership of the country, positive changes began. And in 2008, a large-scale reorganization of the air force began, which includes a change in the structure of this type of troops, and the reconstruction and replacement of old equipment.