Grouping of the air force of the Russian Federation in Syria. What is VKS? How is this abbreviation deciphered? bombs and missiles
Source:
https://rusi.org/publication/rusi-defence-systems/detailing-russian-forces-syria
Note: The unit of the 120th Guards Abr was confirmed by our Defense Ministry.
So, Sutyagin says:
Ground troops:
1. Battalion tactical group of the 810th Marine Brigade (Sevastopol) - 542nd separate airborne assault battalion, headquarters and control units - approximately 580 people.
No comments
2. 162nd separate reconnaissance battalion of the 7th air assault division (Novorossiysk) - approximately 320 people.
3. Reconnaissance battalion of the 74th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (Yurga) - approximately 440 people.
4. Battalion tactical group of the 27th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (Moscow) - two motorized rifle and tank companies - approximately 300 people.
5. Special Forces Battalion, probably the 3rd Special Forces Brigade (Tolyatti); it is also possible that this battalion belongs to the 22nd Guards Brigade of the Special Forces (Rostov-on-Don) - 230 people.
6. Sniper team TsSN "Senezh" (Solnechnogorsk) - the number is unknown.
No comments
7. Howitzer division of the 120th Guards Artillery Brigade (Kemerovo, more precisely Yurga) - eighteen 2A65 Msta-B, 270 people.
Note. The MoD confirmed the 5th howitzer battery of the brigade in the area of the settlement. Hamrat (Homs)
8. Two batteries of MLRS 9A52 "Smerch", the 439th Guards Rocket and Artillery Brigade (Znamensk, Astrakhan Region) is supposed - 4 installations, 50-60 people.
No comments
9. Howitzer battery of the 8th artillery regiment (Simferopol) - six towed howitzers 2A65 Msta-B, seventy people.
Note. No comments
10. Flamethrower battery from the 20th regiment of the RKhBZ (Nizhny Novgorod) - six TOS-1A "Solntsepyok", thirty people.
11. Electronic warfare company - six R-330B launchers, three R-378B radio jamming stations and six SPR-2 "Mercury-B" radio fuse jamming stations, the 64th motorized rifle brigade (Khabarovsk) is expected, about sixty people.
No comments
12. EW company - the Rubella-4 complex (on two vehicles), the 17th EW brigade (Nizhneudinsk) is supposed to be - about twenty people.
No comments
The total strength of the land component of the Russian group is estimated at about 2,400 people.
Aerospace Forces:
1. Four Su-30SM fighters from the 120th mixed aviation regiment (Domna; all four aircraft are identified by tail numbers "26, 27, 28, 29 red").
2. Four Su-34 bombers of the 47th mixed aviation regiment (Buturlinovka; all four aircraft are identified with tail numbers "21, 22, 25, 27 red").
3. From twenty-four to thirty Su-24M and Su-24m2 bombers of the 2nd Guards Bomber Regiment (Shagol; seven aircraft with tail numbers "04, 05, 08, 16, 25, 26, 27 white") and 277- th bomber regiment (Khurba; five boards with numbers "71, 72, 74, 75, 76 white" are tied).
4. Ten Su-25SM attack aircraft, two Su-25UBs of the 960th assault aviation regiment (Primorsko-Akhtarsk; all twelve aircraft are tied - Su-25SM tail numbers "21, 22, 24, 29 red" in brown-green-blue tricolor camouflage , and "25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32 red" in gray color, Su-25UB with tail numbers "44, 53 red").
5. Twelve Mi-24PN helicopters and two Mi-8AMTSh helicopters of the 113th helicopter regiment (Novosibirsk; all fourteen helicopters are tied - Mi-24PN tail numbers "03, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 34 , 36, 37, 40 yellow", Mi-8AMTSh "212, 252 yellow")
6. Up to eight Mi-28N helicopters - the 2nd squadron of the 487th helicopter regiment (Budennovsk) is supposed.
7. Flying command post Il-22M - from the 144th AWACS aviation regiment (Ivanovo; registration number RA 75917)
8. One or two reconnaissance Il-20Ms with unknown numbers from the 257th mixed aviation regiment (Khabarovsk).
9. Air defense battery of six Pantsir-S1 (SA-22) installations, presumably from the 1537th anti-aircraft missile regiment (Novorossiysk) - approximately ninety-five people.
10. Battalion of airfield services (jet aviation) - 360-380 people.
11. Airfield service company (helicopters) - 90-110 people.
12. Communications and air traffic control battalion - 240-270 people.
In general, the strength of the Russian Aerospace Forces grouping in Syria is estimated at 1200-1350 people, including 150-180 pilots, 280 aviation technicians, 690-760 people in support and up to 100 people in air defense.
It is assumed that there will be additional air bases near Khmeim, in particular, with the Mi-28 stationed there.
P.S. Sutyagin has enough inaccuracies and mistakes.
The abbreviation VKS has recently become quite common. But for many people it is incomprehensible. And many are asking a logical question: what is videoconferencing? Well, it should be answered.
Definition
Another task is to manage satellite systems (both dual and purely military). The launch of spacecraft is also included in the list of duties of the Aerospace Forces. The troops must also use all their forces and capabilities to provide the military and commanders-in-chief with the necessary information about what is happening (or not happening, this is also important) in the air and outer space. Finally, the forces undertake to maintain in working order the means by which they are launched.
As you can see, a lot of tasks should be performed by videoconferencing. This is indeed a very serious military unit. Therefore, to serve in such troops is an honor and at the same time a responsibility.
Last Wednesday, October 14, the auxiliary ship of the Russian Navy "Dvinitsa-50" passed through the Bosphorus Strait heading for the Mediterranean Sea. Outwardly - nothing unusual, a dry cargo ship like a dry cargo ship. Not very large, with a displacement of only 4.5 thousand tons and a length of 108 meters. But there is no doubt that this passage of the Black Sea straits will be noticed by the military even overseas.
The fact is that a few months ago the battered ship (built in 1985) according to all the documents on board was called quite differently - “Alican Deval”. And a completely different flag curled on its mast. Namely, Turkish. But relatively recently, Alican Deval was sold, changed ownership and went to Novorossiysk. There raised the war flag of our auxiliary fleet. And already on October 10 stood at the Novorossiysk pier for loading. Almost no one doubts that those cargoes are intended for our military in Syria.
Immediately there were reports that, in fact, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation urgently purchased not one, but eight used transport ships at once from Turkey. All of them will be urgently put on the route Novorossiysk - the Syrian port of Tartus. Then this route, which has been very busy in recent months without the former Turkish bulk carriers, will start working at a frantic pace. And all together means that the scale of participation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the war in Syria will only increase in the foreseeable future. Thus, the forecast published on October 14 in the article under the title very quickly found its confirmation.
Russian aviation group stationed at the Khmeimim airfield in Syria
Let me briefly remind you that in the Middle Eastern press, citing sources in the coordinating headquarters for the fight against the Islamic State * located in Baghdad, there were reports that, in the opinion of the Syrian command, the current intensity of air raids on the positions of the Islamists is completely insufficient. In order to decisively break the resistance of bearded thugs, Russian pilots must inflict three times as many rocket and bomb strikes on the enemy every day. Namely: instead of today's approximately 60, make an average of 200 sorties per day.
In order to fight at such a pace, at least three things are needed:
- the first is to urgently increase the grouping of our attack aircraft and helicopters in Syria.
- the second is to equip at least one more airfield for them. Because the one called the Khmeimim airbase is working at its limit.
- third - to sharply increase the rear supply of the growing aviation group.
The first point, judging by the messages that have appeared, is already being implemented. This week saw the first appearance of our latest attack helicopters in the Syrian skies. They were not there for a few more days. Previously, comparatively old Russian combat helicopters participated in the fire support of the advancing Syrian troops and in the protection of the perimeter of the Khmeimim airbase provided to Russia. Some of which still remember the sky of Chechnya. And then Afghanistan.
Where did the brand new "Night hunters" come from in Syria? Didn't they come through Iran and Iraq? None of the military will answer this for you. But it can be assumed that the helicopters were delivered to the belligerent country last Saturday by two aircraft of the Russian military transport aviation. Because it was on Saturday that two of ours landed in Latakia. As the Russian Defense Ministry announced, "with cargoes of humanitarian aid for the Syrian population." Perhaps on board these giant aircraft were not only cans of stew and condensed milk. Somewhere in the far corners of the bottomless fuselages of the Ruslans, the Night Hunters, probably, just stale.
Almost simultaneously, according to Arab media, the civilian airport in Latakia, which previously served even international flights, was declared closed to passengers. Thus, it is very likely that this is now the second airfield for the Russian group.
Of course, for the protection and defense of the second airfield, an additional contingent of marines will be required. Yes, and much more is required. Namely, thousands of tons of aviation and automobile fuel, various kinds of ammunition, food, spare parts for equipment, etc. And here we come to, perhaps, the most difficult thing in organizing the combat work of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria . For their rear support.
Recently, the British The Financial Times published an article by a notorious hater of our country, Zbigniew Brzezinski. Among other things, it says: The Russian naval and air forces present in Syria are very vulnerable, as they are isolated from their country". You can hate Brzezinski, but he knows what he's talking about. Supplying the warring faction is actually our Achilles' heel in Syria.
However, Moscow is well aware of this even without the promptings of the old American Russophobe. Everything that is possible has been thrown today to ensure transport communications between Russia and Syria. And, alas, not much. The airspace of Bulgaria, at the request of Washington, is closed for flights by Russian military transport aviation. Turkish - even more so. Aircraft are left with a long and costly detour through Iran and Iraq.
It is easier and cheaper, although much longer, to deliver the necessary goods to Syria by sea. Therefore, the main burden in providing for the belligerent group fell on the Russian military sailors.
However, at first they tried to attract civilians as well. Of course, there was no group of ours near Latakia yet, but Assad's army was already fighting with might and main against the Islamists and needed Russia's support. We provided it.
But in a row there were two international scandals at once. Initially, in January 2012, in the Cypriot port of Limassol, the vessel Chariot of Westberg Ltd. was detained for inspection. Under the flag of the state of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it flew from St. Petersburg to Latakia. As it turned out - with a load of live ammunition, absolutely legally purchased by the Syrians from Rosoboronexport. Since Syria was under EU sanctions due to the outbreak of civil war, the Cypriots "Charyot" were released on the condition that it change course. But soon, as the Turkish authorities reported, the cartridges were still unloaded in Tartus.
In June of the same year, the cargo ship Alaid was detained off the coast of Scotland with Syrian combat helicopters and air defense systems repaired in Russia. The cargo ship was owned by Volcano Shipping NV, registered in Curacao. The operator was the Sakhalin company FEMCO.
As a result of the proceedings, the crew lost their insurance and was forced to return to Murmansk.
It became clear that the blockade could not be broken by civilian courts. Since then, any of our military assistance to the army of President Bashar al-Assad (and more recently to our own grouping of the Aerospace Forces) has been carried out exclusively under the flag of the Russian Navy. Since the decks and holds of warships are national territory and are not subject to inspection by citizens of other states.
What started on this route after 2012 is known in the world as the "Syrian Express". Almost the entire available composition of large landing ships (BDK) of all four of our fleets has been scurrying around between Novorossiysk and Syrian Tartus for three years now. At different times, replacing one another, six of the seven BDKs of the Black Sea Fleet, all eight serviceable BDKs of the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet participated and are participating in this work. For thousands of miles of Mediterranean jelly, even two of the four ships from the Pacific Ocean that remained in service had to sip.
Somehow, this potential was enough until September 30, our Khmeimim airbase near Latakia entered the battle in Syria. As you know, these are three dozen bombers and attack aircraft. Judging by the information regularly published by the Ministry of Defense, each of them makes at least 2-3 sorties per day. The combat load of the Su-34 front-line bomber (there are six of them in Syria so far) is about 12 tons. His older brother Su-24 (there are twelve of them at the airbase) - 7 tons. Attack aircraft Su-25 - about 4.5 tons.
Even if we don’t count the fire support helicopters and four fighter jets that fly no less intensively, we don’t count the similar needs of a reinforced marine battalion and an air defense unit covering Khmeimim, radio intelligence and electronic warfare units, it’s still the daily consumption of only ammunition and only Russian shock front-line aviation in Syria is estimated at more than one hundred tons. Every day and every night! And, say, a large landing ship of project 1171 of the Nikolai Filchenkov type is capable of taking on board a maximum of 1,750 tons of cargo.
Further. It takes at least four to five days to drag them to Syria. Still need time for loading and unloading. For some inter-way repairs. More than a couple of flights to Tartus a month does not work for everyone. And this is only about 3 thousand tons of cargo. There is not enough aviation for a week of combat work.
And what will happen if it grows in numbers and soon starts flying from the former airport in Latakia? There will not be enough BDKs for the fleet. At least call them from the Far East, even from the Arctic.
New build long. There is a large landing ship of project 11 711 "Ivan Gren" that has just been launched in Kaliningrad and has just begun mooring trials ... Bagpipes have been dragging with it since 2004. The next one - "Pyotr Morgunov" - is only going to be laid on the "Yantar". According to the plan, this BDK will be put into operation no earlier than 2017. So, the sufferers of the “Syrian Express” cannot count on replenishment for a long time.
What remains? It is urgent to buy, where necessary, workable dry cargo ships and put them to provide front-line communications with Syria. What the Russian Defense Ministry did, multiplying its capabilities with eight Turkish dry cargo ships.
By the way, it is possible that they will buy larger vessels than the former Turkish Alican Deval. For some reason, hasty dredging work began at the entrance to Tartus. They are led by the KIL-158 keelor ship and the Donuzlav hydrographic vessel (both from the Black Sea Fleet). The task is to start accepting sea transports of a more solid displacement at our logistics center as soon as possible. Because it is possible that the war against terrorists in Syria will last for a long time.
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* "Islamic State" by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014 was recognized as a terrorist organization, its activities in Russia are prohibited.
The Russian Aerospace Forces grouping in Syria includes more than 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Su-34 and Su-24M front-line bombers, Su-25SM attack aircraft, Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters, Mi-24P attack helicopters, as well as transport - attack helicopters Mi-8AMTSh.
During the preparation and setting of tasks, aerial reconnaissance data and clarifications received from the headquarters of the Syrian army and with the help of space reconnaissance and drones are used. All actions of Russia are coordinated with the Syrian side
In addition to the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Russian Navy was also involved in the operation. On the night of October 6-7, 2015, ships of the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy from the Caspian Sea launched a massive strike with cruise missiles ZM-14 of the Kalibr NK sea-based complex against Daesh* facilities in Syria. 26 rockets were fired from the Dagestan, Grad Sviyazhsk, Veliky Ustyug and Uglich ships.
On December 17, 2015, Tu-160, Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS Long-Range Aviation aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces attacked Daesh * positions in Syria, 34 cruise missiles were launched at militant targets in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. The air strike group was covered by 4 Su-27SM fighters.
On November 20, 2015, ships of the Caspian Flotilla launched 18 cruise missiles at seven targets in the provinces of Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo, hitting all targets.
On February 1, 2016, Su-35S fighters were deployed to the Khmeimim airbase, which began to carry out combat missions.
Su-24M "Fencer"
The main striking force of the Russian air group in Syria is the modernized Su-24M front-line bomber.
Su-24M
The Su-24 (according to NATO classification - Fencer-D) is a front-line bomber with a variable sweep wing, for its elongated nose was nicknamed "Fencer". Designed for delivering missile and bomb strikes in simple and difficult weather conditions, day and night, including at low altitudes. Chief designer - Evgeny Felsner.
The aircraft made its first flight in 1976. The bomber is equipped with a special computing subsystem SVP-24 "Gefest", which was put into service in 2008, which expands the aircraft's ability to search for and destroy targets. The Su-24M is capable of flying at low altitude and following the terrain. The bomber can strike both ground and surface targets using a wide range of ammunition, including high-precision weapons, including guided aerial bombs (KAB). The maximum flight speed near the ground is 1250 km / h, the ferry flight range is 2,775 km (with two external fuel tanks PTB-3000). The aircraft is equipped with two AL-21F-3A turbojet engines with a thrust of 11,200 kgf each.
Armament - a 23 mm cannon, on 8 suspension points can carry air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, adjustable and free-falling aerial bombs, as well as unguided aircraft missiles, removable cannon mounts, tactical nuclear weapons.
Su-34 "Duckling"
Multifunctional fighter-bomber of the "4+" generation Su-34 (according to NATO classification - Fullback) is designed to deliver high-precision missile and bomb strikes, including using nuclear weapons, against land and surface targets at any time of the day. The main strike aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Su-34 Among the Russian military, the Su-34 was nicknamed "Duck" because of the nose of the aircraft, reminiscent of a duck's beak.
The all-weather front-line bomber is a modernization of the Su-27 fighter. Chief designer - Rollan Martirosov.
The first flight was made on April 13, 1990. Adopted by the Russian Air Force on March 20, 2014. Serially produced since 2006 at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant named after V.P. Chkalov. Maximum speed - 1900 km / h, flight range - more than 4,000 km without refueling (7,000 km - with refueling), service ceiling - 14,650 meters. Armament - a 30 mm caliber cannon, on 12 hardpoints can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various types, unguided rockets and bombs.
The aircraft is equipped with an in-flight refueling system. The Su-34 is equipped with two AL-31F M1 turbojet engines with a thrust of 13,300 kgf in afterburner mode each. The crew of the aircraft - 2 people.
According to information from open sources, in December 2014, the Russian Air Force was armed with 55 Su-34 units. In total, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation intends to adopt 120 Su-34s.
Su-25SM "Rook"
Armored subsonic attack aircraft Su-25SM (according to NATO classification - Frogfoot-A), nicknamed "Rook", is designed for direct support of ground forces over the battlefield day and night with direct line of sight of the target, as well as the destruction of objects with specified coordinates around the clock in any weather conditions .
The aircraft differs from the basic Su-25 model by the presence of the PrNK-25SM Bars airborne sighting and navigation system and equipment for working with the GLONASS satellite navigation system. The cockpit equipment was also seriously updated - multifunctional displays (MFD) and a new indicator on the windshield (HUD) were added instead of the old sights.
The Su-25SM is capable of using a wide range of ammunition, including high-precision weapons. The aircraft is equipped with a 30-mm double-barreled aircraft gun GSH-30-2. The maximum flight speed near the ground is 975 km / h, the range is 500 km. The aircraft is equipped with two RD-195 turbojet engines with a thrust of 4,500 kgf at maximum power each.
Su-25 has become the most belligerent aircraft of the Russian army. He participated in many military operations (Afghanistan, Angola, South Ossetia). It is the "Rooks" that leave plumes of colored smoke in the form of the flag of the Russian Federation at each Victory parade over Red Square.
Su-27SM
Su-27SM and MiG-29 at MAKS 2013 Su-27SM multirole fighter (according to NATO classification - Flanker-B mod.1). Designed to gain air supremacy. The efficiency of the aircraft compared to the baseline Su-27 has doubled when working on air targets.
The Su-27SM is equipped with new avionics systems. The aircraft cockpit is equipped with multifunctional displays (MFD). The range of used aviation weapons (ASP) has been expanded.
Su-27SM3 aircraft have two additional suspension points under the wing panels.
Su-30SM
The task of the Su-30SM fighters (according to NATO classification - Flanker-H) is to cover bombers and attack aircraft attacking the positions of DAESH militants.
Double multi-role heavy fighter of the "4+" generation was created on the basis of the Su-27UB through its deep modernization.
Su-30SM at MAKS 2015 It is designed both to gain air supremacy and to strike at ground and surface targets. The design of the aircraft used front horizontal tail (PGO) and engines with thrust vector control (UVT). Due to the use of these solutions, the aircraft has super-maneuverability.
The Su-30SM is equipped with a multifunctional radar control station (RLCS) with a passive phased antenna array (PFAR) "Bars". The fighter's ammunition portfolio includes a wide range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface precision guided weapons. The Su-30SM can be used as an aircraft for training pilots for advanced single-seat fighters. Since 2012, these aircraft have been under construction for the Russian Air Force.
The Su-30SM is capable of performing combat operations associated with a long range and duration of flight and effective control of a group of fighters.
The Su-30SM is equipped with an in-flight refueling system, new navigation systems, an expanded range of group action control equipment, and an improved life support system. Due to the installation of new missiles and a weapon control system, the combat effectiveness of the aircraft has been significantly increased.
Su-35S
The Su-35S multipurpose supersonic supermaneuverable fighter belongs to the 4++ generation. It was developed in the 2000s by the experimental design bureau. ON. Sukhoi based on the front-line fighter Su-27. The Su-35 made its first flight in 2008.
Su-35S fighters fly from the Privolzhsky airfield to the Syrian Khmeimim airbase The aerodynamic scheme of the aircraft is made in the form of a twin-engine high-wing aircraft with a tricycle retractable landing gear with a front strut. The Su-35 is equipped with AL-41F1S turbojet engines with an afterburner and thrust vector control in one plane, which was developed on the basis of the AL-31F installed on Su-27 aircraft. Differs from its predecessor in increased thrust of 14.5 tons (against 12.5), b about longer life and lower fuel consumption.
The Su-35 has 12 external hardpoints for attaching high-precision missiles and bombs. Two more - to accommodate EW containers.
The Su-35 armament includes a whole range of air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, as well as unguided rockets and bombs of various calibers.
In terms of the range of bomber and unguided missile weapons, the Su-35 as a whole does not differ from today's Su-30MK, but in the future it will be able to use improved and new models of air bombs, including those with laser correction. The maximum payload weight is 8000 kg.
The fighter is also equipped with a GSh-30-1 30 mm cannon (ammunition - 150 rounds).
Long-range aircraft based in Russia
Long-range supersonic bomber with variable wing geometry.
Designed to destroy land and sea targets with supersonic guided missiles at any time of the day and in any weather conditions.
Chief designer - Dmitry Markov. The first flight was made on June 22, 1977, it was launched into mass production in 1978, and was adopted by the USSR Air Force in March 1989.
The aircraft is equipped with two NK-25 turbojet engines, developing power with an afterburner up to 25 tons. The combat equipment of the aircraft may include: three supersonic air-to-ground missiles, ten aeroballistic missiles to destroy enemy ground targets, as well as up to 12 tons of conventional or nuclear bombs located in the fuselage and on the external sling. The aircraft is also equipped with defensive armament - a GSh-23 cannon with a rate of fire of up to 4,000 rounds per minute.
In total, about 500 Tu-22Ms of various modifications were built. The maximum speed of the aircraft is 2,300 km/h, the practical range is 5,500 km, the practical ceiling is 13,500 m. The crew is 4 people. It can carry various types of cruise missiles with conventional or nuclear warheads.
Currently, the repair and modernization of aircraft of this model, which are in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces, is underway.
Tu-95MS
Turboprop strategic bomber-missile carrier - product "B", according to NATO codification "Bear".
Tu-95MS Designed to destroy important targets with nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical regions and in the deep rear of continental theaters of military operations.
Chief designer - Nikolai Bazenkov. The aircraft was created on the basis of the Tu-142MK and Tu-95K-22. The first flight was made in September 1979. Adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1981.
The maximum speed is 830 km / h, the practical range is up to 10,500 km, the practical ceiling is 12,000 meters. Crew - 7 people. Armament - long-range cruise missiles, 2 guns of 23 mm caliber.
Currently, the Russian Air Force is armed with about 30 units. Modernization to the Tu-95MSM version is underway, which will extend the life of the aircraft until 2025.
Supersonic strategic bomber-missile carrier with variable wing geometry.
Designed to destroy the most important targets with nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical regions and in the deep rear of continental theaters of military operations.
Chief designer - Valentin Bliznyuk. The machine made its first flight on December 18, 1981, adopted by the USSR Air Force in 1987.
Maximum speed - 2,230 km / h, practical range - 14,600 km, practical ceiling - 16,000 m. Crew - 4 people. Armament: up to 12 cruise missiles or up to 40 tons of air bombs. Flight duration - up to 15 hours (without refueling).
At least 15 vehicles of this type are in service with the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Until 2020, ten modernized Tu-160M vehicles are expected to arrive.
Helicopters
Mi-8AMTSh "Terminator"
Mi-8AMTSh "Terminator" transport and attack helicopters are deployed at the Khmeimim air base. This is the latest modification of the well-known and proven Mi-8 military transport helicopter.
"Terminator" is designed to destroy equipment, including armored, shelters and firing points, enemy manpower.
The range of ammunition used from the Mi-8AMTSh, in addition to unguided weapons, includes high-precision weapons, in particular anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) 9M120 "Ataka" or 9M114 "Shturm". The helicopter can carry up to 37 paratroopers, up to 12 wounded on stretchers or transport up to 4 tons of cargo, perform search and rescue and evacuation operations.
The helicopter is equipped with two VK-2500 engines of increased power. Mi-8AMTSh are equipped with a complex of means of protection against damage. The cockpit of the new helicopter is equipped with multifunctional indicators that display a digital map of the area, and the latest flight and navigation equipment that works with GPS and GLONASS navigation systems. Mi-8AMTSH helicopters are also distinguished by improved resource indicators, which allow saving significant funds on helicopter maintenance throughout the life cycle.
Crew - 3 people. Maximum speed - 250 km / h, flight range - up to 800 km, practical ceiling - 6,000 meters.
Versatility and high flight performance have made the Mi-8 helicopters one of the most popular Russian helicopters in the world.
The Mi-24P attack helicopter (according to NATO classification - Hind-F) is designed for visual observation and organization of a security zone in the Khmeimim airfield area, as well as search and rescue operations. It is a modernized version of the Mi-24.
Each Mi-24P used in Syria carries four blocks of 20 rockets. The helicopter is also equipped with guided missiles and a 30-mm double-barreled automatic aircraft gun GSH-30K (ammunition load - 250 rounds), capable of speeds up to 300 km / h and climb to a height of up to 4,500 meters. It can fly at extremely low altitudes up to 5 meters.
The helicopter made its first flight in 1974, serial production began in 1981.
The Mi-24P is designed to strike at concentrations of manpower, combat equipment, including armored vehicles, and destroy low-flying low-speed air targets.
The crews of the Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-24P helicopters are equipped with night vision goggles, which allows them to fly at night.
Weapons: bombs and missiles
BETAB-500 concrete bomb
The BetAB-500 concrete-piercing bomb was developed at the Basalt National Research and Production Enterprise. Designed for the destruction of concrete structures, bridges, naval bases. The main task of the bomb is to break through the roof of a fortified object, it can be underground fuel and lubricant depots or weapons, various concrete fortifications. BetAB-500 is capable of penetrating 1 meter of concrete buried 5 meters deep into the ground. In medium-density soil, this ammunition forms a funnel with a diameter of 4-5 meters. Such parameters are achieved, firstly, due to the trajectory of the fall of the bomb - vertically down. After being dropped from the aircraft, a special braking parachute opens near the ammunition, which directs the BetAB to the ground. In addition, when the parachute fires back, a rocket booster is turned on in the tail section of the bomb, which creates an additional speed of meeting the ammunition with the target. The mass of the warhead of the bomb is 350 kg.
The BetAB has a reinforced shell compared to a conventional high explosive bomb, which helps break through concrete and other fortifications.
Rockets Kh-29L and Kh-25ML
The X-29 family missiles were developed in the USSR and put into service in 1980. Now the modernization and production of ammunition is carried out by the Tactical Missiles Corporation.
Missiles of this type are designed to destroy such ground targets as strong aircraft shelters, fixed railway and highway bridges, industrial buildings, warehouses, and concrete runways.
In the X-29L version, the missile is equipped with a laser homing head. In Syria, these missiles are used by Su-24M front-line bombers and Su-34 fighter-bombers.
The missile is equipped with a high-explosive penetrating warhead. Before launching a rocket, the pilot can set the option of firing the rocket - instantaneous, from the contact of the rocket with the target, or triggering with a delay.
The firing range of the X-29L missile is from 2 to 10 km.
The missile has a powerful warhead weighing 317 kg with an explosive mass of 116 kg.
Kh-25 is an air-to-surface guided multi-purpose missile equipped with a semi-active homing head (GOS). A laser seeker is installed on the Kh-25ML missile.
Designed to destroy small targets both on the battlefield and behind enemy lines. Able to punch up to 1 meter of concrete.
The maximum launch range is 10 km. Flight speed - 870 m / s. The mass of the warhead (warhead) - 86 kg.
KAB-500S
This adjustable bomb is designed for high-precision destruction of stationary ground targets - railway bridges, fortifications, communications nodes. The bomb has a high hit accuracy due to the inertial satellite guidance system. Ammunition can be effectively used both day and night in any weather.
The bomb can be dropped at distances from 2 to 9 km from the target and at altitudes from 500 meters to 5 km at a carrier aircraft speed of 550 to 1100 km/h. The mass of the bomb in different versions is 560 kg, the mass of the high-explosive concrete-piercing warhead is 360-380 kg.
The circular probable deviation of the bomb from the target, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, is 4-5 meters, according to the manufacturer - from 7 to 12 meters.
KAB-500S has a fuse with three types of deceleration.
A direct hit by two such bombs in Syria destroyed the headquarters of the Liwa al-Haq formation and immediately eliminated more than 200 militants.
OFAB of different weights
High-explosive free-fall aerial bomb. It is used to destroy weakly protected military facilities, armored and unarmored vehicles, and manpower. It is used from heights from 500 meters to 16 km.
In Syria, these munitions are used by Su-25SM attack aircraft.
Cruise missile X-555
Air-launched subsonic strategic cruise missile, Kh-55 modification, equipped with a conventional warhead (warhead).
The missile is equipped with an inertial-doppler guidance system that combines terrain correction with satellite navigation. X-555 can be equipped with different types of warheads: high-explosive fragmentation, penetrating or cassette with different types of elements. Compared to the X-55, the mass of the warhead was increased, which led to a decrease in the flight range to 2000 km. However, the X-555 can be equipped with conformal fuel tanks to increase the range of the cruise missile to 2,500 km. According to open sources, the circular probable deviation (CEP) of the rocket is from 5 to 10 m.
According to data obtained from a video recording of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Kh-555 missiles were used from Tu-160 and Tu-95MS aircraft, which carried them in the fuselage compartments.
Strategic missile carriers of these types are equipped with an MKU-6-5 drum-type launcher, which can carry 6 air-launched cruise missiles.
Cruise missile ZM-14
On October 7, 2015, three small missile ships of project 21631 of the Caspian flotilla (Uglich, Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug) and a patrol ship of project 11661K Dagestan launched 26 missiles at 11 ground targets located at a distance of about 1500 km . This was the first combat use of the missile system.
Project 11661K and 21631 missile ships, which are part of the flotilla, are equipped with launchers for Caliber tactical cruise missiles (according to NATO classification - SS-N-27 Sizzler).
The Kalibr missile system was developed and manufactured by the Novator Design Bureau in Yekaterinburg on the basis of the S-10 Granat complex, and was first introduced in 1993.
On the basis of "Caliber" complexes of ground, air, surface and underwater basing, export versions were created. Currently, different types of Caliber complexes are in service with Russia, India and China.
Data on the maximum range of only the export version of the missile was officially disclosed, it is 275-300 km. In 2012, at a meeting with the President of Dagestan, Magomedsalam Magomedov, Vice Admiral Sergei Alekminsky, who at that time held the post of commander of the Caspian Flotilla, said that the tactical version of the Caliber (3M-14) cruise missile could hit coastal targets at a distance of up to 2,600 km.
The performance characteristics of the 3M-14 rocket are classified information and are not publicly available.
* Daesh is a terrorist organization banned in Russia*