The history of military aviation began almost immediately after the first flight of the Wright brothers' American aircraft, which took place in 1903 - after a few years, the military of most armies of the world realized that the aircraft could become an excellent weapon. With the outbreak of the First World War, combat aviation as a branch of service was already quite a serious force - first, reconnaissance aviation was used, which made it possible to obtain complete and operational data on the movements of enemy troops, followed by bombers, first improvised, and then specially built. Finally, fighter aviation was created to counter enemy aircraft. Air aces appeared, about the success of which films were made and newspapers wrote with admiration. Soon the fleet also acquired its own Air Force - naval aviation was born, the first air transports and aircraft carriers began to be built.

Indeed, military aviation proved to be one of the main branches of the military with the outbreak of World War II. Luftwaffe bombers and fighters became one of the main instruments of the German blitzkrieg, which predetermined the success of Germany in the first years of the war on all fronts, and Japanese naval aviation, as the main strike force of the navy, set the course of hostilities in the Pacific Ocean with an attack on Pearl Harbor. British fighter aircraft were the decisive factor in preventing the invasion of the islands, and Allied strategic bombers brought Germany and Japan to the brink of disaster. The legend of the Soviet-German front was the Soviet attack aircraft.
Not a single modern armed conflict can do without military aviation. So, even in the event of the slightest tension, military transport aircraft carry out the transfer of military equipment and manpower, and army aviation, armed with attack helicopters, provides support to ground troops. Modern aviation technology is developing in several directions. UAVs are increasingly being used - unmanned aerial vehicles, which, like 100 years ago, first became reconnaissance aircraft, and now more and more often perform strike missions, demonstrating spectacular training and combat firing. However, so far, drones are not able to completely replace traditional manned combat aircraft, the design of which is now focused on reducing radar signature, increasing maneuverability and the ability to fly at supersonic cruising speed. However, the situation is changing so rapidly that only the most daring science fiction writers can predict in which direction military aviation will develop in the coming years.
On the Warspot portal, you can always read articles and news on aviation topics, watch videos or photo reviews on the history of military aviation from its inception to the present - about airplanes and helicopters, about the combat use of the air force, about pilots and aircraft designers, about auxiliary military equipment and equipment used in the Air Force of different armies of the world.

Russian supersonic strategic bomber Tu-160. Armed with cruise missiles capable of hitting targets over 5,000 kilometers away

The idea of ​​using aircraft on the battlefield arose long before the first airplanes designed by the Wright brothers took to the air. The subsequent development of military aviation was unusually rapid, and to this day, aircraft and helicopters have become a formidable weapon in the hands of generals, inferior in power only to nuclear missile forces. Without dominance in the sky, it is incredibly difficult, and often impossible, to achieve victory on earth. Aviation is able to detect and destroy any target, it is difficult to hide from it and even more difficult to defend.

What is military aviation

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

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

  1. Strategic;
  2. front;
  3. sanitary;
  4. Transport.

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

The history of the creation of military aviation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The purpose of military aviation

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

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

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

Military aviation technology

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

Aircraft

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

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

Combat aircraft

This type of aviation includes:

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

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

Reconnaissance and air surveillance aircraft

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

Super high-speed reconnaissance aircraft SR-71 Blackbird

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

Transport aircraft

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

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

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

training aircraft

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

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

Helicopters

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

Transport helicopters

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

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

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

attack helicopters

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

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

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

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

Reconnaissance helicopters

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

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

UAV

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

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

Promising Russian UAV "Hunter"

air defense

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

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

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

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

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

In accordance with the combat missions and the nature of the actions, military aviation is divided by type into bomber (missile-carrying), fighter-bomber, fighter, assault, reconnaissance, anti-submarine, military transport and special.

Bomber (missile-carrying) aviation (BA), a type of military aviation designed to destroy an enemy group of troops, its ground and sea targets with bombs and missiles. BA is also involved in aerial reconnaissance. It is armed with bomber aircraft, which, depending on the nature of the tasks performed, are divided into long-range (strategic) and front-line (tactical); by flight weight - heavy, medium and light.

Existing long-range (strategic) bombers(Tu-22M3, Tu-95, Tu-160 (Tupolev Design Bureau) - Russia; B-52H Stratofortress (Boeing), B-1B Lancer (Rockwell), B-2A Spirit (Northrop- Grumman) - USA; "Mirage" -IV (Dassault) - France) have a long range and are designed to strike both conventional aviation and nuclear munitions at targets located deep behind enemy lines.

Frontline (tactical) bombers are used to destroy objects in the operational depth of the enemy's defense, including with the use of nuclear weapons. These include the Soviet (Russian) Yak-28B (Yakovlev Design Bureau), Il-28A (Ilyushin Design Bureau), Su-24, Su-34 (Sukhoi Design Bureau); American F-111 (General Dynamics); British "Canberra" B (English Electric).

In the early 1950s, bombers achieved intercontinental range and high combat payloads. In the future, the development of bombers was determined by the desire to maximize their ability to overcome the air defense () of a potential enemy. To do this, they first switched from high-altitude subsonic vehicles (Tu-16, Tu-95, 3M / M4 (Myasishchev Design Bureau), B-47 Stratojet (Boeing), B-52, Viktor B (Handley Page , Great Britain), "Volcano" B (Avro, Great Britain)) to high-altitude supersonic (Tu-22, B-58 "Hustler" (Convair), "Mirage" -IV), then to low-altitude with the possibility of supersonic flight (Tu-22M, Tu-160, Su-24, F / FB-111, B-1B) and, finally, the time has come for stealth subsonic bombers (B-2A).

The most modern B-2A, which has a "flying wing" aerodynamic configuration, became the first serial strategic bomber made using the "stealth" technology (from the English "stealth" - stealth). It is also distinguished by a high cost of 2 billion US dollars. A total of 21 such aircraft were built.

It should be specially noted that bombers are the most complex systems in aviation. Currently, only Russia and the United States are able to create heavy strategic bombers.

Fighter-bomber aviation (IBA)

Fighter-bomber aviation (IBA), a type of military aviation designed to destroy ground (surface), incl. small and mobile objects in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy defense using nuclear and conventional weapons. It can also be used to destroy an air enemy, conduct aerial reconnaissance and solve other tasks.

The IBA is armed with multipurpose fighter-bombers adapted for the use of all modern air means of attack: guns, aircraft bombs, guided and unguided missiles, etc.

The term "fighter-bomber" was first used in the United States in the late 1940s to refer to fighters additionally equipped for delivering missile and bomb strikes against ground and surface targets, in the USSR since the 1950s.

Fighter-bombers include the Soviet MiG-23B (OKB named after Mikoyan), MiG-27, MiG-29K (K - ship), Su-7B and Su-17M. More advanced machines MiG-29M, M2, N (for deliveries to Malaysia), S, SD, SM and SMT, Su-30, Su-30K, KI, KN, MK, MKI (for deliveries to India) and MKK (for deliveries to China), Su-33, Su-35 and Su-37, which in their characteristics correspond to the concept of "fighter-bomber", are often called multi-role or multi-role fighters.

In the early 1970s, in foreign military literature, the term "fighter-bomber" was replaced by the concept of "tactical fighter". Tactical fighters (fighter-bombers) are the American F-100C and D "Super Saber" (North American), F-104C "Starfighter" (Lockheed), F-4E, G and J "Phantom-2" (McDonnell-Douglas) , F-5A Freedom Fighter / -5E Tiger 2 (Northrop), F-14D Super Tomcat (Northrop Grumman), F-15E and F Strike Eagle (McDonnell Douglas), F- 16 Fighting Falcon (Lockheed), F/A-18 (A, B, C and D) Hornet / -18E and F Super Hornet (McDonnell-Douglas), F-117A Nighthawk (Lockheed- Martin), F/A-22A Raptor (Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics); European EF-2000 "Typhoon" (Eurofighter); British Tornado GR.1 (Panavia), Jaguar GR.1 (Breguet / British Aerospace), Sea Harrier FRS and FA2 (British Aerospace), Harrier GR.3 and GR.5 (Hawker Sidley / British Aerospace); French "Etandar" -IVM, "Super Etandar", "Mirage" -IIIE, -5, -2000 (E, D and N), "Rafale" -M (Dassault), "Jaguar" (Breguet / British Aerospace); Swedish J-35F Draken, AJ-37 Viggen (SAAB), JAS-39 Gripen (SAAB-Scania); German "Tornado-IDS"; Israeli Kfir C.2 and C.7 (Israel Aircraft Industries); Japanese F-1 and F-2 (Mitsubishi); Chinese J-8 (design bureau of the aircraft factory in Shenyang), J-10.

Among the listed aircraft, the American F-117A is considered the most unusual. This is the first aircraft in the world, the combat use of which is entirely based on the capabilities of stealth technology. The F-117A is a specialized tactical strike aircraft designed primarily for night-time precision attacks against heavily defended targets during autonomous single missions.

The stealth of the F-117A is provided by the radar-absorbing coating, internal design features, airframe geometry and engine jet spraying. The aircraft coating contains carbon iron ferrite and is made in the form of paint. The microscopic iron balls included in it, when irradiated with electromagnetic waves, create a magnetic field with a variable polarity. Such a coating converts a significant part of the received wave energy into heat, and dissipates the rest in different directions. Before the advent of coating in the form of paint, aircraft were pasted over with microferrite-filled tiles. However, the integrity of such a coating was quickly violated and its restoration had to be carried out almost before each sortie. Also, to reduce the reflection of electromagnetic energy, an additional layer with a cellular structure is located under the outer shell of the F-117A, which absorbs and scatters waves along the internal surfaces of the aircraft.

The glider was developed based on the mathematical methods of the Soviet mathematician Pyotr Ufimtsev, who described the areas of reflection of two-dimensional objects. However, the "angular" low-reflective geometry of the airframe determined the low performance of the aircraft. F-117A turned out to be quite slow-moving and low-maneuverable. In particular, this is due to its mainly night combat use.

The nozzle of the jet engine of the aircraft is made wide and flat, which made it possible to spray the jet stream and thus reduce the thermal visibility of the aircraft. The expiration of exhaust gases occurs on a large plane, so they cool down and dissipate faster. The disadvantage of this design is the reduction in engine power with increasing fuel consumption.



a type of military aviation designed to destroy enemy manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the air. AI can also be used to destroy ground (surface) targets and conduct aerial reconnaissance. The main type of combat operations of the IA is air combat.

Fighter aviation originated during the First World War, when special aircraft were created in the armies of the belligerent states to combat enemy aircraft, airships and balloons. They were armed with 1-2 machine guns, aircraft cannons. The improvement of fighters went along the line of improving their basic combat qualities (speed, maneuverability, ceiling, etc.).

In the USSR jet front-line fighters were produced: Yak-15, Yak-23, MiG-9, MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-19, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29; as well as interceptor fighters: Yak-25, Yak-28P (P - interceptor), La-15, MiG-17P, MiG-19P, MiG-21PFM, MiG-23P, MiG-25P, MiG-31, Su-9 , Su-11, Su-15 and Su-27.

No less variety of fighter aircraft are distinguished by the USA and European countries. American fighters F-100A and B "Super Saber" (North American), F-4A, B, C and D "Phantom-2" (McDonnell-Douglas), F-8 "Crusader" (Chance Vought), F-14A and B "Tomcat" (Northrop-Grumman), F-15A, B, C and D "Eagle" (McDonnell-Douglas) in modern Western military terminology are referred to as "tactical fighters", but their primary task is to gain air superiority. The F-101 Voodoo (McDonnell), F-102A Delta Dagger (Convair), F-104A Starfighter (Lockheed), F-106A Delta Dart (Convair) - USA are considered directly interceptor fighters; "Mirage" -2000C - France; J-35D "Draken", JA-37 "Viggen" - Sweden; Lightning F (British Aircraft), Tornado F.2 and F.3 - UK; "Tornado-ADV" - Germany.

Assault Aviation (ShA)

Assault aviation (SA), a type of military aviation, designed to destroy, as a rule, small and mobile ground (surface) targets, mainly in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy’s defense, from low and extremely low altitudes. The main task of attack aviation is air support for ground forces and fleet forces.

Aircraft designed for this purpose were called "attack aircraft". The classic example of an attack aircraft is the IL-2 "Flying Tank" aircraft of the Second World War period. Il-2 of the latest modifications with a takeoff weight of 6360 kg could carry up to 1000 kg of bombs and eight 82-mm unguided rockets (NURS). It also had two 23mm aircraft guns, two 7.62 mm machine guns and one 12.7 mm machine gun in the rear of the cab. Not a single warring army of that time had an attack aircraft similar to it in combat qualities. The IL-2 had good flight performance, reliable armor and powerful armament, which allowed it not only to hit ground and surface targets, but also to defend itself against enemy fighters (two-seat version). In total, aircraft factories built 36,000 aircraft of this type.

The aircraft of this class include the Soviet (Russian) Yak-36, Yak-38, Su-25 Grach, Su-39; American A-10A Thunderbolt-2 (Fairchild), A-1 Skyraider (Douglas), A-4 Skyhawk (McDonnell-Douglas), A-6 Intruder (Grumman), AV-8B and C "Harrier-2" (McDonnell-Douglas); British "Harrier" GR.1 (Hawker Sidley), "Hawk" (British Aerospace); Franco-German "Alpha Jet" (Dassault-Breguet / Dornier); Czech L-59 "Albatross" (Aero Vodochody).

Fire support helicopters are also intended for assault operations: Mi-24, Mi-28 (Mil Design Bureau), Ka-50 Black Shark and Ka-52 Alligator (Kamov Design Bureau) - USSR (Russia); AH-1 "Hugh Cobra" and -1W "Super Cobra" (Bell), AH-64A "Apache" and -64D "Apache Longbow" (Boeing) - USA; A-129 "Mongoose" (Agusta) - Italy; AH-2 Ruiwalk (Denel Aviation) - South Africa; PAH-2 / HAC "Tiger" (Eurocopter) - France / Germany). Also, for fire support of ground units, multi-purpose helicopters armed with NURS and additional small arms and cannon aviation weapons can be used.

Reconnaissance Aviation (RA)

Reconnaissance aviation (RA), a type of military aviation designed to conduct aerial reconnaissance.

The RA organizationally consists of reconnaissance aviation units and separate units that are part of long-range (strategic) aviation, front-line (tactical) and naval aviation (Navy), which are armed with aircraft and other aircraft equipped with various electronic means. RADAR. Part of the reconnaissance aviation aircraft is armed and capable of destroying the detected especially important targets.

Reconnaissance aviation as a branch of aviation was formed during the First World War and has since come a long way in its development. Considering the evolution of RA, two directions can be distinguished. On the one hand, this is the conversion of aircraft of other classes, for example, fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, etc. (Yak-28R, MiG-21R, MiG-25R and RB, Su-24MR, Tu-22MR, An-30 - USSR ; RF-101A, B and C Voodoo, RF-104G Starfighter, RF-4C Phantom 2, RF-5A, RC-135 River Joint, RB-45C Tornado (North American) , RB-47E and H, EP-3E Aries-2 (Boeing / Lockheed Martin) - USA; Tornado GR.1A, Canberra PR, Nimrod R.1 - UK; Etandar - IVP, "Mirage" -F.1CR, -IIIR and -2000R - France; "Tornado-ECR" - Germany; SH-37 and SF-37 "Viggen" - Sweden), and on the other - the creation of special, sometimes unique aircraft devices (M-55 (M-17RM) "Geophysics" (OKB named after Myasishchev); SR-71A "Blackbird" (Lockheed), U-2 (Lockheed)).

One of the most famous reconnaissance aircraft was the American U-2 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, which is capable of observing from a height of 22,200 m, being in flight for 15 hours and covering distances of up to 11,200 km.

By 2004, the armed forces of 41 states operated about 80 types of unmanned aerial vehicles, designed mainly for reconnaissance missions. The United States and Israel have the most modern reconnaissance UAVs. In particular, the US Armed Forces are armed with the strategic high-altitude reconnaissance UAV RQ-4A "Global Hawk" (Northrop-Grumman), the medium-altitude operational UAV RQ-1A and B "Predator" (General Atomics), the tactical reconnaissance UAV RQ-8A "Firescout » (Northrop-Grumman). At the same time, the practical ceiling and characteristics of the RQ-4A reconnaissance equipment are comparable to those of the U-2 aircraft.

Anti-submarine aviation (ASW)

Anti-submarine aviation (ASW), a type of naval aviation (or Air Force aviation), designed to combat enemy submarines in the maritime (ocean) theaters of military operations; part of the anti-submarine forces. For the first time, aircraft as a means of combating submarines were used in the First World War. As a kind of aviation in all major states, the PLA took shape in the 1960s.

Anti-submarine aviation includes units and units of coastal (base) and ship-based anti-submarine aircraft and helicopters, which have a long range and duration of flight and are equipped with aviation means to search for enemy submarines, bomber and mine-torpedo weapons, and aviation missile systems.

Among the PLA aircraft, we distinguish the basic anti-submarine (patrol) aircraft: the Soviet Il-38 and Tu-142M, the American P-3C Orion (Lockheed), the British Nimrod MR.1, MR.2 and MR.3 (British Aerospace) , French Br.1150 "Atlantic-1" (Breguet) and "Atlantic-2" (Dassault-Breguet), Brazilian EMB-111 (EMBRAER); Patrol anti-submarine seaplanes Be-12 (Beriev Design Bureau), A-40 (Be-42) Albatross; SH-5 (PRC); PS-1 (Shin Meiwa, Japan); as well as the American carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft S-3A and B "Viking" (Lockheed).

Helicopters are used to fight submarines outside the range of anti-submarine aircraft. The most widely used anti-submarine helicopters: Mi-14PL and PLM, Ka-25PL, Ka-27PL, Ka-32S - the USSR (Russia); SH-2 Seasprite (Kaman Aerospace), SH-3 Sea King (Sikorsky Aircraft), SH-60B Sea Hawk and -60F Ocean Hawk (Sikorsky Aircraft) - USA; Sea King HAS (Westland), Lynx HAS (Westland), Wessex HAS (Westland) – UK; SA.332F "Super Puma" (Aerospatial) - France.

Note that the first helicopter to take off from a warship was the German FI-282 Hummingbird (Fletner), which in 1942 made experimental flights from the Cologne cruiser.

Military transport aviation

(VTA) is intended for airborne assault, airlift of troops, delivery of weapons, fuel, food and other materiel, evacuation of the wounded and sick.

It is equipped with specially designed and equipped long-range military transport aircraft and various payloads. It is subdivided into BTA for strategic purposes, operational and tactical purposes.

By carrying capacity, a class of super-heavy (An-225 "Mriya", An-124 "Ruslan" - USSR (Russia); C-5 "Galeksi" (Lockheed) - USA), heavy (An-22 "Antey" - USSR (Russia) ); C-135 Stratolifter (Boeing), C-141 Starlifter (Lockheed), C-17 Globemaster-3 (McDonnell-Douglas) - USA), medium (Il-76, An-12 - USSR (Russia); C-130 "Hercules" (Lockheed) - USA; C.160 "Transall" - France / Germany; A-400M (Euroflag) - European countries; S-1 - Japan) and light (An-2, An-24, An-26, An-32, An-72 - USSR (Russia); C-26 (Fairchild), C-123 - USA; DHC-5 Buffalo (De Havilland of Canada) - Canada; Do .28D "Skyservant" (Dornier), Do.228 (Dornier) - Germany; S-212 "Aviocar" - Spain; S-222 (Aeritalia) - Italy; Y-11, Y-12 "Panda" - China; L -410 (Years) - Czech Republic) military transport aircraft. The world's largest aircraft An-225 "Mriya" was created to transport bulky cargo. The maximum takeoff weight of the unique six-engine aircraft is 600 tons. The payload can reach 450 tons.

Along with aircraft, for the delivery of military equipment, military units and cargo to combat areas, landings, transport of the wounded, airborne and multi-purpose helicopters are used, the most famous of which are the Soviet Mi-6, Mi-8, Mi-26, Ka- 29, Ka-32A; American UH-1 Iroquois (Bell), CH-46 Sea Knight (Boeing Vertol), CH-47 Chinook (Boeing Vertol), CH-53D Sea Stellien and -53E Super Stelien (Sikorsky Ercraft), UH-60 Black Hawk (Sikorsky Ercraft); British Sea King (Westland), Lynx (Westland), EH-101 (Europe Helicopter Industries); French SA.330 "Puma" and SA.332 "Super Puma" (Aerospasial). The world's largest production helicopter is the Mi-26T. With a helicopter takeoff weight of 56 tons, its payload can reach 20 tons.

To replace the amphibious assault helicopters of the Marine Corps in the United States, the short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft MV-22B Osprey (Bell Boeing) was adopted. Being a convertiplane with a rotary rotor, this aircraft combines the qualities of an airplane and a helicopter, i.e. can take off and land vertically. The MV-22B is capable of carrying up to 24 people or a 2,700 kg load over a distance of up to 770 km.

special aviation,

aviation units and subunits armed with special-purpose aircraft and helicopters (radar patrol and guidance, target designation, electronic warfare, refueling in the air, communications, etc.).

Aircraft (helicopters) of radar patrol and guidance (RLDN)(also used the abbreviation "DRLOU" - long-range radar detection and control) are designed to survey the airspace, detect enemy aircraft, alert the command and target air defense systems, as well as their own aircraft at air and ground objects (targets) of the enemy.

Currently, in Russia, RLDN A-50 aircraft are on combat duty, in the sky North America, Europe and the Arabian Peninsula - AWACS aircraft E-3 "Sentry" (Boeing) of the AWACS system (E-3A - Saudi Arabia, E-3C - USA, E-3D ("Sentry" AEW.1) - Great Britain, E-3F - France), in the sky of Japan - E-767 (Boeing). In addition, the US Navy uses the carrier-based AWACS aircraft E-2C Hawkeye (Grumman).

Helicopters are also used to solve RLDN tasks: the British Sea King AEW (Westland) and the Russian Ka-31.

Aircraft for reconnaissance of ground targets, guidance and control. The American military aviation is armed with the E-8C Jistars (Boeing) aircraft, which is designed to recognize, classify ground targets in all weather conditions and target designation.

Aircraft to monitor the weather. Initially intended for weather reconnaissance in areas of strategic bomber flight routes. Examples of such aircraft are the American WC-130 (Lockheed) and WC-135 (Boeing).

Electronic warfare aircraft (EW). Specialized aircraft designed to jam enemy radars. These include the Soviet Yak-28PP, Su-24MP; American EA-6B Prowler (Grumman), EF-111 Raven (General Dynamics); German HFB-320M "Hanse"; British "Canberra" E.15.

Refueling aircraft. Designed for refueling military aircraft and helicopters in the air. The Americans were the first to widely use aircraft refueling in the air. To this end, they developed the KS-10 Ixtender (McDonnell-Douglas) and KC-135 Stratotanker (Boeing) tanker aircraft. The Russian Armed Forces are armed with Il-78 and Il-78M tanker aircraft, as well as the Su-24M(TK) tactical tanker. It should also be noted the British development - the aircraft "Victor" K.2.

Fire support aircraft ("Gunship"). These aircraft are intended for air cover for special forces, counterguerrilla operations, and aerial reconnaissance. They are in service only with the US Armed Forces. combat vehicles of this class are transport aircraft, on the left side of which powerful machine-gun and artillery weapons are installed. In particular, fire support aircraft AC-130A, E, H and U Spektr (Lockheed) were created on the basis of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.

Aircraft repeaters. Specially equipped aircraft designed to provide communications with submarines (Tu-142MR "Orel" and E-6A and B "Mercury" (Boeing)), as well as ground control points.

Airplanes - air command post(VKP). These aircraft (Il-86VKP, EC-135C and H) were developed in the USSR and the USA in case of a global nuclear war. They are equipped with a variety of communication and control systems and allow you to maintain command and control of troops in the event of ground command posts being hit.

Aircraft (helicopters) search and rescue. They are used to search and rescue the crews of ships, aircraft and helicopters in distress. The search and rescue services of the countries of the world are armed with the Soviet Be-12PS amphibious aircraft (Beriev Design Bureau), Mi-14PS, Ka-25PS, Ka-27PS helicopters; American helicopters HH-1N "Hugh" (Bell), HH-60 "Night Hawk" (Sikorsky Aircraft), British helicopter "Wessex" HC.2 (Westland), etc.

Combat training (UBS) and training (UTS) aircraft. Designed for the training of flight personnel. As a rule, UBS (for example, MiG-29UB and UBT (USSR and Russia), F-16B and D (USA), Harrier T (Great Britain)) are a modification of combat vehicles with a place for an instructor. However, a number of training aircraft, for example, L-29 "Dolphin" (Aero Vodokhody, Czechoslovakia), T-45 "Goskhok" (McDonnell-Douglas) were designed specifically for training purposes.

TYPES OF MILITARY AVIATION

Military aviation, depending on the purpose and subordination, is subdivided according to types into long-range (strategic), front-line (tactical), army (military), air defense aviation, naval aviation (Navy), military transport and special aviation.

Long-range (strategic) aviation Designed to engage military targets deep behind enemy lines, in continental and oceanic (maritime) theaters of operations, as well as to conduct operational and strategic air reconnaissance. Long-range aviation is divided into bomber, reconnaissance and special aviation.

Frontline (tactical) aviation It is designed to deliver air strikes against the enemy in operational depth, air support for ground and naval forces, cover troops and various objects from enemy air strikes, and solve other special tasks.

It consists of aviation branches: bomber, fighter-bomber, fighter, reconnaissance, transport, special.

Army (military) aviation, designed to act directly in the interests of combined arms formations, their air support, air reconnaissance, tactical airborne landings and fire support for their actions, the supply of minefields, etc. According to the nature of the tasks performed, it is divided into assault, transport, reconnaissance and special-purpose aviation. Armed with planes and helicopters.

air defense aviation,

a branch of the air defense troops, designed to cover important areas, areas and objects from an air enemy. Includes parts of the fighter, as well as units of transport aviation and helicopters.

Aviation of the Navy (Navy), a branch of the fleet, designed to destroy the forces of the enemy fleet and its sea vehicles, cover ship groups at sea, conduct aerial reconnaissance in the sea and ocean theaters of military operations, and perform other tasks.

The aviation of the Navy of various countries includes missile-carrying, anti-submarine, fighter, assault, reconnaissance and special-purpose aviation - RLDN, electronic warfare, refueling in the air, minesweeping, search and rescue, communications and transport. It is based on airfields (hydroaerodromes) and aircraft carriers (aircraft carriers, helicopter carriers and other ships). Depending on the nature and location of the base, it is divided into ship-based aviation (the terms "ship-based aviation", "carrier-based aviation", "carrier-based aviation" are used) and ground-based aviation (base aviation).

AVIATION ARMAMENT

Aviation weapons are weapons installed on aircraft (airplanes, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles) and systems that ensure their combat use. The totality of means related to the armament of a particular aircraft is called the aviation armament complex.

There are the following types of aviation weapons: rocket, small arms and cannon, bomber, mine and torpedo and special.

Missile aircraft armament

- a type of armament, including aviation missile systems, which also include multiple rocket launchers for hitting targets with missiles ( , mounted on aircraft.

Aviation missile system- a set of functionally related air and ground assets necessary for combat use aircraft missiles. It includes launchers on aircraft, missiles, missile launch control systems, power units, ground equipment for preparing, transporting and checking the condition of missiles. The aviation missile system may include radar stations, laser, television, radio command and other airborne systems for detecting targets and controlling missiles in flight.

aircraft rocket- a missile that is used from aircraft to destroy ground, surface and air targets.

As a rule, aircraft rockets are single-stage solid propellant. To control an aircraft missile, homing, telecontrol, autonomous and combined control can be used.

When it is possible to correct the flight trajectory, aircraft missiles are divided into guided and unguided.

By combat mission distinguish between air-to-air, air-to-ship and air-to-ground missiles.

Air-to-air guided missile.

Soviet / Russian RS-1U (rocket weight 82.5 kg; warhead weight (warhead) 13 kg; firing range 6 km; radio command (RK) guidance system), RS-2US (84 kg; 13 kg; 6 km; RK ), R-3S and R (75.3 and 83.5 kg; 11.3 kg; 7 and 10 km; infrared (IR) and semi-active radar (PR) homing system), R-4 (K-80) / -4T, R, TM (K-80M) and RM (K-80M) (483/390, 480, 483 and 483 kg; 53.5 kg; 25/25, 25, 32 and 32 km; PR / IR, PR, IR and PR), R-8MR and MT (R-98R) (225 and 227 kg; 35 and 55 kg; 8 and 3 km; PR and IR), R-13S (K-13A), M (K -13M), R (K-13R) and T (K-13T) (75, 90, 85 and 78 kg; 11 kg; 8, 13, 16 and 15 km; IR, IR, PR and IR), R- 23R (K-23R) and T (K-23T) (223 and 217 kg; 25 kg; 35 km; PR and IR), R-24R and T (250 and 248 kg; 25 kg; 35 km; RK + PR and IK), R-27AE, R, ER, T, ET and EM (350, 253, 350, 254, 343 and 350 kg; 39 kg; 130, 80, 130, 72, 120 and 170 km; inertial (I ) + RK + PR, I + RK + PR, I + RK + PR, IK, IK, I + RK + PR), R-33R and E (223 and 490 kg; 25 and 47 kg; 35 and 120 km; PR and I + PR), R-37 (400 kg; 130 km; active radar (AR)) , R-40R, D, T and TD (750, 800, 750 and 800 kg; 35–100 kg; 50, 72, 30 and 80 km; PR, PR, IR and IR), R-55 (85 kg; 13 kg; 8 km; IR), R-60/-60M (K-60) (45 kg; 3.5 kg; 10 km; IR) , R-73RMD-1, RMD-2 and E (105, 110 and 105 kg; 8 kg; 30, 40 and 30 km; IR, IR and IR + AR), R-77RVV-AE (175 kg; 22 kg ; 100 km; I + RK + AR), R-88T and G (227 kg; 15 and 25 km; IR and PR), K-8R and T (275 kg; 25 kg; 18 km; PR and IR), K-9 (245 kg; 27 kg; 9 km; PR), K-31 (600 kg; 90 kg; 200 km; PR), K-74ME (110 kg; 8 kg; 40 km; IR + AR), KS-172 (750 kg; 400 km; AR);

American Firebird (272 kg; 40 kg; 8 km; PR), AAAM (300 kg; 50 kg; more than 200 km; I + AR + IR), AIR-2A (372 kg; 9 km; RK), GAR -1 and -2 "Falcon" (54.9 and 55 kg; 9 kg; 8.3 km; PR and IR), AIM-4A (GAR-4), F (GAR-3), G and D "Falcon "(68, 68, 68 and 61 kg; 18, 18, 18 and 12 kg; 11, 8, 3 and 3 km; IR, PR, IR and IR), AAM-N-2 Sparrow-1" (136 kg; 22 kg; 8 km; PR), AIM-7A, B, C, D, E, E2, G, F, M and P Sparrow (135, 182, 160, 180, 204, 195, 265, 228, 200 and 230 kg; 23, 23, 34, 30, 27, 30, 30, 39, 39 and 31 kg; 9.5, 8, 12, 15, 25, 50, 44, 70, 100 and 45 km ; OL), AIM-9B, C, D, E, G, H, J, L, M, N, P, R and S Sidewinder (75–87 kg; 9.5–12 kg; 4–18 km; IR), AIM-26A (GAR-11) and B (79 and 115 kg; 10 km; RH), AIM-47 (GAR-9) (360 kg; 180 km; RH), AIM-54A and C Phoenix (443 and 454 kg; 60 kg; 150 km; PR + AR), AIM-92 Stinger (13.6 kg; 3 kg; 4.8 km; IR), AIM-120A, B and C AMRAAM (148.6, 149 and 157 kg; 22 kg; 50 km; I + AR, I + AR, AR);

Brazilian MAA-1 "Piranha" (89 kg; 12 kg; 5 km; IR);

British Red Tor (150 kg; 31 kg; 11 km; IR), Sky Flash (195 kg; 30 kg; 50 km; PR), Firestreak (136 kg; 22.7 kg; 7.4 km; IK), Active Sky Flash (208 kg; 30 kg; 50 km; AR);

German X-4 (60 kg; 20 kg; 2 km; RK), Hs.298 (295 kg; 2 km; RK), Iris-T (87 kg; 11.4 kg; 12 km; IR);

Israeli "Shafrir-2" (95 kg; 11 kg; 3 km; IR), "Python-1", -3 "and -4" (120, 120 and 105 kg; 11 kg; 5, 15 and 18 km; IR);

Indian "Astra" (148 kg; 15 kg; 110 km; AR);

Italian "Aspid-1A" and -2A "(220 and 230 kg; 30 kg; 35 and 50 km; PR);

Chinese PL-1 (83.2 kg; 15 kg; 6 km; RK), PL-2 (76 kg; 11.3 kg; 6.5 km; IR + PR), PL-3 (82 kg; 13, 5 kg; 3 km; IR), PL-5A, B and E (85, 87 and 83 kg; 11, 9 and 9 kg; 5, 6 and 15 km; IR), PL-7/-7B (90/ 93kg; 13kg; 7km; IR), PL-8 (120kg; 11kg; 17km; IR), PL-9/-9C (115kg; 10kg; 15km; IR), PL-10 (220 kg; 33 kg; 60 km; PR), PL-11 (350 kg; 39 kg; 130 km);

Taiwanese Sky Sword (Tien Chien I) and -2 (Tien Chien II) (90 and 190 kg; 10 and 30 kg; 5 and 40 km; IR and PR);

French R.530 "Matra" / F and D "Super Matra" (195/245 and 270 kg; 27/30 and 30 kg; 27/30 and 40 km; PR + IR / PR and AR), R.550 " Mazhik-1 "and -2" (89 and 90 kg; 13 kg; 7 and 15 km; IR), MICA (112 kg; 12 kg; 50 km; I + AR + IR), Mistral ATAM (17 kg ; 6 kg; 3 km; IR), "Meteor" (160 kg, 110 kg; AR);

Swedish RBS.70 (15 kg; 1 kg; 5 km; laser beam guidance (L)), RB.24 (70 kg; 11 kg; 11 km; IR), RB.27 (90 kg; 10 kg; 16 km; PR), RB.28 (54 kg; 7 kg; 9 km; IR), RB.71 (195 kg; 30 kg; 50 km; PR), RB.74 (87 kg; 9.5 kg; 18 km; IR);

South African V-3B "Kukri" (73.4 kg; 9 kg; 4 km; IR), V-3C "Darter" (89 kg; 16 kg; 10 km; IR);

Japanese AAM-1 / -3 ("90") (70 kg; 4.5 kg; 7/5 km; IR and IR + AR).

Air-to-ship guided missile.

Missiles of this class, in particular, include:

Soviet/Russian KS-10S (rocket weight 4533 kg; warhead weight 940; firing range 250-325 km; guidance RK + AR), KSR-2 (KS-11) (3000 kg; 1000 kg; 230 km; I + AR ), KSR-5 (5000 kg; 1000 kg; 400 km; I + AR), KSR-11 (K-11) (3000 kg; 1000 kg; 230 km; I + passive radar (PSR)), 3M-80E "Mosquito" (3950 kg; 300 kg; 120 km; AR + RPS), Kh-15 (1200 kg; 150 kg; 150 km; I + AR), Kh-31A (600 kg; 90 kg; 50 km; AR ), Kh-35 (500 kg; 145 kg; 130 km; AR), Kh-59M (920 kg; 320 kg; 115 km; television (TV) + AR), Kh-65SE (1250 kg; 410 kg; 280 km; I + AR), X-31M2 (650 kg; 90 kg; 200 km; RPS), 3M-55 "Yakhont" (3000 kg; 200 kg; 300 km; RPS + AR), P-800 "Onyx" (3000 kg; 200 kg; 300 km; RPS + AR);

American AGM-84A and D "Harpoon" (520 and 526 kg; 227 kg; 120 and 150 km; I + AR), AGM-119A and B "Penguin" (372 and 380 kg; 120 kg; 40 and 33 km; I+IR);

British "Sea Eagle" (600 kg; 230 kg; 110 km; I + AR), "Sea Skuse" (145 kg; 20 kg; 22 km; PR);

German "Kormoran" AS.34 (600 kg; 165 kg; 37 km; I + AR), "Kormoran-2" (630 kg; 190 kg; 50 km; I + AR);

Israeli "Gabriel" Mk.3A and S (600 kg; 150 kg; 60 km; I + AR), "Gabriel" Mk.4 (960 kg; 150 kg; 200 km; I + AR);

Italian "Marta" Mk.2/Mk.2A and B (345/260 and 260 kg; 70 kg; 20 km; I+AR);

Chinese YJ-1 (С801) (625 kg; 165 kg; 42 km; AR), YJ-2 (С802) (751 kg; 165 kg; 120 km; I + AR), YJ-6 (С601) (2988 kg ; 515 kg; 110 km; AR), YJ-16 (С101) (1850 kg; 300 kg; 45 km; I + AR), YJ-62 (С611) (754 kg; 155 kg; 200 km; AR), HY-4 (1740 kg; 500 kg; 140 km; I + AR);

Norwegian "Penguin" Mk.1, 2 and 3 (370, 385 and 372 kg; 125, 125 and 120 kg; 20, 30 and 40 km; IR, IR and I + IR);

Taiwanese "Hsiun Fen-2" / -2 "Mk.2 and -2Mk.3 (520/540 and 540 kg; 225 kg; 80/150 and 170 km; AR + IK);

French AM-39 Exocet (670 kg; 165 kg; 70 km; I + AR), AS.15TT (96 kg; 30 kg; 15 km; RK);

Swedish RBS.15F (598 kg; 200 kg; 70 km; I + AR), RBS.15 Mk.2 (600 kg; 200 kg; 150 km; I + AR), RBS.17 (48 kg; 9 kg; 8 km; semi-active laser (LPA)), RB.04E (48 kg; 9 kg; 8 km; AR);

Japanese "80" (ASM-1) (610 kg; 150 kg; 45 km; I + AR), "93" (ASM-1) (680 kg; 100 km; I + IR).

Air-to-ground guided missile.

Missiles of this class, in particular, include:

Soviet/Russian Kh-15 (rocket weight 1200 kg; firing range 300 km; I+AR missile guidance), Kh-20 (rocket weight 11800 kg; warhead weight 2300 kg; 650 km; I+RK), Kh-22PSI, M, NA (5770 kg; 900 kg; 550 km; I + AR), Kh-23L (L - laser) "Thunder" (286 kg; 108 kg; 11 km; L), Kh-25ML, MTPL (TPL - thermal imaging) and MR (300 kg; 90 kg; 20, 20 and 10 km; L, thermal imaging (T), RK), X-29L, M, T and TE (660, 660, 680 and 700 kg; 320 kg; 10, 10, 12 and 30 km; L, L, TV and TV), Kh-33P (5675 kg; 900 kg; 550 km; I + PR), Kh-41 (4500 kg; 420 kg; 250 km), Kh-55 / -55SM (1250/1700 kg; 410 kg; 2500/3000 km; I), Kh-59A "Gadfly" and M "Gadfly-M" (920 kg; 320 kg; 115 and 200 km; AR and TV), X-65 (1250 kg; 410 kg; 600 km; I + AR), Kh-66 "Thunder" (278 kg; 103 kg; 10 km; RK), RAMT-1400 "Pike" (warhead weight 650 kg; 30 km; RK), KS-1 "Comet" (2760 kg; 385 kg; 130 km; AR), KS-10 (4533 kg; 940 kg; 325 km; AR), KS-12BS (4300 kg; 350 kg; 110 km), KSR-2 (KS-11) (4080 kg; 850 kg; 170 km; I + AR), KSR-11 (K-11) (4000 kg; 840 kg; 150 km; I + PSR), KSR-24 (4100 kg; 85 0 kg; 170 km), "Meteorite" (6300 kg; 1000 kg; 5000 km);

American AGM-12B, C and E Bullpup (260, 812 and 770 kg; 114, 454 and 420 kg; 10, 16 and 16 km; RK), AGM-28 Hound Dog (4350 kg; 350 kg; 1000 km), AGM-62 (510 kg; 404 kg; 30 km; TV), AGM-65A, B, D, E, F, G and H Maverick (210, 210, 220, 293, 307, 307 and 290; 57 or 136 kg; 8, 8, 20, 20, 25, 25, 30 km; TV, TV, T, LPA, T, T and AP), AGM-69 SRAM (1012 kg; 300 km; and ), AGM-84E SLAM (630 kg; 220 kg; 100 km; I + IR), AGM-86A ALCM-A, B ALCM-B and C ALCM-C (1270, 1458 and 1500 kg; 900 kg; 2400, 2500 and 2000 km; I), AGM-87A (90 kg; 9 kg; 18 km; IR), AGM-129A ACM (1247 kg; 3336 km; I), AGM-131A SRAM-2 and B SRAM-T ( 877 kg; 400 km; I), AGM-142A (1360 kg; 340 kg; 80 km; I + TV), AGM-158A (1050 kg; 340 kg);

German Fi-103 (V-1) (2200 kg; 1000 kg; 370 km);

French ASMP (860 kg; 250 km; I), AS.11 (29.9 kg; 2.6 kg; 7 km; command semi-active by wire (checkpoint)), AS.20 "Nord" (143 kg; 33 kg ; 6.9 km; RK), AS.25 (143 kg; 33 kg; 6.9 km; AR), AS.30 / 30L and AL (520 kg, 240/250 and 250 kg, 12/10 and 15 km; RK/I+LPA/LPA);

Swedish RB.04 (600 kg; 300 kg; 32 km; RK + I + AR), RB.05 (305 kg; 160 kg; 10 km; RK);

Yugoslav Thunder-1 and -2 (330 kg; 104 kg; 8 and 12 km; RK and TV);

South African "Raptor" (1200 kg; 60 km; TV), "Torgos" (980 kg; 450 kg; 300 km; I + IR).

Among the air-to-ground missiles, anti-radar and anti-tank missiles are separately distinguished, specially designed to combat enemy radar stations and armored vehicles, respectively.

Anti-radar guided aircraft missiles, in particular, include:

Soviet / Russian Kh-25MP and MPU (rocket weight 320 kg; warhead weight 90 kg; firing range 60 and 340 km; RPS), Kh-27 (320 kg; 90 kg; 25 km; RPS), Kh-28 (690 kg; 140 kg; 70 km; RPS), Kh-31P (600 kg; 90 kg; 100 km; RPS), Kh-58U and E (640 and 650 kg; 150 kg; 120 and 250 km; RPS), Kh -58E (650 kg; 150 kg; 250 km; RPS);

American AGM-45A "Shrike" (180 kg; 66 kg; 12 km; RPS), AGM-78A, B, C and D "Standard-ARM" (615 kg; 98 kg; 55 km; RPS), AGM-88A HARM (361 kg; 66 kg; 25 km; RPS), AGM-122 SADARM (91 kg; 10 kg; 8 km; RPS);

British ALARM (265 kg; 50 kg; 45 km; RPS);

Anti-tank aviation anti-tank missiles, in particular, include:

Soviet / Russian "Whirlwind" / M (rocket weight 9/40 kg; warhead weight 3/12 kg; firing range 4/10 km; L), "Shturm-V" (31.4 kg; 5.3 kg; 5 km; RK), PUR-62 (9M17) "Phalanx" (29.4 kg; 4.5 kg; 3 km; RK), M-17R "Scorpion" (29.4 kg; 4.5 kg; 4 km ; checkpoint), PUR-64 (9M14) "Baby" (11.3 kg; 3 kg; 3 km; checkpoint), 9K113 "Competition" (17 kg; 4 km; checkpoint), 9M114 "Shturm-Sh" (32 kg; 7 km; RK+L), "Ataka-V" (10 km; RK+L);

American AGM-71 A, B and C "TOU" (16.5, 16.5 and 19 kg; 3.6, 3.6 and 4 kg; 3.75, 4 and 5 km; checkpoint), AGM-71 "TOU-2" (21.5 kg; 6 kg; 5 km; checkpoint), AGM-114A, B and C "Hellfire" (45, 48 and 48 kg; 6.4, 9 and 9 kg; 6, 8 and 8 km; LPA), AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire (48 kg; 9 kg; 8 km; LPA + AR), FOG-MS (30 kg; 20 km), HVM (23 kg; 2.3 kg; 6 km; L);

Argentine "Masogo" (3 km; checkpoint);

British "Swingfire" (27 kg; 7 kg; 4 km; checkpoint), "Vigilant" (14 kg; 6 kg; 1.6 km; checkpoint);

German "Cobra" 2000 (10.3 kg; 2.7 kg; 2 km; checkpoint);

Israeli "Toger" (29 kg; 3.6 kg; 4.5 km; D);

Indian "Nag" (42 kg; 5 kg; 4 km; L);

Italian MAF (20 kg; 3 km; L);

Chinese HJ-73 (11.3 kg; 3 kg; 3 km; checkpoint), HJ-8 (11.2 kg; 4 kg; 3 km; checkpoint);

French AS.11 / 11B1 (30 kg; 4.5 / 6 kg; 3.5 km; manual by wire (RPP) / checkpoint), AS.12 (18.6 kg; 7.6 kg; 3.5 km ; checkpoint), "Hot-1" and -2 "(23.5 and 23.5 kg; 5 kg; 4 km; PR), AS.2L (60 kg; 6 kg; 10 km; L), "Polifem "(59 kg; 25 km; L), ATGW-3LR "Trigat" (42 kg; 9 kg; 8 km; IR);

Swedish RB.53 "Bantam" (7.6 kg; 1.9 kg; 2 km; RPP), RBS.56 "Bill" (10.7 kg; 2 km; checkpoint);

South African ZT3 "Swift" (4 km; L);

Japanese "64" (15.7 kg; 3.2 kg; 1.8 km; CAT), "79" (33 kg; 4 km; IR), "87" (12 kg; 3 kg; 2 km; LPA ).

unguided aircraft rocket(NAR).

Sometimes the abbreviations NUR (unguided rocket) and NURS (unguided rocket) are used.

Unguided aircraft missiles are usually used to destroy ground targets by attack aircraft and helicopters. These include, in particular:

Soviet/Russian

57-mm C-5 / -5M, OM (O - lighting), K and KO (KARS-57) (rocket weight 5.1 / 4.9, -, 3.65 and 3.65 kg; warhead weight 1 , 1 / 0.9, -, 1.13 and 1.2 kg; launch range 4/4, 3, 2 and 2 km),

80-mm S-8BM (B - concrete-piercing), DM (D - with a volumetric detonating mixture), KOM (K - cumulative, O - fragmentation) and OM (O - lighting) (15.2, 11.6, 11 .3 and 12.1 kg; 7.41, 3.63, 3.6 and 4.3 kg; 2.2, 3, 4 and 4.5 km),

82 mm RS-82 (6.8 kg; 6.2 km), RBS-82 (15 kg; 6.1 km), TRS-82 (4.82 kg),

85 mm TRS-85 (5.5 kg; 2.4 kg),

122-mm S-13 / -13OF (OF - high-explosive fragmentation) and T (T "solid" - penetrating) (60/68 and 75 kg; 23/32.2 and 31.8 kg; 4/3 and 3 km),

132 mm RS-132 (23 kg; 7.1 km), RBS-132 (30 kg; 6.8 km), TRS-132 (25.3 kg; 12.6 kg),

134 mm S-3K (KARS-160) (23.5 kg; 7.3 kg; 2 km),

212 mm S-21 (118 kg; 46 kg),

240 mm S-24B (235 kg; 123 kg; 4 km),

340-mm S-25F, OF and OFM (480, 381 and 480 kg; 190, 150 and 150 kg; 4 km);

american

70 mm "Hydra" 70 (11.9 kg; 7.2 kg; 9 km),

127 mm Zuni (56.3 kg; 24 kg; 4 km),

370 mm MB-1 "Ginny" (110 kg; 9.2 km);

Belgian

70 mm FFAR (11.9 kg; 7 kg; 9 km);

brazilian

70 mm SBAT-70 (4 km), Skyfire-70 M-8, -9 and 10 (11, 11 and 15 kg; 3.8, 3.8 and 6 kg 9.5, 10.8 and 12 km);

British

70 mm СVR7 (6.6 kg; 6.5 km);

Germanic

55 mm R4/M (3.85 kg; 3 km),

210 mm W.Gr.42 (110 kg; 38.1 kg; 1 km),

280 mm WK (82 kg; 50 kg);

Italian

51 mm ARF/8M2 (4.8 kg; 2.2 kg; 3 km),

81-mm "Medusa" (18.9 kg; 10 kg; 6 km),

122-mm "Falco" (58.4 kg; up to 32 kg; 4 km);

Chinese

55 mm "Type 1" (3.99 kg; 1.37 kg; 2 km),

90 mm "type-1" (14.6 kg; 5.58 kg);

French

68 mm TBA 68 (6.26 kg; 3 kg; 3 km),

100 mm TBA 100 (42.6 kg; up to 18.2 kg; 4 km);

Swedish

135 mm M/70 (44.6 kg; 20.8 kg; 3 km);

Swiss

81-mm "Sura" (14.2 kg; 4.5 kg; 2.5 km), "Snora" (19.7 kg; 2.5 kg; up to 11 km);

Japanese "127" (48.5 kg; 3 km).

Bomber aircraft armament

- a type of aviation weapons, including bombing weapons (aircraft bombs, one-time bomb clusters, one-time bomb bundles, and others), sights and bomber installations. On modern aircraft, sights are part of the sighting and navigation systems.

aircraft bomb- type of aviation ammunition dropped from aircraft. It consists of a hull, equipment (explosive, incendiary, lighting, smoke composition, etc.) and a stabilizer. Before combat use, it is equipped with one or more fuses.

The body of an aerial bomb is usually oval-cylindrical, with a tapered tail to which a stabilizer is attached. As a rule, aviation bombs weighing more than 25 kg have lugs for suspension to aircraft. Aviation bombs weighing less than 25 kg usually do not have lugs, since these bombs are used from disposable cartridges and bundles or reusable containers.

The stabilizer provides a stable flight of an aerial bomb to the target after being dropped from an aircraft. To increase the stability of the bomb on the trajectory at transonic flight speeds, a ballistic ring is welded to its head. The stabilizers of modern aircraft bombs are pinnate, pinnate, and box-shaped. Aviation bombs intended for bombing from low altitudes (not lower than 35 m) can use umbrella-type stabilizers. In some designs of aircraft bombs, the safety of an aircraft during bombing from low altitudes is ensured by special parachute-type braking devices that open after the bomb is separated from the aircraft.

The main characteristics of aviation bombs.

The main characteristics of aerial bombs are: caliber, filling ratio, characteristic time, performance indicators and range of conditions of combat use.

The caliber of an aircraft bomb is its mass expressed in kg (or pounds). When designating Soviet / Russian aviation bombs, its caliber is indicated after the abbreviated name. For example, the abbreviation PTAB-2.5 denotes an anti-tank aerial bomb of 2.5 kg caliber.

The fill factor is the ratio of the mass of the equipment of an aerial bomb to its total mass. For example, the filling factor for aircraft bombs with a thin-walled (high-explosive action) body reaches 0.7, with a thick-walled (armor-piercing and fragmentation action) body - 0.1–0.2.

The characteristic time is the fall time of an aerial bomb dropped from a level flight in a standard atmosphere from a height of 2000 m at an aircraft speed of 40 m/s. The characteristic time determines the ballistic quality of the bomb. The better the aerodynamic properties of the bomb, the smaller its diameter and the greater the mass, the shorter the characteristic time. For modern aerial bombs, it is usually between 20.25 and 33.75 s.

Indicators of the effectiveness of combat use include private (volume of the funnel, thickness of armor to be penetrated, number of fires, etc.) and generalized (average number of hits required to hit the target, and the area of ​​​​the reduced zone of destruction, if hit into which the target is disabled) indicators effectiveness of the lethal effect of aerial bombs. These indicators serve to determine the amount of expected damage that will be inflicted on the target.

The range of conditions for combat use includes data on the permissible maximum and minimum values ​​​​of the height and speed of the bombing. In this case, the restrictions on the maximum values ​​of altitude and speed are determined by the conditions of stability of the aerial bomb on the trajectory and the strength of the hull at the time of the meeting with the target, and on the minimum - by the safety conditions of the aircraft and the characteristics of the fuses used.

Depending on the type and weight, aerial bombs are classified into small, medium and large caliber bombs.

For high-explosive and armor-piercing aerial bombs, bombs weighing less than 100 kg belong to small caliber, 250–500 kg to medium, and more than 1000 kg to large; for fragmentation, high-explosive fragmentation, incendiary and anti-submarine aerial bombs to small caliber - less than 50 kg, medium - 50-100 kg, large - more than 100 kg.

According to the purpose, aerial bombs of the main and auxiliary purposes are distinguished.

Air bombs of the main purpose are used to destroy ground and sea targets. These include high-explosive, fragmentation, high-explosive fragmentation, anti-tank, armor-piercing, concrete-piercing, anti-submarine, incendiary, high-explosive-incendiary, chemical and other aerial bombs.

high explosive aerial bomb(FAB) designed to destroy various targets (military industrial facilities, railway junctions, energy complexes, fortifications, manpower and military equipment) by the action of a shock wave and partially by fragments of the hull.

By design, the FAB does not differ from a typical aerial bomb. Caliber 50–2000 kg. The most common are FABs of medium caliber (250–500 kg).

FAB is used with instantaneous impact fuses (for targets located on the surface of the earth) and delayed ones (for objects destroyed by an explosion from the inside or buried). In the latter case, the effectiveness of the FAB is enhanced by the seismic effect of the explosion.

When a FAB explodes, a funnel is formed in the soil, the dimensions of which depend on the properties of the soil, the caliber of the aerial bomb, and the depth of the explosion. For example, during the explosion of FAB-500 in loam (at a depth of 3 m), a funnel with a diameter of 8.5 m is formed.

There are FABs of conventional design, thick-walled, assault and volumetric detonating.

Thick-walled FABs are characterized by increased strength, which is achieved by increasing the thickness of the body and using high-quality alloy steels for its manufacture. The case of thick-walled FAB is solid-cast, with a massive warhead without a point for a fuse. Thick-walled FABs are designed to destroy reinforced concrete shelters, concrete airfields, fortifications, etc.

Assault FABs have built-in braking devices and are used for bombing from level flight from low altitudes with the fuse set to instant action.

Volumetric detonating aircraft bombs (ODAB) use high-calorie liquid fuel as the main charge. Upon encountering an obstacle, the explosion of a small charge destroys the body of the bomb and sprays liquid fuel, which forms an aerosol cloud in the air. When the cloud reaches the desired size, it is undermined. Compared to conventional FABs, volumetric detonating calibers of the same caliber have a large radius of destruction by the high-explosive effect of the explosion. This is explained by the fact that liquid fuel is superior in calories to high explosives and has the ability to rationally distribute energy in space. The aerosol cloud fills vulnerable objects, thereby enhancing the lethality of the ODAB. Fragmentation and impact action ODAB do not have.

ODAB was used by the US during the Vietnam War (1964–1973) and by the USSR in the war in Afghanistan (1979–1989). The bombs used in Vietnam had a mass of 45 kg, contained 33 kg of liquid fuel (ethylene oxide) and formed an aerosol cloud with a diameter of 15 m, a height of 2.5 m, the explosion of which created a pressure of 2.9 MPa. An example of the Soviet ODAB is the ODAB-1000 weighing 1000 kg.

FAB, in particular, include:

Soviet/Russian FAB-50 (total bomb weight 50 kg), FAB-100 (100 kg), FAB-70 (70 kg), FAB-100KD (100 kg; with KD explosive mixture), FAB-250 (250 kg) , FAB-500 (500 kg), FAB-1500 (1400 kg), FAB-1500-2600TS (2500 kg; TS - thick-walled), FAB-3000M-46 (3000 kg; explosive weight 1400 kg), FAB-3000M- 54 (3000 kg; mass of explosives 1387 kg), FAB-5000 (4900 kg), FAB-9000M-54 (9000 kg; mass of explosives 4287 kg);

American M56 (1814 kg), Mk.1 (907 kg), Mk.111 (454 kg).

fragmentation aerial bomb(OAB,JSC) designed to destroy open, unarmored or lightly armored targets (manpower, missiles in open positions, aircraft outside shelters, vehicles, etc.).

Caliber 0.5–100 kg. The main defeat of manpower and equipment (the formation of holes, the ignition of fuel) is produced by fragments formed during the explosion and crushing of the bomb body. The total number of fragments depends on the caliber. For example, in fragmentation aviation bombs of 100 kg caliber, the number of fragments weighing more than 1 g reaches 5-6 thousand.

Fragmentation aerial bombs are subdivided into OAB of conventional design (cylindrical shape, rigid stabilizer) and special design (spherical shape, folding stabilizer).

OAB of conventional design have a massive cast iron or low-grade steel body. The coefficient of their filling is 0.1–0.2. To reduce the intensity of crushing the hull, they are equipped with low-power explosives (an alloy of TNT with dinitronaphthalene). SAB with organized hull crushing have a high filling factor (0.45–0.5) and are equipped with powerful explosives that give the fragments an initial velocity of about 2000 m/s. To ensure organized crushing, various methods are used: notches (grooves) on the body, cumulative grooves on the surface of the charge, etc.

A variation of the OAB is a ball bomb (SHOAB), the striking elements of which are steel or plastic balls. Ball bombs were first used by the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. They had a mass of 400 g and were filled with 320 balls, each weighing 0.67 g and 5.5 mm in diameter)

JSCs include, in particular:

Soviet/Russian AO-2.5 (total bomb weight 2.5 kg), AO-8M (8 kg), AO-10 (10 kg), AO-20M (20 kg);

American M40A1 (10.4 kg), M81 (118 kg), M82 (40.8 kg), M83 (1.81 kg), M86 (54 kg), M88 (100 kg).

High-explosive fragmentation bomb(OFAB) is designed to destroy open, unarmored or lightly armored targets with both fragments and high-explosive action.

Caliber 100–250 kg. OFABs are equipped with instantaneous impact fuses or non-contact fuses, triggered at a height of 5–15 m.

TO OFAB, in particular, include:

Soviet / Russian OFAB-100 (total bomb weight 100kg), OFAB-250 (250 kg).

Anti-tank aerial bomb(PTAB) is designed to destroy tanks, self-propelled guns, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and other objects with armor protection. Caliber PTAB 0.5–5 kg. Their damaging effect is based on the use of a cumulative effect.

PTAB, in particular, include:

Soviet / Russian PTAB-2.5.

Armor-piercing aerial bomb(BRAB) is designed to destroy armored targets or objects with solid concrete or reinforced concrete protection.

Caliber 100–1000 kg. When meeting with an obstacle, the bomb pierces it with a strong body and explodes inside the object. The shape of the head part, the thickness and material of the hull (special alloy steel) ensure the integrity of the BRAB in the process of armor penetration. Some BRABs have jet engines (eg Soviet/Russian BRAB-200DS, American Mk.50).

BRAB, in particular, include:

Soviet/Russian BRAB-220 (total bomb weight 238 kg), BRAB-200DS (213 kg), BRAB-250 (255 kg), BRAB-500 (502 kg), BRAB-500M55 (517 kg), BRAB-1000 ( 965 kg);

American M52 (454 kg), Mk.1 (726 kg), Mk.33 (454 kg), M60 (363 kg), M62 (272 kg), M63 (635 kg), Mk.50 (576 kg), Mk .63 (1758 kg).

Concrete piercing aerial bomb(BETAB) is designed to destroy objects with solid concrete or reinforced concrete protection (long-term fortifications and shelters, concrete runways).

Caliber 250–500 kg. When meeting with an obstacle, the BETAB breaks through it with a strong body or goes deep into the barrier, after which it explodes. Some bombs of this type have jet boosters, the so-called. active-reactive bombs (Soviet / Russian BETAB-150DS, BETAB-500SHP).

BETAB, in particular, includes:

Soviet / Russian BETAB-150DS (total bomb weight 165 kg), BETAB-250 (210 kg), BETAB-500 (430 kg), BETAB-500SHP (424 kg).

Anti-submarine aerial bomb(PLUB) specifically designed to destroy submarines.

A small-caliber submarine (less than 50 kg) is designed for a direct hit on a boat in a surface or submerged position. It is equipped with an impact fuse, which, when triggered, is ejected from the PLAB case warhead high-explosive fragmentation, which pierces the hull of the boat and explodes with some delay, hitting its internal equipment.

A large-caliber submarine (more than 100 kg) is capable of hitting a target in an explosion in water at some distance from it by the action of the explosion products and the shock wave. It is equipped with remote or hydrostatic fuses that provide an explosion at a given depth, or proximity fuses that are triggered at the moment when the distance between the submerging PLAB and the target is minimal and does not exceed its radius of action.

The design resembles a high-explosive aerial bomb. The head of the hull may be shaped to reduce the possibility of ricocheting off the water surface.

To PLAB, in particular, include:

Soviet / Russian PLAB-100 (total bomb weight 100 kg), PLAB-250-120 (123), GB-100 (120 kg).

Incendiary Air Bomb(ZAB) is designed to create fires and directly inflict fire on manpower and military equipment. In addition, all the oxygen in the fire zone burns out, which leads to the death of people in shelters.

Caliber 0.5–500 kg. Small-caliber bombs, as a rule, are equipped with solid combustible mixtures based on oxides of various metals (for example, thermite), which develop temperatures up to 2500-3000 degrees during combustion. Celsius. Cases of such ZAB can be made of electron (a combustible alloy of aluminum and magnesium) and other combustible materials. Small ZABs are dropped from carriers in one-time bomb cassettes. in Vietnam american aviation for the first time widely used cassettes, in which there were 800 ZABs of 2 kg caliber. They created massive fires on an area of ​​​​more than 10 square meters. km.

Large-caliber bombs are loaded with flammable thickened fuel (for example, napalm) or various organic compounds. Unlike unthickened fuel, such fire mixtures during the explosion are crushed into relatively large pieces (200–500 g, and sometimes more), which, flying apart to a distance of up to 150 m, burn with a temperature of 1000–2000 degrees. Celsius for several minutes, creating pockets of fire. In ZAB, equipped with thickened fire mixtures, there is a bursting charge and a phosphorus cartridge; when the fuse is triggered, the fire mixture and phosphorus are crushed and mixed, and phosphorus, which spontaneously ignites in air, ignites the fire mixture.

Incendiary tanks used for area targets, which are also equipped with a viscous (non-metallized) fire mixture, have a similar device. Unlike ZAB, they have a thin-walled body and are suspended only on external aircraft holders.

ZAB, in particular, include:

Soviet/Russian ZAB-250 (total bomb weight 250 kg), ZAB-500 (500 kg);

American M50 (1.8 kg), M69 (2.7 kg), M42A1 (3.86 kg), M74 (4.5 kg), M76 (227 kg), M126 (1.6 kg), Mk.77 Mod.0 (340 kg; 416 l kerosene), Mk.77 Mod.1 (236 kg; 284 l kerosene), Mk.78 mod.2 (345 kg; 416 l kerosene), Mk.79 mod.1 (414 kg), Mk.112 mod.0 Fireye (102 kg), Mk.122 (340 kg), BLU-1/B (320–400 kg), BLU-1/B/B (320–400 kg) , BLU-10B and A/B (110 kg), BLU-11/B (230 kg), BLU-27/B (400 kg), BLU-23/B (220 kg), BLU-32/B (270 kg), BLU-68/B (425 g), BLU-7/B (400 g).

High-explosive incendiary aerial bomb(FZAB) has a combined effect and is used against targets hit by both high-explosive and incendiary bombs. Equipped with an explosive charge, pyrotechnics or other incendiary compositions. When the fuse is triggered, the equipment explodes and thermite cartridges ignite, which are scattered over a considerable distance, creating additional fires.

Chemical aerial bomb(HUB) is designed to infect the area and defeat manpower with persistent and unstable toxic substances. Refers to weapons of mass destruction. HUBs are equipped with various toxic substances and are equipped with remote (explosion at a height of 50–200 m) and non-contact (explosion at a height of up to 50 m) fuses.

When the charge explodes, the thin-walled HUB body is destroyed, the liquid poisonous substance is sprayed, hitting people and infecting the area with persistent poisonous substances or creating a cloud of unstable poisonous substances that contaminate the air.

Some 0.4-0.9 kg HUBs have a spherical body shape, are made of plastic and do not have fuses. The destruction of the body of such HUB occurs when it hits the ground.

HUB, in particular, includes:

Soviet/Russian KhB-250 (total bomb weight 250 kg), KhB-2000 (2000 kg);

American M70 (52.2 kg), M78 (227 kg), M79 (454 kg), M113 (56.7 kg), M125 (4.54 kg), MC1 (340 kg), Mk.94 (227 kg) , Mk.1116 (340 kg).

Auxiliary aviation bombs are used to solve special tasks (landlighting, setting up smoke screens, scattering propaganda literature, signaling, for training purposes, etc.). These include luminous, photographic, smoke, imitation, propaganda, orientation-signal, practical aviation bombs.

Luminous air bomb(SAB) is designed to illuminate the area during aerial reconnaissance and bombing at night using optical sights. Equipped with one or more torches of lighting pyrotechnic composition, each of which has its own parachute system. When the remote fuse is triggered, the expelling device ignites the torches and throws them out of the SAB case. Descending on parachutes, the torches illuminate the area for 5–7 minutes, creating a total light intensity of several million candela.

Photographic aerial bomb(FOTAB) designed to illuminate the area during night aerial photography. It is equipped with a photo composition (for example, a mixture of aluminum-magnesium powders with oxidizing agents) and a bursting charge. A short-term flash (0.1–0.2 s) gives a light intensity of several billion candela.

Smoke aerial bomb(DAB) is designed to create masking and blinding neutral (harmless) smoke screens. DABs are equipped with white phosphorus, which is scattered during an explosion within a radius of 10–15 m and burns, releasing a large amount of white smoke.

Simulated aerial bomb(IAB) is intended to indicate the center nuclear explosion in training troops. Equipped with a bursting charge, liquid fuel, the flash of which simulates the fiery sphere of a nuclear explosion, and white phosphorus to represent a mushroom-shaped smoke cloud. To simulate a ground or air explosion, impact or remote fuses are used, respectively.

Propaganda aerial bomb(AGITAB) equipped with a remote-action fuse that fires at a given height and ensures the scattering of campaign materials (leaflets, brochures).

AGITAB, in particular, includes the American M104 (total bomb weight 45.4 kg), M105 (227 kg), M129 (340 kg).

Orientation-signal aerial bomb(OSAB) serves to designate the assembly area for groups of aircraft, flight route points, navigation and bombing tasks, signaling on the ground (water) and in the air. It is equipped with pyrotechnic or special compositions, which, when burned, give a smoke cloud (during the day) or a flame of various colors (at night). For action at sea, OSABs are equipped with a fluorescent liquid, which, when the bomb hits the water, spreads in the form of a thin film, forming a clearly visible spot - a signal point.

Practical aerial bomb(P) serves to train aircrew in bombing. It has a cast-iron or cement (ceramic) body, equipped with pyrotechnic compositions, which indicate the point of its fall with a flash of photographic composition (at night) or the formation of a cloud of smoke (by day). Some practical aerial bombs are equipped with tracer cartridges to mark the trajectory.

Practical aviation bombs, in particular, include the American Mk.65 (total bomb weight 227 kg), Mk.66 (454 kg), Mk.76 (11.3 kg), MK.86 (113 kg), Mk.88 (454 kg), Mk.89 (25.4 kg), Mk.106 (2.27 kg).

According to the ability to control in flight, unguided (free fall) and guided (adjustable) aerial bombs are distinguished.

unguided aerial bomb when dropped from an aircraft, it makes a free fall, determined by the force of gravity and the aerodynamic properties of the hull.

Managed(adjustable)aerial bomb(UAB, KAB) it has a stabilizer, rudders, sometimes wings, as well as controls that allow you to change the trajectory of its movement, make a controlled flight and hit the target with high accuracy. UAB are designed to hit small important targets. They belong to the so-called. precision weapons.

Such bombs can be controlled by radio, laser beam, homing, etc.

UAB, in particular, include:

Soviet / Russian KAB-500L (total bomb weight 534 kg; warhead weight 400 kg; laser semi-active guidance system), KAB-500 kr (560 kg; 380 kg; TV), KAB-1500L-F and L-PR (1560 and 1500 kg; 1180 and 1100 kg; LPA), SNAB-3000 "Crab" (3300 kg; 1285; IR), UV-2F "Seagull" (2240 ​​kg; 1795 kg; RK), UV-2F "Seagull-2" (2240 ​​kg; 1795 kg; IR), "Condor" (5100 kg; 4200 kg; TV), UVB-5 (5150 kg; 4200 kg; TV + IR);

American GBU-8 HOBOS (1016 kg; 895 kg; TV), GBU-10 Paveway I (930 kg; 430 kg; laser), GBU-12 (285 kg, 87 kg; L), GBU-15 (1140 kg; 430 kg; TV and T), GBU-16 (480 kg; 215 kg; L), GBU-20 (1300 kg; 430 kg; TV and T), GBU-23 (500 kg; 215 kg; L), GBU -24 (1300 kg; 907 kg; LPA), GBU-43/B MOAB (9450 kg), Wallai (500 kg; 182 kg; TV);

British Mk.13/18 (480 kg; 186 kg; L);

German SD-1400X (1400 kg; 270 kg; RK), Hs.293A (902 kg; RK), Hs.294 (2175 kg; RK);

French BLG-400 (340 kg; 107 kg; LPA), BLG-1000 (470 kg; 165 kg; LPA), Arcole (1000 kg; 300 kg; LPA);

Swedish RBS.15G (TV), DWS.39 "Melner" (600 kg; I).

Disposable bomb cassette(from French cassette - box; RBC) - aviation ammunition in the form of a thin-walled aviation bomb equipped with air mines or small bombs for various purposes (anti-tank, anti-personnel, incendiary, etc.) weighing up to 10 kg. In one cassette there can be up to 100 mines (bombs) or more, they are scattered by an expelling or bursting charge ignited (detonated) by a remote fuse at a certain height above the target.

The burst points of the bombs are distributed over a certain area, called the coverage area, due to their aerodynamic dispersion. The coverage area depends on the speed of the cassette and the opening height. To increase the coverage area, RBCs may have special devices for ejecting bombs with certain initial speed and time interval.

The use of RBC allows remote mining of large areas. Aviation anti-personnel and anti-tank mines used for RBC equipment are designed in the same way as small bombs. Mines are equipped with fuses that cock after falling to the ground and are triggered when pressed. Mines differ from aircraft bombs in the configuration of the hull and the design of the stabilizer, which determine their dispersal. As a rule, aircraft mines are equipped with self-liquidators that detonate mines after a certain time.

One-time bomb cassettes, in particular, include:

Soviet / Russian RBC-250-275AO (total weight of the cassette is 273 kg; contains 150 fragmentation bombs), RBC-500AO (380 kg; 108 fragmentation AO-2.5RTM), RBC-500SHOAB (334 kg; 565 ball-shaped SHAOB-0, 5), RBC-500PTAB-1M (427 kg; 268 PTAB-1M);

American SUU-54 (1000 kg; 2000 fragmentation or anti-tank bombs), SUU-65 (454 kg; 50 bombs), M32 (280 kg; 108 ZAB AN-A50A3), M35 (313 kg; 57 ZAB M74F1), M36 ( 340 kg; 182 ZAB M126).

One-time bomb bundle(RBS) - a device that combines several aviation bombs of 25–100 kg caliber into one suspension. Depending on the design of the RBS, the separation of bombs from the bundle can be carried out either at the moment of its release, or on the trajectory of falling in the air. RBS make it possible to rationally use the carrying capacity of the aircraft.

Mine and torpedo aircraft armament

- a type of aviation weapons installed on anti-submarine aircraft and helicopters. It consists of aircraft torpedoes and mines, devices for their suspension and reset, control devices.

Aviation torpedo in design it does not differ from a ship's torpedo, but it has a stabilizing device or parachutes that provide it with the necessary trajectory for entering the water after being dropped.

Aviation torpedoes, in particular, include:

Soviet / Russian AT-2 (torpedo weight 1050 kg; warhead weight 150 kg; active sonar guidance system (AG)), APR-2E (575 kg; 100 kg; AG), 45-12 (passive acoustic (PG)) , 45-36AN (940 kg), RAT-52 (627 kg; AG), AT-1M (560 kg; 160 kg; PG), AT-3 (698 kg; AG), APR-2 (575 kg; PG ), VTT-1 (541 kg; PG);

American Mk.44 (196 kg; 33.1 kg; AG), Mk.46 (230 kg; 83.4 kg; AG or PG), Mk.50 Barracuda (363 kg; 45.4 kg; AG or PG);

British "Stingray" (265 kg; 40 kg; AG or PG);

French L4 (540 kg; 104 kg; AG), Murena (310 kg; 59 kg; AG or PG);

Swedish Tp42 (298 kg; 45 kg; cable command (PDA) and PG), Tp43 (280 kg; 45 kg; PDA and PG);

Japanese "73" (G-9) (AG).

Aviation naval mine- a mine, the setting of which is carried out from aircraft carriers (airplanes and helicopters). They can be bottom, anchor and floating. To ensure a stable position on the air section of the trajectory, aviation naval mines equipped with stabilizers and parachutes. When falling on the shore or shallow water, they explode from self-liquidators. There are anchor, bottom and floating aircraft mines.

Small arms and cannon aircraft armament

(aviation artillery weapons) - a type of aviation weapons, which includes aircraft cannons and machine guns with their installations, ammunition for them, sighting and other support systems installed on aircraft. Grenade launchers can also be mounted on fire support helicopters.

Special aviation weapons

- has nuclear and other weapons as weapons special ammunition(). Special aviation weapons can also include a laser system installed on a promising American strike aircraft AL-1A.

Internet resources: Information software product "Directory of military aviation". Version 1.0. Studio Korax. www.korax.narod.ru

MILITARY AVIATION IN WARS AND ARMED CONFLICTS

The history of military aviation can be counted from the first successful flight hot air balloon in France in 1783. The decision of the French government in 1794 to organize an aeronautical service was recognized as the military significance of this flight. It was the world's first aviation military unit.

Immediately after its inception, aviation was in the field of view of the military. They quickly saw in aircraft a means capable of solving a number of combat missions. Already in 1849, long before the advent of aircraft, the first bombardment of the city from the air was carried out; Austrian troops besieging Venice used balloons for this purpose.

The first military aircraft entered service with the US Army Signal Corps in 1909 and was used to carry mail. Like its prototype, the Wright brothers' machine, this apparatus was equipped with a 25 kW piston engine. Its cockpit could accommodate a crew of two. The maximum speed of the aircraft was 68 km / h, and the flight duration did not exceed an hour.

In 1910, almost simultaneously, the first formations of military aviation were created in a number of states. Initially, they were assigned the tasks of providing communications and conducting aerial reconnaissance.

Start mass use aviation in combat operations was necessary during the Italo-Turkish war of 1911–1912. (Tripolitan war). During this war in 1911, Lieutenant Gavotti of the Italian army for the first time bombed enemy positions from an aircraft. He dropped four 4.5-pound bombs (converted Spanish hand grenades) on Turkish troops stationed in Ainzar (Libya). The first dogfight took place over Mexico City in November 1913, when an airplane pilot, Philip Rader, a supporter of General Huerta, exchanged revolver shots with another airplane pilot, Dean Ivan Lamb, who fought on the side of Venustiano Carranza.

First World War (1914–1918). At the beginning of the war, aircraft were massively used only for aerial reconnaissance, but soon all the warring parties realized what losses they were suffering due to restrictions in the use of aviation. Pilots, armed only with personal weapons, in the air tried by all means to prevent enemy aircraft from flying over their troops. One of the first interceptions of an air enemy occurred in August 1914, when a German Taube aircraft was landed, bombing Paris. This was done only thanks to the psychological effect that the English pilot on the Bristol and the French pilot on the Blériot had on the German pilots. The first aircraft to be rammed was an Austrian two-seat airplane piloted by Lieutenant Baron von Rosenthal. On August 26, 1914, the staff captain of the Russian army Petr Nikolaevich Nesterov, who flew the unarmed Moran type M reconnaissance monoplane, carried out a ram over the Sholkiv airfield. Both pilots died.

The need to destroy air targets led to the placement of aviation small arms on aircraft. On October 5, 1914, the fire of a Hotchkiss machine gun mounted on a Voisin biplane shot down a German two-seat aircraft. It was the first airplane in the world to be destroyed in air combat from small arms.

The most famous fighters of the First World War were the French "Spud" with two machine guns and the German single-seat fighter "Fokker". In one of the months of 1918, 565 aircraft of the Entente countries were destroyed by Fokker fighters.

Bomber aviation was also actively developed. In Russia in 1915 the world's first heavy bomber squadron was formed, also equipped with the world's first Ilya Muromets heavy four-engine bombers. In August 1918, in the North Sea, a British DH-4 bomber for the first time in the world sank a submarine belonging to the German Navy.

The First World War greatly accelerated the development of aviation. The broad possibilities for the combat use of aircraft were confirmed. By the end of the war in most countries, military aviation had acquired organizational independence; reconnaissance, fighter and bomber aviation appeared.

By November 1918, the number of military aviation exceeded 11 thousand aircraft, including: in France - 3321, in Germany - 2730, Great Britain - 1758, Italy - 842, USA - 740, Austria-Hungary - 622, Russia (by February 1917) - 1039 aircraft. At the same time, fighter aircraft accounted for over 41% total military aircraft of warring states.

The period between the First and Second World Wars (1918–1938). The First World War showed the importance of military aviation. A number of attempts were made to generalize the experience of its use in the last war. In 1921, Italian General Giulio Douhet (1869–1930) in the book Dominance in the air outlined a fairly coherent and well-developed concept of the leading role of aviation in future wars. Douai intended to achieve air supremacy not by the widespread use of fighter aircraft, as is recognized today, but by massive strikes by bombers, which were supposed to neutralize enemy airfields, and then paralyze the work of his military-industrial centers and suppress the will of the population to resist and continue the war. This theory had big influence on the minds of military strategists in many countries.

During the period between the world wars, military aviation made a huge leap. The most developed countries Qualitatively new vehicles with powerful small arms and cannon and bomber weapons were received. The concepts of their combat use were developed and tested in practice during local military conflicts.

World War II (1939–1945) From the first days of the war, military aviation took an active part in hostilities. In the spirit of Douai's ideas, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) launched a massive air offensive against Great Britain, which later became known as the "Battle of England". From August 1940 to May 1941, the Luftwaffe carried out 46,000 sorties and dropped 60,000 tons of bombs on British military and civilian targets. However, the results of the bombing were not sufficient for the successful implementation of the operation " Sea lion”, suggesting the landing of German troops on the British Isles. For raids on British military and civilian targets, the Luftwaffe used bombers He.111 (Heinkel), Do.17 (Dornier), Ju.88 (Junkers), dive bombers Ju.87, covered by Bf.109 (Messerschmitt) and Bf.110 fighters . They were opposed by British fighters Hurricane (Hawker), Spitfire (Supermarine), Defiant F (Bolton-Pol), Blenheim F (Bristol). The losses of the German aviation amounted to over 1500, the British over 900 aircraft.

Since June 1941, the main forces of the Luftwaffe were sent to the eastern front for military operations against the USSR, where they were largely destroyed.

In turn, the British and US Air Forces undertook a number of joint air operations during the so-called. "air war" against Germany (1940-1945). However, massive raids on German military and civilian targets with the participation of 100 to 1000 aircraft or more also did not confirm the correctness of Douai's doctrine. For strikes, the Allies mainly used British Lancaster heavy bombers (Avro) and American B-17 Flying Fortress (Flying Fortress) (Boeing).

Since June 1941, air raids on the territory of Germany and Romania were also carried out by pilots of Soviet long-range bomber aviation. The first air raid on Berlin was made on August 8, 1941 from an airfield located on about. Oesel in the Baltic Sea. It was attended by 15 long-range bombers DB-3 (Design Bureau named after Ilyushin) of the 1st Mine and Torpedo Aviation Regiment of the Baltic Fleet. The operation was successful and came as a complete surprise to the German command. In total, from August 8 to September 5, 1941, after Tallinn was abandoned and the supply of island airfields became impossible, ten raids on Berlin were made from airfields on the islands of Dago and Ezel. Dropped 311 bombs with a total weight of 36050 kg.

Since August 10, 1941, heavy bombers TB-7 (Pe-8) (OKB named after Petlyakov) and long-range bombers DB-240 (Er-2), taking off from an airfield near Leningrad, bombed Berlin.

Soviet long-range bomber aviation made a significant contribution to the victory over Germany. In total, during the war years, she completed 220 thousand sorties. 2 million 266 thousand bombs of various calibers were dropped.

The attack by Japanese aviation on December 7, 1941 on the US Naval Base of Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), which unleashed the war in the Pacific, proved the great potential of carrier-based aviation. During this raid, the United States lost the main forces of the Pacific Fleet. Subsequently, the course of the war between Japan and the United States in the Pacific Ocean led to the nuclear bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9) by American B-29 Superfortress (Boeing) aircraft. These were the only cases of combat use of nuclear weapons in history.

The role of aviation in World War II was not limited to bombing land and sea targets. Throughout the war, fighter jets fought in the sky. The most famous fighters of World War II were the Soviet Yak-3, Yak-9 (Yakovlev Design Bureau), La-7, La-9, (Lavochkin Design Bureau), MiG-3; German Fw.190 (Focke-Wulf), Bf.109; British "Hurricane" and "Spitfire"; American P-38 Lightning (Lockheed), P-39 Aircobra (Bell), P-51 Mustang (Republic); Japanese A6M "Reisen" ("Zero") (Mitsubishi).

By the end of World War II, German aviation was the first in the world to build and use jet-powered fighters. The most famous of them, the twin-engine Me.262 (Messerschmitt), went into action in June 1944. Me.262A-1, B and C jet fighter-interceptors and Me.262A-2 fighter-bombers significantly outperformed the Allied piston aircraft in their performance. . Nevertheless, it is known that several of them were still shot down by American pilots, as well as by the Soviet air ace Ivan Kozhedub.

In early 1945 the Germans began mass production single-engine fighters He.162 "Salamander" (Heinkel), which managed to conduct only a few air battles.

Due to its small number (500-700 aircraft), as well as the extremely low technical reliability of aircraft, the German jet aircraft could no longer change the course of the war.

The only Allied jet aircraft to see action in World War II was the British twin-engine fighter-interceptor Meteor F (Gloucester). Combat sorties of this aircraft began on July 27, 1944.

In the United States, the first serial jet fighter F-80A Shooting Star (Lockheed) appeared in 1945. In the USSR, in 1942–1943, test flights of the BI-1 fighter designed by V. Bolkhovitinov with a liquid-propellant jet engine were conducted, during which test pilot Grigory died Bakhchivandzhi. The first Soviet serial jet fighters were the Yak-15 and MiG-9, which made their first flight on the same day, April 24, 1946. Their serial production was established by the end of the year.

Thus, immediately after the war, the USSR, the USA and Great Britain switched to jet technology. The era of jet aviation has begun.

Having a monopoly on nuclear weapon, the United States actively developed the means of its delivery. In 1948, the Americans adopted the world's first bomber with an intercontinental range, the B-36 Peacemaker (Convair), capable of carrying nuclear bombs. Already at the end of 1951, the US Air Force received more advanced B-47 Stratojet (Boeing) bombers.

War in Korea (1950–1953). Aviation played an important role in the combat operations of American troops in Korea. During the war, US aircraft made more than 104,000 sorties and dropped about 700,000 tons of bombs and napalm. B-26 "Marauder" (Martin) and B-29 bombers took an active part in combat operations. In aerial combat, the American F-80, F-84 Thunderjet (Republic) and F-86 Saber (North American) fighters were opposed by Soviet MiG-15s, which had in many respects the best aerodynamic characteristics.

During the fighting in the sky North Korea December 1950 to July 1953 Soviet pilots 64 fighter aviation corps, mainly on the MiG-15 and MiG-15bis, carried out 63,229 sorties, conducted 1,683 group air battles during the day and 107 single battles at night, in which 1,097 enemy aircraft were shot down, including 647 F-86s, 186 F-84, 117 F-80, 28 P-51D Mustang, 26 Meteor F.8, 69 B-29. Losses amounted to 120 pilots and 335 aircraft, including combat losses - 110 pilots and 319 aircraft.

In Korea, the military aviation of the USA and the USSR gained the first combat experience in the use of jet aircraft, which was then used in the development of new aviation technology.

So, in the United States, by 1955, the first B-52 bombers entered service. In 1956–1957, the F-102, F-104 and F-105 Thunderchief (Republic) fighters appeared, superior to the MiG-15. To refuel the B-47 and B-52 bombers, the KC-135 tanker aircraft was designed.

Vietnam War (1964–1973) The sky of Vietnam has become another meeting place for the military aviation of the two superpowers. The USSR was mainly represented by fighter aircraft (MiG-17 and MiG-21), which provided cover for the industrial and military facilities of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV).

In turn, the command of the US Armed Forces entrusted military aviation with the task of directly supporting ground operations, landing airborne troops, airlifting troops, and also destroying the military and economic potential of the DRV. Up to 40% of tactical aviation of the Air Force (F-100, RF-101, F-102, F-104C, F-105, F-4C, RF-4C), aircraft carrier aviation (F-4B, ​​F-8 , A-1, A-4). In an attempt to destroy the Vietnamese defense potential, the United States used the so-called "scorched earth tactics", while B-52 strategic bombers dropped napalm, phosphorus, poisonous substances and defoliants onto enemy territory. In Vietnam, AC-130 fire support aircraft were deployed for the first time. UH-1 helicopters were widely used for tactical landings, evacuation of the wounded, and the transfer of ammunition.

The first planes shot down in aerial combat were two F-105Ds destroyed by MiG-17s on April 4, 1965. On April 9, an American F-4B shot down the first Vietnamese MiG-17, after which it was shot down. With the advent of the MiG-21, the Americans strengthened the cover of strike groups of aircraft with F-4 fighters, the air combat capabilities of which roughly corresponded to the MiG-21.

During the fighting, F-4 fighters destroyed 54 MiG-21s, the loss of F-4s from MiG-21 fire amounted to 103 aircraft. From 1965 to 1968, the United States lost 3,495 aircraft in Vietnam, of which at least 320 were shot down in dogfights.

The experience of the Vietnam War had a huge impact on the military aircraft industry both in the United States and in the USSR. The Americans responded to the defeat of the F-4 in air combat by creating highly maneuverable fourth-generation fighters, the F-15 and F-16. At the same time, the F-4 had an impact on minds Soviet aircraft designers, which is reflected in the modifications of the third generation fighters.

War of Great Britain and Argentina over the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands (1982). The "Falklands War" is characterized by a short but intense use of military aircraft by both belligerents.

By the beginning of hostilities, the military aviation of Argentina had up to 555 aircraft, including Canberra B bombers, Mirage-IIIEA fighter-bombers, Super Etandar, A-4P Skyhawk attack aircraft. However, the most modern combat aircraft were only the French-made Super Etandar, which, during the fighting, sank the Sheffield URO destroyer and the Atlantic Conveyor container ship with five AM-39 Exocet air-to-ship missiles.

At the initial stage of the operation, to destroy targets on the disputed islands, the UK deployed long-range bombers "Volcano" B.2, which operated from about. Ascension. Their flights were provided by tanker aircraft "Victor" K.2. Air defense about. Ascension was carried out by Phantom FGR.2 fighters.

Directly in the aviation group of the British Expeditionary Forces in the conflict zone were up to 42 modern vertical takeoff and landing bombers "Sea Harrier" FRS.1 (lost 6) and "Harrier" GR.3 (lost 4), as well as up to 130 helicopters ("Sea King", CH-47, "Wessex", "Lynx", "Scout", "Puma") for various purposes. These machines were based on the British aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible, other aircraft carriers, as well as on field airfields.

The skillful use of aviation by Great Britain ensured its troops superiority over the Argentines and, ultimately, victory. In total, during the war, according to various estimates, the Argentines lost from 80 to 86 combat aircraft.

War in Afghanistan (1979–1989). The main tasks facing the Soviet military aviation in Afghanistan were reconnaissance, the destruction of the ground enemy, as well as the transportation of troops and cargo.

By the beginning of 1980, the Soviet aviation group in the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan was represented by the 34th mixed air corps (later reorganized into the Air Force of the 40th Army) and consisted of two air regiments and four separate squadrons. They numbered 52 Su-17 and MiG-21 aircraft. In the summer of 1984, the Air Force of the 40th Army included three MiG-23MLD squadrons, which replaced the MiG-21, a three-squadron Su-25 attack air regiment, two Su-17MZ squadrons, a separate Su-17MZR squadron (reconnaissance aircraft), a mixed transport regiment and helicopter units (Mi-8, Mi-24). Su-24 front-line bombers and Tu-16 and Tu-22M2 and 3 long-range aircraft operated from the territory of the USSR.

The first case of a combat collision between the aviation of the 40th Army and the aircraft of countries neighboring Afghanistan is associated with an F-4 fighter-bomber of the Iranian Air Force. In April 1982, Soviet helicopter landings were mistakenly landed on Iranian territory. A pair of F-4s that arrived in the landing area destroyed one helicopter on the ground and forced the An-30 out of its airspace.

The first air battle was recorded on May 17, 1986. In the area of ​​​​the Afghan-Pakistani border, an F-16 of the Pakistani Air Force shot down an Afghan Su-22. Pakistani aircraft repeatedly attempted to intercept Afghan aircraft in the area common border, which resulted in the loss of one F-16 over Afghanistan on April 29, 1987.

Major losses Soviet aviation suffered from the fire from the earth. The greatest danger in this case was represented by portable anti-aircraft missile systems supplied to the Mujahideen by the Americans and the Chinese.

Military operation "Desert Storm" (Kuwait, 1991). Operation "Desert Storm" is characterized by the massive use of aviation, numbering up to 2600 aircraft (including 1800 American) and 1955 helicopters. By the beginning of active hostilities, the aviation of the United States and its allies had a significant quantitative and qualitative superiority over the aviation of Iraq, which was based on obsolete types of aircraft. The first strikes were carried out on the night of January 17, 1991 against Iraqi aviation, air defense system facilities, command and communication posts. They were accompanied by the most intense use of electronic warfare in the history of warfare to blind and suppress Iraqi radars. Along with the American EF-111 and EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft, F-4Gs equipped with radar detection systems and special missiles were used to neutralize Iraqi radar stations (radar stations).

After the destruction of Iraqi radar systems and aircraft guidance, Allied aviation secured air supremacy and proceeded to the systematic destruction of Iraq's defense potential. V separate days aircraft of the multinational force made up to 1600 sorties. A special role in the defeat of important ground targets was assigned to the latest American stealth aircraft F-117A (one lost), which completed 1271 sorties.

Air strikes against area targets were carried out by B-52 strategic bombers (one was lost). Up to 120 reconnaissance aircraft and other aircraft were involved in reconnaissance support for hostilities.

The actions of the Iraqi aviation were episodic. To avoid losses, the most modern Iraqi Su-24, Su-25 and MiG-29 aircraft were deployed to Iranian airfields after the outbreak of hostilities, while other aircraft remained in shelters.

During the period of hostilities, the aviation of the multinational forces destroyed 34 Iraqi aircraft and 7 helicopters. At the same time, the total losses of Allied aviation, mainly from ground-based air defense systems, amounted to 68 combat aircraft and 29 helicopters.

NATO military operation against Yugoslavia "Resolute Force" (1999). The experience of Operation Desert Storm in Iraq was applied by NATO countries in the war against Yugoslavia. It also assigned the main role to air operations in achieving the tasks assigned to the troops.

Using the quantitative and qualitative superiority in aviation, the United States and its allies, according to the scheme worked out in Iraq, launched the first strikes on aviation and air defense systems. As in Iraq, the F-117A was actively used (one lost).

Having destroyed the Yugoslav radar equipment, NATO aviation began to destroy military and civilian facilities in Yugoslavia, for which the latest high-precision weapons were also tested and used. American strategic bombers B-1B, B-52H and, for the first time, B-2A, as well as tactical aircraft of the countries participating in the North Atlantic bloc, participated in the missile and bomb strikes.

To control the actions of fighter aircraft, AWACS E-3 and E-2C aircraft were used.

Military operation of the US Armed Forces and their allies in Afghanistan "Unbending Freedom" (2001). During the fighting in Afghanistan in 2001, the aircraft of the US Armed Forces and their allies solved the same tasks as the Soviet one in the 1980s. This is reconnaissance, the defeat of ground targets, the transfer of troops. Reconnaissance and strike aircraft were widely used in the operation.

Military operation of the US Armed Forces and their allies against Iraq "Freedom to Iraq" (2003). The military operation of the US Armed Forces and their allies against Iraq began on March 20, 2003, with single strikes by sea-based cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions against strategically important military targets and a number of government facilities in Baghdad. At the same time, two F-117A aircraft launched an air strike on a protected bunker in the southern suburbs of Baghdad, where, according to US intelligence, Iraqi President S. Hussein was supposed to be. At the same time, the anti-Iraqi ground forces, supported by tactical and aircraft carrier aviation, launched an offensive in two directions: on the cities of Basra and Baghdad.

The coalition Air Force Air Force combat aviation grouping consisted of more than 700 combat aircraft. 14 B-52H strategic bombers, B-2A strategic bombers, F-15, F-16, F-117A tactical fighters, A-10A attack aircraft, KC-135 and KC-10 tanker aircraft, attack aircraft AC-130 support from 30 air bases in the Middle East. More than ten types of UAVs, tens of thousands of precision-guided munitions, and Tomahawk cruise missiles were widely used during the air operation. In support operations, the US Air Force used RER aircraft and two U-2S reconnaissance aircraft. The aviation component of the RAF included more than 60 Tornado tactical fighters and four Jaguars, 20 CH-47 Chinook and seven Puma helicopters, a tanker aircraft, several AV-8 Harrier attack aircraft, Canberra reconnaissance aircraft PR, E-3D AWACS aircraft and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft stationed at air bases in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan and Qatar.

In addition, naval aircraft were widely used from aircraft carriers, which also made a significant contribution to the destruction of Iraqi ground forces.

Aviation of the anti-Iraqi coalition was used mainly to provide fire support for the actions of ground troops. Providing close air support to ground forces and marines, as well as isolating combat areas, were the main tasks of aviation, for which more than 50 percent of sorties were made. At the same time, she destroyed more than 15 thousand targets. During the fighting, the aviation of the coalition forces used up about 29 thousand aviation ammunition various types, almost 70 percent (20 thousand) of which were high-precision.

On the whole, in the military operation of the United States and its allies against Iraq, compared to Operation Desert Storm, the use of anti-Iraqi coalition aviation was much more effective. fighting in 2003 are characterized by a wider use of aviation precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles. Both airborne and satellite reconnaissance and target designation systems were actively used to search for targets and guide aviation to them. STAR WARS. For the first time, AH-64D fire support helicopters were massively used.

GENERATIONS OF JET AIRCRAFT FIGHTER AND FIGHTER-BOMBER AVIATION

There are two generations of subsonic and five generations of supersonic jet fighters.

1st generation of subsonic fighters.

This generation includes the first jet fighters that entered service in the mid-1940s: the German Me.262 (1944), He.162 (1945); British "Meteor" (1944), "Vampire" (De Havilland) (1945), "Venom" (De Havilland) (1949); American F-80s (1945) and F-84s (1947); Soviet MiG-9 (1946) and Yak-15 (1946), French MD.450 Uragan (Dassault) (1951).

The speed of the aircraft reached 840–1000 km/h. They were equipped with small arms and cannon aviation weapons, on underwing pylons they could carry aerial bombs, unguided aircraft rockets, external fuel tanks weighing up to 1000 kg. Radars were installed only on night / all-weather fighters.

A characteristic feature of these aircraft is the straight wing of the airframe.

2nd generation of subsonic fighters.

Aircraft belonging to this generation were created in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The most famous of them are: Soviet MiG-15 (1949) and MiG-17 (1951), American F-86 (1949), French MD.452 Mister-II (Dassault) (1952) and MD.454 Mister -IV (Dassault) (1953) and the British "Hunter" (Hawker) (1954).

Subsonic fighters of the 2nd generation had a high subsonic speed. Armament and equipment remained unchanged.

1st generation of supersonic fighters.

Created in the mid 1950s. The most famous aircraft of this generation are: the Soviet MiG-19 (1954), the American F-100 (1954), the French "Super Mister" B.2 (Dassault) (1957).

The maximum speed is about 1400 km / h. The first fighter aircraft capable of breaking the speed of sound in level flight.

Equipped with small arms and cannon aviation weapons. Capable of carrying more than 1000 kg of payload on underwing pylons. Radars still had only specialized night / all-weather fighters.

Since the mid-1950s, fighters have been armed with guided air-to-air missiles.

2nd generation of supersonic fighters.

Entered service in the late 1950s. The most famous: Soviet MiG-21 (1958), Su-7 (1959), Su-9 (1960), Su-11 (1962); American F-104 (1958), F-4 (1961), F-5A (1963), F-8 (1957), F-105 (1958), F-106 (1959); French "Mirage" -III (1960), "Mirage" -5 (1968); Swedish J-35 (1958) and British Lightning (1961).

The maximum speed is 2M (M is the Mach number, which means that the speed of the aircraft corresponds to the speed of sound at a certain height).

All aircraft were armed guided missiles air-to-air class. On some, small arms and cannon weapons were removed. The mass of the combat load exceeded 2 tons.

The most common type of wing was triangular. The F-8 was the first to use a variable-swept wing.

The radar has become an integral part of the avionics equipment (avionics) on multirole fighters and interceptor fighters.

3rd generation of supersonic fighters.

They entered service from the late 1960s to the early 1980s.

The 3rd generation of supersonic fighters include the Soviet MiG-23 (1969), MiG-25 (1970), MiG-27 (1973), Su-15 (1967), Su-17 (1970), Su-20 (1972) , Su-22 (1976); American F-111 (1967), F-4E and G, F-5E (1973); French Mirage - F.1 (1973) and Mirage -50 (Dassault) (1981), Franco-British Jaguar (1972), Swedish JA-37 (1971), Israeli Kfir (1975), and Chinese J-8 (1980).

Compared to the previous generation, the speed of the fighters has been increased ( maximum speed, for the MiG-25, was 3M).

On fighters of the 3rd generation, more advanced radar equipment was installed. Variable sweep wing has become widespread.

4th generation of supersonic fighters.

They began to enter service in the first half of 1970.

The 4th generation of supersonic fighters includes the American F-14 (1972), F-15 Eagle (1975), F-16 (1976) and F / A-18 (1980); Soviet MiG-29 (1983), MiG-31 (1979) and Su-27 (1984); Italian-German-British "Tornado"; French "Mirage" -2000 (1983); Japanese F-2 (1999) and Chinese J-10.

In this generation, there has been a division of fighters into two classes: a class of heavy interceptor fighters with limited ground attack capabilities (MiG-31, Su-27, F-14 and F-15) and a class of lighter fighters for attacking ground targets. targets and conducting maneuverable air combat (MiG-29, Mirage-2000, F-16 and F-18). In the course of modernization, strike aircraft (F-15E, Su-30) were created on the basis of heavy fighter-interceptors.

The maximum speed remained at the same level. Aircraft of this generation are characterized by high maneuverability and good controllability.

The radar ensured the detection and capture of a large number of targets at the same time and the launch of guided aircraft missiles at them in any conditions. In addition, the radar provided low-altitude flight, mapping and the use of weapons against ground targets.

The cockpit and aircraft controls have been significantly improved. Since the mid-1980s, helmet-mounted sights have been widely used.

Since the air forces of most NATO countries and Russia are currently armed with fourth-generation fighters, both sides are trying in one way or another to compare the combat capabilities of machines in a real battle. For these purposes, in 1997 the United States purchased 21 MiG-29s from Moldova for about $40 million. As it turned out later, these MiGs were previously under operational control. Black Sea Fleet and after the collapse of the USSR remained on the territory of the newly independent Moldova. After purchasing these machines, American pilots conducted at least 50 air battles between the MiG-29 and their carrier-based F-18 fighters. As the results of these flights showed, MiGs are still Soviet-made won 49 battles.


5th generation of supersonic fighters.

Since the late 1990s, the first aircraft of this generation began to enter service: the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen (1996), the French Rafal (2000), and the European EF-2000 (2000). However, these aircraft in many respects could not surpass latest aircraft 4th generation. For this reason, many aviation specialists call them "4.5th generation aircraft."

The first full-fledged fighter of the 5th generation is considered to be a heavy twin-engine American aircraft F / A-22A "Raptor", which entered service in 2003. The prototype of this aircraft made its first flight on August 29, 1990. F / A-22, developed under the ATF program (Advanced Tactical Fighter) was originally intended to gain air superiority and was planned to replace the F-15. Subsequently, he was able to use high-precision air-to-ground munitions. It is expected that over the next ten years, about 300 aircraft of this type will enter service with the US Air Force. It should be noted the high cost of the aircraft, exceeding 100 million US dollars.

In addition to improving the F / A-22, the United States is developing a light single-engine tactical fighter under the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) program. The fighter will have a single design for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and in the future will become the main aircraft of American tactical aviation. It is planned that it will replace the F-16, F / A-18 tactical fighters and the A-10 and AV-8B attack aircraft in service.

In addition to the US, Australia, the UK, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey are participating in the JSF program. The issue of expanding the number of participants in the program at the expense of Israel, Poland, Singapore and Finland is being considered. Attracting foreign partners to the program will eventually speed up work on the creation of the aircraft, as well as reduce its purchase cost.

In 2001, as part of the JSF program, a competition was held to create a promising tactical fighter, in which the X-32 (Boeing) and X-35 (Lockheed Martin) aircraft took part. At the end of October 2001, the US Department of Defense announced the victory of the X-35 aircraft, designated F-35, and the signing of a $ 19 billion contract with Lockheed Martin to develop and test the F-35 aircraft.

The prospective tactical fighter F-35 will have three modifications: the F-35A with conventional takeoff and landing for the Air Force, the F-35B with short takeoff and vertical landing for the Marine Corps, and the ship-based F-35C for the Navy aviation. Delivery of aircraft to combat units is scheduled for 2008. At present, the US Department of Defense plans to purchase up to 2200 F-35A aircraft and up to 300 F-35B and C.

The first flight of the F-35A is scheduled for October 2005, F-35B - for the beginning of 2006, F-35C - for the end of 2006.

Russia, due to the financial problems of recent decades, has lagged far behind the United States in terms of the 5th generation fighter program. Unlike the American F/A-22 and F-35, there is no new similar Russian aircraft yet.

Design Bureau im. Sukhoi (JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau) and OKB im. Mikoyan (RSK "MiG"), who built the experimental multi-functional fighter Su-47 "Berkut" (S-37) and MFI (multi-functional fighter) "project 1.42", known under the factory name as "product 1.44". The aircraft are designed to test advanced solutions that can be implemented on Russian 5th generation aircraft.

The most striking feature of the Su-47, made according to the "integral unstable triplane" aerodynamic configuration, is the use of a reverse-swept wing. Earlier studies of the aerodynamic advantages of the swept-back wing were carried out in Germany in the 1940s (the Junkers Ju.287 high-speed heavy bomber) and in the USA in the 1980s (the Grumman experimental X-29A aircraft).

In 2002, a competition for advanced designs of new combat aircraft was held in Russia, in which Sukhoi Design Bureau OJSC won. The second participant in the competition was the RAC MiG project.

According to the statement of the Russian Air Force command, the first flight Russian fighter the next generation will commit in 2007.

The features of the 5th generation aircraft include:

Supersonic cruising speed. The possibility of long-term supersonic flight in afterburner mode not only reduces fuel consumption and increases the flight range, but also gives the pilot significant tactical advantages in a combat situation.

High maneuverability. The high maneuverability characteristics of the 5th generation aircraft, which are necessary for conducting air combat at all distances, are determined by design features airframe, as well as the installation of more powerful jet engines with a thrust vector control system. The main feature of such engines is the ability to change the direction of the jet stream relative to the axis of the engine.

Low visibility (stealth technologies). Reducing the visibility of aircraft in the radar range is achieved through the widespread use of radar absorbing materials and coatings. The low-reflective forms of the airframe and the aircraft armament retracted inside the fuselage of the aircraft are also designed to reduce radar visibility. As one of the techniques to reduce the thermal signature of an aircraft, cold air can be used to blow heated engine elements.

Perfect avionics equipment. When creating 5th generation fighters, important importance is given to avionics equipment, which will include a radar with an active phased array, which will significantly expand the capabilities of the station. In general, the avionics should ensure the piloting of the aircraft and the use of aviation weapons in all possible flight modes and in all possible weather conditions.

PROMISING DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY AVIATION

Hypersonic aircraft.

According to military experts, advanced weapons systems based on hypersonic aircraft will have significant strategic advantages, the main of which are high speed flight and long range.

So, in the United States, tests are being carried out on the experimental aircraft X-43 "Hyper-X" of the company "Microcraft". It is equipped with a hypersonic ramjet engine and, according to the developers, should reach a speed of 7-10M. For testing, the NB-52B carrier aircraft is used, from which the Pegasus booster with the X-43 attached to it is launched. The device should serve as the basis for hypersonic vehicles for various purposes - from strike aircraft to aerospace transport systems.

In Russia, the flight research institute named after M.M. Gromov is developing a hypersonic aircraft. In the Russian version, the Rokot launch vehicle was chosen as the carrier. Expected maximum speed - 8-14 M.

Aircraft are lighter than air.

V last years military interest in aircraft lighter than air (balloons and airships) has increased. This is due to the advent of new technologies, which, in particular, made it possible to create more durable synthetic shells.

The most promising is the use of lighter-than-air aircraft as platforms for placing equipment for various purposes. Thus, control systems based on tethered balloons equipped with surveillance equipment have already been deployed along the US-Mexico border.

In the last decade, Israel has become one of the world leaders in the creation of reconnaissance systems based on balloons and airships. They are developing airships that can serve, for example, to control airspace in the interests of air defense and missile defense.

Attack aircraft with laser weapons on board.

As part of the work to create an anti-missile defense system in the United States, an aviation anti-missile system with laser weapons on board is being developed. American scientists are finishing work on installing a combat laser system on a Boeing 747-400F aircraft, capable of hitting air targets at a distance of several hundred kilometers. The first version of the strike aircraft with laser weapons on board received the designation AL-1A. The plans of the American command include the purchase of seven such aircraft.

DESIGNATION OF SOVIET (RUSSIAN) AIRCRAFT IN THE UNITED ARMED FORCES OF NATO

In NATO countries, all Soviet (Russian) aircraft are designated by code words. In this case, the first letter of the word is selected depending on the purpose and type of aircraft (LA): “B” (bomber) for bombers, “C” (cargo) for military transport or civil passenger aircraft, “F” (fighter) for fighters (attack aircraft), "H" (helicopter) for helicopters and "M" (miscellaneous) for special aircraft.

If the aircraft is equipped with a jet engine, then the code word has two syllables, otherwise it has one syllable. Aircraft modifications are indicated by adding an index to the code word (for example, "Foxbat-D").

Bombers:

"Backfin" - Tu-98, "Backfire" - Tu-22M, "Badger" - Tu-16, "Barge" - Tu-85, "Bark" - Il-2, "Bat" - Tu-2/-6 , "Beagle" - IL-28, "Bear" - Tu-20 / -95 / -142, "Beast" - IL-10, "Bison" - 3M / M4, "Blackjack" - Tu-160, "Blinder" - Tu-22, "Blowlamp" - IL-54, "Bob" - IL-4, "Boot" - Tu-91, "Bosun" - Tu-14/-89, "Bounder" - M-50/-52 , "Brawny" - Il-40, "Brewer" - Yak-28, "Buck" - Pe-2, "Bull" - Tu-4/-80, "Butcher" - Tu-82.

Military transport and civil passenger aircraft:

"Cab" - Li-2, "Camber" - Il-86, "Camel" - Tu-104, "Camp" - An-8, "Candid" - Il-76, "Careless" - Tu-154, "Cart "- Tu-70, "Cash" - An-28, "Cat" - An-10, "Charger" - Tu-144, "Clam" / "Coot" - Il-18, "Clank" - An-30, "Classic" - Il-62, "Cleat" - Tu-114, "Cline" - An-32, "Clobber" - Yak-42, "Clod" - An-14, "Clog" - An-28, "Coach "- Il-12, "Coaler" - An-72 / -74, "Cock" - An-22 "Antey", "Codling" - Yak-40, "Coke" - An-24, "Colt" - An- 2/-3, "Condor" - An-124 "Ruslan", "Cooker" - Tu-110, "Cookpot" - Tu-124, "Cork" - Yak-16, "Cossack" - An-225 "Mriya" , "Crate" - Il-14, "Creek" / "Crow" - Yak-10 / -12, "Crib" - Yak-6 / -8, "Crusty" - Tu-134, "Cub" - An-12 , "Cuff" - Be-30, "Curl" - An-26.

Fighters, fighter-bombers and attack aircraft:

"Faceplate" - E-2A, "Fagot" - MiG-15, "Faithless" - MiG-23-01, "Fang" - La-11, "Fantail" - La-15, "Fargo" - MiG-9, "Farmer" - MiG-19, "Feather" - Yak-15 / -17, "Fencer" - Su-24, "Fiddler" - Tu-128, "Fin" - La-7, "Firebar" - Yak-28P , "Fishbed" - MiG-21, "Fishpot" - Su-9/-11, "Fitter" - Su-7/-17/-20/-22, "Flagon" - Su-15/-21, "Flanker "- Su-27/-30/-33/-35/-37, "Flashlight" - Yak-25/-26/-27, "Flipper" - E-152, "Flogger" - MiG-23B/-27 , "Flora" - Yak-23, "Forger" - Yak-38, "Foxbat" - MiG-25, "Foxhound" - MiG-31, "Frank" - Yak-9, "Freehand" - Yak-36, " Freestyle" - Yak-41 / -141, "Fresco" - MiG-17, "Fritz" - La-9, "Frogfoot" - Su-25 Grach / Su-39, "Frosty" - Tu-10, " Fulcrum" - MiG-29, "Fullback" - Su-34.

Helicopters:

"Halo" - Mi-26, "Hare" - Mi-1, "Harke" - Mi-10, "Harp" - Ka-20, "Hat" - Ka-10, "Havoc" - Mi-28, "Haze "- Mi-14, "Helix" - Ka-27 / -28 / -29 / -32, "Hen" - Ka-15, "Hermit" - Mi-34, "Hind" - Mi-24 / -25 / -35, "Hip" - Mi-8/-9/-17/-171, "Hog" - Ka-18, "Hokum" - Ka-50/-52, "Homer" - Mi-12, "Hoodlum" - Ka-26/-126/-128/-226, "Hook" - Mi-6/-22, "Hoop" - Ka-22, "Hoplite" - Mi-2, "Hormone" - Ka-25, " Horse" - Yak-24, "Hound" - Mi-4.

Special planes:

"Madcap" - An-71, "Madge" - Be-6, "Maestro" - Yak-28U, "Magnet" - Yak-17UTI, "Magnum" - Yak-30, "Maiden" - Su-11U, "Mail "- Be-12, "Mainstay" - A-50, "Mallow" - Be-10, "Mandrake" - Yak-25RV, "Mangrove" - ​​Yak-27R, "Mantis" - Yak-25R, "Mascot" - Il-28U, "Mare" - Yak-14, "Mark" - Yak-7U, "Max" - Yak-18, "Maxdome" - Il-86VKP, "May" - Il-38, "Maya" - L- 39, "Mermaid" - Be-40 / -42 / -44, "Midas" - Il-78, "Midget" - MiG-15UTI, "Mink" - Yak UT-2, "Mist" - Tsybin Ts-25, "Mole" - Be-8, "Mongol" - MiG-21U, "Moose" - Yak-11, "Moss" - Tu-126, "Mote" - Be-2, "Moujik" - Su-7U, "Mouse "- Yak-18M, "Mug" - Che-2 (MDR-6) / Be-4, "Mule" - Po-2, "Mystic" - M-17 / -55 "Geophysics".

DESIGNATION OF AIRCRAFT IN THE US ARMED FORCES

The current designation system for US military aircraft in the US Armed Forces was adopted in 1962 and then only supplemented. The aircraft designation consists of six positions. Below are some examples.

Positions
6) 3) 2) 1) 4) 5) name
– 15 E Eagle
E A – 6 B Prowler
N K C – 35 A Stratotanker
Y R A H – 6 A Comanche
M Q – 9 A traitor
C H – 7 F Chinook
Y F – 3 A
V – 2 A Osprey

Position 1. Denotes a type of aircraft other than a "normal" aircraft.

Letter designations:

"D" - UAV ground equipment (exception!).

"G" (Glider) - glider.

"H" (Helicopter) - helicopter.

"Q" - UAV.

"S" (Spaceplane) - aerospace plane.

"V" - short takeoff and vertical landing / vertical takeoff and landing.

"Z" - aircraft is lighter than air.

Position 2. The main purpose of LA.

Letter designations:

"A" (ground attack) - attack ground targets (attack aircraft).

"B" (Bomber) - bomber.

"C" (Cargo) - military transport aircraft.

"E" (special electronic mission) - an aircraft equipped with special electronic equipment.

"F" (Fighter) - fighter.

"K" (tanker) - tanker aircraft.

"L" (Laser) - aircraft with a laser installation on board.

"O" (Observation) - observer.

"P" (maritime Patrol) - patrol aircraft.

"R" (Reconnaissance) - reconnaissance aircraft.

"S" (antisubmarine warfare) - anti-submarine aircraft.

"T" (Trainer) - training aircraft.

"U" (Utility) - auxiliary aircraft.

"X" (special research) - an experienced aircraft.

Position 3. Purpose after the modernization of the base aircraft.

Letter designations:

"A" - attack ground targets (attack aircraft)

"C" - military transport aircraft.

"D" - remotely controlled aircraft.

"E" - an aircraft equipped with special electronic equipment.

"F" - fighter.

"H" - search and rescue, medical aircraft.

"K" - tanker aircraft.

"L" - an aircraft equipped for operations at low temperatures.

"M" - multi-purpose aircraft.

"O" is an observer.

"P" - patrol aircraft.

"Q" - unmanned aircraft (helicopter).

"R" - reconnaissance aircraft.

"S" - anti-submarine aircraft.

"T" - training aircraft.

"U" - auxiliary aircraft.

"V" - aircraft (helicopter) for the transport of military-political leadership.

"W" (weather) - aircraft for observing the weather.

Position 4. Serial number of aircraft of this class.

Position 5. Aircraft modification (A, B, C, etc.).

Position 6. A prefix denoting the special status of an aircraft.

Letter designations:

"G" - non-flying sample.

"J" - test (if the aircraft will be converted to the original modification).

"N" - special test.

"X" (experimental) - experimental.

"Y" is the prototype.

"Z" - to work out the concept of aircraft.

Ivanov A.I.

Literature:

Military encyclopedic dictionary. M., "Military publishing house", 1983
Ilyin V.E., Levin M.A. Bombers. M., "Victoria", "AST", 1996
Shunkov V.N. Special purpose aircraft. Mn., "Harvest", 1999
Foreign military review. M., "Red Star", magazine, 2000–2005
Journal "Foreign Military Review". M., "Red Star", 2000-2005
Shchelokov A.A. Dictionary of abbreviations and abbreviations of the army and special services. M., "AST Publishing House", 2003
Equipment and weapons yesterday, today, tomorrow.
Aviation and cosmonautics yesterday, today, tomorrow. M., Moscow Printing House No. 9, magazine, 2003–2005
Weekly supplement "NG" "Independent military review". M., Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 2003–2005



After all, they also need to sleep and rest during 18-hour flights. Passengers are not allowed there, and many do not even suspect the existence of such secret cabins. But now we have the opportunity to look into it.

1. This is the official presentation of the Boeing 777 stewardess bedroom.

2. On this "diagram" you can see that the secret bedrooms are located in a small area above the main cabin.

3. It's pretty cozy here, according to the official photos provided by Boeing.

4. Passengers are not allowed here. This tiny door leads to the main compartment of the aircraft.

5. Behind the door is a secret staircase.

6. On the 787 plane, this staircase leads to such a hatch ...

7. Having passed the hatch, you find yourself in such bedrooms.

8. This is what the bedrooms look like in the tail section of the Boeing 787.

9. Boeing does not allow more than one person per bed.

10. The Boeing 777 has a long narrow corridor with bunks on either side.

11. It is unrealistic to straighten up in the corridor to your full height.

12. There are no portholes here either.

13. As you can see, because of this, it is a bit gloomy here. Three stewardesses are seated at the back of the corridor.

14. It's pretty dark in here.

15. Each compartment is approximately 1.8 m long and only 60 cm wide. Upstairs there is a reading light.

16. Comfortable pillows. And in case of turbulence, you have to sleep with a fastened seat belt.

17. View from the stairs.

18. All this is on top of the Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft.

Despite all the romanticism of professions, the work of pilots and stewardesses flying from one country to another is not always beautiful views heaven, but also hard work. Therefore, even for those who work high above the clouds, comfortable conditions for relaxation are needed. TravelAskу decided to tell you about the life of the crew on board the aircraft.

The most difficult in the work of pilots and stewardesses are non-stop flights, and this is over 15,000 kilometers of distance and more than 18 hours in the air. Few planes are capable of covering such huge distances, so the Boeing 777 and Airbus A340 are responsible for most of the transoceanic destinations.

However, such long flights require solid endurance not only from the equipment, but also from the crew itself. Their work is connected with great responsibility and making important decisions, they should always be calm and cheerful. A separate menu is provided for pilots, so that in the event of food poisoning from one, the other could take control. And of course, the main factor that allows staff to withstand the stress of long-distance flights will be healthy sleep.


There is always one pilot in the cockpit, and a flight attendant in the cabin. At the same time, during the entire flight, both pilots and flight attendants are entitled to up to 5 hours of rest. To make the rest as efficient as possible, airlines try to create all the necessary conditions. Although the crew will not be able to stand up to their full height, but you can stretch out on a soft bed and have a sweet sleep. Depending on the aircraft, the lounge is located under the passenger cabin, above it or in it. Despite the fact that the main goal of all airlines is to create the largest number of seats for passengers, the crew does not have to huddle in cramped quarters either.

For example, on board the Boeing 787, the stewardess lounge is located above the passenger cabin and is equipped with 5 berths. It is called CRC (Crew Rest Compartments).


When creating the project, it all seemed cozier and more colorful.

However, such an arrangement of a place to rest pleases passengers with the spectacular appearance of stewardesses after a rest.


For pilots, similar apartments have been created here.


But in the Airbus A350, the lounges were located under the passenger compartment, but in the latest models, they were moved to the upper part to increase the luggage compartment space.

For pilots, the room provides not only sleeping places, but also sitting ones.

The huge size of the Airbus A380 aircraft, designed for 853 passengers, more sleeping places are already required. The designers decided to use the height of the liner as rationally as possible, so they placed 12 beds, 3 one above the other. It may not be as comfortable as on the Boeing 787, but it gives you the opportunity to stand to your full height.


"Apartments" for pilots in the Airbus A380 are much more convenient - these are single rooms.


The sleeping area of ​​the Boeing 777-200LR is provided for 8 employees. The plane flies on such routes as Johannesburg-, distance - 13,582 kilometers, - Los Angeles, distance - 13,420 kilometers.


The video will tell you more about this airliner.

However, unfortunately, the rest rooms for the crew of transoceanic aircraft are not always so comfortable, there are also such: