Rice. 1.8.

Air Force (Air Force)- the most mobile and maneuverable type of the RF Armed Forces, designed to ensure the security and protection of Russia's interests on the country's air borders, to strike at the enemy's air, land and sea groupings, its administrative-political and military-economic centers (Fig. 1.8). It is entrusted with a strategic task of state importance - reliable protection of administrative-political, military-industrial centers, communication centers, forces and means of higher military and state administration, objects of the United energy system and others important elements the national economic infrastructure of Russia from the attacks of the aggressor from the airspace.

The role of the Air Force in ensuring the country's national security in the military sphere is constantly growing. Versatility, speed, range, high maneuverability are the distinctive operational and strategic properties of the Air Force. They are manifested in the ability to lead effective fighting day and night, in simple and difficult weather conditions, in various physical spheres: on land, at sea and in aerospace; in readiness to deliver strikes with the use of high-precision weapons from short, medium and long ranges at various ground and sea surface objects (targets); use conventional and nuclear weapons; conduct aerial reconnaissance in the interests of all types of aircraft; to carry out landing, transportation of troops and military equipment, to solve a number of other tasks to the entire depth of the operational formation of enemy troops in the deep rear. No other type of aircraft possesses such operational properties.

In an ordinary large-scale war, the Air Force is capable of solving a complex of operational and strategic tasks. In particular, it can be the defeat of enemy air, anti-aircraft and nuclear missile groups; air support for ground forces; weakening of the military-economic potential of the enemy; the defeat of its operational and strategic reserves in the areas of their concentration and along the routes of advance.

Rice. 1.9.

Structurally, the Air Force consists (Fig. 1.9) of aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces (ZRV), radio-technical troops (RTV), special forces (electronic warfare units and subunits - EW); RChBZ; communications and radio technical support; topogeodetic; engineering and aerodrome; meteorological, etc.), military units and institutions of the rear, other military units, institutions, enterprises and organizations.

Air Force Aviation (Av Air Force) according to its purpose and tasks being solved, it is subdivided into long-range, military transport, operational tactical and army aviation, which include bomber, assault, fighter, reconnaissance, transport and special aviation (Fig. 1.10).

Organizationally, the Av of the Air Force consists of air bases that are part of the Air Force formations, as well as other units and organizations directly subordinate to the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force.

Long-range aviation (YES) is a tool of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the RF Armed Forces and is designed to solve strategic (operational-strategic) and operational tasks in the theater of operations (strategic directions).

Rice. 1.10.

Rice. 1.11.

Rice. 1.12.

The DA formations and units are armed with strategic and long-range bombers, tanker aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft. Acting mainly in strategic depths, DA formations and units perform the following main tasks: defeat air bases (airfields), ground-based missile complexes, aircraft carriers and other surface ships, objects from enemy reserves, military-industrial facilities, administrative and political centers, energy objects and hydraulic structures, naval bases and ports, command posts of the combined forces of the armed forces and operational control centers of air defense in the theater of operations, land communications facilities, landing detachments and convoys; mining from the air. Part of the DA forces can be involved in aerial reconnaissance and special missions. DA is a component of strategic nuclear forces.

The core of the aircraft fleet is made up of Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers, Tu-22MZ long-range missile-bombers, Il-78 tanker aircraft and Tu-22MR reconnaissance aircraft.

The main armament of the aircraft: long-range aircraft cruise missiles and operational-tactical missiles in nuclear and conventional weapons, as well as aircraft bombs of various purposes and caliber.

A practical demonstration of the spatial indicators of the combat capabilities of long-range aviation are air patrol flights of Tu-95MS (Fig. 1.11) and Tu-160 aircraft to the area of ​​Iceland and the water area of ​​the Norwegian Sea; to the North Pole and to the Aleutian Islands region; along the east coast of South America.

Analysis modern views on the purpose of the DA, the tasks assigned to it, the predicted conditions for their implementation show that at the present time and in the future, the DA continues to be the main striking force of the Air Force.

Military transport aviation (VTA) is a tool of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the RF Armed Forces and is designed to solve strategic (operational-strategic), operational and operational-tactical tasks in the theater of operations (strategic directions).

Military transport aircraft Il-76MD, An-26, An-22 (Fig. 1.12), An-124, An-12PP, transport helicopters Mi-8MTV are in service with the military transport units and units. The main tasks of military aviation formations and units are: airborne landing of units (subunits) of the Airborne Forces from the operational (operational-tactical) airborne assault forces; delivery of weapons, ammunition and materiel to troops operating behind enemy lines; ensuring the maneuver of aviation formations and units; transportation of troops, weapons, ammunition and materiel; evacuation of the wounded and sick, participation in peacekeeping operations. MTA includes air bases, units and subunits of special forces.

Rice. 1.13.

Rice. 1.14.

The main directions of development of VT A: maintaining and building up capabilities to ensure the deployment of the Armed Forces in various theaters of operations, the landing of airborne assault forces, the transportation of troops and materiel by air through the purchase of new Il-76MD-90A and An-70, Il-112V aircraft and modernization Il-76 MD and An-124 aircraft.

Operational-tactical aviation(Fig. 1.13) is intended for solving operational (operational-tactical) and tactical tasks in operations (combat actions) of groupings of troops (forces) in the theater of operations (strategic directions).

Army Aviation (AA) is designed to solve operational tactical and tactical tasks during army operations (combat operations) - Fig. 1.14.

Bomber aviation (BA), armed with strategic, long-range and operational-tactical bombers, it is the main strike weapon of the Air Force and is designed to defeat groups of forces, aviation, naval forces of the enemy, destroy its important military, military-industrial, energy facilities, communication centers, conduct aerial reconnaissance and mining from the air, mainly in strategic and operational depths (Fig. 1.15).

Assault aviation (SHA), armed with attack aircraft, it is a means of air support for troops (forces) and is designed to defeat troops, ground (sea) objects, as well as enemy aircraft (helicopters) at base airfields (sites), conduct aerial reconnaissance and air mining mainly at the front line, in the tactical and operational-tactical depth (Fig. 1.16).

Fighter aircraft (IA), armed with fighter aircraft, it is designed to destroy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the air and ground (sea) enemy targets (Fig. 1.17).

Rice. 1.15.

Rice. 1.16.

Runway - runway

Rice. 1.17.

Rice. 1.18.

Rice. 1.19.

Reconnaissance aviation (RzA), armed with reconnaissance aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, it is designed to conduct aerial reconnaissance of objects, the enemy, terrain, weather, air and ground radiation and chemical conditions (Fig. 1.18).

Transport aviation (TRA), armed with transport aircraft, it is intended for airborne assault landing, transportation of troops, weapons, military and special equipment and other materiel by air, ensuring maneuver and combat actions of troops (forces), performing special tasks (Fig. 1.19).

Formations, units, subunits of bomber, assault, fighter, reconnaissance and transport aviation can also be involved in solving other tasks.

Special Aviation (SpA), armed with airplanes and helicopters, it is designed to perform special tasks (Fig. 1.20). SpA units and subunits are directly or operatively subordinate to the commander of the Air Force and are involved in solving the following tasks: conducting radar reconnaissance and guiding aviation to air and ground (sea) targets; setting up radio-electronic interference and aerosol curtains; search and rescue of flight crews and passengers; refueling aircraft with fuel in the air; evacuation of the wounded and sick; providing control and communication; conducting aerial radiation, chemical, biological, engineering reconnaissance, etc.

Anti-aircraft missile troops are a branch of the Air Force; armed with air defense systems and anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM), they constitute the main fire force in the air defense system (VKO - aerospace defense) and are designed to protect command posts (PU) of the highest echelons of state and military command, groupings of troops (forces), the most important industrial and economic centers and other objects from strikes by means of aerospace attack (SVKN) of the enemy within the affected zones.

Rice. 1.20.

Air defense missile systems consist of anti-aircraft missile brigades (ZRBR), which are organizationally part of the Air Force formation, the VKO brigade, as well as units and organizations directly subordinate to the Air Force Commander-in-Chief (Air Force Civil Code).

Modern Russian anti-aircraft missile systems S-300 (Fig. 1.21), S-400, anti-aircraft missile-gun system (ZRPK) "Pantsir-Cl" (Fig. 1.22) are capable of destroying various air targets, including hitting ballistic missile warheads.

The main directions of the development of air defense missile systems of the Air Force: improving the air defense missile systems and building up their capabilities by adopting the new S-400 medium-range and long-range air defense systems, the S-500 long-range air defense systems, Pantsir-S (SM) short-range air defense systems and modernizing the existing air defense systems medium range S-300PM to the level of S-300PM2.

Radio-technical troops(Fig. 1.23) are a branch of the Air Force. Armed with radio equipment and automation systems, they are designed to conduct radar reconnaissance of an air enemy and issue radar information about the air situation within the radar field to the command and control bodies of the Air Force and other types and branches of the Armed Forces, on launchers with combat aircraft, air defense systems and electronic warfare during solving the problems of peacetime and wartime by them.

RTV consist of radio engineering brigades (RTBR), which are organizationally part of the Air Force formation, VKO brigade, as well as other units and organizations directly subordinate to the Air Force Civil Code.

Rice. 1.21.

EPR - effective scattering area

Rice. 1.22.

Rice. 1.23.

In peacetime, all deployed subunits and command posts (CP) of formations and units RTV carry out combat duty, carry out tasks for the protection of the state border in the air.

Air Force Special Forces are designed to support the combat activities of large formations, formations and units. Organizationally, units and subunits of special forces are part of the air force formations, formations and units.

The special troops include: parts and subdivisions of intelligence, communications, radio technical support and automated control systems, electronic warfare, engineering, RChBZ, topogeodetic, search and rescue, meteorological, aeronautical, moral-psychological, logistical and medical support, support and security parts bodies of military command.

The Air Force includes the following types of troops:

Aviation (types of aviation - bomber, assault, air defense fighter aviation, reconnaissance, transport and special),
- anti-aircraft missile troops,
- radio engineering troops,
- special troops,
- units and institutions of the rear.

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

Assault aircraft is intended for air support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects mainly on the front line, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as for fighting enemy aircraft in the air.

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

Fighter aircraft air defense is the main maneuverable force of the air defense system and is designed to cover the most important areas and objects from enemy air attacks. It is capable of destroying the enemy at maximum distances from defended objects.

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

Reconnaissance aircraft is intended for conducting aerial reconnaissance of the enemy, terrain and weather; it can destroy hidden enemy objects.

Reconnaissance flights can also be performed by bomber, fighter-bomber, assault and fighter aircraft. To do this, they are specially equipped with day and night cameras at various scales, high-resolution radio and radar stations, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, and magnetometers.

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

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

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

Anti-aircraft missile troops are designed to protect the most important facilities of the country and groupings of troops from enemy air strikes.

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

Radio-technical troops- the main source of information about the air enemy and are designed to conduct his radar reconnaissance, control the flights of his aviation and the observance of the rules for the use of airspace by the aircraft of all departments.

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

The radio engineering troops are armed with radar stations and radar systems capable of detecting not only air targets, but also surface targets at any time of the year or day, regardless of meteorological conditions and interference.

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

Electronic warfare units and subunits are intended for jamming airborne radars, bomb sights, communications and radio navigation equipment of enemy air attack.

Communication and radio technical support units and subdivisions are designed to provide control of aviation units and subunits, air navigation, takeoff and landing of aircraft and helicopters.

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

The Air Force includes the following types of troops:

• aviation (kind of aviation - bomber, assault, air defense fighter aircraft, reconnaissance, transport and special),
• anti-aircraft missile troops,
• radio-technical troops,
• special troops,
• parts and institutions of the rear.

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

Assault aircraft is intended for air support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects mainly on the front line, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as for fighting enemy aircraft in the air.

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

Fighter aircraft air defense is the main maneuverable force of the air defense system and is designed to cover the most important areas and objects from enemy air attacks. It is capable of destroying the enemy at maximum distances from defended objects.

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

Reconnaissance aircraft is intended for conducting aerial reconnaissance of the enemy, terrain and weather; it can destroy hidden enemy objects.

Reconnaissance flights can also be performed by bomber, fighter-bomber, assault and fighter aircraft. To do this, they are specially equipped with day and night cameras at various scales, high-resolution radio and radar stations, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, and magnetometers.

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

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

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

Anti-aircraft missile troops are designed to protect the most important facilities of the country and groupings of troops from enemy air strikes.

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

Radio-technical troops- the main source of information about the air enemy and are designed to conduct his radar reconnaissance, control the flights of his aviation and the observance of the rules for the use of airspace by the aircraft of all departments.

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

The radio engineering troops are armed with radar stations and radar systems capable of detecting not only air targets, but also surface targets at any time of the year or day, regardless of meteorological conditions and interference.

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

Electronic warfare units and subunits are intended for jamming airborne radars, bomb sights, communications and radio navigation equipment of enemy air attack.

Communication and radio technical support units and subdivisions are designed to provide control of aviation units and subunits, air navigation, takeoff and landing of aircraft and helicopters.

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

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

Tasks of the RF Air Force

The complex of tasks of the Military air force includes:

1. Detection of the beginning of an attack at distant stages through aerial patrols and radar reconnaissance.
2. Notification of the beginning of an attack by all headquarters of the RF Armed Forces, all branches and branches of the armed forces in all military districts of Russia, including the headquarters of civil defense.
3. Reflecting an attack in the air, establishing full control over the airspace.
4. Protection of military and civilian objects from attacks from the air and from space, as well as from aerial reconnaissance.
5. Air support for the actions of the Land and Naval Forces of the Russian Federation.
6. The defeat of military, rear and other enemy targets.
7. Defeat enemy air, land, ground and sea groupings and formations, his air and sea landings.
8. Transportation of personnel, weapons and military equipment, landing of troops.
9. Conducting all types of aerial reconnaissance, radar reconnaissance, electronic warfare.
10. Control of land, sea and air space in the border area.

The structure of the Air Force of the Russian Federation

The structure of the RF Air Force has a complex multi-level system. By type and strength of the Air Force troops are divided into:

• aviation;
• anti-aircraft missile troops;
• radio engineering troops;
• special troops.

Aviation, in turn, is divided into:

• distant and strategic;
• front-line;
• army;
• exterminating;
• military transport;
• special.

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

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

Frontline aviation includes assault and bomber aircraft. The former are designed to support ground forces and naval groupings, to defeat ground targets at the forefront of hostilities, to combat enemy aircraft. Front-line bombers, in contrast to long-range and strategic ones, are designed to destroy ground targets and groupings of troops at short and medium distances from basing airfields.

Army aviation in the RF Air Force is represented by helicopters for various purposes. First of all, it carries out close interaction with the ground army forces, solving a wide variety of combat and transport tasks.

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

Special troops include:

• intelligence;
• engineering;
• aeronautical;
• meteorological;
• topogeodetic troops;
• electronic warfare forces;
• RHBZ forces;
• search and rescue forces;
• parts of electronic support and ACS;
• parts of logistics;
• rear parts.

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

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

The current state and composition of the Air Force of the Russian Federation

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

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

The overwhelming majority of the aircraft fleet's equipment required major repairs, airfields and ground military facilities did not stand up to criticism.

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

As of 2018, many authoritative publications, including foreign ones in terms of size and level of equipment, put the Air Force of our country in second place after the US Air Force. However, it is noted at the same time that the growth in the number and equipment of the Chinese Air Force is ahead of the Russian air force and in the very near future the Chinese Air Force may equal ours.

During the military operation from Syria, the Air Force was not only able to conduct full-fledged combat tests of new weapons and air defense systems, but also, through the rotation of the numerical strength, to conduct "shelling" in combat conditions for most pilots of fighter and assault aircraft. 80-90% of pilots now have combat experience.

Military equipment

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

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

Long-range and strategic aviation is armed with supersonic strategic missile-carrying bombers TU-22M and TU-160. There is also a number of obsolete turboprop TU-95, modernized to the modern level.

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

Special aviation includes AWACS aircraft, air command posts, reconnaissance aircraft, tanker aircraft, electronic warfare and reconnaissance aircraft, and relay aircraft.

The helicopter fleet is represented by attack helicopters KA-50, KA-52 and MI-28, transport-combat MI-24 and MI-25, multipurpose Ansat-U, KA-226 and MI-8, as well as a heavy transport helicopter MI- 26.

In the future, the air forces will receive: a front-line fighter MIG-35, a fifth-generation fighter PAK-FA, a multipurpose fighter SU-57, a new AWACS aircraft of the A-100 type, a multipurpose strategic bomber-missile carrier PAK-DA, multipurpose helicopters MI-38 and PLV, attack helicopter SBV.

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

Air Force Russian Federation(Russian Air Force) - a type of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Designed to conduct reconnaissance of enemy groupings, provide (containment) in the air, protect important military-economic regions (objects) of the country and groupings of troops from air strikes, warn of an air attack, defeat objects that form the basis of the military and military-economic potential of the enemy, air support of the Ground Forces and naval forces, airborne assault landing, transportation of troops and materiel by air.

Air Force of the Russian Federation (Russian Air Force)

The structure of the Air Force aviation is subdivided into long-range (DA), front-line, military transport (VTA) and army aviation (AA), which, in turn, may include bomber, assault, fighter, reconnaissance, transport and special aviation.

Russian Imperial Air Force

Identification mark of the Russian Imperial Air Force
Identification mark of the Russian Imperial Air Force
Ram of Pyotr Nesterov
Ram of Pyotr Nesterov
Main article: Aeronautical training park
Main article: Imperial Russian Air Force

Imperial Air Force - Air Force Russian Empire that existed from 1910 to 1917. Despite its short history, the Imperial WWF quickly became one of the best air fleets in the world and played a significant role in the development of Russian and world aviation. The Russian Imperial VVF was divided into aviation detachments (squadrons) of 6-10 aircraft, which were united into air groups. There were a few such air groups in total. They were used in the Russian Imperial Army (Army Aviation) and the Navy (Naval Aviation)

In 1904 Zhukovsky created the first aerodynamic institute in Kuchino near Moscow. In 1910, the government purchased the first French aircraft for the armed forces and began training pilots.

In 1913 Sikorsky built the first four-engined biplane "Russian Knight" and his famous bomber "Ilya Muromets". In 1914, Russian aviators made the first Arctic flights in search of the missing Sedov expedition. At the time of the outbreak of the First World War, Russia had the largest [source unspecified 73 days] air fleet in the world - 263 aircraft. At first, the aircraft were used only for reconnaissance and adjusting artillery fire, but soon the first air battles began. By October 1917, Russia had 700 aircraft, significantly inferior in this indicator to other belligerent countries.

The legendary pilot Pyotr Nesterov performed a closed loop in the vertical plane (Nesterov's loop) in 1913 and made the first air ram in 1914.

The Imperial WWF was disbanded in 1917 after October revolution... Most of the first Russian pilots died in World War I and the Civil War, or emigrated.
Air force of the USSR
USSR Air Force flag
USSR Air Force flag

Aviation identification mark of the USSR Air Force, RF Air Force (until March 2010)
Main article: Air Force of the USSR

The Soviet Air Force of the Armed Forces of the USSR was founded in 1918 as the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Air Fleet. The grandiose industrialization of the USSR made it possible to quickly modernize the combat aircraft inherited from Imperial Russia. By the end of the 30s, mass production of fighters from the Polikarpov Design Bureau I-15 and I-16, as well as Tupolev Design Bureau TB-1 and TB-3 bombers, was launched.

The Red Army Air Force received great development in the mid-1930s. The total number of aircraft for the period from 1929 to 1937 increased from 1285 to 8139 (including heavy and medium bombers from 48 to 2443, fighters from 232 to 2255). By the end of the 1930s, the USSR had about 800 all-metal four-engine TB-3 bombers, each of which could deliver 2,000 kg of bombs to a distance of 1,100 km; no country in the world had such an air fleet [source not specified 73 days].

In the mid-1930s, the number of educational institutions Air Force, the quality of training increased, which provided for pilots at least 50 flight hours. In 1937, there were already 18 flight and 6 technical institutions in the USSR, in which about 23 thousand cadets studied. The cadets first graduated from flying clubs (where they received initial piloting experience), then a flight school (military school), after which they were sent to a combat unit, or to the Civil Air Fleet, or to Osoaviakhim, or to the reserve. In 1937, the flight schools of the USSR had 3,007 aircraft.

The first serious test of the Red Army Air Force was Civil War in Spain in 1936-1939, where domestic aircraft resisted (often successfully) the newest German models, including Messerschmitt Bf 109.
The Great Patriotic War

In 1939, aviation took part in the Soviet-Finnish war. Conducted over 100,000 aircraft sorties. On average, one aircraft was lost on 166 combat sorties, which is significantly better, given the weakness of the Finnish Air Force, than the losses of the Soviet Air Force in 1944-1945, let alone 1941-1942. For the entire time of the Soviet-Finnish war, the USSR lost 627 aircraft different types... Of these, 38% were shot down in battle or landed on enemy territory, 14% were missing, 29% were lost as a result of accidents and disasters, and 19% were damaged, which did not allow the aircraft to be returned to service.

During the period from January 1, 1939 to June 22, 1941, the Air Force received 17,745 combat aircraft from the industry, of which 706 aircraft of new types: MiG-3 fighters - 407, Yak-1 - 142, LaGG-3 - 29, Pe-2 - 128. By June 22, 1941, the Soviet aviation industry was producing 50 combat aircraft per day, significantly more than what Germany and all its allies around the world produced during this period [source not specified 73 days]. Three months later, in the last decade of September 1941, the production level reached 100 combat aircraft per day.

During the war, 44,093 pilots were trained. Killed in battle 27,600: 11,874 fighter pilots, 7,837 attack pilots, 6,613 bomber crew members, 587 reconnaissance pilots and 689 auxiliary pilots.
Cold war

After the victory of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War The Air Force was seriously modernized, actively developed new technique, the tactics of air combat were improved. By the end of the 1980s, the Soviet Air Force had up to 10,000 aircraft at its disposal, making the Soviet Air Force the most numerous [source not specified 73 days] in the world. Organizationally, they consisted of the types of aviation: bomber, fighter-bomber, fighter, reconnaissance, communications and ambulance. At the same time, the Air Force was divided into types of aviation: front-line, long-range, military transport, and auxiliary. They had in their composition special troops (special forces), units and institutions of the rear.

In the Air Force in the 1960s and 1980s, the main ones were:

Long-range aviation (DA) - strategic bombers;
Frontline aviation (FA) - fighter-interceptors and attack aircraft that ensured air superiority in border areas and interception of NATO aircraft;
Military transport aviation (VTA) - for the transfer of troops.

The air defense troops of the USSR were a separate type Armed Forces, which were not part of the Air Force, but had their own aviation units (mainly fighter).

In the 1980s, the development of the fifth generation fighter began, in particular, the MiG 1.44 and C-37 programs were launched. But the economic crisis and decay Soviet Union did not allow them to be completed, funding for new developments ceased.

The division of the Air Force between the former allied states and the independent republics of the CIS.
Russian Air Force
Russian Air Force flag
Russian Air Force flag

Aviation identification mark of the Russian Air Force
Patch of the Russian Air Force.
Patch of the Russian Air Force.

After the collapse of the USSR in December 1991, the USSR Air Force was divided between Russia and 14 independent republics. As a result of this division, Russia received approximately 40% of the equipment and 65% of the personnel of the Soviet Air Force, becoming the only state in the post-Soviet space with long-range strategic aviation. Many planes were transferred from the former Soviet republics to Russia. Some were destroyed. In particular, 11 new Tu-160 bombers located in Ukraine were dismantled in cooperation with the United States. Eight of these aircraft were transferred by Ukraine to Russia as debt repayment for gas.

In 1994-1996 and 1999-2002, the Air Force received Active participation in the Chechen campaigns. Their activities were complicated by the specifics of the local climate and relief.
Current situation

The process of degradation of the Russian Air Force (a rapid decline in the number and preparedness of personnel, aircraft and airfields, a small number of flights due to insufficient funding) was actively progressing in the 1990s and stopped in the early 2000s. Since 2009, a major overhaul and major modernization of the entire Russian Air Force fleet has begun.

In January 2008, Air Force Commander-in-Chief A. N. Zelin called the state of Russia's aerospace defense critical. In 2009, purchases of new aircraft for the Russian Air Force approached the level of purchases of Soviet-era aviation. The fifth-generation PAK FA fighter is being tested; on January 29, 2010, its first flight took place. The 5th generation fighters are planned to enter the troops in 2015.

According to a study by the Australian think tank Air Power Australia, published in February 2009, the level of Russian air defense systems has reached a level at which the possibility of survival is excluded. military aviation USA during the armed conflict.
Teachings
Joint counterterrorism exercise with the United States

The air forces of Russia and the United States planned to conduct joint anti-terrorist exercises in the Far East in 2008. According to the scenario of the exercise, terrorists hijack a plane at the airport. On the Russian side, it was planned to involve four fighters, one aircraft for early warning and search and rescue services, and on the American side, a civilian liner, fighters and an aircraft for early warning. On August 20, a message appeared that the exercises planned for August 28-30 had been canceled (probably due to the aggravation of relations between Russia and NATO).
Air Defense Troops Exercises

Tactical exercises with the firing of anti-aircraft missile regiments are being held at the Ashuluk military range. In September 2008, exercises of the 606th Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, which are armed with S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, were held at the training ground.

In September 2008, the planned firing of the fighter aviation regiment took place on the Su-27 aircraft. A regiment of the Far Eastern Air Force and Air Defense Association, consisting of more than twenty aircraft, flew to the Ashuluk training ground, where it fired from the entire range of weapons.
Air Force Reform 2008

The Russian Air Force has undergone profound and large-scale transformations in the course of the process of reforming the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation since 2008. The most significant stage of the transition of the RF Air Force to a new look, which began in autumn 2008, was a radical reform of their structure. A similar reform was carried out in the USSR Air Force in 1978-1986: aviation and air defense were reassigned to districts, main commands were created in four directions: Western (Poland), South-Western (Moldova), Southern (Transcaucasia) and Eastern (Far East). The cost of the reform amounted to about 15 billion rubles. In 1986, the new structure was declared insolvent and underwent a reverse reorganization.

In 2009, the transition of the Russian Air Force to a new organizational structure began: now the Air Force will consist of operational commands, air bases and aerospace defense brigades (anti-aircraft missile and anti-missile). Four commands (the former air force and air defense armies) will be deployed in St. I air army), as well as the operational-strategic command of the aerospace defense (the former command of the special forces of the Air Force, which includes anti-missile defense). The modernization of the 8 largest airfields of the Russian Air Force will be carried out, and the Air Force command will return to the basing system - 1 airfield, 1 air regiment.

Four commands are created on a territorial basis, replacing the six former Air Force and Air Defense armies that were subordinate to the six respective military districts. Although in general the system of correspondence to military districts remains, in a number of cases the forces of the former air force and air defense armies are combined or the areas of responsibility are partially redistributed.

The 1st Air Force and Air Defense Command was created on the basis of the 6th Air Force and Air Defense Army (Leningrad Military District). In addition, part of the western territory of the Moscow Military District and the entire strike aircraft of the former 16th Air Army passed into the command's zone of responsibility.

The 2nd Air Force and Air Defense Command was created on the basis of the 14th Air Force and Air Defense Army (Siberian Military District).

The 3rd Air Force and Air Defense Command was created on the basis of the 11th Air Force and Air Defense Army (the Far Eastern Military District, which includes the territory of the former Trans-Baikal Military District).

The 4th command of the Air Force and Air Defense was created on the basis of two armies of the Air Force and Air Defense - the 4th (North Caucasian Military District) and 5th (Volga-Ural Military District), thereby extending its responsibility to the vast territory of three former Soviet military districts.

In 2010, these four Air Force and Air Defense Commands became part of the four corresponding newly created military districts (joint strategic commands):

1st Air Force and Air Defense Command - part of the Western Military District,

2nd Air Force and Air Defense Command - part of the Central Military District,

3rd Air Force and Air Defense Command - part of the Eastern Military District,

4th Air Force and Air Defense Command - part of the Southern Military District.
Replacement of Soviet identification marks

At the end of 2008, it was proposed to replace the used Air Force markings with new ones. It was supposed to replace the red five-pointed stars with similar red stars, bordered by blue and white stripes and a red line along the contour. The project was approved by the State Duma of Russia, but rejected by the Federation Council. However, on March 4, 2010, a new version of the stars was approved by the Russian government. In 2013, the High Command of the Air Force agreed with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on the decision to replace the onboard signs of state ownership of aircraft from tricolor (white, blue, red) stars to red ones, as in According to Shoigu's decision, the red stars on board will remain without edging at all and will decrease by one and a half times, in the future they will be replaced by the so-called contour stars, which have already been developed and are being tested