The purpose of the lesson: To introduce students in general terms to the Air Force as a branch of the RF Armed Forces, its main

purpose, composition, weapons and military equipment.

Time: 45 minutes

Lesson type: combined

Educational and visual complex: life safety textbook grade 10

DURING THE CLASSES

I. Introductory part

* Organizing time

* Monitoring student knowledge:

— What is the purpose of the ground forces of the RF Armed Forces?

— What are the main types of troops included in the Ground Forces RF?

— What combat capabilities of motorized rifle and tank troops can you list?

- What are the main types? small arms Are the ground forces equipped?

— What are examples of the use of Ground Forces in peacekeeping operations You

can you bring it?

Main part

- announcement of the topic and purpose of the lesson

— explanation of new material : § 35, pp. 178-181.

Air Force - a type of aircraft designed to protect the bodies of higher state and military administration, strategic nuclear forces, troop groups, important administrative-industrial centers and regions of the country from reconnaissance and air strikes, to gain air superiority, fire and nuclear destruction enemy from the air, increasing mobility and supporting the actions of formations of the armed forces, conducting comprehensive reconnaissance and performing special tasks.

During the reform of the RF Armed Forces, two types of armed forces were merged - the Air Force and Air Defense. The essence of this integration of the Air Defense Forces and the Air Force was not a mechanical connection, but to give the combined form better parameters and a dynamic character. The combat readiness of the Air Defense Forces did not suffer from such a unification. Anti-aircraft, missile, radio-technical troops, fighter aircraft, and air defense support units have been preserved. At the same time, the bulk of regiments, brigades, and air defense divisions have been preserved and strengthened. Specific gravity Air defense in its combined form is about 60%. The air defense system remains a reliable shield, capable, as before, of providing air cover for especially important government, military administrative and industrial facilities. Central command post The Air Force became the Air Defense Central Command Center, because it turned out to be more suitable for solving a set of tasks assigned to the united species. Thus, the Air Force Central Control Center now also controls the air defense forces of the Commonwealth countries (Belarus and Kazakhstan). The Air Force Control Center allows you to control the territory and state border of almost everything former USSR, with the exception of the Baltic states.

A type of modern military aviation and air defense forces.

The Russian Air Force consists from associations, connections and military units and include types of aviation: long-range, military transport, front-line (it includes bomber, attack, fighter, reconnaissance aviation), army, as well as types of anti-aircraft forces: anti-aircraft missile forces, radio engineering troops.

Long-range aviation – the main strike force of the Air Force, capable of effectively hitting important targets of aviation groups, carrier ships of sea-based cruise missiles, energy facilities and higher military and military facilities government controlled, nodes of railway, road and sea communications.

Military transport aviation- the main means of landing troops and military equipment in the interests of operations in continental and ocean theaters of war, it is the most mobile means of delivering materiel, military equipment, food, units and subunits of various types of armed forces and branches of the military to given areas.

Front-line bomber and attack aircraft - designed primarily for air support of the Ground Forces in all types of military operations (defense, offensive, counter-offensive). Front-line reconnaissance aircraft are designed to conduct aerial reconnaissance in the interests of all types of armed forces and branches of the military. Front-line fighter aviation is designed to destroy enemy air attack weapons when solving problems of covering armed forces groups, economic regions, administrative and political centers, military and other facilities.

Army Aviation – designed for fire support of the Ground Forces. It is also entrusted with combat and logistics support tasks. During the battle army aviation strikes at enemy troops, destroys his airborne assault forces, raiding, advanced and outflanking detachments; provides landing and air support for its landing forces, fights enemy helicopters, destroys its nuclear missiles, tanks and other armored vehicles.

Anti-aircraft missile forces - designed to cover troops and facilities from enemy air attacks.

Radio technical troops - are designed to detect enemy air attack weapons in the air, identify them, escort them, notify the command, troops and civil defense authorities about them, to monitor the flights of their aircraft.

Armament and Air Force military equipment

The basis fighter aircraft consist of MiG-29, MiG-31 and Su-27. Their modernization provides for an increase in combat effectiveness through the use of new on-board equipment.

For development purposes attack aircraft are being developed prototypes Su's new car. As soon as they are ready, they will be put into production. There are new modifications of the Su-25 attack aircraft.

The reduction in the number of personnel and the number of operational aircraft weapons and equipment will be compensated by the quality parameters of new and modernized models. The new Il-76MF aircraft has passed flight tests. The An-124 Ruslan aircraft has a great future, as does its modified version, the An-124-100. there are no analogues of this machine in the world and soon not expected.

Conclusions:

1. The Air Force consists of long-range and military transport aviation, front-line bomber and attack aviation, front-line reconnaissance aviation, front-line fighter aviation, army aviation and radio engineering troops.
2. The Air Force is designed for air strikes against enemy groups, in their rear and transport.
3. The Air Force conducts aerial reconnaissance and organizes air transportation.
4. Military transport aviation of the Air Force is capable of landing and airborne troops, transporting troops and military equipment long distances.

III. Fixing the material:

— Name the types of the RF Armed Forces.

— What is the purpose of the Air Force?

— Name the types of modern military aviation.

IV. Lesson summary.

V. Homework: 35, pp. 178-181. Tasks: 1. Prepare short message about the purpose of anti-aircraft troops and their weapons and military equipment.

Prepare a report about the heroic exploits and records of the famous Russian pilot of the First World War, Pyotr Nesterov.

The Air Force includes the following types of troops:

• aviation (types of aviation - bomber, attack, fighter aircraft air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special),
• anti-aircraft missile forces,
• radio technical troops,
• special troops,
• units and institutions of the rear.

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

Attack aircraft Designed for air support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects primarily at the front line, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as combating enemy aircraft in the air.

One of the main requirements for an attack aircraft is high accuracy in hitting ground targets. Weapons: 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 directions and objects from enemy air attack. She is capable of destroying the enemy at maximum ranges from defended objects.

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

Reconnaissance aircraft designed for conducting aerial reconnaissance of the enemy, terrain and weather, and can destroy hidden enemy objects.

Reconnaissance flights can also be carried out by bomber, fighter-bomber, attack and fighter aircraft. For this purpose, they are specially equipped with day and night photography equipment at various scales, high-resolution radio and radar stations, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, and magnetometers.

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

Transport aviation designed for the transportation of troops, military equipment, weapons, ammunition, fuel, food, airborne landings, evacuation of the wounded, sick, etc.

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

Anti-aircraft missile forces designed to protect the country's most important facilities and troop groups from enemy air strikes.

They constitute the main firepower of the air defense system and are armed with anti-aircraft guns. 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 intended for conducting radar reconnaissance, monitoring the flights of their aircraft and compliance by aircraft of all departments with the rules for the use of airspace.

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

Radio technical troops are armed with radar stations and radar systems capable of meteorological conditions and interference, detect not only air, but also surface targets.

Communication units and subdivisions designed for 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 units designed to interfere with airborne radars, bomb sights, communications and radio navigation of enemy air attack systems.

Units and subdivisions of communications and radio engineering support designed to provide control of aviation units and subunits, aircraft navigation, takeoff and landing of aircraft and helicopters.

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

Background

Few ordinary people know that on August 12 it is customary to celebrate the Day of the Russian Air Force. Some may say that this holiday is not very important, for example, when compared with the scale of the Navy Day celebration. However, Russian aviation rightfully deserves to have this date marked in history. It is customary to celebrate Aviation Day on August 12 in Russia in pursuance of the Presidential Decree Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin in August 1997. The date was also not chosen by chance. It was on August 12, 1912, by his Decree that Emperor Nicholas II announced the creation of the first regular aviation unit in the Russian Empire.

It should be noted that at the dawn of aviation, Russia was among the right-flankers. Its Air Force was perhaps the largest in Europe. Russian aviators and aeronauts were, to some extent, pioneers in the art of piloting aircraft. Russian designers did not lag behind them and managed to create whole line interesting and curious samples aircraft. The whole world knows Russian aviators - record holders Vladimir Aleksandrovich Lebedev and Pyotr Nikolaevich Nesterov. Among aircraft designers, Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky won worldwide fame for creating the largest aircraft of that time - the four-engine bomber Ilya Muromets.

Already in those early years, it became clear that aviation would be a powerful argument in the hands of the military. First in Mexico, and then in Europe during the Italo-Turkish War of 1911, aviation begins to be used for military purposes. At first, the functions of aviators included collecting intelligence data. Timid reconnaissance flights became more and more intrusive and unsafe for the warring parties, so they could not remain unpunished for long. During the First World War, military aviation was finally formed as a separate branch of the armed forces. Airplane and airship pilots immediately became national heroes. Flight units automatically became elite units in the army of any state.

This was the case in Russia, where Russian pilots faced many challenges. Russian empire entered the First World War with one of the largest aircraft fleets. However, the economic situation in the country led to the fact that Russia's leadership in the field of aircraft manufacturing was quickly lost. The main opponents entered the arena - the aviation of the Entente countries and their opponents, the air fleet of Kaiser Germany and Austria-Hungary. It was on the Western Front that the bloodiest air battles took place. During the war years, the most massive use of aircraft of all types was observed in the skies over France, England, Belgium and Holland. Fighter aviation was born here, and the first bomber units appeared.

Russian aviation was forced to go into the shadows for a long time. This was facilitated by both external and, to a greater extent, internal factors. Only 20 years later, about the Russian one, already Soviet aviation, they spoke out loud again.

First came 1934, when Soviet pilots distinguished themselves on ANT-4 aircraft designed by Andrei Tupolev. They had to take out the crew and passengers of a ship that sank in the ice in difficult weather and takeoff and landing conditions. Arctic Ocean steamship "Chelyuskin". Then came the era of transcontinental flights. For the first time, Soviet aircraft were seen overseas. In the summer of 1937, an ANT-25 aircraft took off from an airfield near Moscow, the crew of which consisted of three famous Soviet pilots Valery Chkalov, Georgy Baidukov and Alexander Belyakov.

By the way: the first Heroes of the Soviet Union were the pilots. For participation in the rescue operation to evacuate members of the expedition of the sunken steamship "Chelyuskin" Gold Star On April 16, 1934, seven pilots received the Hero Award: Lyapidevsky, Levanevsky, Molokov, Kamanin, Slepnev, Vodopyanov and Doronin.

It should be noted that since the 30s, when the first definite successes in the economy were achieved in the USSR, aviation has been experiencing a real boom. In the Soviet Union, societies of friends of the Air Fleet are being created en masse, and gliding and aeronautics circles are growing like mushrooms after rain. Airplane and stratospheric balloon pilots become national heroes. This was greatly facilitated by the program Soviet Government, which determined priorities in the development of the aviation industry in the Soviet Union.

At the very top, it was decided to create the most powerful and numerous air force in the USSR. It is important to note that at a certain stage the successes of Soviet aviation were truly amazing. Soviet military aviation in the mid-30s was considered one of the most numerous and powerful in the world. No army in the world had as many bombers and fighters as the Red Army Air Force.

This result is largely due to the successful work Soviet aircraft designers. Design teams led by A.N. Tupolev and N.N. achieved good results. Polikarpova. Through their efforts, the Red Army Air Force is replenished with new types of aircraft. In the early 30s, full-fledged I-2, I-3 and I-5 fighters entered service with army units. Bomber units are equipped with heavy bombers TB-1 and TB-3. These aircraft became a breakthrough in the aircraft industry, raising not only the Soviet Air Force, but also the entire aviation of the Land of the Soviets to a higher level.

In 1934, the Soviet Union surprised the whole world with the construction of the big plane in the world. The Soviet giant ANT-20 “Maxim Gorky” had colossal parameters for those times:

• take-off weight 28.5 tons;
• wingspan 63 m;
• the total power of 8 engines was 6000 l/s;
• cruising speed 270 km/h;
• flight range 1000 km.

The plane, made in a single copy, became a kind of symbol of USSR agitprop. The car did not last long. A year later, on April 18, 1935, the air giant crashed during a demonstration flight over Moscow. The cause of the accident was a mid-air collision between an ANT-20 and an I-5 fighter.

In the mid-30s, more advanced vehicles entered service with the Air Force. I-15, I-153 and I-16 fighters took to the skies. The bomber fleet is being replenished with more modern SB and DB-3 (future Il-4) aircraft. In quantitative terms, the aircraft fleet of the Red Army Air Force increased over 10 years, from 1928 to 1938 by 5.5 times.

In view of the tense international political situation The Soviet Union set a course for the militarization of the economy. The army was rapidly replenished with new types of military equipment, and military aviation did not lag behind in this regard. At the end of the 30s, Soviet aviation had to prove its combat effectiveness by participating in a number of armed conflicts. First, Soviet pilots took part in air battles in the skies of Spain. Next came the turn of the participation of Soviet aviation in the battles with the Japanese at Khalkin Gol during the “Winter War” of 1939-40.

The dizzying successes of the first Soviet five-year plans somewhat lulled the vigilance of the Soviet military leadership. Soviet aviation, despite its numerical superiority, began to lag behind the aviation of foreign countries in technical terms.

On the eve of the outbreak of World War II, Soviet aviation had quite big park aircraft, but from a technical point of view, many machines were already considered obsolete. At the beginning of hostilities on the Soviet-German front, the Red Army Air Force was armed with up to 20 thousand vehicles of all types. Share modern technology in aviation units was small. Even taking into account the fact that the Soviet aviation industry provided the army with 50 aircraft every day, the new types of aircraft Yak-1, Lagg-3, MiG-3, Pe-2 and Il-2 have only just begun to arrive in combat units.

Events of the first months of the Great Patriotic War dealt the Soviet Air Force a heavy blow. Attack of Nazi troops, rapid advance German troops to the east, led to a catastrophic situation for Soviet military aviation. In the first six months of military operations on the Soviet-German front alone, the Red Army Air Force lost more than 20 thousand aircraft. The share of combat losses was only half of this amount - 9233 vehicles. Having survived a difficult period, recovering from the severe defeats of 1941-42, Soviet aviation managed to turn the tide of the fight in its favor.

From the battles of Kursk to the very last salvos of the war in the skies of Berlin, the Soviet Air Force never lost its superiority over the enemy. The Soviet Il-2 attack aircraft and the La-5 fighter became legendary machines, living symbols of victory. Soviet pilots were able not only to prove in practice their high combat skills, confronting the vaunted German Luftwaffe, but also to inflict a crushing defeat on German aviation, destroying 57 thousand aircraft of various classes. More than 200 thousand pilots were awarded various military awards.

Continuity of the Russian Air Force

The results of the Second World War showed how rapid the leap in the Soviet aviation industry was. The qualitative superiority of Soviet aviation was again restored. The only gap was long-range bomber aviation, which was just emerging in the USSR. was advancing new era- the era of jet aviation. The Soviet Union made titanic efforts aimed at improving the aircraft fleet and modernizing the structure of the Air Force of the USSR Armed Forces (since 1946).

The renewal of the organizational structure of the Air Force begins, old units and units disappear, and new formations appear. In parallel with reorganization issues, the technical base is being re-equipped.

Soviet aircraft designers managed to create a number of aircraft that became one of the the best cars in your class. The advent of the Cold War and the arms race that began with it mobilized the Soviet aviation industry. By level technical equipment the Soviet Air Force was not inferior to military aviation probable enemy. Quantitatively and qualitatively, Soviet military aviation was not inferior to either the US Army or the combined air forces of NATO member countries. In the 80s, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union was armed with up to 10 thousand aircraft of all types and helicopters.

Note: The Soviet Union was inferior to US aviation only in the number of strategic bombers, which for a long time were considered an anachronism in the USSR. According to some high leaders of the Soviet state, there was no need to create an entire fleet strategic aviation, if it was possible to get by with intercontinental missiles.

The collapse of the Soviet Union was marked by the collapse of not only the largest state in the world, but also the disappearance of one of the largest armies in the world. The Russian Air Force has entered another period of oblivion. The beginning of the 90s was marked by the collapse of the organizational structure of military aviation of the former USSR. The technical base has also undergone significant changes. New developments in the field of aviation technology were shelved; insufficient funding led to a rapid reduction in Air Force personnel and a reduction in the aircraft fleet. The former perhaps the most powerful air force in the world was divided between the former republics that were part of the Union.

In such a deplorable state, the Russian Air Force was forced to revive.

Aviation of the Russian Air Force at the present stage

Having survived the chaos and hopelessness of the difficult 90s, Russia managed to restore the combat effectiveness of its aviation. Over the past 27 years since the collapse of the USSR, the Air Force of the Russian Federation has become modern look armed forces. The military equipment in service meets the set goals and objectives. Modern Air Forces are distinguished by a high level of training of flight personnel.

The military doctrine approved for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation clearly defines the functions of military aviation, defines the range of tasks and the scope of use of the domestic Air Force in modern conditions.

The organizationally modern Air Force of the Russian Federation begins its history in 2008. From this moment on, separate commands of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces appeared. All units and divisions of the Air Force are subordinate to regional operational-strategic commands, located according to geographical principles: Western, Eastern, Central and Southern.

Since 2009, there has been a transition to a two-level military aviation management system. The number of military formations was reduced from 8 to 6. Previously existing aviation regiments were consolidated into air bases, which in turn were divided into tactical, strategic and transport aviation. Air defense units have been consolidated into separate aerospace defense brigades. Over time, air defense brigades were expanded into divisions. There has been a tendency towards the formation of new aviation units already as part of the air army.

Since 2015, the Air Force of the Russian Federation has been transformed into the new kind armed forces - Aerospace Forces (VKS) of the Russian Federation. This type combined the structures of the Air Force and Air Defense, troops missile defense And space force.

Along with the reorganization of the structure, aviation began to receive new types and types of military equipment. Airplanes and helicopters created back in the Soviet period are being modernized. New generation cars are appearing. In particular, the aircraft fleet of front-line aviation is constantly updated. Generation 4 and 4+ vehicles are arriving, and the fleet of combat helicopters is being updated. Unmanned aerial vehicles began to enter service with aviation units in large quantities. Russian military aircraft are equipment inherited from the Soviet Air Force and have undergone deep modernization, new aircraft and helicopters. The result of the work of designers over the past 10-15 years should be the newest Su-57 fighter.

In the current conditions, the Russian Aerospace Forces are numerically inferior only to the US Air Force. The updated aircraft fleet meets the set tactical and strategic goals. In 2015 alone, it was planned to transfer up to 150 aircraft of various types to equip aviation units. This number includes:

• fighter-bombers Su-30 SM, Su-30M2, Su-34 and Su-35;
• Mig-29, Mig-31 fighters;
• Yak-130 attack aircraft;
• transport aircraft Il-76MD-90.

Of particular note is the rapid increase in the number of helicopters of various types entering the military. New combat helicopters Ka-52, Mi-28N and modernized Mi-35M form the strike force of front-line aviation. The ground forces are supported by a significant number of multi-purpose Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-8 MTPR helicopters and Mi-26 transport helicopters.

The number of members of the Aerospace Forces is more than 180 thousand people.

Long-range aviation of the Russian Air Force as an element of the nuclear triad

Strategic aviation became the full-fledged successor to Soviet strategic bomber aviation. Aviation units of strategic aviation are subordinate directly to Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The goals and objectives assigned to this element of the Nuclear Missile Forces are determined by the strategic and operational-tactical tasks outlined in each theater of military operations. Russian long-range aviation is part of the triad of strategic nuclear forces of the Russian Federation.

A promising direction for the development of long-range aviation is the build-up of elements of nuclear missile deterrence in the context of an aggravated international political situation. The expansion will be carried out by modernizing the existing aircraft fleet and extending the service life of the aircraft in service. It is planned to create a special PAK-DA long-range aviation complex within the structure of long-range aviation.

The long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces is equipped with bombers - Tu-160 missile carriers. Delivery of modernized Tu-160M2 aircraft is expected by 2020. The estimated operational number of aircraft of this type today is 16 aircraft.

The armada of Tu-95MS strategic bombers seems more formidable. As part of the current strategic forces There are 38 aircraft of this type. More than 60 vehicles are partly in storage, partly undergoing modernization to a more modern modification of the Tu-95MSM. Continue military service Tu-22M3 missile carriers created during the Soviet Union. Today there are up to 40 vehicles in service, about a hundred are in reserve. Since 2012, large-scale modernization of these missile carriers began.

As rear tactical and strategic support, long-range aviation is equipped with Il-78 and TU-22MR tanker aircraft, as reconnaissance aircraft.

Russian strategic missile carriers are armed with Kh-55SM long-range cruise missiles, aerial bombs free fall in nuclear equipment. In tactical terms, long-range aviation carries the Kh-15S, Kh-22 cruise missiles and, since 2017, the latest air-launched Kalibr-A 3M-54 cruise missiles.

It is planned to supply the latest X-555 and X-101 missile systems, which have a long range, higher flight speed and guidance accuracy, to equip strategic aviation by 2020. The level of training and technical equipment of Russian long-range aviation is at transitional state. Qualitatively, this type of armed forces is somewhat inferior to US strategic aviation, but continues to be at a technical level sufficient for defense.

In general, Russian VKS are well organized, fairly modern and numerous species Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Russian aviation meets the set goals and objectives and is capable of coping with the functions assigned to it.

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

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Aerospace Forces (VKS)

Air Force

From the history of creation

Aviation took its first steps without a sufficient scientific base, only thanks to enthusiasts. However, in late XIX- early 20th century Theoretical and experimental research appeared in this area. The leading role in the development of aviation belongs to the Russian scientists N. E. Zhukovsky and S. A. Chaplygin. The first successful flight of the aircraft was carried out on December 17, 1903 by American mechanics brothers W. and O. Wright.

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

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

The Second World War was a powerful impetus for the development of aviation. After it, jet aviation and helicopter manufacturing began to develop rapidly. Supersonic aircraft appeared in the Air Force. In the 80s Much attention was paid to the creation of short takeoff and landing aircraft, high payload capacity, and improvement of helicopters. Currently, some countries are working to create and improve orbital and aerospace aircraft.

Organizational structure of the Air Force

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

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

The main tasks of the Air Force in modern conditions are:
• revealing the beginning of an enemy air attack;
• notifying the main headquarters of the Armed Forces, headquarters of military districts, fleets, and civil defense authorities about the beginning of an enemy air attack;
• gaining and maintaining air supremacy;
• covering troops and rear facilities from aerial reconnaissance, air and space strikes;
• air support for the Ground and Navy forces;
• defeat of enemy military-economic potential facilities;
• violation of enemy military and government control;
• defeat of enemy nuclear missile, anti-aircraft and aviation groups and their reserves, as well as air and sea landings;
• defeat of enemy naval groups at sea, ocean, naval bases, ports and bases;
• the release of military equipment and the landing of troops;
• air transportation of troops and military equipment;
• conducting strategic, operational and tactical air reconnaissance;
• control over the use of airspace in the border strip.

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

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

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

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

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

Attack aircraft designed for air support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects primarily at the front line, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as command of the fight against enemy aircraft in the air.
One of the main requirements for an attack aircraft is high accuracy in hitting ground targets. Weapons: 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 directions and objects from enemy air attack. It is capable of destroying the enemy at maximum ranges from defended objects.
Air defense aviation is armed with air defense fighter aircraft, combat helicopters, special and transport aircraft and helicopters.

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

Transport aviation designed for the transportation of troops, military equipment, weapons, ammunition, fuel, food, airborne landings, evacuation of the wounded, sick, etc.

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

Anti-aircraft missile forces but are intended to protect the country’s most important facilities and troop groups 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 intended for conducting radar reconnaissance, monitoring the flights of their aircraft and compliance by aircraft of all departments with the rules for the use of airspace.
They provide information about the beginning of an air attack, combat information for anti-aircraft missile forces and air defense aviation, as well as information for controlling formations, units and air defense units.
The radio technical troops are armed with radar stations and radar systems capable of detecting not only airborne but also surface targets at any time of the year and day, regardless of meteorological conditions and interference.

Communication units and subdivisions designed for 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 units designed to interfere with airborne radars, bomb sights, communications and radio navigation of enemy air attack systems.

Units and subdivisions of communications and radio engineering support designed to provide control of aviation units and subunits, aircraft navigation, takeoff and landing of aircraft and helicopters.

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

The importance of the air force in modern warfare enormous, and the conflicts of recent decades clearly confirm this. The Russian Air Force is second only to the American Air Force in the number of aircraft. Russian military aviation has a long and glorious history; until recently, the Russian Air Force was a separate branch of the military; in August last year, the Russian Air Force became part of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation.

Russia is undoubtedly a great aviation power. In addition to its glorious history, our country can boast of a significant technological base, which allows us to independently produce military aircraft of any type.

Today, Russian military aviation is going through a difficult period of its development: its structure is changing, new aircraft are entering service, and a generational change is taking place. However, events last months in Syria showed that the Russian Air Force can successfully carry out its combat missions in any conditions.

History of the Russian Air Force

The history of Russian military aviation began more than a century ago. In 1904, an aerodynamic institute was created in Kuchino, and one of the creators of aerodynamics, Zhukovsky, became its director. Within its walls scientific and theoretical works aimed at improving aviation technology.

During the same period, the Russian designer Grigorovich worked on the creation of the world's first seaplanes. The first flight schools were opened in the country.

In 1910, the Imperial Air Force was organized, which existed until 1917.

Russian aviation took an active part in the First World War, although domestic industry at that time was significantly behind other countries participating in this conflict. Most of the combat aircraft flown by Russian pilots of that time were manufactured at foreign factories.

But still, domestic designers also had interesting discoveries. The first multi-engine bomber, the Ilya Muromets, was created in Russia (1915).

The Russian air force was divided into air squads, which included 6-7 aircraft. The detachments were united into air groups. The army and navy had their own aviation.

At the beginning of the war, aircraft were used for reconnaissance or adjusting artillery fire, but very quickly they began to be used for bombing the enemy. Soon fighters appeared and air battles began.

Russian pilot Nesterov made the first air ram, and a little earlier he performed the famous “dead loop”.

The Imperial Air Force was disbanded after the Bolsheviks came to power. Many pilots took part in civil war on different sides of the conflict.

In 1918, the new government created its own Air Force, which took part in the civil war. After its completion, the country's leadership paid great attention to the development of military aviation. This allowed the USSR in the 30s, after large-scale industrialization, to return to the club of the world's leading aviation powers.

New aircraft factories were built, design bureaus were created, and flight schools were opened. A whole galaxy of talented aircraft designers appeared in the country: Polyakov, Tupolev, Ilyushin, Petlyakov, Lavochnikov and others.

In the pre-war period, the armed forces received a large number of new types of aviation equipment, which were not inferior to foreign analogues: MiG-3, Yak-1, LaGG-3 fighters, TB-3 long-range bomber.

By the beginning of the war, Soviet industry had produced more than 20 thousand military aircraft of various modifications. In the summer of 1941, USSR factories produced 50 combat vehicles per day, three months later the production of equipment doubled (up to 100 vehicles).

The war for the USSR Air Force began with a series of crushing defeats - a huge number of aircraft were destroyed at border airfields and in air battles. For almost two years, German aviation had air supremacy. Soviet pilots did not have the proper experience, their tactics were outdated, as were most of Soviet aviation technology.

The situation began to change only in 1943, when the USSR industry mastered the production of modern combat vehicles, and the Germans had to send their best forces to protect Germany from Allied air raids.

By the end of the war, the quantitative superiority of the USSR Air Force became overwhelming. During the war, more than 27 thousand Soviet pilots died.

On July 16, 1997, by decree of the President of Russia, a new type of military force was formed - the Air Force of the Russian Federation. Part new structure Air defense troops and air force entered. In 1998, the necessary structural changes were completed, the Main Headquarters of the Russian Air Force was formed, and a new commander-in-chief appeared.

Military aviation Russia participated in all conflicts in the North Caucasus, in the Georgian war of 2008, in 2018, Russian Aerospace Forces were introduced into Syria, where they are currently located.

Around the middle of the last decade, active modernization of the Russian air force began.

Old aircraft are being modernized, units are receiving new equipment, new ones are being built and old air bases are being restored. The fifth generation fighter T-50 is being developed and is in its final stages.

The pay of military personnel has been significantly increased, today pilots have the opportunity to spend enough time in the air and hone their skills, and exercises have become regular.

In 2008, the reform of the air force began. The structure of the Air Force was divided into commands, air bases and brigades. The commands were created on a territorial basis and replaced the air defense and air force armies.

Structure of the air force of the Russian Air Force

Today, the Russian Air Force is part of the military space forces, the decree on the creation of which was published in August 2018. The leadership of the Russian Aerospace Forces is exercised by the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and direct command is exercised by the Main Command of the Aerospace Forces. The commander-in-chief of the Russian military space forces is Colonel General Sergei Surovikin.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force is Lieutenant General Yudin, he holds the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

In addition to the air force, the Aerospace Forces include space forces, air defense and missile defense units.

The Russian Air Force includes long-range, military transport and army aviation. In addition, the Air Force includes anti-aircraft, missile and radio technical troops. The Russian Air Force also has its own special troops, which perform many important functions: provide reconnaissance and communications, engage electronic warfare, rescue operations and protection against weapons of mass destruction. The Air Force also includes meteorological and medical services, engineering units, support units and logistics services.

The basis of the structure of the Russian air force are brigades, air bases and commands of the Russian Air Force.

Four commands are located in St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Khabarovsk and Novosibirsk. In addition, the Russian Air Force includes a separate command that manages long-range and military transport aviation.

As mentioned above, the Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force in size. In 2010, the strength of the Russian air force was 148 thousand people, about 3.6 thousand different pieces of aircraft were in operation, and about 1 thousand more were in storage.

After the 2008 reform, air regiments turned into air bases; in 2010, there were 60-70 such bases.

The Russian Air Force is assigned the following tasks:

• repelling enemy aggression in the air and outer space;
• protection from air strikes of military and government control points, administrative and industrial centers, and other important infrastructure facilities of the state;
• defeating enemy troops using various types of ammunition, including nuclear;
• conducting intelligence operations;
• direct support for other branches and branches of the Russian Armed Forces.

Military aviation of the Russian Air Force

The Russian Air Force includes strategic and long-range aviation, military transport and army aviation, which, in turn, is divided into fighter, attack, bomber, and reconnaissance.

Strategic and long-range aviation is part of the Russian nuclear triad and is capable of carrying different kinds nuclear weapons.

. These machines were designed and built back in the Soviet Union. The impetus for the creation of this aircraft was the development by the Americans of the B-1 strategist. Today, the Russian Air Force has 16 Tu-160 aircraft in service. These military aircraft can be armed with cruise missiles and free-fall bombs. Will he be able to Russian industry establishing serial production of these machines is an open question.

. This is a turboprop aircraft that made its first flight during Stalin’s lifetime. This vehicle has undergone deep modernization; it can be armed with cruise missiles and free-falling bombs with both conventional and nuclear warheads. Currently, the number of operating machines is about 30.

. This machine is called a long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber. Tu-22M was developed in the late 60s of the last century. The aircraft has variable wing geometry. Can carry cruise missiles and bombs with a nuclear warhead. Total There are about 50 combat-ready vehicles, another 100 are in storage.

The fighter aviation of the Russian Air Force is currently represented by the Su-27, MiG-29, Su-30, Su-35, MiG-31, Su-34 (fighter-bomber) aircraft.

. This machine is the result of a deep modernization of the Su-27; it can be classified as generation 4++. The fighter has increased maneuverability and is equipped with advanced electronic equipment. Commencement of operation of the Su-35 - 2014. The total number of aircraft is 48 aircraft.

. The famous attack aircraft, created back in the mid-70s of the last century. One of the best aircraft in its class in the world, the Su-25 has participated in dozens of conflicts. Today there are about 200 Rooks in service, with another 100 in storage. This aircraft is being modernized and will be completed in 2020.

. Frontline bomber with variable wing geometry, designed to overcome enemy air defenses at low altitude and supersonic speed. The Su-24 is an obsolete aircraft; it is planned to be written off by 2020. 111 units remain in service.

. The newest fighter-bomber. There are currently 75 such aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force.

Transport aviation Russian Air Force is represented by several hundred different aircraft, the vast majority developed in the USSR: An-22, An-124 “Ruslan”, Il-86, An-26, An-72, An-140, An-148 and other models.

Training aviation includes: Yak-130, Czech aircraft L-39 Albatros and Tu-134UBL.

The Ka-50 helicopter has been discontinued from serial production. To date, about a hundred Ka-52 units and more than a hundred Mi-28 Night Hunter helicopters have been delivered to the troops.

The largest helicopters remaining in service are the Mi-24 (620 units) and Mi-8 (570 units). These are reliable but old soviet cars, which can be used for some time after minimal modernization.

Prospects for the Russian Air Force

Work is currently underway on the creation of several aircraft, some of them are in the final stages.

The main new product, which should soon enter service with the Russian Air Force and significantly strengthen them, is Russian complex fifth-generation front-line aviation T-50 (PAK FA). The aircraft has already been shown to the general public several times, and prototypes are currently being tested. Information appeared in the media about problems with the T-50 engine, but there was no official confirmation of this. The first T-50 aircraft should enter service in 2018.

Among the promising projects, it is also worth noting the Il-214 and Il-112 transport aircraft, which should replace the outdated Anas, as well as the new MiG-35 fighter, they plan to begin delivering it to the troops this year.

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