Alexey Zakvasin

On December 23, Russia celebrates Long-Range Aviation Day, which is one of the components of the nuclear triad. The Russian Aerospace Forces include Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 attack aircraft. Air cruisers can hit large land targets and enemy ships, including non-nuclear weapons. At present, the long-range aviation of the Russian Federation is at the stage of modernization. By 2023, Russia should receive 50 Tu-160M2. In the future, the VKS will enter the PAK DA new generation vehicles. The role and significance of long-range aviation in the structure of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - in the material RT.

• Bombers Tu-22M3 Russian Aerospace Forces
• RIA News

The birthday of long-range aviation (DA) of Russia is considered December 23, since on this day in 1914 Nicholas II signed a decree on the creation of a squadron of aircraft "Ilya Muromets" - the world's first compound of heavy four-engine bombers.

DA began to acquire its modern look during the period cold war... The 1950s-1970s were a period of rapid development of Soviet long-range aviation.

The first original strategic jet bomber of the USSR was the Tu-16 "Badger", which made its first flight on April 27, 1952. Six months later, the turboprop Tu-95 "Bear" took to the sky. In 1969, the USSR acquired the Tu-22 supersonic bomber (NATO codification - Blinder).

The pinnacle of the development of Soviet design thought was (according to NATO codification - Blackjack), which has been in operation since 1987. At present, the Aerospace Forces is armed with deeply modernized versions of Soviet vehicles: Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 (including Tu-160M1). In addition, the DA includes Tu-22MR reconnaissance aircraft and Il-78 tankers.

Data on the number of long-range aircraft possessed by the Russian Aerospace Forces differ greatly. According to domestic media, the Russian air fleet has 30 Tu-95s, 12 Tu-22M3 and 16 Tu-160. That is, a total of 58 cars.

According to the calculations of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the DA of Russia includes 62 Tu-22M3, 50 T-95MS, 11 Tu-160, five Tu-160M1 and one Tu-22MR (total 139 vehicles). The Aerospace Forces deployed four Tu-22M3 squadrons, three Tu-95MS squadrons and one Tu-160 squadron.

Alexei Leonkov, commercial director of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, told RT that IISS analysts are most likely taking into account the aircraft currently in storage. According to him, the most realistic figure is cited by Russian sources, and it does not exceed 60-65 vehicles.

Out of reach

Long-range aviation of Russia is an air component of the Strategic Nuclear Forces (SNF) of the Russian Federation. All DA planes in service with the RF Armed Forces are capable of delivering strikes with both nuclear and non-nuclear weapons. The tasks of the DA include the destruction of strategically important objects in the deep rear of the enemy. In addition, domestic aircraft can hit large surface targets.

On December 22, 2017, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that over the past five years, long-range aviation has performed 178 flights as part of air patrols. Since the fall of 2015, the Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 have been actively used for. Long-range aviation has tested both single and group combat missions.

In the operation in the Arab Republic, the White Swans received their baptism of fire. In particular, the Tu-160 was successfully used by the X-101 and X-55 ultra-long-range cruise missiles. Both missiles have their own nuclear versions - X-102 and X-555, respectively.

“Tu-22M3 operates at tactical depth. Its radius combat action slightly lower than the Tu-95 and Tu-160. The aircraft has demonstrated its effectiveness in the defeat of well-fortified enemy targets in Afghanistan and Syria. Tu-22M3 is also called the “aircraft carrier killer”. This vehicle can successfully destroy large surface forces, ”Leonkov said.

• Long-range bomber Tu-22M3 delivers an air strike on terrorist targets in the province of Deir ez-Zor in Syria
• RIA News

According to the expert, one should not write off the oldest bomber DA Tu-95MS, which is the only turboprop aircraft in the world capable of speeds in excess of 900 km / h. The upgraded version of the Tu-95 can use the Kh-101/102 strategic air-to-ground cruise missile, the range of which reaches 6-9 thousand km.

Tu-160 has no analogues in the world. The bomber is capable of overcoming enemy air defenses, developing supersonic speeds of 2500 km / h. "White Swan", if necessary, rises to a height of 22 thousand meters, thus being out of the reach of enemy fighters.

“The Tu-160 is a truly incredible machine. It is almost impossible to intercept it. An anti-aircraft missile and the most modern fighter will not be able to catch up with our aircraft. For example, the Tu-160 can keep supersonic speed on afterburner for 45 minutes, and the potential "hunter" for it F / A-18 - 10 minutes, "Leonkov said.

Stealth bet

In 2015, the Russian Ministry of Defense decided to build 50 Tu-160M2 vehicles by 2023. Experts believe that from this moment began the most important for the entire recent history RF stage in the modernization of long-range aviation. In mid-November 2017, the first Tu-160 in nine years was assembled, called Vitaly Kopylov.

On December 22, in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda, the commander of long-range aviation, Lieutenant-General Sergei Kobylash, said that the combat effectiveness of the Tu-160M2 would be two and a half times higher than its Soviet predecessor.

• Tu-160 bomber-missile carrier
• RIA News

"Economical engines with wider resource capabilities will increase the flight range, which, together with the declared power-to-weight ratio, will keep the Tu-160 strategic missile carrier a leading position among strategic strike systems," Kobylash explained.

The Tu-160M2 will be equipped with improved systems of onboard electronics and weapons control. On the modernized White Swan, the concept of a “glass cockpit” (replacement of mechanical indicators with displays) and an “open board” (a simplified scheme for integrating equipment components from different manufacturers) should be implemented.

First of all, the Tu-160M2 are intended to replace the Tu-95MS, which are expected to be removed from service in 2025. "White Swans" will form the backbone of the air component of the Russian strategic nuclear forces before the massive arrival of the PAK DA (Advanced Long-Range Aviation Complex), which is designed to become a universal combat vehicle.

PAK DA will be manufactured according to the "flying wing" design. It was originally planned that the promising aircraft would be supersonic. However, in 2016, the media reported that the Ministry of Defense stopped at the subsonic version. The main requirements of the PAK DA are to be equipped with all types of strike weapons, including hypersonic ones, and low visibility.

• Computer image of the possible appearance PAK YES
• Jozef gatial

The bomber will use the latest technology to reduce radar signature. It is known that radio-absorbing materials will be used in the aircraft design. In this case, all weapons must be placed inside the case. The first PAK DA flight is expected in 2025.

“PAK DA has decided to sacrifice high speeds in favor of improved stealth performance. If possible, strike targets with long distance high speed the bomber is not required, but the ability to unnoticeably reach the missile launch distance is needed, "Vadim Kozyulin, professor at the Academy of Military Sciences, explained the situation in an interview with RT.

According to the expert, in the future, all long-range bombers will be included in the general intelligence and information field of inter-military interaction. Taking into account the development of delivery systems and destruction of the aviation component of the strategic nuclear forces, the country's celestial nuclear shield can be considered a reliable deterrent for potential external aggressors, Kozyulin summed up.

Home Structure Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Air Force Structure Aviation

Aviation

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.

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

Long-range aviation (YES) is the means of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Russian Federation and is designed to solve strategic (operational-strategic) and operational tasks in theaters of military operations (strategic directions).

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

Long-range aviation is a component of the strategic nuclear forces.

DA formations and units are based taking into account its operational and strategic designation and tasks from Novgorod in the west of the country to Anadyr and Ussuriisk in the east, from Tiksi in the north and to Blagoveshchensk in the south of the country.

The core of the aircraft fleet is made up of Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers, Tu-22M3 long-range missile-bombers, Il-78 refueling 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 the DA command are air patrol flights of Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft to the area of \u200b\u200bIceland and the water area of \u200b\u200bthe Norwegian Sea; to the North Pole and to the Aleutian Islands; along the east coast of South America.

Regardless of the organizational structure in which long-range aviation exists and will exist, combat strengthcharacteristics of aircraft and weapons in service, the main task of long-range aviation on the scale of the Air Force should be considered both nuclear and non-nuclear deterrence of potential adversaries. In the event of the outbreak of war, the DA will carry out tasks to reduce the military-economic potential of the enemy, defeat important military facilities, disrupt state and military control.

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

The main directions of development of long-range aviation:

• maintaining and building up operational capabilities to fulfill the assigned tasks as part of the strategic deterrent and general-purpose forces by upgrading the Tu-160, Tu-95MS, Tu-22MZ bombers with an extension of their service life;
• creation of a promising long-range aviation complex (PAK DA).

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

Military transport aircraft Il-76MD, An-26, An-22, An-124, An-12PP, transport helicopters Mi-8MTV are in service with the military transport units and formations. The main tasks of VTA formations and units are: airborne units (subunits) Airborne troops 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. Includes air bases, units and subunits of special forces.

Part of the BTA forces can be involved in special tasks.

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

Operational-tactical aviationis intended for solving operational (operational-tactical) and tactical tasks in operations (combat actions) of groupings of troops (forces) in theaters of military operations (strategic directions).

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

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 groupings of troops, aviation, naval forces enemy, the destruction of its important military, military-industrial, energy facilities, communication centers, aerial reconnaissance and air mining, mainly in the strategic and operational depth.

Assault aviation (SHA)being 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 basing airfields (sites), conducting aerial reconnaissance and mining from the air, mainly at the forefront, in tactical and operational-tactical depth.

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.

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

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

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. Units and subunits of special aviation are under the direct or operational subordination of the commander of the air force formation and are involved in: 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 and performing other tasks.

The big sky of long-range aviation [Soviet long-range bombers in the Great Patriotic War, 1941-1945] Zhirokhov Mikhail Aleksandrovich

Appendix 3. AIRCRAFT FOR LARGE AVIATION (1926-1945)

Appendix 3.

AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT (1926-1945)

"Farman" F.62 "Goliath" (FG, FG-62)

This twin-engine bomber was designed in 1918 by the designers of the French company Société de Avions Henri e Maurice Farman. It was a large wooden biplane with a fixed landing gear. After the end of World War I, the unfinished prototype "Goliath" was hastily converted into a passenger car. It made its first flight in November 1919.

In September 1924, the Farman F.62 modification appeared with 400 hp Lauren-Dietrich 12Db engines. c, at least three civilian vehicles with such a motor installation were built: one was equipped as an ambulance with space for 12 stretchers, a doctor and an orderly; the other was converted into a bomber, the third was sold to Czechoslovakia.

In the first half of the 1920s. in Soviet Russia, planning to eventually begin production of their heavy bombers, as a temporary measure, they decided to purchase them abroad. The choice of the Air Force Directorate fell on the F.62. The aircraft served for a long time as training aircraft, until they were replaced by more advanced machines.

Junkers YUG-1 (K.30S)

The YUG-1 bomber, created by the German company Junkers, was a military version of the G.24 passenger aircraft. It was a three-engined cantilever monoplane with corrugated skin and a fixed landing gear. The G.24 made its first flight on 18 September 1923.

In the version of the bomber, the aircraft (designated as K.ZOS) began to be built in 1925. The main units were manufactured in Germany, and the final assembly was carried out at the AB Fligindustri plant in Limhamn (Sweden). The aircraft could be operated both on a wheeled and on a ski and float landing gear.

After the end of the Civil War, the USSR had far-reaching plans, including military development. But its own industry lay in ruins, so it was decided to make purchases abroad. Among other things, it was supposed to purchase 23 K.ZOS. The first of them arrived in the USSR in November 1925, but the bulk of the ordered vehicles arrived later - in 1926-1928.

In the Red Army Air Force, the aircraft was designated YUG-1. The first 8 bombers went into service with the new 57th Squadron in Trotsk (now Gatchina).

YUG-1 took part in a number of major maneuvers of the Red Army, but were never used in real combat. During the exercises, the planes conducted reconnaissance and simulated raids on a simulated enemy. However, they flew at night.

From May 1930, German aircraft began to be transferred from bomber squadrons to naval aviation and the civilian air fleet. As training and military transport aircraft, the YUG-1 was operated in the Red Army Air Force until mid-1933.

After the decommissioning of the Ilya Muromets aircraft and before the appearance of the Tupolev TB-1 bomb carrier, the YUG-1 became for a short time the only type of heavy bomber in the Red Army Air Force. On it, pilots could gain experience in piloting heavy aircraft and later apply it in the development of domestic aircraft TB-1 and TB-3.

YUG-1 in the USSR

Head No. …… Date of transmission to the USSR

901 …… 11.1925

903 …… 11.1925

906 …… 11.1925

930 …… 13.3.1926

932 …… 16.6.1926

934 …… 1.8.1926

935 …… 1.8.1926

936 …… 1.8.1926

938 …… 1.8.1926

940 …… 19.8.1926

942 …… 19.8.1926

943 …… 19.8.1926

945 …… 31.8.1926

946 …… 31.8.1926

948 …… 31.8.1926

952 …… 14.1.1928

954 …… 14.1.1928

955 …… 14.1.1928

956 …… 14.1.1928

957 …… 14.1.1928

958 …… 14.1.1928

959 …… 14.1.1928

960 …… 14.1.1928

TB-1 (ANT-4)

TB-1 was the first Soviet heavy bomber. It was designed from the middle of 1924 at AGOS TsAGI under the leadership of A.N. Tupolev. Twin-engine all-metal cantilever monoplane with corrugated skin and fixed landing gear.

The first prototype with British engines Napier "Lion" took off on November 26, 1925 (pilot AI Tomashevsky). But they decided to carry out mass production with BMW VI engines. The second prototype, which became the standard for the series, went for testing in August 1928.

Serial production of TB-1 began in the summer of 1929 at plant number 22 in Fili. The usual TB-1 with a wheeled chassis (replaced in winter by skis) and TB1a (TB-1P) on floats were produced. The aircraft was discontinued in 1932. A total of 216 aircraft were built, including 66 TB-1 aircraft.

TB-1 was in service with the Red Army Air Force since 1929. To increase the flight range and weight of the bomb load, from February 1932, additional external bomb racks were mounted on some aircraft, and then bridges. The latter received more than a third of the cars. The operating range of the TB-1 was relatively small, and a removable gas tank was developed for it, located in the bomb bay. Then the fuel supply was replenished by installing additional tanks in the wing. We worked on chemical and jet (recoilless cannons) bomber armament, but this remained within the framework of experiments. The TMS-36 complex was not completed either - two unmanned TB1, controlled by radio operators from a guidance aircraft. Such flying bombs were supposed to hit large and important objects, well covered by air defense systems.

As bombers TB-1 served until 1936, and then operated as training and transport aircraft until 1939.

Disarmed TB-1s transferred to the Civil Air Fleet (where they were called G-1) were widely used as cargo. As transport, they operated at the front during the Great Patriotic War... The last machines flew in polar aviation until 1949.

TB-3 (ANT-6)

Since December 1925 in AGOS TsAGI under the leadership of A.N. Tupolev developed a project of a transport aircraft intended for the transportation of bulky cargo. On June 6, 1926, this vehicle was considered as a heavy day and night bomber. The prototype aircraft ANT-6 (TB-3) took off for the first time on December 22, 1930 (pilot M.M. Gromov). It was a four-engine cantilever monoplane with corrugated skin and non-retractable landing gear.

Serial production of the TB-3 began in February 1932. Bombers of this type were produced by factories No. 22 (Moscow), No. 39 (Moscow) and No. 18 (Voronezh). The last TB-3 was built in 1938. A total of 819 vehicles were manufactured.

Engines and small arms - depending on modification. Crew - 8-10 people. Normal bomb load - 2000 kg, maximum - up to 5000 kg.

TB-3 with engines BMW VI, M-17B, M-17F; armament - 5 machine guns of 7.62 mm caliber (on the first aircraft without twin installations), on most of the produced aircraft - 8, on the last series - 6 machine guns (underwing turrets removed); from 1933 a "cradle" was introduced under the nose of the fuselage; the most massive version - more than half of the aircraft produced;

TB-3 p. M-34 engines and modified nacelle nodding, produced since 1933; armament - 8 machine guns (on the latter - 6 machine guns, without underwing towers);

TB-3 with M-34R engines, produced since the summer of 1934, with an elongated fuselage, new vertical tail, aft rifle installation and the absence of the first upper turret, a hatch installation (in total - 7 machine guns of 7.62 mm caliber), oil air shock absorbers for the chassis (instead of rubber), brake rear wheels in bogies, electrified bomber weapons;

TB-3 with M-34RN engines, produced since February 1936, with single wheels instead of twin bogies, modified nose part of the fuselage, increased wingspan; armament - 4 machine guns of 7.62 mm caliber in shielded turrets;

TB-3 with M-34FRN engines, produced in 1937, had additional fuel tanks in the consoles, rounded ends of the horizontal tail, developed fairings between the wing and the fuselage; armament - as in the previous version.

The four-engine giants were in service in the USSR since the spring of 1932.The Soviet TB-3s were first used with the support of the offensive near Lake Khasan in August 1938. On Khalkhin Gol in July-August 1939, they were used as night bombers and transport aircraft. During the campaign to Western Ukraine and Western Belarus in September of the same year, TB-3 delivered fuel, ammunition and food to the advancing troops of the Red Army. In the "winter" war with Finland, they were used as night and occasionally as daytime bombers to strike rear targets, supplied the surrounded units and formations, and took out the wounded. When the Baltic States and Bessarabia were annexed in 1940, large air assault forces were landed from these vehicles.

TB-3 took an active part in the Great Patriotic War. Since June 1941, they were used in Belarus and Ukraine, and conducted a series of raids on the border regions of Poland. In June-July, these vehicles were forced to use during the day, then only at night. TB-3 long time constituted a significant part of the ADD fleet. They took part in the battle of Moscow, the defense of the Crimea, the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk. From the end of 1943 they were used only as transport and training aircraft.

TB-3 was removed from service with the Soviet Air Force in the fall of 1946. In civil aviation, disarmed bombers were operated under the designation G-2 as cargo bombers. During the Great Patriotic War G-2 was used for transportation to the front.

R-6 (ANT-7)

R-6 is the only Soviet production aircraft conceived as a "cruiser". Its main purpose was to escort heavy bombers outside the range of fighters. It could also be used as a long-range scout. The aircraft was designed at AGOS TsAGI under the leadership of A.N. Tupolev since October 1926,

The R-6 was a twin-engine cantilever monoplane with corrugated skin and fixed landing gear. Due to repeated changes in the requirements of the technical task, the work was delayed, and the prototype was built only in August 1929. In September, flight tests of the aircraft began. They were conducted by M.M. Gromov. ANT-7 was exhibited for state tests three times and successfully passed them by October 1930.

Serial production of the P-6 was carried out from the beginning of 1931. This machine was built by plant number 22 in Moscow, plant number 31 in Taganrog and plant number 126 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. A total of 406 aircraft were produced.

The following modifications were serially produced:

R-6, the first production version, wheeled chassis (replaced by ski chassis in winter), armament - 5 machine guns (7.62 mm caliber);

KR-6 - an improved modification with fairings between the fuselage and the wing, landing flaps, oil-air (instead of rubber) shock absorption of the chassis, brake wheels; armament - 4 machine guns (retractable ventral turret removed). Such machines were produced in Moscow in 1934-1935.

Both of these options were in service with heavy bomber brigades. In addition, their corresponding modifications (R-6a and KR-6a) were produced for naval aviation (they were equipped with a float landing gear).

Since 1932, the R-6 and KR-6 planes have been equipped with squadrons of multi-seat fighters (later renamed cruising) and long-range reconnaissance squadrons that were part of the structure of heavy bomber brigades. Never participated in hostilities. Although the aircraft became outdated rather quickly, they were operated in combat units until 1937. They were widely used as training aircraft during the transition of air units to high-speed SB bombers. In flight schools and colleges, the R-6 and KR-6 were preserved until the Great Patriotic War.

In the late 30s. a significant number of machines were transferred to civil aviation, where they served under the designations PS-7 (wheeled) and MP-6 (float) - In departmental aviation, the last P-6 flew until the end of 1950.

Before the Great Patriotic War in the USSR, the creation of passenger aircraft was not given the same importance as the production of military vehicles. The civilian gap was filled in 1936 with the purchase of a production license for the successful American DC-3 aircraft. The first production aircraft left the assembly shop of plant No. 84 in the summer of 1939. It was called PS-84 (passenger aircraft of the 84th plant) and was equipped with domestic engines.

The desire of the military to adapt any aviation innovations to the military needs led to the fact that the factory designers began to re-equip the "air truck" into a bomber. Even during soviet-Finnish war A.E. Golovanov, at that time the commander of the crew of the transport PS-84, tried, and not without success, to use his car as a bomber. The war that began in 1941, the large losses of Soviet aviation in its first months most naturally led to the decision to mass produce the PS-84 bomber version.

Serial production began at the beginning of 1942, and from September of the same year the aircraft was renamed Li-2 after the name of the chief engineer of plant No. 84 B.P. Lisunova. The military modification differed from the civil one by the presence of external bomb racks, a bomb sight installed outside and defensive weapons. At the same time, the car was of dual purpose and could also perform transport functions.

The aircraft was produced at plant number 34 in Tashkent (where the equipment of plant number 84 was evacuated) and number 126 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur (since 1946). A total of 4863 vehicles were produced.

During the war, the Li-2 was armed with many ADD units. Among them: the 101st and 102nd transport regiments, 1st hell dd, 53rd and 62nd hell dd , 340th ap dd 54th ad dd and others. Li-2, along with their "siblings" - the C-47 planes supplied to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, - participated in almost all Air Force and ADD operations in Velikaya World War II. In addition to bombing (mainly at night), they carried out transport and medical transportation, dropping landing troops and reconnaissance groups to the enemy's rear, and were used to communicate with the partisans, transferring cargo to them and taking out the wounded. With the help of the Li-2, entire air units were quickly redeployed.

Several regiments armed with Li-2 bombers took part in the war in the Far East in August 1945.

After the war, the need for the Li-2 as a bomber disappeared, and the machines began to be used for their original passenger-transport purpose, as well as as a training aircraft.

Production of PS-84 / Li-2 aircraft in 1938-1945. (58)

DB-3 (IL-4)

The all-metal bomber DB-3 (TsKB-30) was a development of the prototype TsKB-26 aircraft of mixed design. The latter was originally designed at the Central Design Bureau under the leadership of the SV. Ilyushin as a high-speed short-range bomber BB-2, but was then equipped with additional gas tanks and thus turned into a long-range bomber. It was a twin-engine cantilever monoplane with a smooth skin, closed cabins and retractable landing gear. TsKB-30 made its first flight on March 31, 1936 (pilot V.K.Kokkinaki).

Serial production of DB-3 was organized since January 1937. The aircraft were built by factories # 39 (Moscow, then Irkutsk), # 18 (Voronezh), # 126 (Komsomolsk-on-Amur), # 23 (Moscow). Since the summer of 1942 it was called the Il-4. Before production ceased at the end of 1945, 6,785 aircraft were produced.

There were the following serial modifications:

DB-3 (DB-3A) with M-85 or M-86 engines, armament - three 7.62 mm machine guns;

DB-3B with M-87 engines, detachable wing consoles, modified glazing of the navigator's cockpit, a new cockpit canopy, reinforced chassis, crew armor protection, partial protection of gas tanks, armament - three machine guns of 7.62 mm caliber; some of the aircraft were later redesigned with the installation of new MV-2 and MV-3 \u200b\u200bturrets or with the installation of an additional machine gun in the tail spinner;

DB-3f (the first series were called DB-3M, and from the summer of 1942 the aircraft was called Il-4) with M-87 or M-88 engines, a new spindle nose, a new chassis; armament from two (first series) or three 7.62 mm machine guns; from the beginning of 1942 consisted of one 12.7 mm machine gun and two 7.62 mm; since 1942, a wooden frame of the navigator's cabin and a tail spinner were installed on parts of the aircraft; from April of the same year, suspended gas tanks were used; since 1943, a reinforced chassis and an increased wing sweep along the leading edge have been introduced into production. Also, since the middle of the war forto reduce losses in night flights, flame arresters were installed on the Il-4 exhaust pipes.

Torpedo bombers DB-3T and Il-4T for naval aviation were also serially produced. DB-3 were in service mainly with long-range bomber aviation of the Red Army Air Force.

In the winter of 1939/40, most of the long-range bombers were attracted to the raids on Finland. They operated both on targets at the front line and in the interior of the country. They flew mainly during the day, but night strikes were also delivered.

In June 1941, the DB-3B and DB-3f, which formed the basis of long-range aviation, were widely used during the day against the advancing enemy forces. Further, the vehicles were transferred mainly to night operations, attacking objects in the near and far rear of the Germans.

Regiments armed with DB-3 and Il-4 took part in all major operations soviet army... In July 1942, IL-4 long-range aviation carried out a series of raids on Berlin, Budapest, Bucharest, Ploiesti, and the cities of East Prussia. Then they interspersed the support of the troops at the front with raids deep into the enemy's territory. They acted actively at Stalingrad (including during the day) and Kursk. In February 1944, the Il-4 was involved in massive raids on Helsinki, in the spring of the same year they supported operations in the Baltic and Crimea. In June, most of the forces were concentrated to prepare for an offensive in Belarus. IL-4s ended the war by flying from Polish airfields to targets in Germany. They actively participated in Berlin operation... In August 1945, IL-4s were used in a short campaign in the Far East against the Japanese Kwantung Army.

As bombers, these aircraft served until 1949, as training vehicles - they survived until the early 50s.

Er-2 (DB-240)

The aircraft was designed at OKB-240 under the guidance of VT. Ermolaeva. The bomber became the development of the Stal-7 passenger aircraft, designed at the Research Institute of the Civil Air Fleet by the talented aircraft designer R.L. Bartini. Experienced DB-240 first took off on May 14, 1940 Serial production began in October 1940.

Er-2 was produced at factories No. 18 in Voronezh and No. 125 (39) in Irkutsk. Production was interrupted in September 1941 and resumed in 1944. A total of 462 were built.

EP-2 was produced in two main versions:

With an asymmetric cockpit, M-105R motors and machine guns: 1 x 12.7 mm and 2 x 7.62 mm;

With a symmetrical two-seater cockpit, ACh-ZOB diesel engines and armament: 1 cannon 20 mm and 2 machine guns 1.2.7 mm.

The increasing requirements for flight range and bomb load forced the designers to look for a way out, trying these or those new engines. Diesel engines seemed to be the most promising in terms of specific fuel consumption, but their lack of knowledge prevented their mass introduction. Most of the Er-2 fleet in active units consisted of aircraft with M-105 engines.

In service with the Red Army Air Force, the bomber was from May 1941 to May 1946. From the beginning of the war, it was in service with two long-range bomber regiments (420th and 421st TBAP). Er-2 was used as a day and night bomber. In August 1941 and later took part in the raids on Berlin and other cities in Germany. Release resumed in 1944.

Heavy four-engined bomber, monoplane with retractable landing gear. Created at AGOS TsAGI under the leadership of V.M. Petlyakova. An experimental vehicle (ANT-42) made its first flight on December 27, 1936 (crew of M.M. Gromov). Serial production began in June 1940. It was built at factories No. 22 in Moscow and No. 124 in Kazan. Discontinued in 1944. Total built 93 copies.

He was in service with the Red Army Air Force since the spring of 1941. As part of long-range aviation regiments, Pe-8s took part in many operations of the Great Patriotic War, striking both targets near the front line and deep behind enemy lines. The bomber was the only carrier of the largest Soviet aerial bomb - 5000 kg caliber. In August 1941, several ADD crews bombed Berlin on it. On the same plane, the Soviet delegation headed by V.M. Molotov flew to the United States in 1942.

The aircraft was constantly being improved, the bomb load increased. A thorough modernization was carried out in 1943. The Pe-8 had different versions of motor installations: AM-34FRNV (on the prototype), AM-35A, ACh-30B and M-30 diesels, and on later modifications - ASh-82. On some machines, flame arresters were installed on the engine exhaust pipes.

Since June 1944, the crews of the 45th Air Division performed on these aircraft mainly training flights. The last combat missions were made in August. The Pe-8 was removed from service with the Air Force in 1946.

B-25 "Mitchell"

Medium bomber, twin-engined all-metal monoplane with twin tail tail. Designed in the design bureau of the American company North American. The prototype made its first flight in January 1939. Of the 5815 produced copies, 862 were delivered to the USSR. The first aircraft arrived in the Soviet Union in April 1942, and a mass delivery (mainly via Alaska along the Alsib route) began in 1943.

At first, the B-25 (in Soviet documents it was designated as the B-25) was assigned to the front-line aviation, but it was soon recognized as more expedient to use it as a long-range bomber as part of the ADD. Crew - 5-6 people.

The Mitchell was very popular with Soviet pilots. Powerful engines, comfortable places for the crew, excellent defensive armament, rich navigation and sighting equipment for those times allowed the crews to effectively carry out missions. It happened that even with the engine failing during takeoff, with one engine running, the pilots reached the target, dropped their bombs and returned back. The aircraft was constantly modernized taking into account combat operation. North American even took into account the recommendations of the Soviet flight personnel. For example, according to the recollections of the veterans of the 4th Air Corps, after the submission of certain proposals, three months later, one could observe their implementation on serial aircraft arriving from the USA.

B-25 bombers were in service with many ADD regiments, most of which distinguished themselves in combat and received various honorary names: "Sevastopol", "Roslavl", etc. In addition to bombing missions, they performed reconnaissance and transport functions.

At the end of 1943, several vehicles were used in the 113th Aviation Regiment as night hunter blockers. To do this, they were equipped with a battery of two UBT machine guns (12.7 mm) and two ShVAK cannons (20 mm). Bombers were used on almost all fronts of the Great Patriotic War until its very end.

According to the terms of Lend-Lease, at the end of the war, all B-25 aircraft were to be returned to the United States, but this did not happen, and the Mitchells were in service with the USSR Air Force until 1953. Since the aircraft had a landing gear with a nose strut (unlike of most domestic bombers with a tail support), it was used in long-range aviation regiments as a transitional one when retraining for heavy Tu-4 bombers.

Several aircraft modifications were supplied to the USSR:

V-25S - with R-2600-13 engines, autopilot and armament: 6 12.7 mm machine guns;

B-25D - similar to the B-25C, but with a slightly modified layout, armament: 9 12.7 mm machine guns; From the author's book

Appendix 5. Airplanes airlifted to Malta by aircraft carriers in 1940-42. (1) As part of Operation Pedestal (2) In addition, several Suordfish and Fulmar Illastries operated from Malta, when the carrier received heavy

From the author's book

Appendix No. 2. The effectiveness of the consumer air regiments of naval aviation in 1941-1945 (37) Regiment ... ... Affiliation / Number of victories / Number of combat missions3 Guiap (5 IAP) ... ... KBF / 507 / More than 200004 Guiap (13 IAP 1st form.) …… KBF / 431 / More than 220002 Guiap (72 sap) …… SF / 408 / No precise data11

From the author's book

Appendix No. 3. The best aces of fighter aviation of the Red Army Air Force 1936-1945. The list below contains the names of the pilots who shot down at least 40 enemy aircraft, and is compiled in descending order. Accepted abbreviations: * - Hero Soviet Union, ** - twice Hero of the Soviet

From the author's book

Asa Transport Aviation Application On September 1, 1939, Adolf Hitler, in addition to the traditional Iron Cross of the first and second class, instituted a new highest award in the German army - the Knight's Cross (RK). Then on July 3, 1940, the Knight's Cross with oak

From the author's book

Appendix 3 Tactical and technical data of aircraft of the German naval aviation of the Second World War Cit. Quoted from: Richards D., Saunders H. The British Air Force in World War II. 1939-1945 years. - Moscow: Military Publishing, 1963; Lavrentiev H. M. et al. Aviation of the Navy in the Great

From the author's book

Appendix 4. BRIEF REFERENCES ON SOME RANGE OF RANGE AVIATION 200th Long-Range Bomber Aviation Regiment The Directorate was formed in the state of 15/828-B, number of 40 people. 5 squadrons - formed by the state 15/807-B, numbering 570 people. By the beginning of the war in service

From the author's book

David S. Isby The Triumph of the Luftwaffe: The Failure of an Allied Bomber Operation in 1944-1945 It happens that what could have been more like the truth than the truth itself William Faulkner. "Absalom, Absalom" Within five months, from October 1943 to March 1944

From the author's book

Appendix No. 4 Crew members of the S-13 submarine - participants in the cruise on 11.01-15.02.1945 and their rewarding by order of the commander of the KBF No. 30 dated 13.03.1945 7 people were awarded the Order of the Red Banner: 1. Submarine commander 3rd-Class Captain Alexander Ivanovich Marinesko 2. Assistant commander

From the author's book

Appendix 10. List of losses of naval officers of the Azov flotilla in 1769–1774 (1926) Military rank and name ... Year and reason for leaving Warrant officer P. Musin-Pushkin… 1769 leaving after death Warrant officer M. Sumarokov… 1770 leaving after death General- Kriegs Commissioner I.M. Selivanov ... 1771 disposal after

From the author's book

HANDBOOK Guards units and formations of Soviet aviation 1941-1945. Boris RYCHILO Miroslav MOROZOV Moscow By the order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR of December 12, 1941, the first six aviation regiments distinguished themselves mainly in defensive battles on the approaches

Long-Range Aviation Command - the unification of the Russian Air Force under the command of the commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces. It is a strategic aviation - a component of Russia's strategic nuclear forces.

Tu-160, 2011.

Tu-22M3, 2011.

History

The date of creation of Long-Range Aviation is considered to be December 10 (23), 1914, when Emperor Nicholas II approved the decision to create a squadron of air ships "Ilya Muromets". The squadron leader was Mikhail Shidlovsky (a former naval officer, chairman of the board of shareholders of the Russian-Baltic Carriage Works, which built the Ilya Muromets aircrafts).

By April 1917, the squadron consisted of four combat detachments, about 20 bombers. In September 1917, German troops approached Vinnitsa, where a squadron of air ships was stationed at that time, so the planes were burned so that they would not get to the enemy.

By a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of March 22, 1918, it was ordered to form the Northern group of aircrafts "Ilya Muromets" consisting of three combat units. Thus began the revival of Long-Range Aviation in the RSFSR.

In 1933, for the first time in the world, heavy bomber aviation corps were formed, which received the TB-3 bomber. In January 1936, the first aviation reserve army of the Supreme Command was formed (special forces - GA). In the same year, DB-3 twin-engine long-range bombers (after modernization - DB-ZF (Il-4)) began to enter the troops. In 1936-1938, three special air armies were created, which were directly subordinate to the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR.

In 1940, the Long-Range Bomber Aviation of the Main Command of the Red Army (DBA GK) was created, and the directorates of the special forces were disbanded. By mid-1941, the DBA GK included five air corps, three separate air divisions and one separate air regiment: with a total of about 1,500 aircraft (13.5% of the total aircraft fleet of the Red Army Air Force) and almost 1,000 combat-ready crews. By a GKO decree of March 5, 1942, Long-Range Bomber Aviation was transformed into Long-Range Aviation (ADA) with direct subordination to the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command. General Alexander Golovanov was appointed commander of the ADD.

In 1960, in connection with the creation of the Strategic Missile Forces, two of the three long-range aviation directorates were transferred to the Strategic Missile Forces.

In 1961, the organization of Long-Range Aviation was changed, the basis of which was made up of three separate heavy bomber corps:

• 2nd separate heavy bomber aviation corps (Vinnitsa);
• 6th separate heavy bomber aviation Red Banner corps (Smolensk);
• 8th Heavy Bomber Aviation Corps (Blagoveshchensk).

To control the regiments and divisions of the former 43rd Air Army, the 2nd separate heavy bomber air corps of Long-Range Aviation was formed with a deployment in Vinnitsa.

In 1961, the 2nd Otbak included:

• 13th Guards. tbad (Poltava) as part of the 184th (Priluki), 185th and 225th tbap on Tu-16 aircraft (both at the Poltava airfield);
• 15th Guards. tbad (Zhitomir) as part of the 250th tbap (Stryi), 251st tbap (Belaya Tserkov) on Tu-16 aircraft and 341st tbap (Ozernoe) on Tu-22 aircraft;
• 106th tbad (Uzin) as part of the 182nd tbap (Mozdok), 409th and 1006th tbap (both at Uzin airfield) on Tu-95K and Tu-95M aircraft;
• 199th Guards. odrap (Nezhin) on Tu-16 aircraft.

To control the regiments and divisions of the former 50th Air Army in 1960, the 6th separate heavy bomber aircraft corps of the Long-Range Aviation was formed with a deployment in Smolensk.

In 1961, it included:

In 1980, on the basis of these corps, three air armies of the Supreme High Command were formed:

• (Smolensk);
• 30th Air Force of the Supreme High Command of Strategic Purpose (Irkutsk);
• 24th Air Force of the Supreme High Command of Operations (Vinnitsa).

The Long-Range Aviation Command was reorganized into the 37th Air Force of the Supreme High Command for strategic purposes with the headquarters based in Moscow.

• 30th Air Force of the Supreme High Command of Strategic Purpose (Irkutsk);
• 37th Air Force of the Supreme High Command of Strategic Purpose (Moscow);
• 46th Air Red Banner Army of the Supreme High Command for Strategic Assignment (Smolensk);
• 43rd Center for Combat Use and Retraining of Flight Personnel of Long-Range Aviation (Ryazan).

On April 1, 1998, the Long-Range Aviation Command was transformed into the 37th Air Force of the Supreme High Command (strategic). AT

Participation in operations

Tu-160, accompanied by Su-30, performs a combat mission in Syria

Commanders

• Golovanov Alexander Evgenievich, Chief Marshal of Aviation (1946-1948)
• Rudenko Sergey Ignatievich, Colonel-General of Aviation (1950-1953)
• Novikov Alexander Alexandrovich, Air Chief Marshal (1953-1955)
• Sudets Vladimir Alexandrovich, Air Marshal (1955-1962)
• Reshetnikov Vasily Vasilievich (1969-1980)
• Gorbunov Ivan Vladimirovich, Colonel-General of Aviation (1980-1985)
• Deinekin Pyotr Stepanovich, Lieutenant General (1985-1990)
• Kalugin Igor Mikhailovich, Colonel General (1990-1997)
• Oparin Mikhail Mikhailovich, Lieutenant General (1998-2002)
• Khvorov Igor Ivanovich, Lieutenant General (2002-2007)
• Androsov Pavel Vasilievich, Major General (2007-2009)
• Zhikharev Anatoly Dmitrievich, Lieutenant General (2009-2016)
• Kobylash Sergey Ivanovich, Lieutenant General (September 16, 2016 - present)

Armament

The long-range aviation is armed with strategic missile-carrying bombers Tu-95 MS and Tu-160, as well as long-range bombers Tu-22M3:

• 60 Tu-95MS aircraft
• 17 Tu-160 aircraft
• about 61 Tu-22M3 aircraft [ ]

Composition

• Headquarters, military unit 44402 (Moscow)
• 63rd Mitavsky separate communication center for automated control facilities, military unit 83069 (Smolensk region, Smolensk, Smolensk-Severny airfield).
• 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Donbass Red Banner Division (Saratov Region, Engels):

Annually December 23rd Russia celebrates Long-Range Aviation Day, a professional holiday for all servicemen directly related to long-range aviation of the Russian Air Force. This is a relatively young holiday. It was established only in 1999 by order of the country's air force commander Anatoly Kornukov.

Russian Long-Range Aviation Day

The festive date was certainly not chosen by chance, it has a historical basis. It was on December 23, 1913 that the four-engine heavy bomber "Ilya Muromets" made its first test flight. This is the world's first serial multi-engine bomber aircraft designer Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky. He is rightfully called the "great-grandfather" of all modern strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Only a year later, on December 23, 1914, the imperial decree of Nicholas II was issued. As a result, Russia approved the resolution of the Military Council on the formation of the Ilya Muromets bomber squadron. This event became the starting point in the history of heavy bomber aviation not only in our country, but throughout the world. In 2018, Russia's long-range aviation is celebrating its 104th birthday.

World War I

During the First World War, the crews of the "Ilya Muromets" bomber squadron made about 400 sorties. In 1917, the squadron consisted of 20 four-engined bombers. After the October Revolution in March 1918, the formation of the Northern Group of Aircraft (SGVK) began. The aircraft "Ilya Muromets" of this group were to be used for polar expeditions and reconnaissance of the Northern Sea Route. However, the tense situation and fierce battles on the fountains civil war in Russia they did not allow this project to be realized. In November 1918, the SGVK was renamed the Air Group. The air group, in turn, in 1919 received the official name - Aircraft Division.

The further development of long-range aviation in our country was associated with the adoption of the heavy TB-3 bomber in the 1930s. It was designed by the famous aircraft designer Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. In 1936, new DB-3 bombers, as well as DB-3F, designed at the Sergey Ilyushin Design Bureau, began to arrive in the Red Army Air Force.

In 1936-1938, aviation brigades and corps of heavy bombers were consolidated into three separate special air armies. All three armies were directly subordinate to the USSR People's Commissar of Defense. In 1940, units and formations of heavy bombers entered the formed long-range bomber aviation of the main command of the Red Army (DBA GK). By the beginning of World War II, the DBA GK consisted of 5 air corps, 3 separate air divisions and one separate air regiment. According to experts, on June 22, 1941, the DBA numbered only about 1,500 aircraft and almost 1,000 trained crews on full combat readiness.

The Great Patriotic War

Soviet long-range bombers made their first sorties on June 22, 1941. During the war, long-range aviation crews took part in all major battles of the Red Army. And also carried out special tasks of the Soviet command.

Already during the war, in March 1942, long-range bomber aviation was reorganized into long-range aviation, and in December 1944 - into the 18th Air Force. In 1946, on the basis of this army, the Long-Range Aviation of the USSR Armed Forces was formed. In total, during the Great Patriotic War, the flight crew of long-range bombers carried out about 220 thousand sorties. As a result, more than two million air bombs of various calibers were dropped on enemy positions and infrastructure.

Postwar years

In the 1950s, jet technology was adopted. Long-range Tu-16 bombers and Tu-95 and 3M strategic bombers were commissioned. After that, undoubtedly, a real qualitative leap took place in the development of long-range aviation in the Soviet Union. In the same years, long-range aviation aircraft and crews began to explore the skies over the Arctic. During the years from 1970 to 1980, new aviation complexes were added to the long-range aviation. Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 received long-range air-launched cruise missiles.

After the forced lull and downtime, which was associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the difficult economic condition of the country, the intensity of flights of long-range aviation crews began to grow again in the 2000s. So in 2001, Russian strategic bombers for the first time after a ten-year hiatus appeared in the area above the North Pole. In August 2007, Russia's long-range aviation resumed flights to remote regions of the planet on an ongoing basis. Patrolling airspace carried out in the regions economic activity and active shipping in Russia. Aerial patrol flights are carried out in the water area over the neutral waters of the Arctic, Atlantic, Black Sea, The Pacific both from base and from operational airfields on the territory of our country.

After the end of World War II, long-range aviation aircraft took part in hostilities. For example, in Afghanistan in the 1980s and in the North Caucasus in the 1990s. And also, in the operation to force Georgia to peace in 2008. On November 17, 2015, Russian long-range and strategic bombers took off from airfields in Russia. They launched massive strikes with new X-101 air-launched cruise missiles and air bombs on the targets of the Islamic State terrorist organization (banned in Russia) in Syria. This operation was the first combat use of Russian strategists - Tu-160 and Tu-95 aircraft. As you know, in 2015-2017, long-range aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces were repeatedly involved in air strikes on positions and targets of terrorists in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Our days

For 104 years of its existence, long-range aviation in Russia has come a long way. A glorious path from the first squadron of four-engined biplanes "Ilya Muromets" to its modern appearance. Today, the long-range aviation of the Russian Air Force is equipped with modern jet and turboprop aircraft. First, these are the Tu-160 and Tu-160M \u200b\u200bsupersonic strategic missile carriers with variable sweep wings. Secondly, the Tu-95MS and Tu-95MSM four-engine turboprop strategic bombers. Thirdly, these are the modernized Tu-22M3 long-range bombers. And also, Il-78 tanker aircraft and other types aviation technology... Only in 2018, the long-range aviation structure was replenished with four more modernized Tu-95MS missile-carrying bombers and one Tu-160 missile-carrying bomber.

The main armament of Russian long-range aviation aircraft are long-range aircraft cruise missiles, operational-tactical missiles in conventional and nuclear warheads, as well as air bombs for various purposes and caliber.