Modern aviation. Modern military aircraft - PAK-FA, MiG-29

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

From the moment the aircraft were first used on the field of military confrontation, their role in combat is becoming larger every year. The importance of aviation in a military conflict has grown especially dynamically over the past 30-50 years. Combat aircraft receive ever more advanced electronic systems and more powerful weapons every year. Their speed and versatility are increased, while their visibility to radar is reduced. Modern aviation alone can decide the outcome of a military conflict, or influence it in a key way. In the military history of past years, they could not think of such a thing. Today we will find out what modern combat aviation is and what aircraft are at the head of domestic weapons.

The Role of Aviation

In the Yugoslav conflict, NATO aviation resolved the situation with little or no intervention from ground forces. The same can be observed in the first Iraq campaign, when the Air Force ensured the final defeat of Saddam Hussein's army. After destroying the air force, US and allied aircraft destroyed Iraqi armored vehicles with impunity.

Modern militaryairplanes are so expensive that only we althy countries can afford to design and build them. For example, the latest generation American F-22 fighter jet costs about $350 million. Today, this military aircraft is a real crown of scientific and technological progress.

The current state of aviation

Today, all the leading powers are concerned about the development of the fifth generation fighter. America is an exception, because it already has such aircraft in its arsenal. These are the F-22 and F-35 models. They have long successfully passed all the tests, launched into mass production and were put into service. Meanwhile, China, Japan and Russia are somewhat behind America.

At the end of the twentieth century, the Soviet Union went toe-to-toe with America. The MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft of the fourth generation were not inferior to the American F-15 and F-16 models. However, when the USSR collapsed, hard times came for military aviation. For many years, Russia suspended work on the creation of new fighters. Meanwhile, America was actively developing its aviation, and in 1997 the F-22 aircraft was already created. It is noteworthy that this model is forbidden to be sold to other countries, and even allies. For them, on the basis of the F-22, American designers created the F-35 aircraft, which, according to experts, is inferior to its prototype in many ways.

Russian response

Modern aviation in Russia can counterbalance American successes in the first place with the upgraded MiG-29 and Su-27 models. To celebratetheir combat affiliation, military industry workers even came up with a separate classification. MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft belong to the 4++ generation. This suggests that they are just a little short of being able to claim a place in the fifth generation. And this is not an attempt to "play with muscles." Planes are really good. The latest versions received improved engines, new electronics and navigation. However, this is not yet the fifth generation.

PAK FA plane

In parallel with the modernization of the good old fighters, the Russian aviation industry was working on a true representative of the fifth generation. As a result, such an aircraft was developed. It is called PAK FA, which stands for "promising aviation complex of front-line aviation." The second name of the model is T-50. In its futuristic form, it is similar to the American flagship. The model first took to the air back in 2010. To date, it is known that the aircraft is being finalized and will soon enter mass production.

Before comparing the T-50 with its American counterpart, let's find out what requirements modern fifth-generation aircraft must meet. The military absolutely clearly outlined the main advantages of this technique. Firstly, such an aircraft has a low visibility level in all wave ranges. First of all, it should not be detected in the infrared and radar range. Secondly, the 5th generation fighter must be multifunctional and extremely maneuverable. Thirdly, such a device is capable of going to supersonicspeed without afterburner. Fourth, it can conduct all-round fire and fire missiles at a long range. And, fifthly, modern military aviation is necessarily equipped with "advanced" electronics, which can greatly alleviate the fate of the pilot.

The PAK FA aircraft, compared to the American F-22, has large dimensions and wingspan, therefore, it will be a little more maneuverable. The T-50 has a slightly higher maximum speed, but the cruising speed is less. The Russian fighter has a greater practical range and a lower takeoff weight. However, in terms of ste alth, he loses to the "American". Modern aviation is famous not only for armament and aerodynamics, but electronics play an important role, on the work of which the vital activity of all systems of the device depends. Russia has always lagged behind in this regard. The onboard equipment of the PAK FA model also leaves much to be desired. Small-scale production of the aircraft was launched in 2014. Full production of the model should begin soon.

Now let's look at other Russian aircraft that show great promise of success.

Su-47 (Berkut)

This rather interesting model was developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau. To date, it still remains only a prototype. Thanks to the swept back wing, the vehicle has excellent maneuverability and new combat capabilities. Composite materials are widely used in the Berkut hull. The model was created as a prototype of the 5th generation fighter. However, beforerequirements for such aircraft, he still falls short. The Su-47 cannot reach supersonic speed without afterburner. In the future, the designers intend to solve this problem by installing a new engine on the aircraft. The first flight of the Berkut took place in 1997. One copy was created, which is still used as a test aircraft.

Su-35

This is a new aircraft, which, unlike the previous one, has already entered service with the Russian Air Force, in the amount of 48 copies. The model was also developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It belongs to the 4++ generation, but in terms of its technical and combat parameters, it almost claims a place in the fifth generation.

The plane is not much different from the T-50 model. The main difference is the lack of Ste alth and AFAR technologies (active phased antenna array). The aircraft is equipped with the latest information and control system, a thrust vector control engine, and a reinforced airframe. The Su-35 fighter is capable of reaching supersonic speeds without activating the afterburner. With proper pilot skills, the machine can withstand the American F-22 aircraft on the battlefield.

Strategic bomber

Today, the Tupolev Design Bureau is working on the creation of a new strategic bomber that will replace the Tu-95 and Tu-160 models. Development began back in 2009, but only in 2014 did the design bureau sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense. Accurate information about the characteristics of the modelnot yet, it is only known that it will be subsonic and will be able to arm itself more strongly than the Tu-160 aircraft. It is assumed that the new bomber will be carried out according to the "flying wing" design.

The first car, according to the forecasts of the designers, will be released in 2020, and in five years it will go into mass production. The Americans are working on the creation of a similar aircraft. Under the Next Generation Bomber project, a subsonic bomber is being developed with a low visibility level and a long range (about 9000 km). According to the media, such a machine will cost America $0.5 billion.

Il-112 transport aircraft

A new light transport aircraft is being developed today at Ilyushin's design bureau, which will replace the obsolete An-26 models used by Russia to this day. The contract between the Ilyushin Design Bureau and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was signed in 2014, but work on the creation of the machine has been going on since the 90s.

The serial production of the IL-112 should arrive in 2018. The device will be equipped with a pair of turboprop engines. Its carrying capacity will reach up to six tons. It is noteworthy that the aircraft will be able to take off and land not only on equipped runways, but also on unpaved airfields. In addition to the cargo version, the designers also plan to build a passenger modification of the vehicle. According to the idea of the creators, it will be able to function in regional airlines.

New MiG

According to Russian and foreign media, in KBMikoyan are working on the creation of the fifth generation of the sensational MiG fighter. According to the General Director of the Design Bureau, his subordinates are actively working in this direction. The basis of the new machine, most likely, will be the MiG-35 aircraft (another representative of the 4 ++ generation). The new MiG, according to the creators, will be radically different from the T-50 model, and will take on slightly different functions. There is no talk about any dates yet.

Conclusion

Today we learned what modern aviation is and what models of aircraft are considered the pinnacle of design excellence. Undoubtedly, aviation is the future of the military industry and one of its most promising industries.