Modern Russian fighters: characteristics (photo)

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

Since the time when aviation has found its use on the battlefield, its role in combat operations has become clear, especially at the present time, when Russian fighters have more and more advanced and powerful means of combat available.

The speed of military vehicles in the air is constantly increasing. Work continues to reduce visibility on radar screens.

Recently, the means of combat have increased so much that military conflicts are resolved with the help of aviation alone. In any case, the air fleet plays a key role in modern military conflicts.

Fifth generation aircraft

Recently, you can often hear the term "fifth generation". What does this concept mean, what is the difference between aircraft from the previous generation.

In this case, we can talk about clear requirements:

1. Fifth generation aircraft should be as invisible to radar as possible, and in all wave bands, especially in infrared and radar.
2. Aircraft must have the properties of multifunctionality.
3. At the same timemodern Russian fighters are a super-maneuverable machine, if it is possible to get away from the enemy at supersonic speed without afterburner.
4. Also, fifth-generation aircraft must carry out all-round close combat. At the same time, they conduct multi-channel firing with missiles of different ranges. In addition, at speeds above the speed of sound, aircraft electronics must have capabilities that help the pilot in solving many problems.

The Russian Aerospace Forces have at their disposal excellent vehicles in order not to be the last in airspace protection: the light MiG-35, designed for many years, the MiG-31, the Russian SU-30SM fighter, the new T-50 (PAK FA).

T-50 (PAK FA)

The new development of Russian aircraft manufacturers T-50 (PAK FA) strikes the imagination with its capabilities. It's as fantastic as the Star Wars fighter jets.

The aircraft is super-maneuverable, has the ability to ste alth from radar. The fighter can fight at any range, striking targets both in the sky and on the ground.

What makes the T-50 invisible?

The skin of the aircraft is 70% made using composite materials. They significantly reduce the scattering area. Such parameters allow you to elude enemy radars, because on the screen the T-50 will be visible as an object the size of a balloon.

The newest Russian fighter is equipped with powerful engines: there are two of them. They engines have the function of thrust vector control,which makes the aircraft very manoeuvrable. T-50 (PAK FA) can turn around in the air almost on the spot.

Protection against air defense systems on the PAK FA

To reduce the radar visibility of enemy air defenses, the engines are switching from round mid-flight nozzles to flat ones. And although this reduces the efficiency of the engine from loss of thrust, but this solution allows you to "hide" the turbines of the aircraft from radars and in the infrared range.

In addition, the T-50 (PAK FA) power plant allows the aircraft to accelerate to supersonic speed even without afterburner, which is unattainable for class 4+++ aircraft.

It should be noted that the latest Russian fighter cost the domestic treasury 2 billion dollars. A plane of the same class from Lockheed Martin F-22 cost the Americans 67 billion dollars.

Smart skin T-50

It will not be so easy to get close to the T-50: 6 radars are distributed over the entire skin of the aircraft to provide all-round visibility. The optical-electronic sensor of the target detection system is located to the right of the cockpit. Behind is already an infrared sensor, which helps the system to see threats "behind your back".

Sensors of equipment for the "Himalaya" electronic warfare station are scattered over the surface of the PAK FA. They allow forward aircraft to remain invisible to enemy radar, but the aircraft itself can spot enemy ste alth aircraft.

Su-30 - advanced domestic combat aircraft

Russian fighter Su-30 modernlarge-scale machine, appeared back in 1988 during the Soviet era.

The basic aircraft for the creation of advanced "drying" was the combat training Su-27UB. The new vehicle was equipped with an aerial refueling system, and navigation and weapon control systems were also improved.

Already in 1992, during perestroika, the first serial Su-30 took off. Mass production of military vehicles was then suspended, and the Russian Ministry of Defense bought only 5 vehicles for the needs of the army.

But the first Russian Su fighters weren't the cutting-edge aircraft we see today. At that time, they were only capable of using unguided air-to-ground weapons.

But already in 1996, the Su-30MKI (I - "Indian") began to be produced. They received front horizontal tail, improved avionics and engines with controlled thrust vector.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the Su-30

• The combat load that the fighter is capable of carrying is 8 tons.
• Basic armament, typical for domestic vehicles - 30 mm GSh-301.

Performance improved with in-flight refueling.

Su-30 aircraft continue the line of Su-27UB aircraft. But the new generation Su machines have already installed a modernized type radar, which uses a phased antenna array, in the future it is possible to install a radar with an active-type PAR. On the new "Dryers" alreadythe installation of sighting and navigation containers on a special suspension is foreseen in advance.

Such data allows the use of all air-to-ground weapons on the aircraft: adjustable air bombs of various calibers, X-31 class supersonic anti-ship missiles.

MiG-35

Another representative that can be attributed to fifth-generation aircraft is the MiG-35 aircraft.

Russian MiG fighters belong to the 4++ generation machines. This designation is intended to show that this aircraft is superior in combat qualities to the fourth generation machines. He is also able to successfully fight for airspace with fifth-generation fighters.

That is why the MiG-35, due to the fact that the production of vehicles of this class is relatively cheaper than products of the fifth generation, is a suitable alternative for air defense forces.

What distinguishes the MiG-35?

What can a fighter do?

• intercept air targets;
• strengthen air superiority;
• concentration on the battlefield;
• suppress air defenses;
• air support for ground forces;
• destruction of naval targets.

What is the difference between the MiG-35D and MiG-35 compared to the MiG-29:

• super maneuverability;
• increased flight range;
• high combat survivability;
• outstanding reliability.

Like all modern Russian fighters, this aircraft may well act astransitional fighter between generations 4+++ and 5.

1. The aircraft is well upgraded from single to double version.
2. The new powerful engine has an increased resource.
3. The ZhUK-AE station locator has an active phased antenna. This allows the aircraft to simultaneously fly up to 30 air targets and attack six of them at once.
4. MiG-35 has optical radar stations.
5. Detection and recognition of ground targets such as a tank is performed at ranges up to 20 km.
6. Protection that minimizes surprise attack by the enemy, recognizes both aircraft and launched missiles.
7. Combat load up to 6 tons. At the same time, the presence of weapon suspension points has increased from six to eleven.

Su-47 (S-37) Berkut

Russian Su-47 Berkut or S-37 fighters are different:

• increased combat autonomy;
• all-mode application;
• supersonic cruising speed;
• ste alth;
• super maneuverability.

Actually, the plane is a prototype of fifth generation machines. The black color gives the fighter a more menacing and imposing look.

Successfully solve the assigned tasks helps, characteristic of this machine, the reverse sweep wing. Russian military Su-47 fighters have a set of intelligent composite materials that are used for self-adapting structures. The fuselage itself is made of titanium and aluminumalloys and has up to six cargo compartments to accommodate weapons elements. This makes the aircraft even more inconspicuous.

Folding wing panels are almost 90% made of composite materials. This solution allows the aircraft to be used as a carrier-based fighter. For spin recovery, the machine is equipped with an integrated remote control system.

To control the aircraft, the pilot can use multifunctional remotes. They have all the necessary controls for the pilot. This helps to pilot the SU-47 without removing the hands from the RSS and throttles.

Yak-141

Due to the fact that the aircraft is supersonic, it is perfectly used to intercept air targets, can conduct close combat, carry out assault strikes not only on ground targets, but also on surface ones.

Russian Yak-141 fighters fit the definition of modern aircraft. They have an indispensable function of vertical takeoff and landing. And at the same time, the machines are supersonic and multi-purpose.

Russian fighters (photos of which are presented in the article) are quite capable of intercepting and conducting close combat.

After the first example was built in 1986, this machine for aircraft of its class was the first to break the speed of sound barrier. The climb time of the Russian aircraft is much less than that of the similar British model of the Harrier VTOL fighter.

Due to the fact that he does not need standard runwaystripes, it takes off quite well without taxiing onto the runway from shelters immediately along the exit taxiway. And this can ensure a massive take-off of a group of Yak-141 aircraft at once. Such characteristics allow it to be used as a carrier-based aircraft.

The Americans, like the Russian military, are already working on the creation of sixth-generation aircraft. In all respects, these machines should surpass the 5th generation aircraft both in terms of maneuverability and ste alth. In addition, sixth-generation fighters can have hypersonic speeds (about 5.8 thousand km/h). Piloting can be either remote or carried out directly by the pilot.