Man has always sought to conquer all the elements. Perhaps one of the most inaccessible was the air. Already thousands of years ago, our ancestor, looking at the sky, dreamed of soaring in it, filling his chest with a mixed feeling of freedom and infinity. A feeling that only flight can awaken - a risky, but therefore the most exciting action.

Iron birds, called airplanes, by their very appearance always cause admiration and admiration. It is impossible not to be surprised by their alluring power and striking complexity. Flying an airplane is more than just flying. This "machine" becomes best friend and saves in the most dangerous moments. Perhaps that is why pilots remain for life.

Today, the concept of aviation has begun to include a huge number of types of aircraft. Airplanes are used to transport goods and passengers, to deliver mail, scientific research, extreme sports and many other activities. The variety of forms, designs, missions of airships is surprising. Each of them, from a small ultralight aircraft to a large-scale transport aircraft, is unique and unrepeatable. But, with all this, the most attention has always attracted military aviation.

Story military aviation

The first plane took off into the sky on December 17, 1903. But, the first aircraft that was used for military purposes was not an airplane at all, but a balloon that was launched in France in 1783. It was after this that the first aviation military unit was organized in France. This moment can rightfully be considered the beginning of development military aviation .

Much later, in 1909, the first war plane, which was adopted in USA. It housed a piston engine with a power of 25 kW, the crew consisted of two people, and takeoff took place from a catapult. The mechanism, primitive by today's standards, was the impetus for the emergence of a new page in the history of aviation.

The main incentive for the development military aviation became the First World War. Already in the course of several pre-war years, Germany spent 22 million dollars on technical developments. At the same time, similar costs for France amounted to $ 20 million. The results of these developments were the well-known today fighters "Spud" and "Fokker". It should be noted that the latter accounted for 565 enemy aircraft.

Bombers (Condor, B-17), reconnaissance fighters, fighter-interceptors (PW-8 Hawk, whose speed reached 286 km / h) and many other aircraft - all these are the developments of the war years. One of the most popular and sought-after aircraft models military aviation became the Hurricane fighter-bomber, which was the backbone of the British Air Force.

The Second World War gave the world such famous aircraft as Lancaster, Zero, Messerschmitt, Mustang. These fighters during the hostilities were able to conquer a height of 12 km. AT last years jet aircraft appeared with a higher speed, range, aerodynamic performance. But after the end of World War II military aviation has not lost its value and relevance - the wars in Korea and Vietnam stimulated the development of this area in the future.

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Today, after so many years, the understanding remains that military aviation- a unique achievement of mankind. In a fairly short time, aircraft designers managed to combine firepower and aerodynamic properties in aircraft that changed the outcome of many military battles. Even General Douai once wrote that " aviation can and should decide the outcome of the war - the most "mobile" and flexible combat weapon capable of freely penetrating enemy territory, inflicting sudden massive strikes on selected targets". These words were written before the outbreak of World War II.

Our site is a kind encyclopedia of military aviation, on the pages of which you will find:

Fighters, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and many other aircraft;

Russian military aviation European countries, USA;

Information about the most famous aircraft in history;

• Technical characteristics and photos of military aircraft models;

And many other useful and interesting materials.

We have tried to collect the most accurate and reliable information about military aircraft. Of course, modern analogues are incomparable with them. But these "heroes" fallen under the dust of centuries are more than airplanes. They are an important part of our history.

The latest best military aircraft of the Air Force of Russia and the world photos, pictures, videos about the value of a fighter aircraft as a combat weapon capable of providing "air supremacy" was recognized by the military circles of all states by the spring of 1916. This required the creation of a special combat aircraft that surpasses all others in terms of speed, maneuverability, altitude and the use of offensive small arms. In November 1915, Nieuport II Webe biplanes arrived at the front. This is the first aircraft built in France, which was intended for air combat.

The most modern domestic military aircraft in Russia and the world owe their appearance to the popularization and development of aviation in Russia, which was facilitated by the flights of Russian pilots M. Efimov, N. Popov, G. Alekhnovich, A. Shiukov, B. Rossiysky, S. Utochkin. The first domestic machines of designers J. Gakkel, I. Sikorsky, D. Grigorovich, V. Slesarev, I. Steglau began to appear. In 1913, the heavy aircraft "Russian Knight" made its first flight. But one cannot fail to recall the first aircraft creator in the world - Captain 1st Rank Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaisky.

Soviet military aircraft of the Great USSR Patriotic War sought to hit the enemy troops, his communications and other objects in the rear with air strikes, which led to the creation of bomber aircraft capable of carrying a large bomb load over considerable distances. The variety of combat missions to bombard enemy forces in the tactical and operational depth of the fronts led to the understanding of the fact that their performance should be commensurate with the tactical and technical capabilities of a particular aircraft. Therefore, the design teams had to resolve the issue of specialization of bomber aircraft, which led to the emergence of several classes of these machines.

Types and classification, the latest models of military aircraft in Russia and the world. It was obvious that it would take time to create a specialized fighter aircraft, so the first step in this direction was to try to equip existing aircraft with small arms offensive weapons. Mobile machine-gun mounts, which began to equip the aircraft, required excessive efforts from the pilots, since the control of the machine in a maneuverable battle and the simultaneous firing of an unstable weapon reduced the effectiveness of fire. The use of a two-seat aircraft as a fighter, where one of the crew members played the role of a gunner, also created certain problems, because an increase in the weight and drag of the machine led to a decrease in its flight qualities.

What are the planes. In our years, aviation has made a big qualitative leap, expressed in a significant increase in flight speed. This was facilitated by progress in the field of aerodynamics, the creation of new more powerful engines, constructive materials, radio-electronic equipment. computerization of calculation methods, etc. Supersonic speeds have become the main modes of fighter flight. However, the race for speed had its negative sides- takeoff and landing characteristics and aircraft maneuverability have sharply deteriorated. During these years, the level of aircraft construction reached such a level that it was possible to start creating aircraft with a variable sweep wing.

Combat aircraft of Russia for further growth of flight speeds jet fighters exceeding the speed of sound, it was necessary to increase their power-to-weight ratio, increase the specific characteristics of the turbojet engine, and also improve the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft. For this purpose, engines with an axial compressor were developed, which had smaller frontal dimensions, higher efficiency and better weight characteristics. For a significant increase in thrust, and hence the flight speed, afterburners were introduced into the engine design. The improvement of the aerodynamic forms of aircraft consisted in the use of wings and empennage with large sweep angles (in the transition to thin delta wings), as well as supersonic air intakes.

Since the beginning of the use of aircraft on the battlefield, their role in military conflicts has been constantly growing. The role of aviation has especially increased in the last thirty to fifty years. Combat aircraft year by year receive more and more advanced electronics, more powerful means of combat, their speed increases, their visibility on the radar screens decreases. At present, aviation, even alone, can decide the course of an armed conflict or play in it. key role. This has never happened before in the history of mankind.

During the conflict in Yugoslavia, NATO aviation decided the course of the conflict almost without the intervention of ground forces. The same can be said about the first American company in Iraq. Then the Allied Air Force played a decisive role in defeating the large army of Saddam Hussein. The US Air Force and its allies hunted Iraqi armored vehicles with impunity, having previously destroyed the Iraqi Air Force.

There is an important nuance. Modern aircraft are so expensive (the cost of the American F-22, a fifth-generation aircraft, is about 350 million dollars) that only very rich countries in the world can afford to develop and build (or buy) them. The rest can only hope for a miracle or prepare for a guerrilla war.

With the advent of new high-precision munitions, new communication systems and satellite navigation and target designation, the role and power of the air force has increased many times over. Modern and advanced aircraft are also changing rapidly. The use of new materials, engines of new designs, the most sophisticated electronics - makes a modern combat aircraft the crowning achievement of scientific and technological progress.

At present, the leading aviation powers are engaged in the creation of a fifth generation fighter, with the exception of the United States, because America already has F-22 "Raptor" and F-35 "Lightning" fighters in its arsenal. Aircraft have long passed the testing stage, put into production and put into service. The Russian Air Force, China and Japan are still lagging behind in this matter.

At the end of the last century, the USSR could compete on equal terms with the United States in the sky due to the excellent fourth-generation MiG-29 and Su-27 machines. They were roughly equal to the American F-15 and F-16 aircraft. But after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the development of new machines in Russia was suspended for many years. The work was practically not funded, and new developments were often created on the initiative of the aircraft manufacturers themselves and did not find support from the state. In the meantime, the United States did not waste time: in the 90s, the development of the fifth generation aircraft was actively carried out, and in 1997 a prototype was tested, which in the future received the designation F-22 "Raptor".

The United States is so far the only country that has a fifth-generation aircraft in service. Moreover, the F-22 is forbidden to sell even to allies. For sale abroad, the Americans created another F-35 Lightning aircraft (Lightning), but, according to experts, it has weaker characteristics than the F-22. But what about Russia? What are the plans of the Russian aviation industry? Are there any promising developments that will replace fourth-generation aircraft in the future?

"Our response to Chamberlain"

If you look at what the Russian aviation industry can now offer to the domestic air force, then we will mainly see modifications of the fourth-generation Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft. To indicate their belonging, they even came up with a new classification, MiG-35, and refer to the 4 ++ generation, thereby indicating that this is almost the fifth generation, well, maybe a little worse. There is no doubt, and the MiG-29 and Su-27 are really wonderful machines that were among the best in the world. But that was in the late eighties. The latest replicas of these machines, of course, have been seriously modified, engines have been improved, new electronics and navigation systems have been installed, but will they be able to withstand the Raptor in battle?

A new generation aircraft has already been created in Russia, this is the PAK-FA (a promising front-line aviation complex), also known as the T-50. With its futuristic shape, the new Russian aircraft is very reminiscent of the F-22. The aircraft first took to the air in 2010, and in 2011 it was shown to the general public for the first time at the MAKS air show. We have very little reliable information about this latest machine. Currently, the aircraft is being finalized, but in the near future it should go into series.

In order to try to compare the PAK-FA with its American counterpart F-22, you need to clearly understand: what is the fifth generation aircraft and how does it differ from previous machines. The military put forward absolutely clear and understandable requirements for them. Such an aircraft must have low visibility in all wavelength ranges, primarily in radar and infrared, it must be multifunctional, extremely maneuverable, have supersonic cruising speed (go to supersonic speed without afterburner), be able to conduct all-aspect close combat and carry out multi-channel firing of missiles. at a great distance. The aircraft of the fifth generation must have "advanced" electronics, which would greatly facilitate the work of the pilot.

Experts are already comparing the F-22 and PAK-FA, using the meager information that they have. The newest Russian aircraft has large dimensions, including wingspan, and therefore, most likely, it will be more maneuverable than its American counterpart. PAK-FA has slightly more top speed and loses in cruising. Also, the Russian aircraft has a greater practical range and a lower takeoff weight. However, the PAK-FA loses to the F-22 in stealth.

It is difficult to compare these two aircraft, primarily due to the lack of information. There is one more nuance: modern aircraft are not only aerodynamics and weapons, but primarily electronics that control all aircraft systems. The USSR has always lagged behind in this area, and Russia is in a similar situation. The radar of the Russian aircraft is not inferior to the best world analogues, but the onboard equipment leaves much to be desired.

In 2014, small-scale production of the PAK-FA began, the start of serial production of the aircraft is scheduled for 2016.

Here Comparative characteristics two aircraft.

The flight of the Berkut

Another very interesting machine created at the Sukhoi Design Bureau is the Su-47. It is a pity that it is still at the prototype stage. This aircraft has a forward-swept wing, which provides the machine with unprecedented maneuverability and new combat capabilities. Composite materials were widely used in the car, the control system in the cockpit was significantly improved.

Su-47 was also created as a prototype of the fifth generation aircraft. But it still falls short of the requirements put forward for such machines. "Berkut" cannot fly at supersonic speed without afterburner. In the future, they plan to equip the aircraft with a new engine with a variable thrust vector, which would allow the Su-47 to overcome the supersonic barrier without afterburner.

Berkut made its first flight in 1997, one aircraft was built. It is currently being used as a test aircraft.

Here are the characteristics of the Su-47 Berkut aircraft.

Another newest aircraft that enters service with the Russian Air Force is. In 2014, 12 such aircraft were put into service, and by the end of 2015, the Air Force will receive 48 Su-35s. This aircraft, developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau, belongs to the 4++ generation and has almost all the technical and combat characteristics at the level of the fifth generation aircraft.

It differs from PAK-FA only in the absence of stealth technologies and an active phased antenna array (AFAR). The aircraft is equipped with a new information and control system, phased array radar, new engines with thrust vector control, which can reach supersonic speed without afterburner. Also strengthened the airframe of the aircraft.

With the adoption of this aircraft, Russian military pilots can fight back against the latest aircraft of the latest generation.

Here are the main characteristics of the Su-35 aircraft.

All of the above aircraft have already left the design bureaus and factory floors and have long made their first flight. Currently, the Ilyushin Design Bureau is developing a new light transport aircraft, which should replace the obsolete An-26, which are still used in Russia. In 2014, an agreement was signed between the Ilyushin Design Bureau and the Russian Ministry of Defense on the development of the Il-112, although work on its creation has been ongoing at the Design Bureau since the mid-90s.

The first flight of the future transport aircraft was scheduled for 2016, and the start of its serial production - for 2018. The new machine will have a carrying capacity of up to six tons, it will be equipped with two turboprop engines. The IL-112 will be able to land and take off both from equipped runways and from unpaved airfields. In addition to the cargo modification of the aircraft, aircraft manufacturers plan to create a passenger version of the aircraft, which can be used on regional airlines.

"Mig" of the fifth generation

The Mikoyan Design Bureau is developing a fifth-generation fighter. This is reported by Russian and foreign media. Sergei Korotkov, general director of RAC MiG, told reporters that the design bureau specialists are working hard in this direction. The new vehicle will most likely be based on the MiG-35 (another Russian 4++ generation vehicle). According to the developers, the new MiG will be very different from the PAK FA and will perform completely different functions.

New strategic bomber

Russia is developing a new strategic bomber to replace the Tu-160 and Tu-95 aircraft. The development of the new PAK DA (a promising long-range aviation complex) was entrusted to the Tupolev Design Bureau, although it can be noted that the Tupolev team began work on this machine back in 2009. In 2014, a contract was signed between the Design Bureau and the Ministry of Defense for design work.

There is very little information about the future aircraft, but the leadership of the Russian Air Force has stated that the aircraft will be subsonic, will be able to carry more weapons than the Tu-160, and most likely will be made according to the "flying wing" design.

The creation of the first machine is expected in 2020, and mass production in 2025. It can be added that work on the creation of a similar aircraft is now underway in the United States. As part of the Next Generation Bomber project for the US Air Force, a subsonic aircraft is being developed, with a low level of visibility and a huge range (about nine thousand kilometers). According to media reports, the cost of one such machine can reach half a billion dollars.

After the collapse of the USSR, the aviation industry went through hard times. Many projects have been delayed for years. Now is the time to catch up. Also ahead is the development of a sixth generation fighter, but this is still fiction.

Video: new Russian aircraft

Since the first use of aircraft on the field of military confrontation, their role in combat has become ever larger every year. The importance of aviation in a military conflict has grown especially dynamically over the past 30-50 years. every year they receive more and more advanced electronic systems and more powerful weapons. 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 seen in the first Iraq campaign, when the Air Force ensured the final defeat of Saddam Hussein's army. Having destroyed the air force, US and allied aircraft destroyed the armored vehicles of the Iraqis with impunity.

Modern military aircraft are so expensive that only wealthy countries can afford to design and build them. For example, an American F-22 fighter of the latest generation 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. The exception is America, 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 Soviet Union went hand in hand with America. 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, there were no problems for military aviation. better times. 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 respects.

Russian response

Modern Russian aviation can counterbalance American successes primarily with the upgraded MiG-29 and Su-27 models. To mark their military 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 aircraft

In parallel with the modernization of the good old aircraft industry, he 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 bands. 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 reaching supersonic speed 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 stealth, 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 apparatus 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. A full release of the model should begin soon.

Now let's look at other Russian aircraft with high hopes for success.

Su-47 ("Berkut")

This pretty interesting model Designed by 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, it still falls short of the requirements for such aircraft. 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 to this day.

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 aircraft is not much different from the T-50 model. The main difference is the lack of Stealth 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 the proper skills of the pilot, the machine can withstand on the battlefield American aircraft F-22.

strategic bomber

To date, the Tupolev Design Bureau is working on the creation of a new strategic bomber, which 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. There is no exact information about the characteristics of the model 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 dollars.

Il-112 transport aircraft

The Ilyushin design bureau is currently developing a new light transport aircraft that will replace the outdated 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 is due 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, the Mikoyan design bureau is 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 of 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.

MILITARY AVIATION
The history of military aviation can be traced back to the first successful flight of a balloon in France in 1783. The decision of the French government in 1794 to organize an aeronautical service was recognized as the military significance of this flight. It was the world's first aviation military unit. In 1909, the US Army Signal Corps for the first time in history adopted a military aircraft. Like its prototype, the Wright brothers' machine, this craft was powered by a piston engine (located behind the pilot, in front of the pusher propellers). Engine power was 25 kW. The aircraft was also equipped with skis for landing, and its cockpit could accommodate a crew of two. The plane took off from a monorail catapult. Its maximum speed was equal to 68 km / h, and the flight duration did not exceed an hour. The cost of manufacturing the aircraft amounted to 25 thousand dollars. Military aviation progressed rapidly on the eve of the First World War. So, in the period 1908-1913, Germany spent 22 million dollars on research and development in the field of aviation, France - approx. 20 million dollars, Russia - 12 million dollars. Over the same period, the United States spent only 430 thousand dollars on military aviation.
First World War (1914-1918). Some of the military aircraft built during these years are quite famous today. The most famous, probably, should be recognized as the French fighter "Spud" with two machine guns and the German single-seat fighter "Fokker". It is known that in just one month of 1918 Fokker fighters destroyed 565 aircraft of the Entente countries. In the UK, a two-seat reconnaissance fighter-bomber "Bristol" was created; British aviation was also armed with a Camel single-seat front-line fighter. The French single-seat fighters Nieuport and Moran are quite well known.

The MOST FAMOUS German fighter aircraft in World War I was the Fokker. It was equipped with a Mercedes engine with a power of 118 kW and two machine guns with synchronized firing through the propeller.

The period between the First and Second World Wars (1918-1938). During the First World War, special attention was paid to reconnaissance fighters. By the end of the war, several heavy bomber projects were being developed. The best bomber of the 1920s was the Condor, which was produced in several versions. The maximum speed of the "Condor" was 160 km / h, and the range did not exceed 480 km. Aircraft designers were more fortunate with the development of interceptor fighters. The PW-8 Hawk fighter, which appeared in the mid-1920s, could fly at a speed of 286 km / h at altitudes up to 6.7 km and had a range of 540 km. Due to the fact that the fighter-interceptor in those days could make a circular flight of bombers, the leading design bureaus abandoned the design of bombers. They transferred their hopes to low-altitude attack aircraft designed to directly support the ground forces. The first aircraft of this type was the A-3 Falcon, capable of delivering a bomb load of 270 kg over a distance of 1015 km at speeds up to 225 km/h. However, in the late 1920s and early 1930s, new, more powerful and lighter engines were created, and bomber speeds became commensurate with those of the best interceptors. In 1933, the US Army Aviation Administration awarded a contract to develop the B-17 four-engine bomber. In 1935, this aircraft covered a record distance of 3400 km without landing from average speed flight 373 km / h. In the same 1933, the development of an eight-gun fighter-bomber began in the UK. In 1938, Hurricanes, which formed the basis of the RAF, began to leave the production lines, and Spitfires began to be produced a year later. They were widely used in World War II.
World War II (1939-1945). Many other aircraft of the Second World War are well known, such as the British four-engine Lancaster bomber, the Japanese Zero aircraft, the Soviet Yaks and Ils, the German Ju-87 Junkers dive bomber, Messerschmitt fighters and "Focke-Wulf", as well as American B-17 ("Flying Fortress"), B-24 "Liberator", A-26 "Invader", B-29 "Super Fortress", F-4U "Corsair", P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang. Some of these fighters could fly at altitudes over 12 km; of the bombers, only the B-29 could fly for such a long time high altitude(due to the sealing of the cockpit). If you don't count jet aircraft, which appeared by the end of the war with the Germans (and a little later with the British), the P-51 fighter should be recognized as the fastest: in level flight, its speed reached 784 km / h.

R-47 "THUNDERBOLT" - the famous US fighter during the Second World War. This single-seat aircraft had a 1545 kW engine.

Immediately after the Second World War, the first US jet aircraft, the F-80 Shooting Star fighter, was put into production. The F-84 Thunderjets appeared in 1948, as did the B-36 and B-50 bombers. The B-50 was an improved version of the B-29 bomber; He has increased speed and range. The B-36 bomber, equipped with six piston engines, was the largest in the world and had an intercontinental range (16,000 km). Subsequently, two additional jet engines were installed under each wing of the B-36 to increase speed. The first B-47 Stratojet bombers entered service with the US Air Force in late 1951. This medium jet bomber (with six engines) had the same range as the B-29, but much better aerodynamic characteristics.
War in Korea (1950-1953). B-26 and B-29 bombers were used in combat operations during the Korean War. The F-80, F-84 and F-86 fighters had to compete with the enemy MiG-15 fighters, which had in many respects the best aerodynamic characteristics. The Korean War stimulated the development of military aviation. By 1955, the B-36 bombers were replaced by the huge "stratospheric fortresses" B-52 "Stratofortress", which had 8 jet engines each. In 1956-1957, the first fighters of the F-102, F-104 and F-105 series appeared. The KC-135 jet tanker was designed for in-flight refueling of B-47 and B-52 bombers during their intercontinental operations. The C-54 and other aircraft of the World War II period were replaced by aircraft specially designed for the transport of goods.
Vietnam War (1965-1972). Air duels in the Vietnam War were relatively few in number. Aircraft of various types were used to support the operations of the ground forces - from jet fighters to transport aircraft armed with guns. US Air Force B-52 bombers were used for carpet bombing in the implementation of scorched earth tactics. A huge number of helicopters were used for the transfer of landing units and fire support for ground forces from the air. Helicopters could operate in areas where there were no landing sites. See also HELICOPTER.

US Air Force Aircraft

Tasks. Military aviation is used to perform the following four main tasks: supporting strike forces during strategic operations; protection of troops, strategic facilities and communications from air attack; tactical air support for active ground forces; long-distance transportation of troops and cargo.
Basic types. Bombers.
Improvement of bombers goes along the path of increasing speed, range, payload and flight altitude ceiling. A notable achievement of the late 1950s was the giant B-52H Stratofortress heavy bomber. Its takeoff weight was approx. 227 tons with a combat load of 11.3 tons, a range of 19,000 km, an altitude ceiling of 15,000 m and a speed of 1,050 km / h. It was designed for nuclear strikes, but nevertheless found wide application in the Vietnam War. The 1980s saw a second life for the B-52 due to the advent of cruise missiles that can carry a thermonuclear warhead and can be accurately aimed at a distant target. In the early 1980s, Rockwell International began developing the B-1 bomber to replace the B-52. The first serial copy of the B-1B was built in 1984. 100 of these aircraft were produced, each costing $ 200 million.

SUPERSONIC BOMBER V-1. Variable sweep wings, crew of 10, maximum speed 2335 km/h.
Cargo and transport aircraft. The C-130 Hercules transport aircraft can carry up to 16.5 tons of cargo - field hospital equipment or equipment and materials for other special tasks, such as high-altitude aerial photography, meteorological surveys, search and rescue, in-flight refueling, delivery fuel to forward-based airfields. The C-141A "Starlifter", a high-speed swept-wing aircraft with four turbofan engines, was designed to carry cargo weighing up to 32 tons or 154 fully equipped paratroopers over a distance of 6500 km MILITARY AVIATION at a speed of 800 km / h. The US Air Force C-141B aircraft has a fuselage lengthened by more than 7 m and is equipped with an in-flight refueling system. The largest transport aircraft C-5 "Galaxy" can carry a payload weighing 113.5 tons or 270 paratroopers at a speed of 885 km/h. The range of the C-5 at maximum load is 4830 km.
Fighters. There are several types of fighters: interceptors used by the system air defense to destroy enemy bombers, front-line fighters that can engage in air combat with enemy fighters, as well as tactical fighter-bombers. The US Air Force's most advanced interceptor is the F-106A Delta Dart, which has a flight speed of twice the speed of sound, M = 2. Its standard armament consists of two nuclear warheads, air-to-air missiles, and a variety of projectiles. The front-line all-weather F-15 Eagle fighter, with the help of a radar installed in the bow, can direct air-to-air Sparrow missiles at the target; for close combat, he has Sidewinder missiles with a thermal homing head. The F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter-bomber is also armed with Sidewinders and can win a fight against almost any opponent. To combat ground targets, the F-16 carries bomb cargo and air-to-ground missiles. Unlike the F-4 Phantom it replaced, the F-16 is a single-seat fighter.

SINGLE ALL-WEATHER F-104 "Starfighter" US Air Force front-line fighter.
One of the most advanced front-line fighters is the F-111, which can fly at supersonic speeds at sea level and reach M = 2.5 when flying at high altitudes. The maximum takeoff weight of this all-weather two-seat fighter-bomber is 45 tons. It is equipped with a radar missile control system, a locator that ensures the aircraft follows the terrain, and sophisticated navigation equipment. A distinctive feature of the F-111 is the variable geometry wing, the sweep angle of which can be varied in the range from 20 to 70 °. At low sweep angles, the F-111 has a long cruising range and excellent takeoff and landing characteristics. At large sweep angles, it has excellent aerodynamic characteristics at supersonic flight speeds.
Refueling aircraft. In-flight refueling makes it possible to increase the range of non-stop flights of fighters and bombers. It also excludes the need for intermediate operational air bases in the performance of strategic missions and is limited only by the range and speed of the tanker aircraft. The KC-135A Stratotanker jet tanker has a maximum flight speed of 960 km/h and an altitude ceiling of 10.6 km.

Targets and drones aircrafts. The flight of the aircraft can be controlled both from the ground and in the air; the pilot can be replaced by an electronic "black box" and specially designed autopilots. Thus, the unmanned version of the QF-102 interceptor fighter is used as a fast-moving target in missile tests and to gain shooting experience. For the same purpose, the QF-102 Firebee unmanned target with jet engines was specially designed, which develops a maximum speed of 925 km / h at an altitude of 15.2 km with an hourly flight duration at this altitude.
Reconnaissance aircraft. Almost all reconnaissance aircraft are modifications of high-speed front-line fighters; they are equipped with a telescopic camera, an infrared receiver, a tracking radar system and other necessary devices. The U-2 is one of the few aircraft specifically designed for reconnaissance missions. It could operate at very high altitudes (about 21 km), well above the ceiling of fighter-interceptors and most ground-to-air missiles of the time. The SR-71 Blackbird aircraft can fly at a speed corresponding to M = 3. Various artificial satellites are also used for reconnaissance purposes.
See MILITARY SPACE; STAR WARS.

US Air Force F-117 "Stealth" ATTACK AIRCRAFT.

Training aircraft. For primary pilot training, a twin-engine T-37 aircraft with a maximum speed of 640 km/h and an altitude ceiling of 12 km is used. To further improve flight skills, the T-38A Talon supersonic aircraft is used with maximum number Mach 1.2 and a ceiling height of 16.7 km. The F-5 aircraft, which is a modification of the T-38A, is operated not only in the United States, but also in a number of other countries.
Aircraft to fight the rebels. These are small light aircraft designed for reconnaissance, ground attack and simple support operations. An aircraft of this type should be easy to operate and allow the use of small unprepared areas for takeoff and landing. For reconnaissance tasks, it is necessary that these aircraft have good flight characteristics at low flight speeds and be equipped with equipment for advanced detection of active targets; at the same time, in order to destroy passive ground targets, they must be armed with various guns, bombs and missiles. In addition, such aircraft must be suitable for the transport of passengers, including the wounded, and various equipment. To fight the rebels, the OV-10A "Bronco" aircraft was created - a light (4.5 t) aircraft equipped not only with the necessary weapons, but also with reconnaissance equipment.

U.S. Army Aircraft

Tasks. The ground forces use aircraft for military reconnaissance and surveillance, as flying command posts, and for transporting military personnel and equipment. Reconnaissance aircraft have a light, fairly simple design and can operate from short, unprepared runways. For larger command communications aircraft, improved runways are needed in some cases. All these aircraft must be of rigid construction and easy to operate. As a rule, it is necessary that the aviation of the ground forces require a minimum Maintenance and could be used in heavily dusty air in battle conditions; it is also necessary that these aircraft have good aerodynamic characteristics at low flight altitudes.
Basic types. Transport helicopters. Rotary-wing aircraft are used to transport soldiers and supplies. The CH-47C Chinook helicopter, equipped with two turbines, has a maximum level flight speed of 290 km/h and can carry a payload weighing 5.4 tons over a distance of 185 km. The CH-54A "Skycrane" helicopter can lift a payload weighing more than 9 tons. See also HELICOPTER.
Attack helicopters. Helicopter "flying guns" created by order of army specialists were widely used during the Vietnam War. The AH-64 "Apache" attack aircraft helicopter can be considered one of the most advanced, which is an effective means of destroying tanks from the air. Its armament includes a rapid-fire 30mm cannon and Helfire missiles.
Communication aircraft. The army uses both helicopters and planes to maintain communications. A typical example is the U-21A Ut support aircraft, which has a maximum speed of 435 km/h and an altitude ceiling of 7.6 km.
Aircraft surveillance and reconnaissance. Aircraft intended for surveillance should be able to operate from small unprepared areas in the front line. Such devices are used mainly by infantry, artillery and tank units. An example is the OH-6A Cayuse, a small (weighing approx. 900 kg) observation helicopter with gas turbine engine, which is designed for two crew members, but can accommodate up to 6 people. The OV-1 Mohawk aircraft, designed for surveillance or reconnaissance, can reach speeds of up to 480 km / h. Various modifications of this aircraft are equipped with a set of reconnaissance equipment, in particular, cameras, side-looking radars and infrared target detection systems in conditions of poor visibility or enemy camouflage. In the future, high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with television cameras and transmitters will be used for reconnaissance. See also OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS; RADAR.
Auxiliary aviation aircraft. Auxiliary aviation vehicles (both helicopters and airplanes) are, as a rule, multi-seat means of transporting military personnel over short distances. They involve the use of fairly flat unprepared sites. The UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter has found the widest use in army operations, which can carry a unit of 11 people with full equipment or a 105-mm howitzer with a calculation of 6 people, as well as 30 boxes of ammunition in one flight. The Black Hawk is also suitable for the transport of casualties or general cargo.

US Navy AIRCRAFT

Tasks. With the exception of the coastal patrol service, naval aviation is always based on aircraft carriers and coastal airfields located in the combat zone. One of its most important tasks is the fight against submarines. At the same time, naval aviation must protect ships, coastal installations and troops from air raids and attacks from the sea. In addition, it must attack sea and land targets when conducting landing operations from the sea. The tasks of naval aviation also include the transportation of goods and people and the conduct of search and rescue operations. When designing aircraft operating from aircraft carriers, the limited space on the ship's deck must be taken into account. The wings of such devices are made "folding"; It also provides for the strengthening of the landing gear and fuselage (this is necessary to compensate for the force impact of the catapult and the brake landing hook of the deck arrester). Basic types.
Stormtroopers. The range of a ship's radar is limited by the horizon line. Therefore, an aircraft flying at low altitude above the sea surface remains practically invisible until the moment when it is close to the target. As a result, when designing an attack aircraft, the main attention should be directed to achieving good tactical performance when flying at low altitudes. An example of such an aircraft is the A-6E "Intruder", which has a speed close to the speed of sound at sea level. It disposes modern system fire control and means of attack. Since 1983, the operation of the F / A-18 Hornet aircraft began, which can be used as both an attack aircraft and a fighter. The F/A-18 replaced the A-9 Corsair subsonic aircraft.
Fighters. If a successful layout of a fighter aircraft is obtained, then various modifications are usually developed on its basis, designed to perform special tasks. These can be fighter-interceptors, reconnaissance aircraft, fighter-bombers and night attack aircraft. Good fighters are always different high speed. Such a ship-based fighter is the F / A-18 Hornet, which replaced the F-4 Phantom. Like its predecessors, the F / A-18 can also be used as an attack aircraft or reconnaissance aircraft. The fighter is armed with air-to-air missiles.
Patrol aircraft. Both seaplanes and conventional aircraft are used as patrol aircraft. Their main tasks are mining, photographic reconnaissance, as well as the search and detection of submarines. To perform these tasks, the patrol aircraft can be armed with mines, cannons, conventional and depth charges, torpedoes or rockets. The P-3C "Orion" with a crew of 10 has special equipment for detecting and destroying submarines. In search of targets, he can move away from his base for 1600 km, stay in this area for 10 hours, after which he returns to base.
Anti-submarine aircraft. The emergence of nuclear submarines armed with nuclear missiles gave impetus to the development of anti-submarine aviation. It includes seaplanes, aircraft operating from aircraft carriers and land bases, as well as helicopters. The standard ship-based ASW aircraft is the S-3A Viking. It is equipped with a powerful computer for processing information from the on-board radar, infrared receiver and from sonobuoys dropped from an aircraft by parachute. The sonobuoy is equipped with a radio transmitter and microphones that are submerged in water. These microphones pick up the noise from the submarine's engine, which is transmitted to the aircraft. Having determined the location of the submarine from these signals, the Viking drops depth charges on it. Helicopters are also involved in anti-submarine operations; they can use sonar buoys or lower sonar equipment on a cable and listen to underwater noises with it.

SH-3 "SEA KING" is an anti-submarine helicopter with a watertight hull that allows landing on the surface of the water (NASA modification is shown in the picture).

Special search aircraft. Long-range aircraft are also suitable for long-range detection. They conduct round-the-clock surveillance of the airspace in the controlled area. In solving this problem, they are assisted by aircraft with a shorter flight range and ship-based helicopters. Such a helicopter is the E-2C Hawkeye with a crew of 5 people. Like its predecessor, the E-1B Tracer, this helicopter is equipped with equipment that allows it to detect enemy aircraft. Long-range aircraft operating from coastal bases are also useful in this respect. Such an assistant is the E-3A Sentry aircraft. This modification of the Boeing 707 aircraft with a radar antenna mounted above the fuselage is known as AWACS. Using on-board computers, the aircraft crew can determine the coordinates, speed and direction of movement of any ships and aircraft within a radius of several hundred kilometers. Information is immediately transmitted to aircraft carriers and other ships.

DEVELOPMENT TRENDS

Organization of engineering works. The speed of the first military aircraft did not exceed 68 km/h. Today there are aircraft that can fly at speeds of 3,200 km/h, and in flight tests, some of the experimental aircraft reached speeds of over 6,400 km/h. It is to be expected that airspeeds will increase. In connection with the complication of the design and equipment of aircraft, the organization of work of aircraft designers has changed radically. In the early days of aviation, an engineer could design an airplane alone. Now this is done by a group of firms, each of which specializes in its own field. Their work is coordinated by the general contractor, who received an order for the development of the aircraft as a result of the competition. see also AVIATION AND SPACE INDUSTRY.
Design. During the first half of the 20th century the appearance of the aircraft has undergone significant changes. The biplane with struts and braces gave way to the monoplane; a streamlined landing gear appeared; the cockpit is made closed; the design has become more streamlined. However, further progress was hampered by the excessive relative weight piston engine and the use of a propeller that kept the aircraft out of the range of moderate subsonic speeds. With the advent jet engine everything has changed. The flight speed surpassed the speed of sound, but the main characteristic of the engine was thrust. The speed of sound is approx. 1220 km / h at sea level and approximately 1060 km / h at altitudes of 10-30 km. Speaking about the presence of a "sonic barrier", some designers believed that the aircraft would never fly faster than the speed of sound due to structural vibrations, which would inevitably destroy the aircraft. Some of the first jet planes actually broke up as they approached the speed of sound. Fortunately, the results of flight tests and the rapid accumulation of design experience made it possible to eliminate the problems that arose, and the "barrier", which once seemed insurmountable, has lost its meaning today. With proper choice of aircraft layout, it is possible to reduce harmful aerodynamic forces and, in particular, drag in the transition range from subsonic to supersonic speeds. The fuselage of a fighter aircraft is usually designed according to the "area rule" (with a narrowing in the central part where the wing is attached to it). As a result, a smooth flow around the wing-to-fuselage interface is achieved and drag is reduced. On aircraft whose speeds are noticeably higher than the speed of sound, large swept wings and a high aspect ratio fuselage are used.
Hydraulic (booster) control. At supersonic flight speeds, the force acting on the aerodynamic control becomes so great that the pilot simply cannot change its position on his own. To help him, hydraulic control systems are being designed, in many respects similar to a hydraulic drive for driving a car. These systems can also be controlled by an automated flight control system.
Influence of aerodynamic heating. Modern aircraft develop in flight speeds several times higher than the speed of sound, and surface friction forces cause heating of their skin and structure. An aircraft designed to fly with M = 2.2 must no longer be made of duralumin, but of titanium or steel. In some cases, it is necessary to cool the fuel tanks to prevent overheating of the fuel; the chassis wheels should also be cooled to prevent the rubber from melting.
Armament. Enormous progress has been made in the field of armaments since World War I, when the fire synchronizer was invented, allowing firing through the plane of rotation of the propeller. Modern fighters are often armed with multi-barreled 20 mm automatic cannons that can fire up to 6000 rounds per minute. They are also armed with guided missiles such as Sidewinder, Phoenix or Sparrow. The bombers can be armed with defensive missiles, optical and radar sights, thermonuclear bombs and air-to-ground cruise missiles that are launched many kilometers from the target.
Production. With the complication of the tasks facing military aviation, the labor intensity and cost of aircraft is rapidly increasing. According to available data, 200,000 man-hours of engineering labor were spent on the development of the B-17 bomber. For the B-52, it took already 4,085,000, and for the B-58 - 9,340,000 man-hours. In the production of fighters, similar trends are observed. The cost of one F-80 fighter is approx. 100 thousand dollars For the F-84 and F-100, this is already 300 and 750 thousand dollars, respectively. The cost of the F-15 fighter was once estimated at about $30 million.
Pilot work. Rapid advances in navigation, instrumentation, and computing have had a significant impact on pilot performance. Much of the routine flight work is now done by the autopilot, and navigation problems can be solved using the onboard inertial systems, Doppler radar and ground stations. By monitoring the terrain with the help of an airborne radar and using an autopilot, it is possible to fly at low altitudes. The automated system in conjunction with the onboard autopilot ensures the reliability of the aircraft landing in very low clouds (up to 30 m) and poor visibility (less than 0.8 km).
see also AIRCRAFT ON-BOARD INSTRUMENTS ;
AIR NAVIGATION ;
AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. Automated optical, infrared or radar systems are also used to control weapons. These systems provide an accurate hit on a distant target. The ability to use automated systems allows one pilot or a crew of two to perform tasks that previously involved the participation of a much larger crew. The job of a pilot is mainly to monitor the readings of instruments and the functioning of automated systems, taking control only when they fail. At present, even television equipment can be placed on board the aircraft, which has a connection with the ground control center. Under these conditions, still more functions that were previously supposed to be performed by the aircraft crew are taken over by electronic equipment. Now the pilot must act only in the most critical situations, such as visual identification of the intruder and deciding on the necessary actions.
Overalls. The pilot's attire has also changed markedly since the days when a leather jacket, goggles, and a silk scarf were her must-haves. For a fighter pilot, anti-g suits have now become standard, insuring him from losing consciousness during sharp maneuvers. At altitudes above 12 km, pilots use a body-hugging high-altitude suit that protects against the destructive effects of explosive decompression in the event of cabin depressurization. The air tubes along the arms and legs are filled automatically or manually and maintain the required pressure.
Ejection seats. Ejection seats have become a common piece of equipment in military aviation. If the pilot is forced to leave the aircraft, he is fired from the cockpit, remaining tied to his seat. After making sure that the aircraft is sufficiently far away, the pilot can free himself from the seat and descend to the ground by parachute. In modern designs, the entire cockpit is usually separated from the aircraft. This protects against initial shock braking and the effects of aerodynamic loads. In addition, if the ejection occurs at high altitudes, a breathable atmosphere is maintained in the cockpit. Great importance for the pilot of a supersonic aircraft have cabin and spacesuit cooling systems to protect against the effects of aerodynamic heating at supersonic speeds.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Trends. The displacement of fighter-interceptors from air defense systems by missiles slowed down the development of military aviation (see AIR DEFENSE). The pace of its development will probably change depending on the political climate or the revision of military policy.
Aircraft X-15. The X-15 experimental aircraft is an aircraft with a liquid rocket engine. It is designed to study the possibility of flight in the upper atmosphere at Mach numbers greater than 6 (ie at a flight speed of 6400 km/h). The flight studies carried out on it gave engineers valuable information about the characteristics of the controlled aviation liquid rocket engine, the ability of the pilot to operate in zero gravity and the ability to control the aircraft using a jet stream, as well as the aerodynamic characteristics of the layout of the X-15. The flight altitude of the aircraft reached 102 km. To accelerate the aircraft to M = 8 (8700 km / h), ramjet engines (ramjet engines) were installed on it. However, after an unsuccessful flight with a ramjet, the test program was terminated.
Aircraft projects with M = 3. The YF-12A (A-11) was the first military aircraft to fly at a cruising speed of M = 3. Two years after the flight tests of the YF-12A, work began on a new version (SR-71 "Blackbird" ). The maximum Mach number of 3.5 is achieved by this aircraft at an altitude of 21 km, the maximum flight altitude is more than 30 km, and the range significantly exceeds the flight range of the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft (6400 km). The use of light high-strength titanium alloys in the design of both the airframe and turbojet engines made it possible to significantly reduce the weight of the structure. A new "supercritical" wing was also used. Such a wing is also suitable for flying at speeds slightly less than the speed of sound, which makes it possible to create an economical transport aircraft. Vertical or short takeoff and landing aircraft. For a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, the presence of a 15-meter obstacle at a distance of 15 m from the launch site is not significant. A short takeoff and landing aircraft must fly at an altitude of more than 15 m, 150 m from the launch site. Aircraft have been tested with wings that can rotate up to 90° from horizontal to vertical or any position in between, as well as steerable fixed-wing engines or helicopter blades that can retract or fold in cruising. horizontal flight. Aircraft with a thrust vector changed by changing the direction of the jet flow, as well as vehicles using combinations of these concepts, were also studied. See also AIRCRAFT CONVERTIBLE.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

The international cooperation. High price military aircraft design forced a number of European countries members of NATO, pool their resources. The first aircraft of the joint development was the 1150 Atlantic, a land-based anti-submarine aircraft with two turboprop engines. Its first flight took place in 1961; it was used by the French, Italian, German, Dutch, Pakistani and Belgian navies. The results of international cooperation are the Anglo-French Jaguar (a training aircraft also used for tactical support of the ground forces), the Franco-German transport aircraft Transal and the multi-purpose front-line aircraft Tornado, designed for Germany, Italy and Great Britain.

WESTERN EUROPEAN FIGHTER "TORNADO"

France. The French aviation company "Dassault" is one of the recognized leaders in the development and production of fighter aircraft. Its Mirage supersonic aircraft are sold to many countries and also produced under license in countries such as Israel, Switzerland, Australia, Lebanon, South Africa, Pakistan, Peru, Belgium. In addition, the company "Dassault" develops and produces supersonic strategic bombers.

Great Britain. In the UK, British Aerospace created good fighter vertical takeoff and landing, known as the "Harrier". This aircraft requires a minimum of ground support equipment other than the equipment needed for refueling and resupply.
Sweden. The Swedish Air Force is armed with SAAB aircraft - the Draken fighter-interceptor and the Viggen fighter-bomber. After World War II, Sweden develops and operates its own military aircraft so as not to violate its status as a neutral country.
Japan. For a long time, the Japan Self-Defense Forces used exclusively US aircraft manufactured by Japan on a license basis. Recently, Japan has begun to develop its own aircraft. One of the most interesting Japanese projects is the Shin Meiwa PX-S, a short takeoff and landing aircraft with four turbofan engines. This is a flying boat designed for maritime reconnaissance. It can land on the surface of the water even in high seas. The Mitsubishi company produces the T-2 training aircraft.
USSR/Russia. The USSR was the only country whose air force was comparable to air force USA. Unlike the United States, where the award of an aircraft development contract is the result of a comparison of engineering designs that exist only on paper, the Soviet methodology was based on a comparison of flight-tested prototypes. This makes it impossible to predict which of the new models shown from time to time at various exhibitions aviation technology will go into series production. Experimental Design Bureau (or Moscow Machine-Building Plant) them. AI Mikoyan specializes in the development of MiG fighters (Mikoyan and Gurevich). MiG-21 fighters continue to be in service with the Air Force of the former allies of the USSR, big number which are available in Russia itself. The MiG-23 front-line fighter is capable of carrying a large stock of bombs and missiles. The MiG-25 is used for interception of targets and reconnaissance at high altitudes.