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

Since the first use of aircraft on the field of military confrontation, their role in the battle is becoming more widespread every year. Particularly dynamically, the importance of aviation in the military conflict has increased over the past 30-50 years. Every year, combat aircraft receive increasingly sophisticated electronic systems and more powerful weapons. Their speed and versatility increases, and the visibility for radars decreases. Modern aviation can alone solve the outcome of a military conflict, or influence it in a key way. In the military history of past years, this could not be considered. Today we will learn what modern military aircraft represent and what aircraft are at the head of domestic armament.

The Role of Aviation

In the Yugoslav conflict, NATO aviation allowed the situation practically without the intervention of ground forces. The same can be observed in the first Iraqi company, when the Air Force ensured the final rout of Saddam Hussein's army. Destroying the air force, US aviation and allies with impunity destroyed the armored vehicles of Iraqis.

Modern military aircraft are so expensive that only wealthy countries can afford their development and construction. For example, the American F-22 fighter of the latest generation costs about $ 350 million. To date, this military aircraft is a real crown of scientific and technological progress.

Current state of aviation

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

At the end of the twentieth century, the Soviet Union was keeping pace with America. The Mig-29 and Su-27 planes of the fourth generation were not inferior to the American models F-15 and F-16. However, when the USSR collapsed, not the best of times came for military aviation. For many years, Russia suspended work on the creation of new fighters. America in the meantime actively developed its aviation, and in 1997 the F-22 was already created. It is noteworthy that this model is prohibited to sell to other countries, and even allies. For them, based on the F-22, American designers created the F-35, which, according to experts, is inferior to its prototype in many ways.

The Russian answer

Modern aviation of Russia can put modernized Mig-29 and Su-27 models in contrast to American successes. To mark their military affiliation, workers in the military industry even came up with a separate classification. The MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft belong to the "4 ++" generation. This suggests that they are quite a bit short of them to qualify for a place in the fifth generation. And this is not an attempt to "play with muscles". The planes are really good. The latest versions have been supplied with improved engines, new electronics and navigation. However, this is not the fifth generation.

Aircraft PAK FA

In parallel with the modernization of old good fighters, the Russian aviation industry worked on a true representative of the fifth generation. As a result, such a plane was developed. It is called PAK FA, which stands for "a promising aviation complex of frontline 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 off in 2010. For today it is known that the aircraft is being finalized and will soon enter mass production.

Before we compare the T-50 with its American counterpart, let's find out what requirements the modern fifth-generation aircraft must meet. The military clearly outlined the main advantages of this technique. Firstly, such an aircraft has a low level of visibility in all wave bands. First of all, it should not be detected in the infrared and radar ranges. Secondly, the 5th generation fighter must be multifunctional and extremely maneuverable. Thirdly, such a device is able to go to supersonic speed without afterburner. Fourthly, he can drive all-round fire and shoot rockets at a greater range. And, fifthly, modern military aviation is compulsorily equipped with "advanced" electronics, which makes it possible to significantly alleviate the fate of the pilot.

The plane PAK FA, in comparison with the American F-22, has large dimensions and wingspan, therefore, it will be slightly more maneuverable. At T-50, the maximum speed is slightly higher, but the cruising speed is less. The Russian fighter has more practical range, and less take-off weight. However, due to low visibility, he loses the "American". Modern aviation is famous not only for armament and aerodynamics, an important role is played by electronics, on the basis of which the vital activity of all systems of the apparatus depends. Russia has always had a backwardness in this regard. The on-board equipment of the PAK FA model also leaves much to be desired. The small-scale production of the aircraft was launched in 2014. Soon, a full-fledged release of the model should begin.

Now let's look at other Russian aircraft, which have high hopes for success.

Su-47 (Berkut)

This rather interesting model was developed in the Sukhoy Design Bureau. To date, it still remains only a prototype. Thanks to the swept-swept wing, the car has excellent maneuverability and new combat capabilities. Composite materials are widely used in the case of "Berkut". The model was created as a prototype of the 5th generation fighter. However, up to the requirements imposed on such aircraft, it still does not hold out. The Su-47 can not develop supersonic speed without the inclusion of afterburner. In the future, designers intend to solve this problem by installing a new engine on the plane. The first flight of the Berkut took place in 1997. One copy was created, which is still used today 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 number of 48 copies. The model was also developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It belongs to the 4 ++ generation, but in its technical and combat parameters it almost claims to be in the fifth generation.

The aircraft is not much different from the T-50. The main difference is the absence of Stealth and AFAR technologies (active phased array antenna). The aircraft is equipped with the latest information-control system, a motor with a controlled thrust vector, and an enhanced glider. The Su-35 fighter is capable of developing supersonic speed without activating the afterburner. With the proper skills of the pilot, the car can withstand the American F-22 aircraft on the battlefield.

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. Developments began in 2009, but only in 2014, the design bureau signed a contract with the Defense Ministry. Precise information about the characteristics of the model is not yet known, it is known only that it will be subsonic and will be able to arm more than Tu-160. It is assumed that the new bomber will be performed on the design of the "flying wing".

The first car, according to forecasts of designers, will be released in 2020, and in five years it will go into mass production. The Americans are working to create a similar plane. The Next Generation Bomber project is developing a subsonic bomber that has a low level of visibility and a long range of action (about 9000 km). As reported by the media, such a machine will cost America 0.5 billion dollars.

Transport aircraft IL-112

Ilyushin's design bureau is currently developing a new lightweight transport aircraft that will replace obsolete An-26 models used by Russia up to this time. 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 was carried out since the 90's.

In the mass production of IL-112 should arrive in 2018. The device will be equipped with a pair of turboprop engines. Its carrying capacity will be 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 ground airfields. In addition to the cargo version, the designers also plan to build a passenger modification of the device. It is planned by the creators, it will be able to operate in regional airlines.

New MiG

According to Russian and foreign media reports, the Mikoyan Design Bureau is working to create 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 car, most likely, will be the MiG-35 (another representative of the 4 ++ generation). The new MiG, according to the information of the creators, will be radically different from the T-50, and will take on a slightly different function. About any timing so far that the conversation does not go.

Conclusion

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