Gloomy afternoon XXI century. Russian Air Force Day Civil aviation in art

Despite the fact that since last (2015) the Russian Air Force has been merged with the Aerospace Defense Forces to create the Aerospace Forces (VKS), the day of the Russian Air Force as a professional holiday for all military pilots is celebrated on a large scale in our country. August 12 is an occasion to congratulate all representatives of various military aviation structures: long-range, army, operational-tactical and military transport aviation.

Today the Russian Air Force is celebrating its 104th anniversary. The official date for the appearance of military aviation in our country is August 12, 1912, when a decree was issued according to which the staff of the aeronautical unit of the Main Directorate of the General Staff was introduced into the structure of the military department of the Russian Empire. And over the 104 years of its existence, Russian aviation has come a long way from aircraft, the speed of which can easily surpass a modern car, to truly unique multi-purpose machines capable of conquering the air not only with the power of existing weapons, but also with the beauty of flight dynamics.

The importance of military aviation in the conditions of almost any modern armed conflict can hardly be overestimated. Yes and clearly big problems will be observed in those who allow themselves to underestimate the capabilities of the Russian Air Force.

Literally at the first stage of the participation of Russian military aviation in the operation against militants in Syria, there were exclamations of individual “specialists” who spoke in the spirit that Russian aviation was “breathing its last for a long time”, and that all Russian combat aircraft at the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia - "flying scrap metal". When this "scrap metal" began to dispose of terrorists of various stripes along with their infrastructure in various provinces of the Syrian Arab Republic, and when the Syrian government army, thanks to Russian air support, recaptured significant territories from the militants, including ancient Palmyra, exclamations filled with irony about the capabilities of Russia in the air, began to thin out, and then disappeared altogether. Today, an “expert” who is already rare in his technical literacy will allow himself to speak about Russian military aviation as something that is incapable of solving combat missions in a variety of conditions. And even the liberal “experts” contributed to such a reassessment of the state of affairs both by the developers of combat vehicles, techies servicing aircraft and helicopters at home airfields, and directly by the crews of fighters, attack aircraft, bombers, attack and military transport helicopters.

Nowadays Air Force, which are part of the Russian Aerospace Forces, are actively re-equipping, passing along the path of modernization. The latest Su-30SM and Su-35S multirole fighters, Su-34 fighter-bombers, modernized Su-25SM3 attack aircraft, and MiG-31BM fighter-interceptors are being put into service. The Yak-130 combat training aircraft are being tested, including as part of the Wings of Taurida aerobatic team. Russian Helicopters is fulfilling contracts for equipping units and formations with Mi-28N, Ka-52 rotorcraft, etc. Testing of the MiG-35S super-maneuverable fighters, as well as the promising T-50 front-line aviation complex (PAK FA), which belongs to the full-fledged fifth generation of military aircraft.

Russian military aviation performs a colossal amount of work to ensure the security of Russia's borders and to patrol remote regions of the planet in the interests of the Russian Federation. The number of long-range and strategic aircraft sorties is increasing every year. Over the past few weeks, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers have been actively attacking the positions of the ISIS terrorist group (banned on the territory of the Russian Federation) in Syria. Just the day before, high-explosive fragmentation bombs were struck on the outskirts of the “capital” of ISIS, the city of Raqqa in the province of the same name in Syria. Among the destroyed facilities is a plant for the production of chemicals for filling ammunition.

At the same time, combat training competitions are held as part of the Aviadarts competition, which is attracting more and more attention not only from professional pilots, but also from the Russian and world community.

Teams from four countries took part in the competition of military pilots and navigators at the Ryazan training ground Dubrovichi: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and China. Russian pilots performed on Su-25SM, MiG-29SMT, Su-30SM, Su-35, Su-24M, Su-34, Tu-22M3, Il-76 aircraft, as well as Mi-8, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi -24P and Ka-52. Largest number points (555.25) both among the crews of fighter aircraft and in general, scored the crew of the Su-30SM consisting of Captain Ilya Sizov and Captain Yuri Balashov. They also received the highest jury rating for piloting - 253 points. According to the results of the Aviadarts-2016 competition, the Russian national team took the first place overall, having received 1st place in all four international nominations.

Despite his professional holiday many representatives of the Russian military aviation are still on combat duty both to protect the air borders of Russia and to destroy terrorist groups in Syria.

"Military Review" congratulates the military personnel of the Russian military aviation on the holiday!

Every year on the third Sunday of August, the Russian Federation celebrates Russian Air Force Day. This holiday is celebrated in accordance with the Decree of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation No. 3564-1 dated September 28, 1992 "On the establishment of the Russian Air Force Day holiday."

Russian Air Force Day (formerly known as Aviation Day) is a professional holiday for all air fleet pilots, aviators and aviation infrastructure workers in Russia. On this day, festive events dedicated to the Day of the Russian Air Force are traditionally held, with demonstration performances of aerobatic teams, helicopters and parachute jumps.

Holiday Aviation Day August 18: from the history of the holiday

Russian Air Force Day has two founding fathers: Nicholas II and Joseph Stalin. They are both in different years in August, orders significant for domestic aeronautics were issued. On August 12, 1912, the last Russian tsar ordered that the first part of the air force in the country be formed at the Main Directorate of the General Staff and that all issues related to the development of a new kind of troops be transferred to its jurisdiction. And two decades later, the “leader of all peoples” established a tradition in the Soviet Union to celebrate the Day of the USSR Air Fleet. This holiday (also known as the All-Union Aviation Day, or Aviation Day) was fixed by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of April 28, 1933 No. 859, in honor of the outstanding achievements of scientists, aviation designers, aviation industry workers, flight and technical personnel of the Red Army Air Force.

The first celebration of Air Fleet Day took place on August 18, 1933. On this day, at the Central Aerodrome named after M.V. Frunze in Moscow, an aviation festival was organized, at which samples of Soviet aviation equipment, the skill and courage of aviators were demonstrated. The air parade was attended by members of the Soviet government headed by Stalin. For many years, Air Fleet Day was celebrated on August 18 and became a national holiday. Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated October 1, 1980 No. 3018-X “On holidays and memorable days” established that the Day of the USSR Air Fleet is celebrated on the third Sunday of August.

This tradition was continued in post-Soviet Russia. The Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation in 1992 decided to celebrate this professional holiday also on the third Sunday of August.

Holiday Aviation Day August 18: professional holiday

Today this day is celebrated by all workers and veterans of civil aviation, teams of organizations and enterprises, in any way related to this industry. Together with them, this holiday is also celebrated by the military, despite the fact that they have their own separate professional holiday.

More than two thousand helicopters and almost four thousand planes currently have a Russian fleet of aircraft. Today, over 30% of all long-distance intercity transportation is carried out by means of this air transport. The flight is still the fastest and most comfortable way to travel today, so the Russian air transport industry has always been and will continue to be one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the country's economy. It employs people truly in love with the sky, capable of bearing the burden of colossal responsibility for thousands of lives of other people. Therefore, the whole of Russia is in a hurry to celebrate their professional holiday on the third Sunday of every August, doing this through public festivities, parades and festive air shows.

Holiday Aviation Day August 18: how aviation developed

First of all - aircraft The first military aircraft in the country date back to the beginning of the 20th century. In 1914, military aviation was equipped with 263 aircraft. The development of military aviation was accelerated by the First World War. Aircraft were used for reconnaissance, defeating ground targets, and adjusting artillery fire. By the end of the war, the country's military aviation had become an independent branch of the military. It consisted of reconnaissance, bomber and fighter aviation. The merits of aviation are invaluable: major front-line operations were carried out with the support of military aircraft.

The Russian Air Force was formed together with the Red Army. So, in 1918, the VKUVFR was established - the All-Russian Collegium, which controlled the entire Air Fleet. Its goal is to coordinate the formation of aviation units, the training of aviation personnel. By the end of 1920, the Air Force had 83 squadrons. At the end of the Civil War, aviation enterprises were restored and modernized. In the period up to 1933, the I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, R-1, R-3, TB-1, TB-3 aircraft entered service. In 1940–1941, the production of new military aircraft began: fighters: Yak-1, LaGG-3, MiG-3; attack aircraft Il-2; bombers Pe-2, Pe-8.

Air Force during the Second World War By the beginning of the Second World War, the country had 79 aviation divisions, 19 aviation regiments. The Air Force consisted of 53.4% ​​of fighters, 3.2% of reconnaissance aircraft, 41.4% of bombers and attack aircraft, and 2% of transport aircraft. During the years of the Second World War, the Air Force made about 3125 thousand sorties, destroyed 57,000 enemy aircraft at airfields and in air battles.

Holiday Aviation Day August 18: post-war period

Jet aircraft appeared. Strategic nuclear forces have long-range aviation with supersonic missile carriers. Military transport aviation switched to turboprop aircraft. In 1991, the USSR Air Force had 20 formations, 38 divisions, 211 air regiments. In 1992, the construction of the Russian Air Force began. By 1999, the Air Force was formed, combining the Air Force and Air Defense. Further changes in the organizational structure occurred in 2009-2010. During this period, they switched to the brigade-battalion command and control system. The aircraft fleet was also actively changing. Since 2015, a new branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is the Aerospace Forces.

Holiday Aviation Day August 18: festive events

The Ministry of Defense arranges a holiday brightly and spectacularly. In the skies near Moscow, pilots demonstrate their piloting skills on various types of aircraft and helicopters. The program of aircraft from the times of the First and Second World Wars at demonstration performances allows you to see the "leaps" of aircraft. The flights of the famous groups "Russian Knights" delight the audience with novelties in aerobatics and combat techniques. "Falcons of Russia", "Berkuts" will show their skills. Crews of attack aircraft will decorate the sky with the colors of the Russian flag. The holiday will also take place on earth. Reconstruction of the highlights of domestic military aviation can be seen in the park. Interactive stands, expositions about the formation of the country's Air Force. And the most courageous will be able to test themselves on flight simulators and training simulators.

In many Russian cities, mass public celebrations are held, TV programs include:

stories from the life of civil aviation;

stories of outstanding pilots about their working biography;

reports from the performances of pilots;

feature films on relevant topics.

The holiday was established both for military and civil aviators, as well as for developers and creators of aircraft.

The first celebration of Air Force Day took place on August 18, 1933. On this day in Moscow, at the Central Aerodrome named after M.V. Frunze (on the territory of the Khodynka field) an aviation festival was held, during which samples of Soviet aviation equipment, the skill and courage of aviators were shown. The air parade was attended by members of the Soviet government and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, headed by Stalin. From that day on, August 18 became a national holiday, however, despite the fact that the Day of the "entire" air fleet was announced, that is, the entire aviation of the USSR, including aviation Navy, the Civil Air Fleet, the Society for the Promotion of Defense, Aviation and Chemical Engineering of the USSR (Osoaviakhim), etc., the Air Force of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA) played a leading role in this holiday in terms of numbers and variety of tasks.

Starting from 1935, air parades dedicated to the Day of the USSR Air Fleet were held in Tushino on weekends, i.e. were not strictly tied to the day of August 18, and sometimes were postponed to another day or even canceled due to weather conditions.

After the Great Patriotic War air parades were not held every year, sometimes they were held in July (in 1951 - July 8, in 1952 - July 27). The last air parade in Tushino took place on July 9, 1961. In the future, air demonstrations of new models of military and civil aircraft were held in Domodedovo. The last one took place in 1967.

In the 1970s and 1980s, there were no central air parades. However, the tradition of holding air holidays, dedicated to the Day Air Fleet of the USSR, preserved at the regional level. Every year, air festivals were held in Zhukovsky (by test pilots of the Flight Research Institute named after M. M. Gromov), in Monino, in Kubinka and other aviation centers of the country.

Since 1972, the holiday has been celebrated on the third Sunday of August.

Officially, the transfer of the date of the celebration of the Day of the Air Fleet of the USSR to the third Sunday of August was legalized by the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 1, 1980 "On holidays and memorable days."

In 1997, military pilots got their own holiday - Air Force Day, celebrated on August 12. Therefore, since 1997 the Air Fleet Day has been a professional holiday for collectives of enterprises and organizations, workers and veterans of civil aviation.

civil Aviation in Russia began its development from the moment when in February 1923 the Council of Labor and Defense of the RSFSR adopted a resolution "On the assignment of technical supervision of air lines to the Main Directorate of the Air Fleet and on the organization of the Council for Civil Aviation", which marked the beginning of state regulation of air transport in the country.

In 1923, the first aviation society "Dobrolet" was created in Moscow to organize on a commercial basis the transportation of passengers, mail, the production of aerial photographs and other works. By June 1923, the Dobrolet was equipped with the first regular passenger airline in the USSR, Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod.

In 1931, the first passenger terminal in the country was opened at the central airfield (Khodynskoye Pole) in Moscow. On February 25, 1932, the Main Directorate of the Civil Air Fleet (GU GVF) was formed and the official abbreviation for the country's civil aviation, Aeroflot, was established. In 1932, the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR approved the first Air Code of the USSR. In 1936, the USSR became a member of the International Aviation Federation (FAI).

During the Great Patriotic War, aviators of the civil air fleet made a significant contribution to the victory over the enemy. Aeroflot special units took part in combat operations. During the war years, the pilots made more than one and a half million sorties, of which about 40 thousand behind enemy lines, transported 1.6 million people, over 400 thousand tons of military cargo.

After the end of the war, the destroyed civil aviation facilities were restored in the Soviet Union and continued to develop the network of allied and local lines, build new air terminals and runways. Representatives of a new generation of aviation equipment began to enter the Aeroflot routes.

In 1970, the USSR became a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Within the framework of this organization, Soviet specialists participated in the preparation of international legal norms related to liability for damage caused by an aircraft, and contributed to the development of a convention on the rights and duties of an aircraft commander.

By the end of the 1980s, Aeroflot was carrying more than 120 million passengers annually, about 3,000 tons of cargo, and over 400,000 tons of mail.

The share of air transport accounted for up to 20% of the total passenger turnover of the USSR, and over 80% on long-distance routes (4 thousand kilometers or more). The share of air transportation in the country's cargo turnover was small (less than 0.1%). Civil aviation aircraft of the USSR carried out regular flights to 4,000 cities and towns of the Soviet Union and to airports in almost 100 foreign countries.

In 1991, after the collapse of the USSR and the declaration of sovereignty by Russia, a new stage began in the history of domestic civil aviation. In the former Soviet republics and regions of Russia, their own airlines were created. Aeroflot ceased to be an all-Union structure and became one of several hundred airlines and industrial associations of civil aviation.

In 1992, work began on the restructuring of the industry, corporatization and privatization. The airlines were divided into independent airports and airlines.

On March 19, 1997, the Air Code was adopted Russian Federation, which establishes the legal basis for the use of Russian airspace and activities in the field of aviation. In accordance with the code, federal rules for the use of airspace and federal aviation rules have been developed.

Today, domestic civil aviation is demonstrating high growth rates, the geography of flights of Russian airlines is expanding. On the basis of international and regional hub airports, a route network is being formed to meet the growing demand for mainline, regional and local air transportation of passengers and cargo.

As of 2016, 259 airfields are included in the register of civil aviation airfields of the Russian Federation, of which 81 airports are approved for international flights.

In the transport system of the state, civil aviation is an important component. In 2015, Russian airlines carried about 92.1 million passengers and more than one million tons of cargo and mail.

During the first half of 2016, aviators transported about 38.1 million people and more than 436.9 thousand tons of cargo and mail.

In the life of Russia, with its vast territory, the importance of air transport is enormous. It ensures the mobility of people, solves the most important social tasks of supplying residents of hard-to-reach areas with food, medicine and other essentials, promotes the development of business activity, and provides interregional ties.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

On August 12, 2016, Russia celebrates the day of military aviation for the 104th time, now the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation. Today, VKS pilots, aircraft designers and aircraft mechanics are celebrating their professional holiday in the context of a massive renewal of the aircraft fleet.

Born to make a fairy tale come true

The birthday of military aviation in our country is considered to be August 12, it was on this day in 1912 that the Russian Military Department was given an order putting into operation the Staff of the Aeronautical Unit of the Main Directorate of the General Staff. Subsequently, this department was transformed into a whole type of troops - the Air Force.

In 2006, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin approved the Day of the Russian Air Force by his decree. As early as August 1, 2015, in accordance with his new order, the Air Force, by merging with the Aerospace Defense Forces, was transformed into the Russian Aerospace Forces. Such a modification was necessary to create a unified command of forces and means that are responsible for ensuring the security of the Russian Federation in aerospace.

Composition of the Russian Aerospace Forces

The Aerospace Forces include three types of troops: the Air Force, the Air and Missile Defense Forces, and the Space Forces. However, in this case, we will talk about the air fleet.

The tasks of the Air Force, as the main component of the Aerospace Forces, include: repelling the aggression of a potential enemy in the aerospace sphere, protecting the country's territory from air and space attacks, defeating enemy facilities and troops using both conventional and nuclear weapons, and as well as air support for combat operations.

The Russian military fleet is divided into front-line, army, transport and long-range aviation. Today, the aircraft fleet is being actively modernized and developed.

PAK FA

Currently, Russia is undergoing tests of the Advanced Aviation Complex of Frontal Aviation, or PAK FA. In fact, this is a fifth-generation multi-role fighter, which will soon begin to enter the troops and become the basis of fighter aviation. The aircraft is being developed to replace the Su-27 fighter; it made its first flight in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on January 29, 2010. The development is carried out by the Sukhoi Design Bureau.

The aircraft is equipped with a modern, fundamentally new avionics complex and a modern radar station with a phased antenna array. It is known that the machine will receive a set of technical characteristics that will allow it to avoid enemy air defense weapons: these are wide anti-aircraft maneuvering capabilities, a record flight altitude, as well as speed characteristics that will allow it to avoid being hit by missile weapons.

"Unprecedented low level Radar, optical and infrared visibility of the new Russian fighter will be ensured by the integrated use of composite materials, the aerodynamic layout of the machine, and engine performance,” said Advisor to the General Director of the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern Vladimir Mikheev.

It should also be noted that the mutual arrangement of the fuselage surfaces at an angle of 90 degrees is completely excluded. This nullifies the radar signals that probe the aircraft. In addition, the possibility of signal reflection is significantly reduced due to the use of radio-absorbing materials and airframe coating with carbon fiber. Armament, on the other hand, will be placed in special internal niches of the aircraft, which will also allow it to “shine” less on enemy radar screens. The fighter will be equipped with a 30-mm 9-A1-4071K aircraft gun, which replaced the GSh-30-1, which has been produced since the 1980s.

PAK YES

The development of the Advanced Aviation Complex for Long-Range Aviation, or PAK DA, is carried out by Tupolev PJSC. This aircraft will be a new strategic missile-carrying bomber that will replace such monsters as the Tu-160 and Tu-95. Moreover, it will partially take over the functions of the Tu-22M3. Technical work to develop the concept of a new product started in 2009, while, as suggested by Tupolev PJSC, the aircraft should make its first flight as early as 2019. Adoption is planned for 2025.

So far, little is known about the complex itself, however, some experts suggest that the PAK DA will become a fundamentally new aircraft with the most modern sighting and navigation system and will be able to use all existing, as well as promising types of weapons. It is especially noted that with the current development of technology and technology, a missile carrier must have a subsonic maximum flight speed.

It is assumed that the long-range aviation complex will be made according to the "flying wing" scheme.

Air cover for Syria

While Russian engineers are carrying out design work on promising aircraft, Russian pilots operating in Syria are actively using the aircraft fleet, the foundations of which were laid back in the Soviet Union. However, it should be noted here that since the formation of the Russian Federation, the above aircraft have gone through several stages of modernization, so that it does not look like those products that were developed in the USSR. Su-24 bombers with new sighting systems can serve as an example, making it possible to successfully hit the positions of militants of the terrorist organization IS 1 banned in Russia. They are covered by heavy Su-27 fighters and modern 4++ generation aircraft - Su-35.

Tu-160 missile carriers were also involved in the military operation in Syria, launching cruise missiles of the Caliber family at the positions of radical Islamists, Tu-22M3 bombers, bombarding enemy manpower with high-precision high-explosive fragmentation bombs. The crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers, Su-30SM multirole fighters, Su-25 attack aircraft, as well as attack transport aircraft and helicopters also participated in the destruction of ISIS terrorists.

Personnel improvement

IN last years The Russian Ministry of Defense has been actively engaged in training new pilots and advanced training for existing pilots. So in Russia, applied army competitions called "Aviadarts" appeared. They should increase the ability of military pilots to overcome the air defense systems of a mock enemy, hit ground targets with the help of unguided bombs, aircraft guns, as well as guided anti-tank missiles.

The competition was first held in 2013 at the Pogonovo aviation training ground in the Voronezh region. The next competition was held in 2014, and it has already reached the international level, pilots from Belarus and China took part in the competition. Since 2015, competitions, as a military discipline, have been included in the program of the first international army games. The competition was held at three Dubrovichi training grounds in the Ryazan region.

As a result, having gone through a long and difficult historical path of development from the first airplanes and biplanes to modern combat aviation systems, the Aerospace Forces have undergone serious changes more than once and are constantly being improved. This type of troops has always been able to fully solve the entire range of tasks assigned to it.

“Congratulations to our glorious falcons! We are proud of their work in Syria. We will continue to strengthen the Air Force with modern equipment," the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation congratulated the Russian aces Dmitry Rogozin.

1 The organization is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation.

A remarkable date is celebrated in our state - the Day of the Airborne Troops, established by the decision of the President of Russia in 2006 as a memorable day designed to help revive domestic military custom, increase the prestige of service and established in recognition of the merits of soldiers in solving the most difficult tasks to ensure the defense of the country .

Airborne troops, or as they are often called " blue berets"- one of the most elite units Russian army. Only the chosen ones, who have strength, courage and courage, become members of this detachment. Every year in early August, millions of citizens who once wore blue berets and served in the Airborne Forces celebrate their holiday date. The history of the holiday began on August 2, 1930 - at that time, exercises were taking place near Voronezh and for the first time a detachment of paratroopers in the amount of 12 people made a parachute jump. This event helped military experts to recognize the prospect of the advantages of the parachute squads, their unlimited possibilities for the rapid coverage of the enemy in the air.

The creation of the Airborne Forces, which became the beginning of a large-scale development of this type of troops, started in 1932. By the beginning of next year, special-purpose aviation detachments were organized in several military districts. By the summer of 1941, the formation of 5 airborne corps, each of which included 10 thousand people, was completed. The paratroopers have always been at the forefront in the battles of the Second World War and have repeatedly shown their heroism in battles. Since the winter of 1988, domestic paratroopers began to participate in battles in "hot spots" on the territory of not only our state, but also abroad. One of the most severe losses in the history of troops is the death of the sixth company of the 104th regiment of the 76th Pskov airborne division in the spring of 2000. On that day, the detachment was able to prevent a breakthrough of 2.5 thousand militants, destroying more than 700 enemies.

Vasily Filippovich Margelov managed to make a colossal contribution to the formation and development of the Airborne Forces. This brave general became the commander of the unit at the most difficult time, when the soldiers - members of this detachment, did not have suitable weapons, equipment and appropriate assistance. But their goal was considered one of the most difficult. The Airborne Forces were delivered to the rear of the enemy, where they started a battle and maintained defenses until the arrival of the main military detachments. Without decent equipment and high-quality weapons, they acted as ordinary "cannon fodder". Only with the arrival of Margelov in the 50s of the last century did the general condition of the troops improve significantly. He introduced many programs that contributed to the development of weapons, equipment and airliners.

Traditionally, on a holiday in all cities of the country, commemorative and solemn events are organized, demonstration performances of paratroopers and paratroopers, a display of military equipment in service with the Airborne Forces, evenings with veterans, charity events and mass street festivities are organized.