VVS Russian Airforce Force: News #2

Joint russian-chinese bomber patrol with Tu-95MS, H-6K and Su-35S

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The press service of the Russian defense department spoke about what changes await the Military Space Forces from the new year. The Russian Defense Ministry has revealed plans to re-equip the Aerospace Forces.


RIA Novosti agency informs about it .

It is planned for the first time to re-equip the air defense regiment with the latest anti-aircraft missile systems S-350 "Vityaz". In addition, the troops will receive two sets of S-400 Triumph air defense systems and 18 Pantsir-S complexes.

Last year, the Aerospace Forces received 4 regimental sets of S-400 and 24 Pantsir-S complexes. They entered the military units of the Sverdlovsk, Sakhalin and Samara regions. In addition, the first S-350 air defense system was sent to the ZRV training center located in the Leningrad Region.

The Russian military argue that the introduction of the S-350 "Vityaz" systems into the armament of the Russian Aerospace Forces will make the fight of our air defense systems against the potential enemy's cruise missiles 2-2.5 times more effective. This weaponcan strike at an altitude of 30 kilometers and at a distance of up to 120 thousand meters. The complexes are brought into a combat position from the march in just five minutes. S-350 are equipped with medium and short range missiles. The S-350 and S-400 complexes use medium-range missiles.

NOTE: for 2021 then 1 S-350 regiment (1st), 2 more S-400 regiments and 3 more Pantsir-S battery's

Plans to re-equip the Aerospace Forces in 2021

As part of the current State Armaments Programs, the re-equipment of key branches of the armed forces continues. In these processes, special attention is paid to the modernization of the aerospace forces. Plans for the beginning of 2021 provide for the purchase of a large number of new aircraft and the modernization of existing equipment, as well as the rearmament of air defense units.

On December 21, a regular expanded meeting of the Collegium of the Ministry of Defense took place, the topic of which was the results of the outgoing 2020 and plans for the new 2021. During the event, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu indicated that in the new year more than 100 aircraft and helicopters of various types will arrive in the air force and naval aviation , both new construction and those that have been modernized.

More precise data on the types and proportions of new and updated vehicles have not yet been published. At the same time, there is information about the implementation of existing contracts and plans for new ones. This information allows us to present the processes of modernization of the videoconferencing in the new year.

Of greatest interest are the supplies of the 5th generation Su-57 serial fighters. At the end of December, the Air Force accepted the first aircraft of this type, and in 2021 the transfer of new machines is expected. The number of boards is unknown, but so far it will not be large. Achievement of high rates of production, allowing to fulfill the approved plans, is expected only by the middle of the decade.

In the recent past, it was reported that in 2021 the first Tu-160M ​​missile carrier of modern construction would be handed over to the troops. In the same year, it is planned to launch mass production, due to which in the future long-range aviation will receive 50 completely new aircraft.

In 2020, the aviation industry completed several long-term contracts for the production of front-line aircraft of various types. During the Army 2020 forum, it was announced that new contracts would follow. Already in 2021, orders are expected to appear for the following batches of Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters, Su-34 bombers and Yak-130 combat training aircraft.

The volumes and cost of such contracts have not yet been announced. Domestic media, referring to anonymous sources, wrote about limited quantities of equipment, no more than 30-40 units. These orders will only take a few years to complete, but it is not yet clear whether the first contract aircraft will be handed over by the end of 2021.

In the interests of the military transport aviation, the serial construction of the Il-76MD-90A aircraft continues. Last year, three such aircraft were taken into the air, and in the near future they will all enter the Air Force. In the spring of 2020, the Ministry of Defense and the Aviastar-SP plant revised the terms of cooperation, resulting in a new contract for the supply of 14 Il-76MD-90A aircraft in 2021-28. The first machines of this order can be delivered to the customer this year.

Several major aircraft modernization programs are underway. One of the main ones is the overhaul and renovation of the MiG-31 interceptors under the BM project. The current work is carried out under a 2019 contract, the implementation of which will continue until 2023 and will lead to a complete renewal of the interceptor fleet.

Helicopter update

In 2021, the construction of several types of helicopters will continue under existing contracts. In addition, deliveries of new models of machines are expected within the framework of new orders, as well as preparations for the launch of new series.

One of the most interesting novelties will be the Mi-8AMTSh-VN transport and combat helicopters, which the Aerospace Forces will use to support the activities of the Special Operations Forces. Contract for 10 units. such equipment was signed at the "Army-2019", and to date, part of the work has been completed. The customer will receive new helicopters during the year. In the future, the next contract for an unnamed quantity of such equipment should appear.

Also at "Army-2019" a contract was signed for the supply of 98 Mi-28NM attack helicopters in the period from 2020 to 2027. Last year, under this contract, two aircraft were built and handed over to the Air Force. According to the schedule, this year the industry will hand over three more. With the help of these helicopters, the army will work out the issues of combat use and train instructors. Already in 2022-23. a sharp increase in production rates is expected - for the implementation of a full-fledged rearmament.

Air defense plans

The process of rearming the air and missile defense forces as part of the Aerospace Forces continues. The other day, the Ministry of Defense revealed the details of updating the material part last year and announced plans for the new 2021st. So, in 2020, the Aerospace Forces received and distributed between the units four regimental sets of S-400 air defense systems, as well as 24 Pantsir-S1 missile and gun systems. The first air defense system of the new type S-350 was handed over to the training center.

This year, the first regiment re-equipped with the S-350 Vityaz system will take up combat duty. In the coming years, a similar modernization of a number of parts is planned. It is argued that the receipt of S-350 products will significantly increase the potential of air defense for several types of targets.

The production of the S-400 Triumph systems will continue. Industry will hand over two regimental kits this year. With their help, the obsolete type of air defense system will be replaced.

Acceptance of 18 Pantsir-S1 air defense missile systems is scheduled for 2021. In parallel with their production, the development of the updated Pantsir-SM complex continues. Perhaps this year the first order for the supply of such equipment will appear. It is curious that Pantsir-SM can be used not only in the VKS. Earlier it was reported about the development of its modification for the ground forces - such an air defense missile system can work as part of a military air defense system and cover air defense systems of other types.

At the end of November, it became known about the imminent completion of work on the promising S-500 Prometey air defense system; this will happen in 2021. In addition, it was reported about the launch of serial production of such equipment by the end of 2020. Whether it was possible to fulfill the designated plans is unknown.

Plans and opportunities

According to the plans of the Ministry of Defense, this year the Aerospace Forces should receive more than a hundred new and modernized aircraft and helicopters, as well as a large number of equipment for the air defense and missile defense forces. Such deliveries will expand the combat capabilities of individual units of the Air Force and air defense-missile defense, as well as increase the share of modern models - which will also affect the overall combat capability of the armed forces.

Unfortunately, not everything is going smoothly, and the production of weapons and equipment faces various problems. There are objective factors and negative coincidences of circumstances that prevent the rapid and full implementation of all plans. So, the production schedule for Su-57 fighters was negatively affected by the accident at the end of 2019, and the pace of construction of the Il-76MD-90A still does not allow for a complete re-equipment of military transport aircraft within a reasonable time frame.

However, the interaction of the defense industry, represented by the mass of enterprises and the Ministry of Defense, leads to obvious positive consequences for the aerospace forces. State armaments program 2011-2020 for the VKS ended in success. The share of modern models has been brought to 75%, and now it becomes possible to reduce the rate of rearmament. This will reduce costs, but at the same time maintain and systematically build up combat effectiveness, taking into account new threats and challenges.

Thus, the processes of modernization of the videoconferencing continue and give the desired results. It follows from the well-known plans of the Ministry of Defense that the new 2021 will continue this trend and have a positive effect on the general state of the Aerospace Forces - and with them on all the armed forces.

I heard they plan to order more Su-57 along with current 78 order.

miketheterrible wrote:I heard they plan to order more Su-57 along with current 78 order.

That's what they said. They are for sure happy with the jet that is much better than su-35/30. They will just change their plans of buying all 3 for only su-57 and S-70.

150 su-30 and 150 su-35 is enough as 4th generation fighters. Then just buy su-57 and future light mig if they make it.

They will also put more on drones that are not that cheap either.

Isos wrote:

miketheterrible wrote:I heard they plan to order more Su-57 along with current 78 order.

That's what they said. They are for sure happy with the jet that is much better than su-35/30. They will just change their plans of buying all 3 for only su-57 and S-70.

150 su-30 and 150 su-35 is enough as 4th generation fighters. Then just buy su-57 and future light mig if they make it.

They will also put more on drones that are not that cheap either.

That makes the most sense imo. Let MiG fill the cheaper line of fighters while Su-57 cover the heavy fighters. Since Su-57 isn't twin seater, I still see the need for Su-30 but mostly for navy.

Serial Su-57, Yak-152, and new helicopters - what military innovations will Russian aviation receive in 2021
Denis Ilyin 15 January 2021

In the coming 2021, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will receive 4.7 thousand units of military equipment. In addition to the repaired vehicles, the military will receive new models of ground equipment, artillery, and aviation. The level of equipping combat units with new weapons will reach 71% by the beginning of 2022, TASS reports. We have collected the most interesting samples of aviation innovations that will form the basis of Russia's defense capability.

Aircraft


This year, the Aerospace Forces and naval aviation of the Navy will be replenished with new aircraft and helicopters. Thus, the strategic missile carrier Tu-160M ​​is being prepared for state tests, after which the upgraded vehicle will go into service. The updated aircraft will receive a new on-board radar, and an aerobatic complex with laser gyroscopes. The weapons control system will expand the range of used ammunition, and increase the accuracy and range of fire. The aircraft will be protected by an electronic warfare system.

The long-awaited fifth-generation aircraft, the Su-57, will join the fighter aviation. The delivery of four vehicles is planned, which will complement the first Su-57, which entered service at the end of 2020. By 2028, it is planned to transfer 76 fifth-generation fighters for the needs of the Aerospace Forces.

It is also planned to conclude a contract between the United Aircraft Corporation (under the control of Rostec State Corporation) and the Ministry of Defense for the production of modernized Su-34M bombers.


Last year, the first information appeared about the preparations for serial production of the Su-34M, which started before the signing of the agreement. The modification, created as part of the Sych ROC, involves the installation of new suspended containers with electronic equipment - UKR-RT, UKR-RL, and UKR-OE. According to the general director of the UAC, the modernization will double the combat capabilities of the vehicle.

The parade of aviation innovations will be completed by the Yak-152 trainer aircraft, which will be part of the Yak-130 combat training complex. The two-seater monoplane received a 12-cylinder RED A03T V12 diesel engine with a takeoff power of 500 hp. TCB is intended for initial flight training.

Helicopters

In the first half of 2021, serial production of the upgraded Mi-26T2V military transport helicopter is planned, which remains the largest helicopter in its class. The novelty will receive new electronics, including the NPK-90-2 avionics complex. The system will facilitate piloting in the daytime and in the dark, and the approach and flight along the paved route will be able to proceed automatically. For the defense of the helicopter, the Vitebsk system was installed, which prevents the guidance of missiles with IR and radar seeker.

Army aviation may receive 10 Mi-8AMTSh-VN transport and combat helicopters. Flying BMD received VK-2500-003 engines with new rotors, which allows it to operate at high altitudes and in hot climates. New sighting and navigation equipment allows you to work in the dark and difficult weather conditions. The armament of the helicopter is represented by cannons in overhead containers, machine guns, anti-tank and unguided rockets. The cockpit and important units are protected from the return fire of small arms by titanium and armide armor.

In addition, PJSC Rovertol has started serial production of the Mi-28NM attack helicopter, the development of which began in 2009. The upgraded helicopter features new engines and a redundant control system that allows two crew members to control the vehicle. "Night Hunter" received an overhead radar H025, and a complex of weapons with a light multipurpose guided missile. Since 2019, the car has been tested in Syria, which are considered successful. It is planned to produce 98 Mi-28NM helicopters by 2027.

https://naukatehnika.com/serijnyij-su-57,-yak-152,-i-novyie-vertolyotyi-%E2%80%93-kakie-voennyie-novinki-poluchit-rossijskaya-aviacziya-v-2021-godu.html?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fzen.yandex.com

George1 wrote:

1 minute clip of that beast is just not enough, lol. I think that is the only aircraft I've seen that has the in-flight refueling probe mounted directly in the center of the fuselage. It must be a lot easier to catch the basket with it in that position instead of on either side or on the spine etc.

Tu-95/142s also have them in the center:

GarryB wrote: and that the mockup of the Tu-22M3M also seems to have a retractable one in the centre.

Yeah the retractable ones like the one in the Tu-160 in that video is what I was mostly referring to and not necessarily the fixed ones on the older Bears and such. Most of the retractable ones are almost always on the right or left side of the canopies on almost all previous fighters. Never seen it come out of the top, front like that. I suppose it has to do with having enough room for the radar first.

They for sure had a tu-214R airborne to listen to their radar/radio/datalink with Washington.

Pilot training for the Aviadarts competition in the south of Russia

New exercise target for the VKS and Navy.

Two Russian Su-27 fighters intercepted a group of French Air Force aircrafts that consisted of a KC-135tanker and two Mirage-2000 fighters over the Black Sea.

These evil russians! Harassing a poor ol´ granny.

They were carrying an ELINT pod to track EM signals.

The area became a zone of interest but they can't do anything against Russia there.

Isos wrote:They were carrying an ELINT pod to track EM signals.

The area became a zone of interest but they can't do anything against Russia there.

It would be more funny to use much older radar (discontinued, rarely used) as a way to just screw with these jets by pinging them and what not. They would think they are grabbing such great information from their pods but in the end, all they did was get trolled hard.

Or they may shit their pants thinking they are being locked on. Who knows.

miketheterrible wrote:

Isos wrote:They were carrying an ELINT pod to track EM signals.

The area became a zone of interest but they can't do anything against Russia there.

It would be more funny to use much older radar (discontinued, rarely used) as a way to just screw with these jets by pinging them and what not.  They would think they are grabbing such great information from their pods but in the end, all they did was get trolled hard.

Or they may shit their pants thinking they are being locked on.  Who knows.

They mostly gather postions of AD and time response for the interception by listening to communications which must be not even encrypted.

Even newest radar work in peace time mode. They use only one frequency (without the ECCM with frequency hoping and what not) at normal power output.

You can't really gather anything from it. If the radar works in L band you just choose one frequency in that band and the enemy won't learn anything he didn't know.

So no one realky knows what radar they use because L band on a 2020 radar is the same L band as on a 1970 radar. Processing power can't be known and that is the most important about a radar.

LMFS wrote:

At the end of the academic year, the average flight time for a crew commander was about 100 hours.

What is this referring to? Is it the average pilot flight time in 2020? If so, is it pilot overall? Or plane pilot? Or combined average of all aircraft including helicopters?

If not, is there any source stating annual flight time of combat jet pilots in RuAF from any of the last few years?