We continue our conversation about the planes that changed the war in the air and on the ground. In the first part, we examined the aircraft of the first half of the 20th century, now, of course, the turn for the second.
In the second part we will look (attention!) The aircraft that have had a real impact on the conduct of hostilities. I ask the readers to take this into account, all these F-22s, F-35s, J-20s and Su-57s WILL NOT!
Aircraft of the so-called fifth generation have not yet managed to add anything to the tactics and strategy of warfare, except for their existence. Yes, they are, but that's all for now. Something there F-35 in Syria tried to fight in the Israeli Air Force, the rest simply exist, nothing more.
We're talking about real airplanes and real contributions to development?
1. MiG-15 and F-86
F-86s fought against MiG-15s over North Korea in the first-ever jet air combat. It was here that the tactics of using jet aircraft, fighters and interceptors were born.
In general, as if the air war in Korea was so far removed from the ground war, we can say that it looks like the first battles of the First World War, when the military just began to figure out what an airplane is and how it can be used.
Roughly the same thing happened in these confrontations. The troops on the ground were solving their tasks, the pilots in the sky were theirs. But, by the way, the Americans were able to conclude that the Superfortresses, which terrorized Tokyo in 1945, became easy prey in 1950 five years later and were forced to switch to night bombing, when the MiG-15s were much less dangerous.
You can think about what the Me-262 could do with the B-29, if the Superfortress appeared over Germany.
And our couple in the skies over the Korean training ground were working on the tactics of intercepting high-speed targets and countering jet fighters.
In this regard, these aircraft occupy a very worthy place in the history of military aviation.
2. Tu-95 and B-52
Two more airplanes that are always compared. Record holders for the duration of operation.
The essence of these monsters is the same - to bring death in both conventional and nuclear formats. It was the mass production of these aircraft that spurred many states to radically revise their air defense systems and defensive capabilities.
Of course, in the early 50s of the last century, these aircraft looked like a terrifying weapon of punishment or retribution.
Yes, many will disagree with the fact that the Tu-95 is a turboprop and it is not entirely appropriate for him to be here. However, T-95 missiles against B-52 bombs - it's hard to say who will be easier.
Yes, the B-52 fought with all the heart. In any conflict where the United States loomed, B-52s immediately flew in and "induced democracy." Tu-95 sniffed gunpowder only in 2015 in Syria. And, thank God, I have never seen nuclear charges.
But these aircraft have played a very significant role in world aviation history.
3. MiG-21
The most common supersonic aircraft in history. In the process of mass production, it was repeatedly modernized and turned into an interceptor or reconnaissance aircraft. It was used in many armed conflicts by many countries of the world.
The MiG-21 became a serious opponent for the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II during the Vietnam War. The United States was even forced to start a program for practicing air combat tactics with the MiG-21, the role of which was played by the Northrop F-5.
The MiG-21 is "guilty" of returning cannon armament to aircraft. It was the use of the Mig-21 of the early series, without guns, with only missiles, that showed the fallacy of this practice. By the way, the opponent of the 21st, Phantom, had the same problems.
The MiG-21 was in service and was used by the air forces of more than 65 countries. The results of the application were different, where the pilots could use such an aircraft, everything was beautiful and impressive (India, for example), where the quality of the pilots left much to be desired (Arab-Israeli wars), there was nothing to brag about, although even in Arab hands the MiG-21 was a weapon …
4. Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" and U-2
The program of "unbreakable" aircraft for long-range strategic reconnaissance. The idea was very interesting, to prioritize speed, altitude and maneuver, to make the plane unattainable for any of the fighting methods in principle.
The aircraft were intended to operate at an altitude of over 20 km, that is, in fact, in the stratosphere. The altitude at which, in principle, normal interception is impossible, was supposed to protect aircraft on reconnaissance flights.
In the case of the SR-71, it worked out, the plane retired in 1998 without giving the opponents the joy of victory. With U-2 this did not work, at least 6 "unbreakable" aircraft were shot down by Soviet S-75 air defense systems, and how many died in accidents …
However, the scouts did their bit. But this will be discussed below.
5. MiG-25 and MiG-31
Actually, the answer to B-1, U-2 and other tricks. Interceptors that still hold some speed and altitude records and are capable of shooting down anything that flies into the affected area.
The fact that no one in the whole world has created anything like this is not so much about a certain narrow specialization as about the limited capabilities of design schools.
One can argue, but the defensive doctrine of our country should be supported, among other things, by such aircraft.
6. Su-25
Attack aircraft, aircraft for close support of troops. He fought, perhaps, in all conceivable conflicts, from Afghanistan to Syria. Heir and successor of the IL-2 case.
Today, there is a lot of talk that the Su-34 and helicopters may well replace the Su-25 in combat operations. However, the plane played its role in history, and how! It was the Su-25 that forced many countries to come to grips with, if not the development and production of small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery, then at least the purchase of it.
7. Hawker Siddeley Harrier
Another attack aircraft, but the attack aircraft is special. It is the first attack aircraft with vertical / short takeoff and landing (V / STOL) capabilities and the only truly successful V / STOL fighter developed from the attack aircraft out of many that emerged in that era.
Yes, these aircraft have not received such wide distribution, but work on the family does not stop today.
VTOL aircraft are an expensive business and not for everyone in terms of technology.
8. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
What can you say about this plane? It is produced, it is sold and bought, it is in service with many countries and is successfully used in conflicts.
This is a very successful and solid project, perfectly implemented. Having taken its place in the market.
However, the main merit of the F-15 is that its very presence in the United States and its allies organized a new round of the arms race and provoked the emergence of an aircraft that was supposed to become an "orlow-killer".
9. Su-27
The result of the good work of the Douglas firm. If the Americans had not made the F-15, then there would be no need for the Su-27.
As a result, the Sukhoi Design Bureau designed and built an aircraft that not only turned out to be a good fighter, but also became the progenitor of today's modern aircraft. The Su-33 carrier-based fighter, the Su-30, Su-27M, Su-35 multipurpose fighters, and the Su-34 front-line bomber are direct and very successful descendants of the Su-27.
The number of planes was slightly more than ten. But the way it is, the development of aviation is going on and is not going to stop.
So our rating has turned out in two parts, and as predicted, somewhat different from the American one.
And really, why should everything be the same?
Maybe, of course, I'm wrong, but, in my opinion, the list includes just those planes that actually became some kind of milestones in history. Because they were successful, worked in their specialty and really brought something like that.
What about the F-117 and F-22? That's just the fact that they were disgraced. The projects have gobbled up mountains of money, and at the end all the same F-15 and F-16, which carry the main load in the US Air Force.
Likewise, the Typhoons and Tornadoes, Mirages and Griffins, SAAB and some MiGs and Su were overboard. Yes, they are good planes, but they are just good planes. Nothing so epochal.
It is very difficult to make a normal review, there are almost as many opinions as those who read not diagonally, but, in fact, this is the alignment.
Nothing supernatural. Yes, there are a lot of Soviet aircraft, but what to do, it's not about patriotism, it's about the fact that our school of aircraft designers was really the best. Is it possible to drop at least one of the planes from the list?
