Army aviation was in a deplorable state when in 2003 it was transferred to the Russian Air Force. Thanks to the measures taken by the country's leadership, the Ministry of Defense and the Air Force command, it not only got out of the crisis, but was also the first to re-equip with new types of aircraft. Today, the most iconic aircraft for helicopter pilots is the Mi-28N. This is the first serial military helicopter project implemented in the post-Soviet space. Serial deliveries of the Mi-28N to the combat regiments are in progress. In accordance with the staffing table, the aviation unit stationed in Budyonnovsk is fully equipped with machines.
Hunter squadrons
This summer, for the first time, tactical flight exercises were held in the North Caucasus with the participation of a Mi-28N helicopter squadron. Successful flights for combat use have become official confirmation that the Air Force has prepared the first squadron of new attack rotary-wing aircraft in the history of the Fatherland to perform combat missions during the day in simple meteorological conditions.
The Mi-28N "Night Hunter" was developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant), which is part of the Defense Industrial Complex Oboronprom. The helicopter was created in order to increase the capabilities of army aviation, primarily its survivability, mobility and expand the range of combat use. According to experts, the overall efficiency of the "hunter" exceeds the existing serial samples of attack helicopters several times. When designing a new complex, original technical solutions were used. Due to this, it has unique properties.
The Mi-28N has a fundamentally new integrated complex of on-board electronic and instrumental equipment, which provides the ability to conduct combat operations at any time of the day, in adverse weather conditions. A unified computing environment was created on the helicopter, consisting of three onboard central computers (onboard computers) and a number of peripheral systems. All current flight parameters and other information required by the crew are displayed on the multi-mode LCD indicators using the information display system.
The new vehicle implements means of increasing combat efficiency and survivability. When creating a strike machine, new materials were used that are resistant to weapons of destruction. The helicopter crew is protected by armor from 12.7 mm bullets. The survivability of the helicopter is also ensured by the reservation of the most important units, structural elements and the spaced arrangement of engines.
"Night Hunter" is armed with a movable cannon with a 2A42 cannon.
30 mm. The beam holders are provided for the suspension of "Attack" anti-tank guided missiles and unguided missiles - S-8 and S-13.
Currently, the MVZ im. Mila creates a combat training version of the Mi-28. Its cockpit has been modified and expanded for better crew visibility. In fact, this is a copy of the Mi-28N with the possibility of placing a second pilot in the cockpit of the navigator-operator. Unlike the Mi-24, it is planned to place a control stick, which is permanently available for piloting, in the front cockpit of the Mi-28UB. It will allow, if necessary, to remove the load from the crew commander both for controlling the helicopter and for using all weapons. In terms of equipment, the Mi-28UB will be similar to the Mi-28N.
Su-35 - the day to come
At MAKS-2009, the Ministry of Defense signed a state contract for the purchase of 48 Su-35S fighters in the period up to 2015. In the future, the military department plans to conclude a similar contract for 2015-2020.
The Sukhoi company this summer announced the completion of preliminary tests of the Su-35S, full confirmation of the established characteristics of the complex and its readiness to undergo state tests for combat use in conjunction with Russian Air Force pilots.
The Su-35S is a deep modernization of the fourth generation super-maneuverable multifunctional fighter. It is equipped with a modern anti-jamming encrypted communication system and information exchange between aircraft and ground control points. The following systems are installed on it: electronic countermeasures and defense; electronic intelligence; refueling in flight. The lighting equipment of the cockpit provides the pilot with night vision goggles.
Distinctive features of the aircraft are: a new avionics complex based on a digital information and control system that integrates onboard equipment systems; a new radar station with a phased antenna array with a long detection range, with an increased number of simultaneously tracked and fired targets; engine 117C.
The new motor with a rotary all-aspect nozzle came from the PAK FA project, and not vice versa. It was developed for the T-50, and so quickly and successfully that it was used on
Su-35S, but with the old control system for the entire AL-31 family. It possesses elements of the fifth generation. A new turbine was used, thanks to which the flow characteristics were improved with a thrust significantly increased to 14.500 kg.
The Su-35S is designed to gain air supremacy by destroying manned and unmanned aerial vehicles with guided missiles at long, medium and short ranges, in long-range and short-range maneuvering battles, in autonomous and group actions. In any weather conditions, it has the ability to defeat all types of weapons of surface and ground targets, as well as ground infrastructure, covered by air defense means and located at a considerable distance from the home airfield.
On the way from the prototype
January 29 this year from the airfield Dzemgi Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Production Association named after Yu. A. Gagarin (KnAAPO) under the production code "product T-50" performed the first flight of the promising front-line aviation complex (PAK FA). To date, a number of flights have been performed at this aviation complex.
PAK FA is equipped with a fundamentally new avionics complex that integrates the "electronic pilot" function, and a promising radar station with a phased array antenna. This greatly reduces the workload on the pilot and helps to concentrate on tactical tasks. The onboard equipment of the new aircraft allows real-time data exchange with both ground control systems and within the aviation group.
The aircraft of the previous generation used the so-called federal system of the aviation complex, now integrated. Previously, each system had its own individual controls, indicators. Now the control of the systems is displayed on the RSS (aircraft control stick) and the throttle (engine control lever), and the indication is on two monitors.
If necessary, you can control various systems using sensors on the monitor panels, which display information on piloting, navigation, the use of weapons and the state of systems. All information is called up by the pilot as needed, and does not constantly loom in front of him and does not distract attention. Work is underway to create a promising system that allows information to be displayed on the glass of the pilot's protective helmet.
The T-50 provides intelligent crew support. The board is computerized. The available information system allows you to solve all problems in a complex. It simultaneously processes all information, controls systems, and provides the necessary visual and sound indication to the pilot. He can make changes to the program and receive messages in a more convenient sequence for him.
The use of innovative technologies and composite materials, the aerodynamic layout of the aircraft, measures to reduce the engine signature provide a low level of radar, optical and infrared signature. According to the firm's experts, these innovations have significantly increased the combat effectiveness of both air and ground targets at any time of the day, in simple and difficult weather conditions.
The creation of the 5th generation aviation complex is considered a priority by the country's leadership and the Ministry of Defense. The creation of the newest aviation complex has become a kind of exam for the domestic aviation industry in this century.
In the near-aviation world, there are disputes about the tactical and technical characteristics of the latest Russian development and its capabilities, hidden by a veil of secrecy. The project participants do not enter into these disputes, and all efforts are directed to the implementation of projects related to the PAK FA program. The deadlines are tight and there is a lot of work.
A promising aviation complex is not being created to please anyone's ambitions. First of all, it is impossible to obtain the desired result by an asymmetric response to the creation of a 5th generation aviation complex in the United States. In addition, when creating the PAK FA, theoretical developments in the field of scientific research related to the production of new aviation materials and modern systems find practical application. They will serve the further development of the country's aircraft industry. The PAK FA program brings the Russian aircraft industry and related industries to a qualitatively new technological level.
A fundamentally new design of the aircraft is being worked out, consisting of a huge amount of composite materials. They need to be mastered, new technologies should be developed, including for the processing of large-sized parts, all issues related to their joining with the frame, and ensuring tightness should be resolved.
In the mass of an empty aircraft, composites make up 25 percent, in terms of surface area - 70. In production, after the necessary technological processes have been worked out, a significant reduction in the number of parts occurs. Compared to the Su-27, the T-50 has four times less airframe parts. Reducing labor intensity and manufacturing time translates into a decrease in the price of the machine. Practical solution of all issues requires a large investment of time, which, as they say, does not lend itself to pressing.
Serious design forces are involved in the design of the T-50. In Moscow - 1,200 people, in Komsomolsk-on-Amur - more than 400, in Novosibirsk - more than 200, in Taganrog - about 100. In parallel with the creation of the aviation complex, young specialists gain practical experience.
Behind all these achievements and successes is the cooperation of more than a hundred allied enterprises. Their potential is being studied very closely abroad. It promotes active interaction with foreign partners in the aviation field, including in joint work on a fifth generation fighter.
Back in the fall of 2007 in Moscow, as part of the seventh meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation, an intergovernmental agreement was signed on the joint development and production of a new generation fighter.
