The navy is historically distinguished by a higher political significance compared to other branches of the Armed Forces, approaching in this indicator the product of modern times - the strategic nuclear forces. The processes of re-equipping the fleet and its reorganization in this regard are closely monitored in all major powers - and Russia is no exception here. The development of naval aviation, the most important component of the fleets throughout the world, can say much more about the military plans of the state than many other processes.

Tests of the Ka-52 on the BOD SF "Vice-Admiral Kulakov"

Russian naval aviation in the post-Soviet era experienced one of the most difficult periods of its existence, when a formidable force of several hundred aircraft and helicopters of various classes was left with a few dozens of machines as part of disparate units with an unclear future. The revival of naval aviation today starts largely from scratch, and there is still a long way to go before bringing it back to normal.

In 2011, Russian naval aviation almost completely lost its strike component - it, fighters, Su-24 front-line bombers, as well as some transport aircraft, were transferred to the Air Force. The only exception was the Su-24 bombers from the aviation of the Black Sea Fleet, which remained subordinate to the Navy due to the fact that the agreements between Russia and Ukraine allowed the deployment of only naval aviation in Crimea, but not the Russian Air Force.

In addition to the squadron of the Black Sea Su-24s, the fleet’s aviation included Il-38 and Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft, Be-12 seaplanes, Su-25 attack aircraft, Ka-27 carrier-based helicopters and a certain number of transport aircraft and helicopters.

Russian aircraft carrier: it's time to get down to business

The withdrawal of strike forces from naval aviation was due to the desire to simplify the management and maintenance of the relevant units and formations, as well as their very poor condition due to chronic underfunding - for example, out of several dozen Tu-22M3 missile carriers, no more than ten vehicles could perform combat missions.

The carrier-based aviation was also in a deplorable state: the only Russian one with an air group consisting of a dozen and a half Soviet-built Su-33s, several Su-25UTG training aircraft and helicopters went to sea quite rarely, and the prospects for updating the fleet of carrier-based aircraft were more than vague. In such a state, it could be more about the elimination of naval aviation as a branch of the Navy, than about any prospects.

Carrier-based aviation: a new hope

The prospects for major changes began to dawn after a contract was signed in 2011 for the construction of universal landing ships of the type for the Russian Navy. Obtaining even two such ships implies a serious modernization of the fleet's existing helicopter fleet and the construction of new machines.

The main novelty was the Ka-52K carrier-based attack helicopters designed to support marines and special forces units during operations on the coast. In addition, they will be able to hit surface targets. This type of helicopter is currently being tested. On February 8, 2014, a contract was signed for the supply of 16 Ka-52Ks to the Russian Navy.

Russian fighter 5th generation

Following the renewal of the fleet of helicopters (expressed, among other things, in the arrival of the upgraded anti-submarine Ka-27M with digital equipment to the fleet), it was the turn of the modernization of the air wing of the only Russian aircraft carrier. In addition to the overhaul of the remaining Su-33s, which can then be operated until the mid-to-late 2020s, Admiral Kuznetsov should receive new MiG-29K carrier-based fighters. As a result, its air wing will include 12-16 Su-33 and 24 MiG-29K fighters, which will significantly increase the capabilities of the aircraft carrier, bringing the composition of its air group closer to that originally planned back in the 1980s.

As a more distant perspective, a promising fifth-generation carrier-based fighter, created as part of the PAK KA program, a promising aviation complex for naval aviation, is considered. It is assumed that this machine will be a naval version of the "land" fifth-generation fighter T-50, which first took to the air in 2010 and is currently being tested.

The appearance of a new deck carrier is possible in the first half of the 2020s, and it will have to replace the Su-33 on the overhauled Admiral Kuznetsov, and also form the basis of the air wing of the new Russian aircraft carrier, the project of which is currently being developed.

After Crimea: the return of striking power

In 2014, the plans for the development of the armed forces in general and the Navy in particular had to be seriously adjusted taking into account the changing situation: the reunification with Crimea greatly changed the situation not only on the southwestern borders of Russia, but also in the world. The changes also affected naval aviation. In particular, strike forces will return to its composition. These plans were discussed even before the Crimean events, but they became a catalyst for the process.

In the next few years, the fleet will receive Su-30SM multirole fighters, which can provide effective support warships both in maritime theaters (in the Black, Japanese, Baltic Seas), and to increase the radius of air support in ocean theaters, operating from bases on the Kola Peninsula, Sakhalin and Kamchatka.

Multifunctional fighter Su-30SM

It is expected that by the end of 2015 a contract will be signed for the supply of 50 fighters of this type for the Russian Navy, in the future this number may increase. Su-30SMs are also supplied to the Air Force (60 aircraft under two existing contracts).

The update will also affect anti-submarine aviation, the range of tasks of which will expand significantly. In most developed countries, with the development of on-board electronic equipment, anti-submarine aircraft began to turn into multi-purpose maritime patrol vehicles during upgrades. A striking example is the modernized P-3 Orion of the US Navy, peers and classmates of the Russian Il-38.

In the course of evolution over the past 30 years, Orions have learned to attack surface ships with anti-ship missiles, operate as an early warning and control aircraft, patrol the exclusive economic zone and territorial waters, searching for smugglers and poachers.

A similar modernization is already underway on Russian anti-submarine vehicles - the first Il-38N was handed over to the fleet on July 15, 2014. But for the full range of challenges that Russia faces with its longest maritime border in the world, combined with the steady melting of the polar ice, the 28 Il-38s that are planned to be modernized are clearly not enough - for example, the United States has 130 machines of this class. At the same time, many American experts also consider this number to be insufficient.

A-42PE seaplane project

Russia cannot compete with the United States, catching up with them in terms of the number of naval aviation, but there are opportunities for significantly strengthening naval aviation with the purchase of new aircraft.

Primarily, we are talking about the A-42 seaplane, which was created on the basis of the A-40 Albatross developed in the 80s of the last century. These machines, capable of landing on the water, among other tasks of maritime patrol aircraft, can be used in rescue operations.

The military department has already announced plans for the purchase of the A-42. In particular, in 2008 it was reported about the intention to purchase four such aircraft in the search and rescue version by 2010, and then move on to the purchase of multi-purpose vehicles capable of carrying weapons. However, these plans have not yet been implemented.

According to the ex-commander of the Air Force and Air Defense navy Lieutenant General Valery Uvarov, the Russian Navy would need 15-20 new seaplanes to cover the need for search and rescue vehicles and significantly strengthen the fleet of anti-submarine aircraft. It is hardly possible to talk about the complete replacement of old machines with the A-42 - given the state of the Taganrog plant where these machines are produced, as well as the smaller Be-200, purchased by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, it may take about 20 years to complete an order for at least 40 of these machines .

Another option that would make it possible to completely replace the fleet of old aircraft within an acceptable timeframe is the purchase of Tu-214P aircraft. This machine, created on the basis of the Tu-204/214 airliner, is roughly equivalent in ideology to the latest American P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft, created on the basis of the B-737 airliner.

Landing ship "Mistral"

Deployment of serial production of such machines by order of the Navy is a more realistic task than launching a large series of A-42s, and, among other things, this will support the production of Tu-204 aircraft, for which there are practically no commercial orders today. The production of 50-60 such machines over ten years, combined with a small series of A-42s, oriented primarily to rescue missions, could generally alleviate the problem and lay the foundation for the further development of naval aviation.

Finally, it is possible to support an aviation group in the near zone by ordering Il-114 aircraft in a patrol modification. Such machines can quite effectively provide patrols in closed maritime theaters, releasing the modernized Il-38N and, if ordered, Tu-214P, for ocean theaters.

Assessing the prospects for changes in naval aviation as a whole, we can say that the key task of this type of naval force remains to ensure the fleet's capabilities to protect its own maritime frontiers. Nevertheless, some attention is also paid to the possibilities of force projection - the modernization of the Admiral Kuznetsov air wing, the planned overhaul of the aircraft carrier itself, the construction of two landing ships of the Mistral type will allow the Navy to form a core of forces capable of conducting local operations at a great distance from bases with a full-fledged aviation support. A further increase in such opportunities depends primarily on the prospects economic development countries.

Aviation of the Russian Navy is currently going through a difficult period of reform. In accordance with the order of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, issued in March 2011, the aviation of the fleet in a short time had to transfer to the Air Force all missile-carrying aviation consisting of three squadrons of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, the main part of the strike and fighter units, as well as a large part of transport aviation. As a result of such dramatic changes, Russian naval aviation is currently concentrating on anti-submarine defense (ASD), patrolling, and search and rescue missions, while maintaining a single ship-based fighter regiment and limited capabilities to perform strike missions from land airfields.

By the middle of 2011, the Russian naval aviation included more than 300 aircraft, of which about 130 were combat-ready, so the combat readiness level was 43%. Mostly average age Navy aircraft fleet is rapidly approaching the 30-year milestone, approximately half of the aircraft fleet was produced more than 25 years ago.

Naval aviation is available in all four fleets - the Northern, Pacific, Baltic and Black Sea, in addition, there are several parts of the central subordination. Each fleet in the structure of its headquarters has a Naval Aviation Directorate, which is responsible for combat training and supply of air bases subordinate to it.

An assessment of the capabilities of the reformed naval aviation allows us to conclude that it is still combat-ready. With a number of Il-38 and Tu-142MK/MZ combat-ready patrol aircraft in service, the Navy's aviation can show its capabilities as an element of Russian foreign policy, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region, by demonstrating its presence, muscles and strength. High political significance has recently been demonstrated during patrol flights in the North Pole region, when naval aviation was tasked with monitoring the environment and ice conditions, as well as observing the activities of foreign ships. This was a direct result of recent Russian efforts to move their borders north in order to expand their control over the continental shelf that stretches from northern Siberia to the mineral-rich and still unexploited areas around the North Pole. This should allow Russia to establish control over vast areas in the Arctic, and fleet aviation plays an important role in this.

The 1990s - the time of a deep crisis in naval aviation

By the time of the collapse of the USSR in 1991, the powerful naval aviation of the Soviet Navy consisted of 1,702 aircraft, including 372 long-range bombers equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles, 966 tactical combat aircraft and 455 helicopters. These aircraft constituted the combat power of 52 aviation regiments and ten separate squadrons and groups. The new Russian naval aviation inherited the lion's share of the Soviet legacy, but almost immediately began a series of large-scale reductions, removing combat strength obsolete aircraft.

By the beginning of 1995, the naval aviation included 63 Tu-22M2 long-range bombers (of which 52 were combat-ready), 82 Tu-22M3 bombers (52 combat-ready), 67 Tu-142 patrol aircraft (19 combat-ready), 45 Il-38 patrol aircraft (20 combat-ready), 95 Ka-27 helicopters (75 combat-ready) and 128 Mi-14 and Ka-25 helicopters (68 combat-ready).

By 1997, the level of combat readiness fell to 35%, but by 2000 the situation began to improve, and it rose to 45-50%. These indicators remain more or less stable to the present day.

But by the beginning of the new millennium combat capabilities naval aviation fell to a critical point due to insufficient flight training caused by limited fuel limits, which were 10 times less than needed. As a consequence, only one-third of the crews could be considered combat-ready, and even achieving this modest level required great effort.

Organizational structure and challenges

Since 2009, all flying units and subunits of each of the four Russian fleets have been transformed into air bases, replacing the old system of regiments and separate squadrons, which, in turn, consist of air squadrons and subunits. aircraft carrier fighter aviation still organizationally reduced to the only separate regiment of naval aviation - the 279th OKIAP. The Naval Aviation Headquarters in Moscow is directly subordinate to the 859th Naval Aviation Training Center in Yeysk on the Sea of ​​Azov. It is intended for retraining for new types of aircraft and in-depth training in the use of all types of weapons and tactics for all structures of naval aviation, as well as training and qualification of ground personnel.

The 7055th Aviation Base (formerly the 46th OTAP - a separate transport aviation regiment), located in Astafyevo near Moscow, is responsible for carrying out transport operations in the interests of the naval aviation command within Russia.

In the 1990s and 2000s the main challenge facing the Russian Navy and its aviation was to maintain their potential while avoiding a deep transformation. This era was marked by an ever-dwindling amount of aviation equipment, as well as very limited financial resources, which did not allow adequate funding for even basic flight crew training and maintenance of the flight fleet. The then commanders of naval aviation proved unable or unwilling to initiate realistic long-term reforms and develop plans to develop the declining body of naval aviation. Instead, they tried to find temporary half-way solutions to solve the combat capability problems that arose due to underfunding. In order to maintain a sufficient level of aircraft combat readiness, the Navy Aviation Command allowed to extend both the assigned and overhaul life of aircraft. This caused a massive "cannibalization" of aircraft in order to maintain the degree of combat readiness at the level of 50%.

The modernization of the main types of aircraft in the aviation of the Navy proceeded at a minimal pace, as a result of which not a single seriously modernized helicopter or naval aircraft entered service. With rare exceptions since the late 1990s. (when the last carrier-based Su-33 fighter was handed over) there were no deliveries of new aircraft either; a small number of Ka-31 AWACS helicopters were delivered in 2011 and 2012. [probably, we are talking about the 2009 contract for the supply of two Ka-31s. However, there was no information about the transfer of helicopters in the open press - P.2].

Naval aviation went through a difficult time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when due to a lack of fuel, flight hours were sharply reduced, and combat readiness was maintained due to the skills and abilities of the flight personnel acquired back in Soviet times. However, the training of new crews was practically not carried out, as a result of which by 2001 the average age of the flight crew exceeded 40 years.

Looking to the future, it should be noted that the Navy aviation will not only have to solve the problems associated with a rapidly aging aircraft fleet, but also answer questions related to providing quality initial flight training for crews and maintaining the combat readiness of pilots recently graduated from schools, designed to replace the current generation. naval aviators who endure the brunt of the service, but whose age is rapidly increasing. The inevitable retirement of many experienced pilots, navigators and weapons system operators trained to high Soviet standards threatens the combat readiness of naval aviation. A partial solution to the problem may be to use the experience of the best pilots after their demobilization, by hiring them at the training center in Yeysk as civilian instructors, where they will serve as reservists.

Today, thanks to the dramatic increase in fuel limits and fleet maintenance funds seen since the beginning of this decade, the average flight time in naval aviation is 100-120 hours. And although this figure is significantly less than the levels recommended for NATO pilots, it is still a huge step forward compared to the early post-Soviet period.

Ship-based aviation

Both the carrier-based aviation regiment and the only Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, are assigned to the Northern Fleet. The main task of the Su-33 naval fighters, which lack strike capabilities, is the long-range defense of an aircraft carrier group. The main striking force of the Admiral Kuznetsov is 12 anti-ship missiles P-700 Granit, with a firing range of 550 km. The requirement for long-range air defense comes from the opinion of the leadership of naval aviation, which considers it necessary for naval strike groups operating in the ocean beyond the firing range of land-based air defense systems. Another important task of the Russian aircraft carrier, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy V. Vysotsky, is to control airspace over the areas of combat patrols of Russian SSBNs, which would otherwise be threatened by the patrol aircraft of a potential enemy.

Su-33, which are in service with the 279th OKIAP, were received in 1993-1998. in the amount of 24 units, of which four were lost in accidents and disasters. The regiment is based at the Severomorsk-3 airfield, 25 km north of Murmansk. In addition to the Su-33, it is armed with several Su-25UTG carrier-based training aircraft and several Su-27UB land-based training aircraft intended for retraining and training. Despite the fact that a two-seat modification of the Su-27KUB, in the cockpit of which the pilots sit next to each other, was developed and tested, no order was received for it and the future of this aircraft remains unknown.

Since its inception, the only regiment of naval aviation has experienced serious difficulties with the training of flight personnel, mainly due to a combination of factors: the limited combat capability of the Admiral Kuznetsov and difficult weather conditions in the Barents Sea. In addition, the pilots of the regiment had a three-year period when they could not use the ground training center NITKA, located in the Crimea, due to political disagreements with Ukraine, and only in 2010 did they manage to resume training flights.

It should be noted that, with rare exceptions, young recruits must first undergo takeoff and landing training on NITKA, after which, if weather conditions are favorable, they are allowed to fly from the deck of the Admiral Kuznetsov. Due to the unfavorable environment for training new pilots, their training is very slow. According to the Commander of Naval Aviation, Major General I. Kozhin, the main efforts in the field of training flight crews in the near future will be aimed at maintaining a constant number of carrier-based aviation pilots at the level of 15-18 people. Currently, the most experienced pilots have over 200 carrier landings. The 279th OKIAP is considered the most trained naval aviation unit and has the largest percentage of fully trained pilots and combat-ready aircraft.

In order to get away from dependence on the Ukrainian NITKA, it is planned to build a new carrier-based pilot training center in Yeysk, but it will not be fully ready until 2015.

In addition to the carrier-based fighter aviation regiment, the naval aviation included two regiments of land fighters - the 698th OGIAP and the 865th IAP. The first regiment in 2009 was renamed the 7052nd air base and assigned to the Baltic Fleet based in Chkalovsk (near Kaliningrad). The regiment is armed with Su-27 fighters. The 865th regiment was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and in 2009 became the 7060th air base. It is armed with MiG-31 fighter-interceptors, it is deployed in Yelizovo on the Kamchatka Peninsula. In March 2011, both formations were transferred to the Air Force.

Maritime patrol and anti-submarine aviation

The once very powerful anti-submarine aviation has retained its pre-reform structure more or less in its original form and continues to operate two types of aircraft, the Il-38 and Tu-142MZ/MK. These four-engine aircraft are in service with two "large" fleets - the Northern and Pacific. Their main task is to search for, detect, track and destroy enemy submarines. It should be noted that these functions also involve the performance of real peacetime tasks - the so-called "combat patrol sorties", in which aircraft search and track submarines in international waters. These sorties can be "offensive" and "defensive". The former include patrol areas for SSBNs of a potential enemy, primarily American submarines. In the second case, Russian anti-submarine aviation covers the likely patrol areas of its strategic missile carriers, observing the activity of enemy submarines, which may pose a threat to Russian SSBNs when they are on combat duty.

For example, Tu-142s and Il-38s fly around the Kamchatka peninsula, where Russian SSBNs are usually stationed. According to Russian sources, in the 1990s. there was a high activity of American submarines that tracked the movements of Russian SSBNs during their combat services in the Barents and Japan Seas.

Anti-submarine aircraft also have the task of displaying the flag in remote locations, such as the North Pole and the waters around the Kamchatka Peninsula, where Russia has serious political and economic interests. Il-38 and Tu-142 from the Northern and Pacific Fleets make these patrol flights on a regular basis several times a month.

The Tu-142 patrol and anti-submarine aircraft was developed on the basis of the Tu-95 strategic bomber specifically for long-range operations in ocean waters. The range is 4500 km. The aircraft entered service in 1972, the current modifications of the Tu-142MK and Tu-142MZ entered service in the 1980s. and were in production until the early 1990s. Both fleets have one squadron of these aircraft. The resource of the airframe of the aircraft is still very significant, but their modernization is not planned. The last Tu-142s will most likely be decommissioned by 2020.

Il-38 is the second type of Russian anti-submarine and patrol aircraft. Initially intended for operations in the "middle ocean zone", it was put into service in 1968, and the remaining copies built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. are in service with one squadron of the Northern Fleet and two - the Pacific. Despite their age, the resource of gliders remains very significant, and the cost of operation is relatively low. Part of the park is supposed to be modernized (the total number has not yet been announced) in order to increase their capabilities.

Helicopters

Shipborne PLO and PSO helicopters are represented by durable and reliable Ka-27 helicopters, whose resource remains very significant, and the helicopters themselves in both versions will be operated at least until 2020, and possibly even further. The Ka-27PL modification is a specialized anti-submarine version, while the Ka-27PS performs search and rescue and transport functions. Most of the Ka-27s in operation were produced in the early to mid-1980s, with just over 70 vehicles in service, assigned to four helicopter regiments (for each of the fleets), as well as a recently created training center in Yeysk.

Ka-27PLs are also involved in combat services, mainly in Russian territorial waters, based on ships or coastal airfields. There is also a small number of Ka-29 transport and combat helicopters, several copies are assigned to each of the fleets and are part of the structure of mixed helicopter regiments, where they serve together with the Ka-27PL and Ka-27PS. In 2001, at least 16 "surplus" Ka-29s were transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs aviation.

In addition, the Navy aviation has about a dozen Mi-8T/P/MT/MTV helicopters, which are mainly used for transportation and search and rescue operations. They are included in the structure of individual transport or helicopter regiments, or groups assigned to each of the fleets. In addition, eight Mi-8s equipped with electronic warfare equipment fly in the Black Sea Fleet. Until 2011, the structure of the aviation of the Navy included one separate helicopter regiment assigned to the Baltic Fleet. It was armed with attack helicopters Mi-24VP / P and Mi-8MT, its tasks included fire support for marine units, as well as transport in the interests of the fleet. The regiment's Mi-24s were also given the secondary task of providing low-altitude air defense and intercepting low-flying aircraft. However, it is believed that in the course of the reforms, this regiment was transferred to the Russian army aviation.

Coastal strike aircraft

After March 2011, only one strike aviation squadron remained in the naval aviation. This remnant of the former power of naval aviation has been preserved due to basing on the territory of the Crimea. In 1997, Russia and Ukraine entered into an agreement, according to which Russia was allowed to keep the 43rd Separate Naval Attack Aviation Squadron (OMSHAE) of the Black Sea Fleet at the Gvardeyskoye airfield, as a result of which the squadron could not be transferred to the Air Force without serious international complications. This agreement is designed for a period of 20 years, and allows only 22 Russian combat aircraft to be based in Crimea at the same time, and the maximum number of aircraft that can be located at two airfields leased by Russia is 161. Currently, the squadron has 18 Su- 24. They are the oldest representatives of this type in Russian aviation, in addition, they lost equipment that allows them to use nuclear weapons before being transferred to the 43rd OMSHAE in 2000 to replace the Su-17M3s it had. In addition, the squadron is armed with four Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft.

Crimean Su-24s became the first Russian combat aircraft to receive the state registration "RF-", which is considered mandatory for Russian aircraft operating abroad.

Also equipped with the Su-24, the 4th Separate Naval Assault Aviation Regiment (OMSHAP), stationed in Chernyakhovsk (Kaliningrad region), became the 7052nd air base in 2009, but was transferred to the Air Force in March 2011.

Transport aviation and special purpose aircraft

This part of the naval aviation is responsible for the transportation of troops and cargo between bases, the implementation of support operations, including search and rescue, in the area of ​​​​responsibility of the regiment, parachute training of marines and combat swimmer units, evacuation of the wounded and sick, as well as rescue of descent vehicles with astronauts . In addition, the Northern and Pacific Fleets have a number of An-12PS aircraft specially designed for sea rescue operations.

An-26 and An-12 military transport aircraft are the workhorses of the fleet's transport aviation, their number reached three dozen before the March 2011 reforms. There is also a single An-72 short takeoff and landing aircraft, as well as several passenger Tu-134s. There were two Tu-154s for long-distance transportation and transportation of VIPs, but it remains unclear whether they have survived today. It also remains unknown how many aircraft were transferred to the Air Force in March 2011. The Pacific Fleet and the Northern Fleet have two Il-20RTs used for passenger and transport transportation, as well as one Il-18 for training Il-38 pilots.

The Black Sea Fleet has three to four Be-12PS amphibious turboprops, which are mainly used for search and rescue and patrol operations. These obsolete aircraft are almost out of service and will need to be extended if a decision is made to keep them in the fleet.

New purchases

All units of naval aviation will receive new equipment in the coming years, but the largest orders are associated with the acquisition in June 2011 of four French amphibious assault ships (UDC) Mistral. The aviation group of each of these ships will include eight attack and eight transport-combat helicopters. Naval modification of the Ka-52 helicopter - Ka-52K was chosen as a naval attack helicopter. It will be distinguished by folding blades, a wing, life support systems for the crew, which will fly in wetsuits. The fuselage and equipment will be coated with a special anti-corrosion coating, the helicopter will also receive new anti-ship missiles and control radar fire. The Russian fleet needs at least 40 Ka-52K helicopters, the first of which should be delivered to the customer by the end of 2014-beginning of 2015. simultaneously with the delivery of the first UDC.

The tested and proven Ka-29 will act as a transport and attack helicopter. Helicopters of the new construction should receive updated avionics, similar to those installed on the Ka-52K. The total number of purchased helicopters for the Mistral UDC will be at least 100 units, which will be distributed between the Northern Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, a certain number will also go to the training center in Yeysk.

A program is also underway for the purchase of Ka-31 AWACS helicopters, which will go to the Northern Fleet and Pacific Fleet. The first batch of two helicopters has been ordered and the purchase of small batches of these helicopters is expected.

According to information in the Russian media, announced at the end of 2009, the aviation wing of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" in the future may consist of at least 24 MiG-29K fighters. In mid-July 2011, the commander of the naval aviation, Major General I. Kozhin, announced that the Russian Ministry of Defense planned to place an order for the MiG-29K by August 2011, and the first aircraft should be delivered to the customer in 2012. However, it was not possible to place the order on time , as a result of which the first deliveries are postponed until 2013, but it is believed that the production of the MiG-29K for the Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya is given priority.

In July, sources in the Russian aviation industry also announced that an order for 12 Su-30SM fighters (a variant of the export Su-30MKI fighter manufactured by Irkut Corporation) for the Navy aviation is expected to replace the obsolete Su-24 bombers of the Black Sea Fleet. However, this order was not confirmed by sources in Russian Ministry defense.

There are plans to modernize search and rescue and patrol aviation, in 2008 an order for four A-42 amphibians (development of the A-40 Albatross project) was reported, but not a single aircraft was delivered and the future of the program remains in question.

Speaking about the long-term prospects for the purchase of new equipment, I. Kozhin noted that they would include new-generation patrol aircraft based on the Tu-214 to replace both the Tu-142 and the Il-38/38N. In addition, a new multi-purpose shipborne helicopter was mentioned.

Modernization of the existing fleet

There are three modernization programs underway in the Navy's aviation. The first concerns the Il-38, which will receive a new on-board electronic system and will receive the Il-38N index. The first Il-38 received the Novella sighting and search system (PPK) developed by the Leninets holding in 2001, the second machine began testing in mid-2011. The Il-38 modernization program provides for work on one aircraft per year, remains it is unclear when the upgraded Il-38s will enter service.

The integrated PPK "Novella" was developed with the aim of turning the Il-38 into an effective multi-purpose patrol and reconnaissance complex. The modernized Il-38N is equipped with a high-resolution radar, an optical-electronic reconnaissance system, infrared sensors and a fundamentally new sonar system, a new magnetometer and a new communication system. The Il-38N can also use the new APR-3 high-speed anti-submarine torpedoes and is equipped with a new electronic warfare system.

The second ongoing modernization program is provided for Ka-27PL helicopters. The basic version proposed by the Kamov Design Bureau provides for the replacement of the Octopus PPK with a new Lira PPK developed by the Leninets holding. It was developed on the basis of the Novella PPK for use on helicopters and allows increasing the detection range and integrating new anti-submarine torpedoes and guided depth charges, as well as new anti-ship missiles into the Ka-27 arsenal. With the installation of a new complex, a previously exclusively anti-submarine helicopter becomes truly multifunctional, capable of being used to perform various tasks: combating piracy, conducting shore-to-ship transportation, optical and radar reconnaissance. The modernization of the avionics is planned to be combined with a large-scale program to increase the resource in order to maintain a high level of upgraded helicopters with the Ka-27M index for 15 years of operation.

According to information published in the Russian media, the Ka-27PL modernization program was launched in March 2003, but faced significant delays, primarily due to insufficient funding (this happened with all Russian aircraft modernization programs in the 1990s). - early 2000s). However, in 2005-2006 the Ka-27 modernization program entered the flight test phase, and by 2011 there were photographs showing at least one Ka-27M being tested in the air. But the modernized Ka-27 is still far from deliveries to combat units.

Thus, the only program for the modernization of fleet aviation equipment, which is moving forward at a rapid pace, is associated with work on Su-33 fighters. This is not a very large program, which is aimed at improving the capabilities of the airborne defense complex by replacing the SPO-15 Bereza radiation warning system with the L-150 Pastel system. In addition, the navigation equipment of the aircraft and monitors in the cockpit were upgraded.

Original publication: Russian Naval Aviation Service Today: A rapidly shrinking force – Air Forces Monthly, January 2012

Translation by Andrey Frolov

Russia, Russia Subordination

Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Included in

Navy of the Russian Federation

Type of

Naval aviation

Participation in

World War I 1914-1917, Soviet-Finnish War (1939-1940), World War II, Korean War

commanders Current Commander

Major General Igor Kozhin

Aviation of the Navy of the Russian Federation- branch of forces of the Russian Navy (Air Force and Air Defense of the Navy).

During the Soviet period in Russia - Air Force Navy of the USSR (Air Force of the Navy of the USSR).

Until 2011, it consisted of missile-carrying, assault, fighter, anti-submarine, search and rescue, transport and special aviation. It is conditionally divided into ship-based aviation and coastal-based aviation.

Missile carriers and attack aircraft are designed for confrontation with groups of surface ships in the ocean and coastal zones, for launching missile and bomb-assault strikes against ports, coastal bases, airfields and other enemy military and industrial facilities.

Anti-submarine aviation is designed to search, detect, track and destroy submarines.

Fighter aviation is designed to control vast airspace and gain air superiority over naval theaters.

Search and rescue aviation is designed to rescue and assist the crews of ships and aircraft in distress.

The military transport aviation of the Navy carries out parachute landing of the marines, passenger transportation of the personnel of the Navy and military cargo.

Special aviation performs special tasks in the interests of the Navy, other branches of the Armed Forces and combat arms.

Naval aviation is the main striking force of the Navy's aircraft carrier formations. Its main combat missions in armed struggle at sea are the destruction of enemy aircraft in the air, the launching positions of anti-aircraft guided missiles and other enemy air defense systems, tactical reconnaissance, etc. Naval aviation carrier-based helicopters are used to target the ship's missile weapons when destroying submarines and repelling attacks by low-flying aircraft and enemy anti-ship missiles. Carrying air-to-surface missiles and other weapons, they can be used to provide fire support for marines and destroy enemy missile and artillery boats.

Naval aviation is represented by four types of aircraft: Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters, Su-25UTG trainers, and MiG-29KUB combat trainers. As of 2014, the Russian Navy has one heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov", on board of which, during campaigns, Su-33, MiG-29K, MiG-29KUB, Su-25UTG aircraft and helicopters are based Ka-27 and Ka-29.

• 1. History
  • 1.1 Formation
  • 1.2 World War I
  • 1.3 Soviet times before World War II
  • 1.4 Soviet-Finnish War
  • 1.5 World War II
  • 1.6 Soviet years after World War II
  • 1.7 Post-Soviet period
• 2 Structure of the Naval Aviation of Russia until 2008
• 3 MA base points after reforming in 2008 (and their further fate)
• 4 Combat strength of the Naval Aviation of Russia until 2008
• 5 Armament and military equipment
• 6 Identification marks of the Naval Aviation of the Russian Armed Forces
• 7 Uniform of military personnel of Naval aviation
  • 7.1 For headgear of military personnel of Russian naval aviation
• 8 Military ranks of military personnel of the Naval Aviation
• 9 Naval Aviation Commanders of the Russian Empire/USSR/RF
• 10 See also
• 11 Notes
• 12 Links
• 13 Literature

Story

Formation

By the highest order of Emperor Nicholas II, on February 6, 1910, the Air Fleet Department was created in St. Petersburg, which marked the beginning of the aviation era in Russia. Six months after this event, on September 16, 1910, the head of the aeronautical team of the Black Sea Fleet, Lieutenant S.F. Dorozhinsky performed a flight from the Sevastopol airfield Kulikovo Pole on the Antoinette-4 aircraft purchased by him in France for the Maritime Department. This flight and this aircraft were the first in the history of Russian Naval Aviation.

On May 4, 1912, the Chief of the Naval General Staff, Vice Admiral A. Liven, submitted a written report No. 127 on the plan to create aviation detachments in the fleets. This document, approved with some reservations by the Minister of the Navy, Vice-Admiral I.K. Grigorovich, acquired the character of an order for the Naval Ministry. The logical continuation of the report was the letter of the MGSH No. 1706/272 of 06/02/1912 to the head of the GMSH on the formation of the infrastructure of aviation units in 1913.

Some historians believe that the date of birth of the Naval Aviation of Russia should be considered August 6, 1912, and the birthplace is the Rowing port on Vasilevsky Island in St. Petersburg. Here, on that day, a solemn prayer service was served on the occasion of the launch of the first seaplane, which served as the beginning of the functioning of the Experimental Aviation Station - the first officially formed aviation military unit in the Baltic Fleet.

As of January 1, 1913, there was one seaplane and two wheeled airplanes in the Baltic, and five seaplanes in the Black Sea. In the spring of 1914, by decision of the Minister of the Navy, an aviation department was introduced into the staff of the Naval General Staff, consisting of three people.

World War I

The beginning of the First World War found the Naval Aviation of Russia at the stage of organizational formation. In total, by August 1, 1914, the Naval Ministry had about three dozen aircraft of various types and about 20 certified pilots. About 10 more officers underwent flight training directly in the fleets. By the beginning of the war, there were only 10 seaplanes in the Baltic, based in Libava, and eight on the Black Sea, in Sevastopol, in Kilen Bay. On the pacific ocean it was supposed to deploy aviation detachments only by the summer of 1915, but this was not implemented due to the outbreak of war.

August 18, 1914 By order of the Navy and the Maritime Department No. 269, the “Regulations on the Aviation Service in the Communications Service” were put into effect, which determined the legal status of the aviation units of the fleets.

At the beginning of March 1915, the Naval Aviation already had 77 aircraft, including 47 in the Baltic and 30 seaplanes in the Black Sea. They were served by 78 officers and 859 lower ranks.

Official history from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation says that on July 17 (July 4, according to the old style), 1916, an air battle took place in the Baltic between four aircraft from the Orlitsa hydro-air transport with four German aircraft. 80 years after this event, by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation No. 253 of July 15, 1996, July 17, 1916 was determined by the birthday of the Naval Aviation of Russia.

On November 30, 1916, an order was issued by Emperor Nicholas II on the formation of the Air Divisions of the Baltic and Black Seas. At the same time, by Order of the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Admiral A. I. Rusin No. 428, instead of the outdated provision “On the Aviation Service in the Communications Service” (established in 1914), a new regulation “On the Naval Aviation Service and Aeronautics" of the Imperial Russian Navy. According to it, the structure of units and formations of Naval Aviation was determined: 4-8 aircraft made up a detachment, 2-4 detachments formed an air division, 2-4 divisions formed a brigade, and 2 or more brigades formed an air division of the sea. This "Regulation" actually gave the domestic Naval Aviation the status of a branch of the fleet. It was prepared taking into account the experience of using aircraft carriers of the Black Sea and Baltic fleets in the campaigns of 1915-1916. On the same day, the “Regulations on the Naval Aviation Division” were approved, which clearly spelled out the relationship between ship and aviation commanders and chiefs.

In addition to the Air Divisions of the Baltic and Black Seas, during 1916-1917. to assist the army, other hydro-aviation units and subunits were formed:

In the spring of 1916, on Lake Peipus the Chud hydro-aviation detachment is being formed, which was later transferred to Oranienbaum, and on the eve of the October Revolution of 1917 merged with the Petrograd School of Naval Aviation;

In 1916, to assist the troops of the Baku detachment of the Caucasian Front, on the lake. Van in Turkey, the Van military flotilla is being formed, which included two M-5 seaplanes. From June to August 1917, a mechanical engineer midshipman M.M. was appointed head of the Van hydro-aviation detachment. Ivanov. due to the collapse of the Caucasian front and the offensive of the Turkish troops, in February-March 1918, the Van flotilla and its squadron were liquidated;

In February 1917, to provide for the flotilla of the Arctic Ocean, the Special Purpose Air Brigade (as an Air Division) began to form.

As of January 1, 1917, the Russian Naval Aviation was an impressive force and included 264 airplanes of various types. Of these, 152 aircraft and 4 small controlled balloons were in the Black Sea Fleet, 88 aircraft were in the Baltic. Another 29 aircraft were in the Petrograd and Baku officer aviation schools. Only from September 1916 to May 1917, the maritime department received 61 seaplanes designed by Grigorovich M-11 and M-12; of these, 26 flew in the Black Sea, about 20 arrived in the Baltic. Black Sea and Baltic aviation units served, respectively, 115 and 96 officers, 1039 and 1339 conductors, non-commissioned officers and privates. The title of "naval pilot" officially had 56 Black Sea and 46 Baltic. In mid-January 1917, the formation of the Black Sea Air Division under the command of Captain 1st Rank M.I. Fedorovich. A similar aviation unit in the Baltic, under the command of Captain 1st Rank B.P. Dudorov, completed the formation in May of the same year. In June 1917, the Naval Aviation and Aeronautics Directorate (UMAiV) was created in Petrograd, which was supposed to manage the entire aviation of the Russian fleet. Captain 2nd rank A.A. was appointed the first head of the UMAiV. Tuchkov.

By the October Revolution, Russian Naval Aviation included the Baltic Sea Air Division (two air brigades and a naval aviation detachment) and the Black Sea Air Division (two air brigades and a naval aviation division). In total, they numbered 269 aircraft of various types. However, their combat effectiveness was extremely low, and in April 1918. both divisions ceased to exist.

On November 28, 1917, at the direction of V.I. Lenin, an order was issued to establish the position of commissar in the department of naval aviation and aeronautics. A.P. Onufriev (previously worked at the Duks aircraft plant in Moscow), who became one of the active organizers of Soviet Naval Aviation, was assigned to it.

As of the end of November 1917, the Naval Aviation of Russia had 240 M-9, M-5, M-11, M-20 aircraft. Of these, the Baltic Air Division had 88 aircraft, the Black Sea - 152.

As of mid-December 1917, there were 2114 airplanes and 161 pilots in the combat core of Naval Aviation, including:

the air division of the Baltic Sea had: 74 flying boats (40 M-95, 13 M-15, 21 M-16), 24 Nieuport-21 wheeled fighters and 87 pilots; The Black Sea Air Division had: 104 flying boats (24 M-5, 60 M-9, 4M-11, 16M-15), as well as 9 Nieuport-17 fighters. There were only 74 pilots for this number of aircraft.

Another 75 aircraft were in the schools of Naval Aviation. The main center for training flight personnel was the Baku Naval Aviation School, where at that time 180 cadets were trained. The Oranienbaum School of Naval Aviation and the Krasnoselsk School of Air Combat and Aerobatics trained another 50 and 25 cadets, respectively.

One of the first steps of the new Bolshevik government in the field of military development was the order for the army and navy No. 4 of December 20, 1917, which determined that naval and land aviation should be united under a single land command. The People's Commissariat for Military and Naval Affairs (Narkomvoenmor) ordered that the newly formed All-Russian Collegium of the UVOF-LOT chaired by K.V. Akashev be placed at the head of the Air Fleet Directorate (UVOFLOT). its composition, along with other members, included the Commissioner of Naval Aviation (UMA) A.P. Onufriev. His entry into the board meant the actual merger of the leadership of the UMA and UVOFLOT. However, the Supreme Naval Board, established by decree of the Council of People's Commissars on November 24, 1917 to manage the central institutions of the Naval Department, based on the report of the Naval General Staff, recognized the above decision as premature. In connection with this, on January 11 (24), 1918, the board decided: “The question of connecting the administrations by temporarily accepting them for execution should be postponed and a draft regulation of the relations of administrations should be developed.” The Revolutionary Military Council of the Baltic Fleet categorically opposed the unification of the two types of aviation, firmly pointing out that “hydroaviation is a typical naval weapon. It is equipped with appropriately adapted aircraft and is equipped with specially trained pilots who know the specifics of naval warfare.

Acting chief of staff of the fleet, former Rear Admiral A. Ruzhek said that the unification of aviation would be an erroneous measure, which is in obvious "gap with the interests of the republic's naval defense." These opinions were energetically supported by the Chief of the Naval General Staff (former Captain 1st Rank) E. Berens. On his initiative, by order for the army and navy No. 3 dated May 25, 1918, the Naval Aviation Administration again came under the control of the People's Commissariat for Maritime Affairs.

By the spring of 1918, the Naval Aviation of Russia had undergone major organizational changes. In March-April, the Air Division of the Baltic Fleet, under the threat of being captured by German troops, was forced, together with the fleet, to evacuate from Revel and Helsingfors near Petrograd and deep into Russia, to the Volga. At the end of April, the Special Purpose Air Brigade was formed from its remnants, consisting of three divisions (eight squadrons). By May, the entire Black Sea coast was in the hands of the Austro-German troops and the army of the Ukrainian Central Rada. In light of this, the Black Sea Air Division, having lost its entire fleet and bases, ceased to exist. On March 6, 1918, foreseeing the inevitability of the loss of equipment and aviation personnel, the People's Commissariat for Maritime Affairs issued order No. 183, in which he outlined the orders to the command of the Baltic and Black Sea fleets: “1. All aviation units and schools are preserved, and the personnel of these units undertake to make every effort to preserve the military property at their disposal. 2. As the demobilization progresses, the central aviation committees seas, aviation units that have lost their combat value should be pulled together, provided that those units that are necessary to maintain air communications are preserved, in the Baltic Sea - on the northern coast between Abo, Helsingfors and Petrograd, and in the Black Sea - between Odessa, Sevastopol and Poti.

As of October 1, 1918, the Naval Aviation included: the White Sea, Volga, Caspian and Onega hydro-air squadrons, with 18 M-9 seaplanes and 9 Nieuport and Lebed land fighters. In addition, there were 14 more aircraft in the Baltic. Aviation of the Black Sea Fleet ceased to exist by the summer. In total for 1918-1920. As part of the Naval Aviation, 19 naval aviation units were formed. Some of them later became part of other air squadrons, and as of January 1, 1920, there were 10 hydro-air squadrons and 4 fighter squadrons - a total of about 75 aircraft of various types and technical condition.

In the spring of 1920, an event occurred that left its mark on the further development of Naval Aviation. By order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic No. 447/78 dated March 25, 1920, “in order to increase the combat capability of the Red Air Fleet of the Republic”, Naval Aviation was still subordinate to the main department of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Air Fleet. The aviation department of the RKVMF was to be disbanded, with the transfer of all affairs and personnel to the newly created main department of the RKKVF. At the same time, the post of assistant to the head of the air fleet of the republic for hydroaviation was established (from April 24, M.F. Pogodin was appointed to this position, from September 28 of the same year - A.P. Onufriev). The positions of assistant chief of the air fleet of the active army for hydroaviation were also introduced (since July 1920, it was occupied by S.E. Stolyarsky) and assistant chiefs of fleets of coastal military districts and fronts for hydroaviation. The chiefs of the air divisions were now subordinate to the naval command only in operational terms. At the time of the transfer, Naval Aviation had 96 aircraft of various types, of which 36 seaplanes and 13 fighters were in the Baltic, and 33 seaplanes and 14 fighters were in the Black Sea. Thus, over the next 18 years, Naval Aviation was directly subordinate to the Red Army Air Force.

In 1921, Naval Aviation consisted of 2 operational associations subordinate to the Glavvozdukhoflot, and operationally - to the chiefs naval forces seas:

Baltic Sea Air Fleet - Special Purpose Air Division (hydroaviation division), consisting of the 1st and 2nd separate naval reconnaissance detachments, as well as the 1st separate fighter aviation detachment;

The air fleet of the Black and Azov Seas is a hydroaviation division, consisting of the 3rd and 4th separate naval reconnaissance aviation detachments, as well as the 2nd separate fighter aviation detachment. Composition of the Naval Aviation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Fleet in 1921

Department of MA at the GU RKKVF (since 1920) - Moscow.

Samara Military Academy, Krasnoselskaya MShVP;

Air fleet of the Baltic Sea;

Air fleet of the Black and Azov Seas (Aral, Odessa and Dnieper hydro-air detachments).

During the 1920s and 1930s, when Naval Aviation was organizationally part of the Red Army Air Forces, the top leadership of the country and the leadership of the People’s Commissariat of Defense assigned aviation tasks to support ground forces, cover troops and rear facilities from air strikes, and also to combat enemy aerial reconnaissance. in accordance with this, the development and construction of aircraft and their weapons were carried out, training programs for pilots were drawn up in aviation educational institutions. The operational-tactical training of leading military personnel and the entire combat training of military aviation was also aimed at this. At the same time, naval aviation was assigned a secondary role, so the fleet of naval aviation in these years was replenished only with seaplanes, intended mainly for conducting aerial reconnaissance at sea. Flight personnel for her were prepared at the Yeisk School of Naval Pilots and Letnabs.

Also, the newly created Polar Aviation, which played a huge role in the development of the Northern Sea Route, was recruited from the personnel of the Naval Aviation. The first Hero of the Soviet Union in 1934 was the naval pilot Anatoly Vasilyevich Lyapidevsky, who showed courage and heroism in rescuing the crew of the Chelyuskin steamer, which was jammed in ice. At the same time, naval pilots I. Doronin, S. Levanevsky and V. Molokov were awarded this title.

On December 30, 1937, the People's Commissariat of the Navy was formed, which organizationally included the revived Air Force of the Navy. S.F. is appointed the head of the aviation of the Navy. Zhavoronkov, who in 1944 became Marshal of Aviation.

The School of Naval Pilots and Flyers in Yeysk and the School of Naval Pilots of the Polar Aviation Directorate of the Glavsevmorput in Nikolaev were transformed into Naval Aviation Schools, and the Military School of Aviation Technicians in Perm - into the Naval Aviation Technical School. A command and aviation faculty was established at the Naval Academy, and one-year advanced training courses for the leadership of the fleet aviation were opened at it.

Bomber aviation of the Navy began to study the use of sea mines and torpedoes, corresponding orders were made from industry, and soon mine-torpedo aviation was organized in the Navy Air Force.

However, uncertainty organizational structure The Air Force of the Navy in the prewar period was reflected in the nature of the views of its operational-tactical use. For a long time it was believed that air combat at sea would be carried out mainly by operational formations (air corps) of the Red Army Air Force. in accordance with this, in operational training, the interaction of fleets and air corps was worked out, and auxiliary tasks were assigned to naval aviation to provide the fleet with air reconnaissance and air defense basing the fleet and ships at sea. The early war showed the profound fallacy of this concept - naval aviation turned out to be the main and most effective strike force of the Soviet Navy.

By the beginning of the war with Germany, the Naval Aviation was a significant force. it consisted of 3838 aircraft of various types, of which 2824 were combat, including 51 new fighters (MiG-3 and Yak-1) and 38 new short-range bombers and reconnaissance aircraft (Che-2 and Pe-2).

In the winter campaign of the 1939-40s, the Navy aviation operated mainly in the maritime sector. In cooperation with the ships, she blocked the enemy from the sea, attacking his transports on communications and in ports, carrying out mine laying on the fairways. After breaking through the main line of defense on February 18, 1940, the aviation of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet was operationally subordinated to the commander of the Air Force of the North-Western Front. From that moment on, naval aviation operated in the land sector, fought against rail and road transport. Thus, when performing this task in the war with Finland, experience was gained in joint operations of front-line and naval aviation.

For the entire period of the war, naval aviation made 264 sorties and dropped 96 tons of bombs to attack enemy ships at sea. According to the reporting data of the KBF Air Force, it was possible to sink 14 transports (according to other sources - only 2) and damage more than 20 more. In order to bombard Finnish ports, 638 sorties were made and 368 tons of bombs were dropped on their facilities. In total, the KBF aviation made 16633 sorties.

The Second World War

It should be noted that, unlike the Red Army Air Force, the Naval Aviation suffered almost no losses on the first day of the war. This was largely due to the timely introduction to the Navy higher degrees combat readiness, and on the other hand, a sufficient distance of the main base airfields from enemy bomber airfields.

In the first most difficult months of the war, naval aviation was involved in the interests of the ground forces in bombing and assault strikes against the advancing enemy. The crews were not prepared to perform such tasks in the pre-war period. Given the weak fighter cover, naval aviators carried big losses in people and technology.

At the end of June 1941, three air squadrons of the Civil Air Fleet (Baltic, Black Sea, Northern) were formed from civil aviation units, which were operationally subordinate to the command of the Air Forces of the respective fleets. Their task was to ensure transportation in the interests of the fleets. In addition, from the first days of the war, some aviation units of the NKVD Border Troops were transferred to the Naval Aviation. At the same time, the first assault aviation units appeared in the Navy Air Force: a squadron as part of the 57th BAP in the Baltic and the 46th OSHAE in the Black Sea Fleet.

At the initiative of the People's Commissar of the Navy of the USSR, Admiral N. G. Kuznetsov, a "special strike group" of 15 DB-3T aircraft was created on the basis of the 1st mine-torpedo regiment of the KBF. The torpedo bombers were converted to free-fall ammunition. On the night of August 8, 1941, the group, which was personally led by the commander of the 1st MTAP, Colonel Preobrazhensky E.N., bombed the capital of Germany, the city of Berlin, and returned in full force to the departure airfield. further, during August, the regiment's aircraft carried out 7 more sorties, 18 aircraft and 7 crews were lost. It should also be noted that the long-range aviation of the Red Army Air Force, which joined the bombing of Berlin, on the very first flight (August 10), out of 10 vehicles that left for Berlin, reached the target and only six were bombed, and only two returned home. After this sortie, the commander of the 81st long-range bomber aviation division, Hero of the Soviet Union Vodopyanov M.V. (who was also shot down) was removed from his post, and Golovanov A.E. was appointed in his place.

Without causing any significant military and economic damage to Nazi Germany, these sorties had a significant psychological and propaganda character in the USSR and the world.

Heavy losses forced the leadership of the Navy Air Force to disband by mid-autumn a number of formations and units left without materiel, and transfer regiments from five squadrons to three squadrons. The remaining personnel were sent to the rear for reorganization and replenishment with aircraft. The released squadrons were also used to form new flying units. In addition, during the first two months of the war, all border and part of the rear airfields of the Air Forces of the Baltic Fleet and Black Sea Fleet were lost. Only in the North the losses of the Northern Fleet Air Force were quite moderate, and the airfield network did not change.

In these most difficult air battles, the winged guards of Naval Aviation were born. The first Guards ranks were awarded to the 1st MTAP of the BF Air Force, the 72nd SAP of the Northern Fleet Air Force, the 5th and 13th IAP of the BF Air Force, which from January 19, 1942 became known as the 1st Guards. MTAP, 2nd Guards. SAP, 3rd Guards. and 4th Guards. IAP respectively. April 1942, the 5th Guards were added to their number. MTAP (former 2nd MTAP) and 6th Guards. IAP (former 8th IAP) Air Force Black Sea Fleet.

According to the results of the combat operations of the USSR naval aviation in 41-42, one can note the extremely low effectiveness of strike aviation in the profile and very high losses of personnel and equipment. This is due to the misuse of MA in the first months of the war, low crew training, constant personnel changes (often unjustified) and the complete incompetence of the command of both the MA and the Navy in terms of the use of aviation.

In the Far East, although there were no hostilities, the situation on the border remained very alarming. At that time, the Pacific Fleet Air Force, the STOF Air Force and the Aviation of the Amur Air Fleet solved the tasks of protecting the Far Eastern borders of the USSR from possible aggression from Japan, and aviation personnel were also trained for the Air Force of the Western fleets. In addition, rotation (interchange) of command personnel from the front to the Far East was practiced, which had a positive effect on the combat capability of the combatants and the combat readiness of the eastern aviation units of the Navy.

In 1942-1943, based on the urgent requirements of the war, new formations were formed as part of Naval Aviation - assault and bomber (dive) brigades armed with Il-2 and Pe-2 aircraft (9th ShAB VVS BF, 10th BAB Air Force Pacific Fleet, 11th ShAB Air Force Black Sea Fleet, 12th ShAD Air Force Pacific Fleet).

On January 21, 1943, the Directorate of the Navy Air Force was reorganized into the Main Directorate of the Navy Air Force, which, to a certain extent, increased its status in the structure of the Navy.

By the summer of 1943, based on the experience of combat, all aviation brigades of the Air Forces of the Fleets were reorganized into aviation divisions (mine-torpedo, fighter, assault, bomber). By the end of the year, the Naval Aviation already had 12 air formations: the 1st MTAD, the 4th IAD, the 11th ShAD of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force; 3rd IAD, 8th MTAD, 9th ShAD of the BF Air Force; 5th MTAD, 6th IAD of the Northern Fleet Air Force, 2nd MTAD, 7th IAD, 10th BAD, 12th ShAD of the Pacific Fleet Air Force.

In 1943, units and subunits of reconnaissance aviation were reorganized in the Navy Air Force. Until now, it was based on the MBR-2, Che-2, GTS flying boats. These aircraft no longer met the requirements of the war. At the same time, in addition to domestic aircraft, Naval Aviation began to receive increasing quantities of foreign-made fighters and bombers P-40 "Tomahawk" and "Kittyhawk", P-39 "Aircobra", A-20 "Boston". This allowed, in addition to the previously existing boat reconnaissance regiments and individual squadrons, to form new reconnaissance regiments armed with wheeled aircraft. including, in the Air Force of the Baltic Fleet, the 26th ORAE was reorganized into the new 15th ORAP, in the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet - the 27th ORAE into the 30th ORAP, in the Air Force of the Pacific Fleet - the 50th MTAP into the 50th ORAP. The only exception was the Northern Fleet Air Force, where the 28th ORAE and the 118th MBRAP were reorganized into one 118th RAP of mixed composition. Distillation and Leading American technology the crews of the 2nd ferry aviation regiment of the Navy (commander of the colony Karnaukhov P. S.) were engaged along the Alsib highway (this regiment was not part of the ferry division and worked exclusively in the interests of naval aviation). The regiment was based in Kazakhstan in the village of Tainchi.

From 1943 until the end of the war, the structure of the Air Forces of the Fleets remained virtually unchanged. It included divisions of mine-torpedo, dive, attack and fighter aviation, mixed aviation divisions, separate regiments of fighter and reconnaissance aviation, separate squadrons of combat and auxiliary aviation, as well as separate aviation detachments and special aviation units.

The American A-20 attack aircraft, in the Soviet Air Force of the Navy, was used as a torpedo bomber and a fire support aircraft (suppression of naval air defense) American amphibious flying boat "Catalina", also produced under license in the USSR under the name "GST"

In 1944-1945. The combat strength of the Air Force of the Navy was replenished with four more aviation formations. The 13th PAD was formed in the Black Sea, the 14th SAD in the North, and the 15th and 16th SAD in the Pacific Fleet.

The main types of aircraft in service with the Navy Air Force during the war years were:

Torpedo bombers DB-3T, Il-4T, Handley Page HP-52 Hampden, A-20 Boston;

Bombers DB-3B, Il-4, SB, Ar-2, Pe-2, Tu-2, A-20 "Boston";

Fighters I-15bis, I-153, I-16, Yak-1, Yak-7, Yak-9, LaGG-3, La-5, La-7, Pe-3bis, R-39 Airacobra, R- 47 Thunderbolt, P-63 Kingcobra, Hurricane, Spitfire, P-40E Tomahawk, P-40K Kittyhawk;

Scouts GTS, PBN-1 "Nomad", PBY-6 "Catalina", MBR-2, KOR-1, KOR-2, Che-2, MTB-2, R-5, R-10, Pe-2R; Yak-9R, Tu-2R, Spitfire PR, A-20 Boston, Vought OS2U Kingfisher;

Transport aircraft R-5, U-2, TB-1, TB-3, Li-2, S-47, Lancaster;

Special purpose MBR-2VU, S-2;

Attack aircraft UT-16, I-5, Be-2, R-10, I-153, I-16, Il-2, Il-10;

Training U-2, UT-1, UT-2, DIT, UTI-4, UIL-2, La-5UTI, UPe-2, USB.

During the course of the war, the command of the Navy Air Force repeatedly took measures to build up the aviation groupings of the fleets, based on the emerging operational situation in the theater of operations. So, in July 1942, the Northern Fleet Air Force was reinforced by the Special Naval Aviation Group (OMAG), consisting of three aviation fighter regiments (95th, 13th and 121st IAP) on heavy fighters of the Pe-3 and Pe-3bis types . This formation ensured the fulfillment of the task of national importance - the escort of the Arctic convoys of the allies to the northern ports of the USSR. In 1943, the 29th BAP was transferred from the North to the Black Sea Fleet Air Force, and the 35th ShAP was transferred to the Baltic. In June 1944, the Baltic Fleet Air Force received the 11th ShAD from the Black Sea. With the end of hostilities in Europe, a number of air force units of the Western fleets were transferred to the Far East to participate in the war with Japan (including the 27th IAP, 36th MTAP of the Air Force of the Northern Fleet, 43rd IAP of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet).

Composition of the Air Force of the Navy in 1941-1942.

Naval Air Force Directorate - Moscow.

Parts of central subordination: KUNS (two to four UAE), VMAU im. Stalin (nine UAE), VMAU them. Levanevsky (four UAE), 1st AB of primary schools, 1st ZAP, 2nd ZAP, 3rd ZAP, 13th AP, 64th SPD of the Special Forces, LIS of the Air Force of the Navy (in Astrakhan);

Air Force of the Baltic Fleet (604 aircraft);

Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet (651 aircraft);

Air Force of the Northern Fleet (116 aircraft);

Air Force of the Pacific Fleet (889 aircraft);

Air Force of the North Pacific Flotilla (178 aircraft);

Aviation of the Amur military flotilla (107 aircraft);

Aviation of the Azov military flotilla;

Aviation of the Volga military flotilla;

Aviation of the Caucasian military flotilla (15 aircraft);

Aviation of the Ladoga military flotilla;

Aviation of the Onega military flotilla;

Aviation of the Pinsk military flotilla (20 aircraft);

2nd AGGUSMP (from August 1942 - 3rd AGVMF: 17 aircraft).

Composition of the Air Force of the Navy in 1943-1945

Main Directorate of the Air Force of the Navy - Moscow.

Parts of central subordination: VOK (two to four UAE), VMAU im. Stalin (six to nine UAE), VMAU them. Levanevsky (four to six UAE),

3rd VMAU (1st marching ShAP, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th UShAP), 4th VMAU (1st, 2nd UMTAP), Air Division of Primary Training Schools, 1 -th ZAP, 2nd ZAP, 3rd ZAP, Aircraft Ferry OAG (1st APPS, 2nd APPS) since 1944, 19th MTAD (former OAGPS) - since 1945, 65th OAP Special Forces, LIS Air Force Navy (Baku); BF Air Force, Black Sea Fleet Air Force, Pacific Fleet Air Force, Northern Fleet Air Force, STOF Air Force, BelVF Air Force, AmVF Aviation, Volga VF Aviation, DnVF Aviation, DunVF Aviation, CaVF Aviation, LadVF Aviation, OnVF Aviation.

During the Great Patriotic War, the Navy's aviation turned out to be the most productive of the fleet's forces - the destruction of 407 enemy ships by aviation was officially confirmed, which is 66% of losses, with a total loss of 614 units (however, there is information that official data on the effectiveness of mine-torpedo aviation, for a number of reasons, are greatly overestimated).

In August 1945, the USSR began hostilities against Japan, in which the Pacific Fleet Air Force, the STOF Air Force and the Air Force Aviation took part. By the beginning of hostilities, the staffing strength of the Far Eastern naval aviation grouping in terms of personnel and equipment, even without taking into account the units that arrived "for reinforcement" from the western regions of the country, exceeded the total number of the BF Air Force, the Black Sea Fleet Air Force and the Northern Fleet Air Force combined. The clashes in the Far Eastern theater of operations were of a fleeting but fierce nature and lasted from August 9 to 26, 1945, while the losses, compared with the statistics of combat losses on the Western fronts, were many times less. A number of units of the Pacific Fleet Air Force received guards ranks and honorary titles.

With the end of World War II, a general reduction in the Armed Forces of the USSR began. Naval Aviation, after the end of hostilities, attack aviation was completely eliminated, however, three more aviation divisions were formed: the 17th SAD and the 18th SAD of the Pacific Fleet Air Force, as well as the 19th MTAD of the Navy Civil Code.

The combat experience gained during the war formed the basis for the development of plans and directions for the further development of naval aviation, the improvement of the principles and methods of its application in naval warfare.

In the second half of 1945, new Tu-2T torpedo bombers began to enter service with the mine-torpedo aviation units of the Navy Air Force. The first to receive them was the 5th Guards. MTAP Air Force Black Sea Fleet and the 64th DBAP Air Force Pacific Fleet (the latter managed to make war on them). the next two years, the regiments of the 8th and 19th MTAD of the BF Air Force and the 567th Guards were re-equipped with these aircraft. MTAP VVS Pacific Fleet.

On February 16, 1946, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the NK Navy was abolished. The Navy, subordinate to the Minister of the Armed Forces, became known as the Naval Forces (Navy). in accordance with this order of the Civil Code of the Navy No. 0100 dated 03/26/1946, the Air Force of the Navy was renamed Aviation Naval Forces, and the Main Directorate of the Air Force of the Navy was transformed into "the control bodies of the commander of naval aviation." their composition included: the command, the secretariat, headquarters, the air defense department, the IAS department, the naval air force supply department, the airfield department and several departments (inspector, VMAUZ, personnel, financial and general). The same order made the transition to peacetime states. In the same year, the MBR-2 flying boats were to be decommissioned and, as a result, the flight units armed with aircraft of this type were disbanded. So only in the Air Force of the Pacific Fleet, by 1947, the 117th OMDRAP, 31st, 47th, 57th, 63rd OMBRAE and 5th BRAZ were disbanded

As of July 1, 1946, there were 5252 aircraft in Naval Aviation, including: imported all types - 1059, domestic fighters - 1159, bombers and torpedo bombers - 727, attack aircraft - 482, domestic boat aircraft - 330. Another 1455 aircraft was in educational institutions and units of the Naval Aviation.

On December 15, 1947, in accordance with the circular of the NGSh of the Navy No. 0036 of 07.10.1947, the Naval Aviation switched to the standard organization of the Soviet Army Air Force. A number of units of the Naval Air Forces were renamed, having received the numbers of the assault and fighter regiments of the SA Air Force that had been disbanded by that time. So, the 29th and 40th APBP of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet became the 565th and 569th DBAP, the 17th Guards, the 55th APBP and the 64th DBAP of the Air Force of the Pacific Fleet - respectively, the 567th Guards, 568- m and the 570th MTAP, and the 95th AP of the Air Force of the Northern Fleet - the 574th MTAP. Two divisions of dive bombers (the 13th ADPB of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet and the 10th ADPB of the Air Force of the Pacific Fleet) were also reorganized into the 88th DBAD (MTAD) and the 89th MTAD. Naval assault aviation was completely eliminated, its units were reorganized or liquidated. The Baltic and Pacific Fleets were divided into two parts, becoming the 4th and 8th Navy in the Baltic and the 5th and 7th Navy in the Pacific Ocean. each of these operational-strategic associations had its own aviation.

In the first post-war five-year period, the process of reducing Naval Aviation proceeded steadily: out of 19 aviation divisions, 16 remained, and the aviation of all military flotillas, naval defense areas and bases was liquidated. By the beginning of the 1950s, despite its impressive numerical strength, Naval Aviation had a morally and physically obsolete aircraft fleet.

Since 1951, the fighter aviation of the Navy began retraining for MiG-15 jet aircraft, and since 1953 - for the MiG-17. At the beginning of the same year, a number of regiments of the Navy MA again changed their numbers, this time to four-digit ones.

The next stage of reforms began on April 21, 1951, when the Minister of Defense of the USSR, by his order No. 0188, set the terms for re-equipping mine-torpedo aviation units with Tu-14t and Il-28t jet torpedo bombers. The first regiment to retrain on the Il-28 in August 1951 was the 1531st Guards. MTAP of the Air Force of the 8th Navy, and in October the 1676th MTAP of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet began retraining. At the end of 1951, he began retraining the 567th Guards. MTAP Air Force of the 5th Navy. April and May 1952, the 9th Guards retrained on the Tu-14t. MTAP and the newly formed 1941st MTAP of the Air Force of the Federation Council. In total, by the second half of 1952, eight mine-torpedo regiments were re-equipped on the Il-28t and Tu-14t. unlike the Long-Range Aviation, which in those years was massively re-equipped and operated the Tu-4 bomber, the sailors did not purposefully re-equip this machine. Aircraft of this type were operated to a limited extent and for a very short time in the 124th MTAP of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force, 240th Guards. TAP Air Force Baltic Fleet and a separate control detachment of the 143rd MTAD Air Force Pacific Fleet.

In the reconnaissance aviation unit of the Navy, scouts began to arrive on the basis of the Il-28 from March 1952 (1733rd ORAP of the Air Force of the Northern Fleet, AE of the 15th ODRAP of the Air Force of the 8th Navy and AE of the 50th Guards ODRAP of the Air Force of the 5th Navy). Also, a number of units and formations of SA Air Force fighter aviation were transferred to the Navy: the 60th, 108th and 237th Guards were adopted in the Baltic. IAD, in the North - 107th and 122nd IAD, on the Black Sea - 181st IAD, in the Pacific Ocean - 147th and 249th IAD. In addition, a number of units and formations of bomber aviation of the SA Air Force were also transferred to Naval Aviation: in the Baltic, the 4th Guards was transferred to the Air Force of the Fleet. BAD and 57th TBAD, on the Black Sea - 819th Guards. BAP, in the Pacific Ocean - 169 Guards. TBAP and 194th dietary supplement. Helicopters began to enter service, separate squadrons of basic (on the Mi-4) and shipborne helicopters (on the Ka-15) were formed: the 255th, 507th and 509th UAEV in the Baltic, Black Sea, 504th UAE in the North.

In 1953, the 5th and 7th Navy were merged into a single Pacific Fleet, and in 1956 the 4th and 8th Navy were merged into a single Baltic Fleet. Accordingly, the air forces of these fleets were transformed. As of January 1, 1954, the USSR Navy Air Force had 10 mine-torpedo, 20 fighter and 10 reconnaissance regiments, as well as 29 separate squadrons and detachments.

In the mid-50s, a phased re-equipment of the MTAP with Tu-16 aircraft began. This aircraft became a milestone not only for Naval Aviation, but for the entire military aviation of the USSR.

At the same time, research work on the search and tracking of submarines began in the naval aviation. The newly created radio-hydroacoustic system "Baku" (1953) is installed on helicopters, Be-6 aircraft and then on Tu-16PL (PLO). The latter showed low efficiency in performing the anti-submarine task, and two experimental squadrons in the Northern Fleet and Pacific Fleet were soon re-profiled.

Tu-16s perform wing-mounted refueling (VVS Pacific Fleet). Shooting tentatively in the late 70s or early 80s Tu-16K-10-26 of the Air Force of the Northern Fleet with a full missile suspension - two KSR-5 and K-10S. Filmed circa 1990-91.

In the spring of 1958, separate squadrons of base and ship-based Mi-4m and Ka-15 helicopters in all fleets were reorganized into helicopter regiments. Thus, the 853rd and 872nd OAPV appear in the Black Sea, the 830th OAPV appears in the North, the 413th and 437th OAPV appear in the Baltic, and the 710th and 720th OAPV appear in the Pacific Fleet. The flight and technical staff of the fighter units being disbanded this year turned to their staffing. at the same time, the planned transfer of some regiments of fighter aviation of the Navy to the subordination of air defense took place, often without changing their places of deployment (for the air defense command, pilots, and even in vests, remained a "headache" for a long time).

By the end of the 1950s, rocket carriers and cruise missiles began to enter the mine and torpedo regiments of the air regiment. With the adoption of the Tu-16K-10 aircraft, the Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 0028 of 03.20.1961 was issued, followed by the Order of the Navy Civil Code No. 048 of 04.13. torpedo regiments and divisions were henceforth referred to as "missile-carrying". However, a year earlier, there was a significant reduction in / parts of the Navy at the initiative of N.S. Khrushchev, in particular, fighter aircraft in the Navy were completely eliminated, and mine and torpedo aircraft were significantly reduced.

Tu-16K-10 and its further modifications were in service only in the aviation of the Navy. The first to re-equip the new missile system were the 170th Guards. MTAP DD VVS BF, 924th Guards. and 987th MTAP AD VVS SF. They were followed by the 240th Guards. MTAP DD VVS BF, 5th Guards. and 124th MTAP DD Air Force Black Sea Fleet, 169th Guards. and the 570th MTAP DD VVS Pacific Fleet, which received these weapons in 1960-1961.

After 1961 and until the mid-1980s, the structural composition of naval aviation remained virtually unchanged (with some exceptions). an approximate version - each of the fleets had one naval missile-carrying aviation division (two in the Pacific Fleet), one reconnaissance regiment, 1-2 helicopter regiments (squadrons), anti-submarine and transport regiments. There were also separate various squadrons for special purposes.

In 1962, the Tu-22R supersonic reconnaissance aircraft entered the reconnaissance aviation of the Navy, first in the 15th ODRAP of the BF Air Force, and then in the 30th ODRAP of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force. In 1963, the 392nd ODRAP was formed at the Severomorsk-1 (SF) airfield, armed with the latest strategic reconnaissance aircraft Tu-95RTs at that time. In 1965, this regiment was relocated to the place of permanent deployment at the Kipelovo airfield (Vologda region). In the same year, the 867th Guards was re-equipped with the Tu-95RC. ODRAP Air Force Pacific Fleet at the airfield Khorol.

Instead of flying boats, the Be-6 entered Naval Aviation to replace the Be-12 amphibious aircraft. The following units were re-equipped with it: in 1965 - the 318th OPLAP DD (Donuzlav), in 1967 - the 122nd OPLAP DD (Yelizovo), in 1968 - the 403rd OPLAP DD (Severomorsk-2) , in 1969 - the 289th OPLAP DD (Nikolaevka), in 1970 - the 17th OPLAE DD (Kosa). Since 1965, the Ka-25PL shipborne helicopter has been mass-produced for the Naval Aviation. Helicopter combat units began to arrive in the same year - in the 872nd OVP of aviation of the Black Sea Fleet and the 710th OVP of aviation of the Pacific Fleet. Aviation of the Northern Fleet and BF received Ka-25PL helicopters: in the 830th ORP and the 745th ORP - in 1967 and 1969, respectively.

In 1967, the 24th OPLAP DD was formed at the Kipelovo airfield (SF), armed with Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft. Behind him, in 1969, the 77th OPLA DD was formed at the Nikolaevka airfield (TOF), and in 1975 these aircraft were received by the 145th OPAA DD Aviation of the Baltic Fleet, based at the Skulte airfield (Riga).

In 1969, a long-range aviation complex, the Tu-142 aircraft, was put into service. Although the anti-submarine equipment and armament of the Tu-142 was almost similar to the Il-38, its tactical radius was up to 4000 km, against 2300 km for the latter. Aircraft of this type entered service with the newly formed 76th OPLA DD VVS SF in Kipelovo. In 1976, the 310th OPLA DD was formed at the Khorol airfield, which departed a year later to the permanent location of the airfield - Kamenny Ruchey.

In the early 70s, the helicopter units of the Navy were re-equipped with new helicopters of the Ka-27 type. Helicopters, in addition to working from base airfields, regularly served on single- and group-based ships, made trips to remote areas of the oceans (745th OVP of the Air Force of the Baltic Fleet, 78th and 872nd OKPLVP of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet, 38th and 830th th OKPLVP, 279th OKSHAP of the Air Force of the Northern Fleet, 207th, 710th OKPLVP, 175th OKPLVE, 311th OKSHAP of the Air Force of the Pacific Fleet).

An-26 tail number 10K Naval Aviation The only Tu-154M RA-85616 in the Navy. Initially based in Knevichi, then in Ostrov, now in Yeysk Project 903 Lun ekranoplan missile ship during tests in the Caspian Sea Su-24 at the Ostrov airfield

Also during these years, the USSR Naval Aviation mastered a large number of foreign airfields - Egypt and Syria in the Mediterranean, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen in the Indian Ocean, Cuba, Guinea and Angola in the Atlantic, Vietnam in the Pacific Ocean. At the airfields - Cairo, Aswan, Mersa Matruh, Asmara, Hargeisa, Aden, El Anad, Dahlak, Havana, Conakry, Luanda, Cam Ranh, Da Nang, aviation units and support units from the Air Force of the fleets were based. The areas of responsibility were also divided between the fleets: the crews of the 318th OPLAP and the 30th ODRAP of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force, the 967th ODRAP and the 912th OTAP of the Air Force of the Northern Fleet worked in the Mediterranean Sea. Atlantic to military service the crews of the 392nd ODRAP of the Air Force of the Northern Fleet flew to the Indian Ocean - the crews of the 145th OPLAE of the BF Air Force, the 77th OPLAP, the 710th OKPLVP and the 304th Guards. ODRAP Air Force Pacific Fleet. In Vietnam, until 1982, a mixed detachment of Tu-95RTs and Tu-142 aircraft was based at the Danang airfield, from the 304th Guards. ODRAP and 310th OPLAP Air Force Pacific Fleet. Since 1982, by agreement with the government of Vietnam, the 169th Guards Mixed Aviation Regiment (former 169th Guards MRAP) was deployed at the Cam Ranh airfield on a permanent basis, in which, in addition to a squadron of Tu-142 and Tu-95RTs , there was a squadron of Tu-16K-10 missile carriers and Tu-16SPS EW aircraft. Since 1984, a squadron of MiG-23MLD fighters, formed from the personnel and aviation equipment of the 1st Air Force Air Force, has been added to them. It was the only full-fledged foreign air base in the USSR with the entire support structure. The base worked for ten years, i.е. before the collapse of the USSR, and was reorganized into the 128th aviation commandant's office. Since 2000, the commandant's office has been abolished.

In 1974, the MRA entered service with the Tu-22M2 supersonic missile-carrying aircraft with variable wing geometry, capable of carrying Kh-22M cruise missiles. The first regiments to retrain for a new type of aircraft were the 943rd MRAP of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force and the 240th Guards. MRAP Air Force BF. The Pacific received a new aircraft much later: in 1980. - 568th MRAP, in 1982 - 570th MRAP, and only in 1991 - 183rd MRAP. It is interesting that this aircraft was adopted by sailors even a little earlier than in long-range aviation. Subsequently, the Tu-22M2 was gradually replaced by its more advanced modification Tu-22M3.

In the mid 1970s. heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers (TAKR) pr. 1143 were introduced into the combat structure of the USSR Navy, capable, unlike anti-ship missiles of project 1123 "Moscow" and "Leningrad", to carry not only helicopters, but also vertical takeoff and landing aircraft such as Yak-38. At the same time, attack aviation was revived as part of the Naval Aviation. For the Northern Fleet, the Kyiv TAKR was built. The Pacific Fleet received two other ships: TAKR "Minsk" and "Novorossiysk". For basing on them, in addition to shipborne helicopter regiments, separate seaborne assault aviation regiments were formed as part of the Northern Fleet and Pacific Fleet aviation. In December 1973, at the Saki airfield, the formation of the 279th separate shipborne assault aviation regiment, armed with Yak-38 aircraft, began for the Northern Fleet Air Force. In September 1976, the 299th Separate Shipborne Instructor-Research Assault Aviation Regiment was formed in Saki to train flight personnel for new aircraft. 1978 in Saki, the 311th separate naval assault aviation regiment for the Pacific Fleet Air Force is formed, and departs to a permanent location at the Pristan airfield.

Since 1975, coastal aviation assault units have appeared in Naval Aviation. 846th Guards. The BF Air Force OPLAP was reorganized into the 846th Guards Separate Naval Assault Aviation Regiment. December 1982 at the air. The pier was formed by the 173rd Separate Naval Assault Aviation Regiment. Both regiments were armed with Su-17M aircraft.

On November 3, 1979, the world's first small ekranoplan amphibious assault ship (MDE) of project 904, code "Orlyonok", was accepted into the Navy. After lengthy disputes about what an ekranoplan is - an airplane or a ship, ekranoplans were still classified as aviation, and for their operation at the Kaspiysk airfield, the 11th separate air group of the Navy (of central subordination) was formed, then the 236th division of ekranoplan ships.

In 1980, the Aviation of the Navy (AVMF) was renamed the Air Force of the Navy (VVS VMF). By this time, Naval Aviation included: five naval missile-carrying divisions (13 missile-carrying regiments on Tu-16, Tu-22M2 and Tu-22M3 aircraft); two reconnaissance regiments on the Tu-95RTs, two regiments on the Tu-22R, a regiment and two separate squadrons on the Tu-16R. In 1983, the first and only in the USSR 35th anti-submarine aviation division of the Northern Fleet Air Force was formed (two regiments on Tu-142 aircraft). Two regiments and one squadron flew on Il-38 aircraft, and three more regiments and two squadrons were armed with Be-12 amphibians. Helicopters were armed with six regiments and three squadrons. As part of special aviation, there was a separate electronic warfare regiment and four transport regiments. Ground attack aviation was represented by two naval assault and two naval assault regiments. In addition, a separate transport regiment was directly subordinate to the commander of the Navy Air Force, and the 33rd PPI and PLS included instructor and research units: a missile-carrying regiment, a naval assault regiment, a helicopter regiment and an anti-submarine squadron. 1989, within the framework of the Treaty on the Reduction of Conventional Arms in Europe, a number of units and formations of bomber, attack and fighter aviation were transferred from the country's Air Force to the Naval Aviation - the Black Sea Fleet Air Force was transferred to the 119th IAD (86th Guards IAP, 161- th IAP, 841st Guards MAPIB) and 43rd OMSHAP, BF Air Force - 132nd BAD (4th Guards BAP, 321st BAP, 668th BAP) and 66th APIB, SF Air Force - 88th APIB. In 1991, the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser pr. 1143.5 "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" was put into operation. It was decided to deploy the aviation component for the first domestic full-fledged aircraft carrier on the basis of the 279th separate naval assault air regiment, which was planned to be re-equipped with carrier-based versions of the Su-27 and MiG-29.

In 1990, the Naval Aviation had 52 regiments, 10 separate squadrons and air groups with 1701 aircraft and 363 helicopters, including 372 missile carriers, 966 fighters, attack aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft. There was a large network of base airfields, operational and dispersal airfields.

Airfields Av. Navy for the period 70-80s.(permanently based):

Central subordination: Ostafyevo, Nikolaev (Kulbakino), Saki (Novofedorovka), Kaspiysk, Kirovskoe

Black Sea Fleet: Donuzlav, Vesyoloyo (Karankut), Oktyabrskoye, Guards (Simferopol), Kacha, Meria, Tiraspol, Limanskoye, Markuleshty

Pacific Fleet: Western Knevichi (Vladivostok), Nikolaevka Primorskaya, Pristan (Romanovka), Khorol, Novonezhino, Stone Creek (Mongokhto), Yelizovo (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky), Korsakov, Kamran

Northern Fleet: Lakhta (Katunino), Olenya (Olenegorsk), Veretye ​​(Island), Kipelovo (Fedotovo), Luostari (Pechenega), Severomorsk-1, Severomorsk-2, Severomorsk-3

Baltic Fleet: Bykhov, Donskoye, Khrabrovo, Chernyakhovsk, Chkalovsk

After the collapse of the USSR, Naval Aviation had to leave airfields that overnight became foreign - in Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic states, Georgia. And since 1993, large-scale reductions in military units and the write-off of equipment began. "Aircraft with one propulsion system" were withdrawn from service - these are the Su-17, MiG-27, MiG-23, and, accordingly, the flight units armed with them were disbanded. Then the Tu-16 and Tu-95RTs aircraft, which formed the basis of naval missile-carrying and reconnaissance aircraft, were "put to the fence". After another Tu-22M2 crash, a ban was given on the operation of the entire fleet, with subsequent disposal. The operation of the Yak-38 VTOL aircraft was discontinued.

Service Yak-38, Black Sea Fleet of Ukraine Ka-27 on the flight deck

With all this, the financing and material support of the units and subdivisions of the MA steadily and sharply decreased, and soon there was simply not enough money for the monthly monetary allowance (already quite meager in conditions of galloping inflation), which began to be issued to personnel with chronic delays.

By the beginning of 1995, Naval Aviation had 2 two-regiment air divisions, 23 separate regiments, 8 separate squadrons, a group of ekranoplanes and 2 training centers. All reconnaissance squadrons have been eliminated. The Mi-14 helicopters were withdrawn from the Navy, the newest Mi-14PS were transferred to the aviation of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. After much testing and refinement, the TAVKR "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" entered its first combat service, having on board an air group of 13 Su-33s, 2 Su-25UTGs and 11 helicopters.

By mid-1996, the strength of the Navy Aviation was 695 aircraft, including 66 missile carriers, 116 anti-submarine aircraft, 118 fighters and attack aircraft, and 365 helicopters and special aviation aircraft. 1997 in Aviation Internal Troops The Ministry of Internal Affairs handed over 13 perfectly serviceable Ka-29TB helicopters, which the Navy Air Force suddenly became unnecessary (the sailors recalled these helicopters with “quiet sadness” at the end of 2008, when Ka-27PS rescue helicopters had to be used to fight pirates in the Gulf of Aden, with homemade installation of a machine gun in the opening of the door of the cargo compartment).

In 1998, the Navy MA included one missile-carrying division of two regiments, 12 separate regiments and 7 separate squadrons. In Kamchatka, the 6th Air Defense Division and the 317th OSAP of the Pacific Fleet Air Force were transformed into the Aviation and Air Defense Group of the Joint Command of Troops and Forces in the North-East of the Russian Federation (Aviation and Air Defense OKVS).

By the end of the 20th century, due to a chronic shortage of fuel, flights both according to combat training plans and to combat service were practically not carried out. With rare flights, they tried to maintain the fitness of the most experienced crews, and young pilots who had served in the garrison for several years could never take to the air during their entire service. As a matter of fact, everything negative phenomena, which affected the Air Force, were even more acute in Naval Aviation due to its subordination to the fleet.

In the 21st century, all missile-carrying aircraft were transferred from the Naval Aviation to the DA Air Force, and this ended the glorious half-century history of the MPA. Air garrisons have been converted into air bases, that is, all military units of the garrison are united into one. Before this structure had time to take root, they began to "optimize" several airfields for one airbase, sometimes hundreds of kilometers away from each other. That is, endless optimizations, personnel changes, mergers and renaming continue. And although funding and fuel supplies have stabilized, the issue of the depreciation of most of the aircraft fleet and the lack of spare parts and components for aircraft and helicopters is still acute. There is a supply of single and small batches of modifications of aircraft such as the Su-27 and MiG-29, Ka-27 helicopters, and a sluggish modernization of the fleet of anti-submarine aircraft is underway. big problem there remains untimely and low-quality repair of naval aircraft at aircraft repair plants.

The structure of the Naval Aviation of Russia until 2008

Su-33 on the deck of the TAVKR "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" Long-range anti-submarine aircraft Tu-142MZ VVS Pacific Fleet

Northern Fleet

• 279th Separate Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment named after twice Hero of the Soviet Union Boris Safonov
• 403rd Separate Mixed Aviation Regiment
• 830th Separate Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Kirkenes Red Banner Regiment
  • 1st Naval Helicopter Squadron
  • 2nd Naval Helicopter Squadron
  • 3rd Transport and Combat Helicopter Squadron
• 924th Separate Guards Naval Missile-Carrying Aviation Regiment
• 73rd Separate Long-Range Anti-Submarine Aviation Squadron

Black Sea Fleet

• 25th Separate Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment
• 43rd Separate Naval Assault Aviation Regiment

Pacific Fleet

• 289th separate mixed anti-submarine aviation regiment
• 317th separate mixed aviation regiment
• 568th separate mixed aviation regiment
  • 1st Missile Squadron
  • 2nd Missile Squadron
  • 3rd Anti-Submarine Squadron
  • Search and Rescue Squad
• 865th Separate Fighter Aviation Regiment
• 71st Separate Transport Aviation Squadron

Baltic Fleet

• 4th Separate Guards Marine Assault Aviation Regiment
• 689th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment
• 125th separate helicopter squadron
• 396th Separate Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron
• 398th separate transport aviation squadron
• 49th separate anti-submarine squadron

• 444th center for combat use and retraining of flight personnel, (Veretye, Ostrov-5)
• 46th Separate Transport Aviation Regiment of the Navy, (Ostafyevo)

MA base points after reforming in 2008 (and their further fate)

Basic anti-submarine aircraft Il-38 Pacific Fleet missile carrier Tu-22M3

Northern Fleet

• 7051st AvB MA SF - air. Olenegorsk (in June 2011 reassigned to Long-Range Aviation, as an air group of the 6950th AVB)
• PLAE 7051st AvB MA SF - aer. - Kipelovo (since 2011 - air group 7050th AvB MA SF)
• 7050th AvB MA SF - air. Severomorsk-1 (the reconstruction of the airfield is being carried out since 11.2011)
• air. Severomorsk-3 - 279th KIAP

Black Sea Fleet

• 7058th AvB MA Black Sea Fleet (Sevastopol Red Banner Aviation, Order of the Kutuzov Base) - air. Guards
• 7057th AvB MA Black Sea Fleet - air. Kacha (disbanded in 2014).

Baltic Fleet

• 7052nd AvB MA BF aer. Chernyakhovsk (since 2010 - air group 7054th Guards AvB MA BF)
• 7053rd AvB MA BF - air. Chkalovsk (since 2010 - air group 7054th Guards AvB MA BF)
• 7054th Guards. AVB MA BF aer. Khrabrovo (since 2011, the airfield has not been used to base MA)
• Air Group 7054th Guards. AVB MA BF on air. Donskoye (since 2010)

Pacific Fleet

• 7059th AvB MA Pacific Fleet - air. Knevichi (disbanded in 2011, reassigned to the 7062nd AvB)
• 7060th AvB MA Pacific Fleet - air. Yelizovo
• 7061st Guards. AvB MA Pacific Fleet - aer. Kamenny Ruchey (disbanded, reduced to one AE and reassigned to the 7062nd AvB in 2012)
• 7062nd AvB MA Pacific Fleet - air. Nikolayevka

Parts of central subordination

• 7055th Guards. AVB CPU - aer. Ostafyevo (disbanded, reduced to an aviation group and reassigned to the 7050th air base of the Northern Fleet)
• 7056th AvB CPU on air. Ostrov (disbanded December 1, 2009)
• 859th center for combat use and anti-submarine forces - aer. Yeisk (Pulp and paper industry was formed in 2010).

The combat composition of the Naval Aviation of Russia until 2008

Name of formations	Main armament and equipment	Dislocation
Northern Fleet
279th Separate Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment named after twice Hero of the Soviet Union Boris Safonov	Su-33, Su-25UTG, MiG-29K, MiG-29KUB	Severomorsk-3
403rd Separate Mixed Aviation Regiment	An-12, An-26, Il-38, Tu-134	Severomorsk-1
830th separate naval anti-submarine helicopter Kirkenes Red Banner Regiment (disbanded, became part of the 7050th aviation base of the Northern Fleet, in the form of two squadrons of a mixed type: PL, PS, 29, MI-8T, MTV-5)	Ka-27, Ka-29	Severomorsk-1
924th Separate Guards Marine Missile Aviation Regiment (the regiment was reassigned to the Air Force DA)	Tu-22M3	Olenegorsk
73rd Separate Anti-Submarine Aviation Squadron	Tu-142	Kipelovo
Black Sea Fleet
25th Separate Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment 917th Separate Mixed Aviation Regiment	Ka-27, Mi-14, Mi-8, An-2, An-12, An-26, Be-12	7057 Kacha Air Base
43rd Separate Naval Assault Aviation Regiment	Su-24, Su-24MR	7059 Guards Air Base
Pacific Fleet
289th separate mixed anti-submarine aviation regiment	Il-38, Il-18, Ka-27, Ka-29	Nikolayevka
317th separate mixed aviation regiment	Il-38, Mi-8, An-26	Yelizovo
568th separate mixed aviation regiment (TU-22M3 transferred to the Air Force DA)	Tu-22M3, Tu-142MR, Tu-142M3	Stone Stream
865th Separate Fighter Aviation Regiment	MiG-31	Yelizovo
71st Separate Transport Aviation Squadron	An-12, An-24, An-26, Tu-134	Knevichi
Baltic Fleet
4th Separate Guards Marine Assault Aviation Regiment	Su-24	Chernyakhovsk
689th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment	Su-27	Chkalovsk
125th separate helicopter squadron	Mi-8, Mi-24	Chkalovsk
396th Separate Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron	Ka-27, Ka-29	Don
398th separate transport aviation squadron	An-24, An-26	Khrabrovo

Armament and military equipment

The defense industry of the USSR fully satisfied all the needs of the Air Force of the Navy of the USSR. There were no purchases of aircraft equipment abroad.

However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, significant difficulties arose with maintaining the aviation fleet in good condition, and even more so with the production of new aircraft and helicopters for the Russian Navy, so the aviation fleet after 1991 was updated exclusively by small-scale production (one-time single deliveries, mainly until 1994 ) Ka-29, Ka-31, Ka-32 helicopters and Su-33, Su-24, Tu-22M3 and Tu-142 aircraft. In 2012, all Tu-22M3 missile carriers were withdrawn from the MA, naval missile-carrying aviation (MRA) was eliminated as a class.

As of 2015, the average age of the entire Navy aircraft fleet is 32 years (for some types it exceeds 40 years - An-24, An-12, Il-38, Be-12). Approximately half of the Navy's aircraft and helicopters are in disrepair (in storage).

aircraft model	A photo	Producing country	Purpose	Modifications	Quantity

The navy is historically distinguished by its higher political significance in comparison with other branches of the Armed Forces, approaching in this indicator the product of modern times - the strategic nuclear forces. The processes of rearmament of the fleet and its reorganization in this regard are closely monitored in all major powers - and Russia is no exception. The development of naval aviation, the most important component of the fleets throughout the world, can say much more about the military plans of the state than many other processes.

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Russian naval aviation in the post-Soviet era experienced one of the most difficult periods of its existence, when a formidable force of several hundred aircraft and helicopters of various classes was left with a few dozens of machines as part of disparate units with an unclear future. The revival of naval aviation today starts largely from scratch, and there is still a long way to go before bringing it back to normal.

In 2011, Russian naval aviation almost completely lost its strike component - its Tu-22M3 bombers, MiG-31, Su-27 fighters, Su-24 front-line bombers, as well as part of the transport aircraft were transferred to the Air Force. The only exception was the Su-24 bombers from the aviation of the Black Sea Fleet, which remained subordinate to the Navy due to the fact that the agreements between Russia and Ukraine allowed the deployment of only naval aviation in Crimea, but not the Russian Air Force.

Su-24

In addition to the squadron of the Black Sea Su-24s, the fleet’s aviation included Il-38 and Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft, Be-12 seaplanes, Su-33 carrier-based fighters, Su-25 attack aircraft, Ka-27 carrier-based helicopters and a number of transport aircraft and helicopters.

IL-38

TU-142M3

Be-12

SU-33

The withdrawal of strike forces from the naval aviation was caused by the desire to simplify the management and maintenance of the relevant units and formations, as well as their very poor condition due to chronic underfunding - for example, out of several dozen Tu-22M3 missile carriers, no more than ten vehicles could perform combat missions.

TU-22M3

The 1990s were the time of a deep crisis in naval aviation.

By the time of the collapse of the USSR in 1991, the powerful naval aviation of the Soviet Navy consisted of 1,702 aircraft, including 372 long-range bombers equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles, 966 tactical combat aircraft and 455 helicopters. These aircraft constituted the combat power of 52 aviation regiments and ten separate squadrons and groups. The new Russian naval aviation inherited the lion's share of the Soviet legacy, but almost immediately began a series of large-scale reductions, removing obsolete aircraft from service.

By the beginning of 1995, the naval aviation included 63 Tu-22M2 long-range bombers (of which 52 were combat-ready), 82 Tu-22M3 bombers (52 combat-ready), 67 Tu-142 patrol aircraft (19 combat-ready), 45 Il-38 patrol aircraft (20 combat-ready), 95 Ka-27 helicopters (75 combat-ready) and 128 Mi-14 and Ka-25 helicopters (68 combat-ready).

By 1997, the level of combat readiness fell to 35%, but by 2000 the situation began to improve, and it rose to 45-50%. These indicators remain more or less stable to the present day.

But by the start of the new millennium, the combat capabilities of naval aviation had fallen to a critical point due to insufficient flight training caused by limited fuel limits, which were 10 times less than needed. As a consequence, only one-third of the crews could be considered combat-ready, and even achieving this modest level required great effort.

The carrier-based aviation was also in a deplorable state: the only Russian aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" with an air group consisting of a dozen Soviet-built Su-33s, several Su-25UTG training aircraft and helicopters went to sea quite rarely, and the prospects for updating the fleet of carrier-based aircraft were more than foggy.

SU-25K

CHARACTERISTIC

Project 1143.5
Dimensions, crew
Length Length at the waterline Width at the waterline Draft Crew Flight personnel Headquarters	302.3 m 270 m 72.3 m 35.4 m 9.14 m 1,960 people 626 people 40 people
Displacement
Standard Full Maximum	43,000 t 55,000 t 58,600 t
Main power plant
Steam Turbine Steam Boilers Screw Turbine Generators Diesel Generators	4 x 50,000 l/s 8 4 fixed steps 9 x 1,500 kW 6 x 1,500 kW
Driving performance
Full speed Range at full speed Economic speed Range at economy speed Endurance	29 knots 3,850 miles 18 knots 8,500 miles 45 days
carrier-based aviation
Aircraft Helicopters
Air defense missile and artillery complex
Kinzhal 24 launchers 192 Kashtan vertical-launch missiles, 4 control modules, 8 combat modules 256 missiles and 48,000 30mm AK-630 rounds 8 x 6 anti-aircraft guns with 24,000 rounds
Anti-submarine weapons
"Boa-1" - 60 missiles
Control systems
Combat information center Aviation combat information center Fighter aircraft control system Navigation complex Radio communications complex Space communications complex Electronic countermeasures system Hydroacoustic complex with a torpedo detection channel
Radar stations
Airborne early warning radar Low-flying target detection radar Flight control radar Navigational radar 4 air defense fire control radars

In such a state, it could be more about the elimination of naval aviation as a branch of the Navy, than about any prospects.

Carrier-based aviation: a new hope

The prospects for major changes began to dawn after a contract was signed in 2011 for the construction of Mistral-type amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy. Obtaining even two such ships implies a serious modernization of the fleet's existing helicopter fleet and the construction of new machines. The main novelty was the Ka-52K carrier-based attack helicopters, designed to support the marines and special forces units during operations on the coast. In addition, they will be able to hit surface targets. This type of helicopter is currently being tested. On February 8, 2014, a contract was signed for the supply of 16 Ka-52Ks to the Russian Navy.

KA-52K

Following the renewal of the fleet of helicopters (expressed, among other things, in the arrival of the upgraded anti-submarine Ka-27M with digital equipment to the fleet), it was the turn of the modernization of the air wing of the only Russian aircraft carrier.

Ka-27M

The Ka-27 is designed to detect, track and destroy submarines at depths of up to 500 m at speeds of up to 75 km/h with sea waves up to 5 points day and night in simple and bad weather conditions.

The diameter of the rotors is 15.9 m, the fuselage length is 12.25 m, the width is 3.8 m, the height is 5.4 m. The mass of the combat load is 2 tons. The crew is 3-4 people. Max Speed- 270 km / h. Flight range - 800 km.

It is planned that the Ka-27 will be based on Mistral-type helicopter carriers, which Russia will purchase from France in accordance with the concluded contract.

In addition to the overhaul of the remaining Su-33s, which can then be operated until the mid-to-late 2020s, Admiral Kuznetsov should receive new MiG-29K carrier-based fighters. As a result, its air wing will include 12-16 Su-33 and 24 MiG-29K fighters, which will significantly increase the capabilities of the aircraft carrier, bringing the composition of its air group closer to that originally planned back in the 1980s.

As a more distant perspective, a promising fifth-generation carrier-based fighter, created within the framework of the PAK KA program - a promising aviation complex for naval aviation, is considered.

It is assumed that this machine will be a naval version of the "land" fifth-generation fighter T-50, which first took to the air in 2010 and is currently being tested. The appearance of a new deck carrier is possible in the first half of the 2020s, and it will have to replace the Su-33 on the overhauled Admiral Kuznetsov, and also form the basis of the air wing of the new Russian aircraft carrier, the project of which is currently being developed.

Multifunctional fighter Su-30SM

Main flight performance Su-30SM: crew - 2 people;

length - 21.9 m; height - 6.36 m;

maximum takeoff weight - 34500 kg;

Max. speed - 2125 km / h; combat radius of action - 1500 km.

Armament: 30-mm built-in gun GSh-30-1; suspension points - 12; combat load - 8000 kg.

After Crimea: the return of striking power

In 2014, the plans for the development of the armed forces in general and the Navy in particular had to be seriously adjusted taking into account the changing situation: the reunification with Crimea greatly changed the situation not only on the southwestern borders of Russia, but also in the world. The changes also affected naval aviation. In particular, strike forces will return to its composition. These plans were discussed even before the Crimean events, but they became a catalyst for the process.

In the next few years, the fleet will receive Su-30SM multi-role fighters, which can provide effective support to warships both in maritime theaters (in the Black, Japanese, Baltic Seas) and increase the radius of aviation support in ocean theaters, operating from bases on the Kola Peninsula, Sakhalin and Kamchatka.
It is expected that by the end of 2015 a contract will be signed for the supply of 50 fighters of this type for the Russian Navy, in the future this number may increase. Su-30SMs are also supplied to the Air Force (60 aircraft under two existing contracts). The update will also affect anti-submarine aviation, the range of tasks of which will be significantly expanded. In most developed countries, with the development of on-board electronic equipment, anti-submarine aircraft began to turn into multi-purpose maritime patrol vehicles during upgrades. A striking example is the modernized P-3 Orion of the US Navy, peers and classmates of the Russian Il-38.

In the course of evolution over the past 30 years, Orions have learned to attack surface ships with anti-ship missiles, operate as an early warning and control aircraft, patrol the exclusive economic zone and territorial waters, searching for smugglers and poachers.

P-3"Orion"

A similar modernization is already underway on Russian anti-submarine vehicles - the first Il-38N was handed over to the fleet on July 15, 2014. But for the full range of tasks that Russia faces with its longest sea border in the world, combined with the steady melting of the polar ice, 28 Il-38s, which are planned to be modernized, are clearly not enough - for example, the United States has 130 machines of this class.

Il-38N

At the same time, many American experts also consider this number to be insufficient.

A-42PE seaplane project

Russia cannot compete with the United States, catching up with them in terms of the number of naval aviation, but there are opportunities for significantly strengthening naval aviation with the purchase of new aircraft.

First of all, we are talking about the A-42 seaplane, which was created on the basis of the A-40 Albatross developed in the 80s of the last century.

A-40 "Albatross"

These machines, capable of landing on the water, among other tasks of maritime patrol aircraft, can be used in rescue operations.

A-42RE

The military department has already announced plans for the purchase of the A-42. In particular, in 2008 it was reported about the intention to purchase four such aircraft in the search and rescue version by 2010, and then move on to the purchase of multi-purpose vehicles capable of carrying weapons. However, these plans have not yet been implemented. According to the former commander of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Navy, Lieutenant General Valery Uvarov, the Russian Navy would need 15-20 new seaplanes to cover the need for search and rescue vehicles and significantly strengthen the fleet of anti-submarine aircraft. It is hardly possible to talk about the complete replacement of old machines with the A-42 - given the state of the Taganrog plant where these machines are produced, as well as the smaller Be-200, purchased by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, it may take about 20 years to complete an order for at least 40 of these machines .

Be-200

Another option that would make it possible to completely replace the fleet of old aircraft within an acceptable timeframe is the purchase of Tu-214P aircraft. This machine, created on the basis of the Tu-204/214 airliner, is roughly equivalent in ideology to the latest American P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft, created on the basis of the B-737 airliner.

H-8 Poseidon

D Landing ship "Mistral"

Deployment of serial production of such machines by order of the Navy is a more realistic task than launching a large series of A-42s, and, among other things, this will support the production of Tu-204 aircraft, for which there are practically no commercial orders today. The production of 50-60 such machines over ten years, combined with a small series of A-42s, oriented primarily to rescue missions, could generally alleviate the problem and lay the foundation for the further development of naval aviation. Finally, it is possible to support an aviation group in the near zone by ordering Il-114 aircraft in a patrol modification. Such machines can quite effectively provide patrols in closed maritime theaters, releasing the modernized Il-38N and, if ordered, Tu-214P, for ocean theaters.

Assessing the prospects for changes in naval aviation in general, we can say that the key task of this type of naval force remains to ensure the fleet's ability to protect its own maritime frontiers. Nevertheless, some attention is also paid to the possibilities of force projection - the modernization of the Admiral Kuznetsov air wing, the planned overhaul of the aircraft carrier itself, the construction of two landing ships of the Mistral type will allow the Navy to form a core of forces capable of conducting local operations at a great distance from bases with a full-fledged aviation support.

The performance characteristics of Mistral

T about tonnage (standard) 16,500 tons Tonnage (full) 21,300 tons
Tonnage (limit) 32,300 tons
Overall length 199 m Beam at waterline 32 m Height 64.3 m Draft (with HAS) 6.3 m
Booking no
Power point:
- 3 diesel generators "Vyartsilya" 16 V32 (6.2 MW)
- 1 Vartsila diesel generator 18V200 (3.3 MW)
- 2 Alstom Mermaid propellers (7 MW)
Power 20 400 l. With. (15 MW)
Propellers 2 x 5-bladed
Maximum speed 19 knots Cruise speed 18 knots
cruising range:
- 10,800 km (5,800 miles) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
- 19,800 km (10,700 miles) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Autonomy of navigation 30 days
Crew 160 (20 officers) + 450 Marines
Armament
Radar armament: 2 DRBN-38A Decca Bridgemaster E250 navigation radars, MRR3D-NG target detection radar
Anti-aircraft armament: 2x2 Simbad SAM launchers, 2 Breda-Mauser 30mm gun mounts, 4 12.7mm Browning machine guns
Aviation group: 16 heavy helicopters or 32 light helicopters

A further increase in such opportunities depends primarily on the prospects for the country's economic development.

On July 17, the pilots of the Russian Navy (Navy) celebrate their professional holiday - Aviation Day of the Russian Navy.

The holiday was established in accordance with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy of the Russian Federation No. 253 dated July 15, 1996 "On the introduction of annual holidays and professional days in the specialty", and the date was chosen in honor of the first victory of Russian naval pilots in an air battle over the Baltic Sea. On July 17 (July 4, old style), 1916, four seaplanes took off from the aircraft carrier Orlitsa of the Baltic Fleet and entered into battle over the sea with four German aircraft to protect the Russian naval base on the island of Saaremaa from German attacks. During the battle, which ended in a complete victory for the Russian naval pilots, two Kaiser airplanes were shot down, and two fled. This day is considered to be the birthday of the naval aviation of the Russian Navy.

Since the birth of aircraft construction in Russia, attempts have been made to use airplanes for the needs of the army and navy. In 1909, Captain Lev Matsievich at a meeting of the Marine Technical Committee in his report "On the Type of Marine Airplane" outlined the idea of ​​the possibility of using aircraft from ships. He also developed a project for a special airplane with a reinforced landing gear, which was caused by the conditions of boarding the ship. In the spring of 1910, a group of Russian naval officers and lower ranks was sent abroad to learn aeronautics.

The history of naval aviation began in 1910-1911 with the creation of the first seaplanes and the successful experience of taking off and landing an aircraft on a surface ship. In March 1910, the French engineer Henri Fabre made the first successful takeoff from the water in a seaplane, and in August 1911, the first flight in an amphibious aircraft. The first float plane in Russia was built by engineer Yakov Gakkel in February 1911. The first successful takeoff of a wheeled aircraft from the deck of a ship was performed in November 1910 by the American pilot Eugene Ely from the cruiser Birmingham; in January 1911, he also carried out the first successful landing of an aircraft on the deck of the cruiser Pennsylvania.

In 1911-1913, the Russian government purchased aircraft from abroad to boost the domestic naval aircraft industry. The same aircraft in a modified form were then built at domestic factories.

The first shipborne aircraft were seaplanes launched by crane on the water for takeoff and lifted onto the ship from the water after landing, which was explained by the cheapness and ease of execution of this method of organizing flights at sea. AT Russian fleet For the first time in the world, as early as 1913, the conversion of steamships into air transport began.

The first naval aviation units in Russia were formed as part of the Baltic and Black Sea Fleets in 1912-1914. In 1915-1916, Dmitry Grigorovich's domestic flying boats M-5 and M-9, which were distinguished by high flight characteristics for that time, entered service. By the beginning of the First World War, Russia had 65 naval military aircraft.

In the course of the war, along with the tasks of patrolling, reconnaissance, target designation and adjustment of artillery fire, naval aviation began to search for submarines, cover ships and bases, and bomb sea and land targets. By 1917, the naval aviation of the Navy of the Russian Empire consisted of 269 seaplanes, flying boats of domestic designs and foreign-made wheeled fighters.

Regular units of the Soviet naval aviation were created in 1918 and took part in the Civil War, interacting with ships and troops in the battles near Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), in the Baltic, the Black Sea, on the Volga, Kama, Northern Dvina and Lake Onega rivers .

In 1920, naval aviation was transferred to the Workers' and Peasants' Red Air Fleet (since 1924 - the Air Force of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, Air Force of the Red Army). From May 1935 to January 1937, she was part of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Fleet (RKKF), then was again reassigned to the Red Army Air Force. In 1938, the Air Force of the Navy was created, which by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War(1941-1945) numbered about 2.5 thousand aircraft. Of these, two aviation brigades and several separate squadrons were formed in each fleet (Baltic, Black Sea, Pacific and Northern). Naval aviation included 45% fighters, 25% reconnaissance aircraft, 14% bombers and 10% torpedo bombers.

At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Soviet naval aviation operated mainly on land fronts. In August - September 1941, pilots of the Baltic Fleet made eight raids on Berlin and other German targets. Since 1943, the main efforts of naval aviation have been aimed at destroying enemy ships and sea vehicles. In total, Soviet naval pilots accounted for more than 5.5 thousand enemy aircraft destroyed. From their attacks, fascist Germany and its allies lost 407 warships and 371 vehicles with troops and cargo, which amounted to about half of the enemy's total losses from the impact of the forces of the Soviet navy. 241 aviators were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and five people were awarded it twice.

In the post-war years, naval aviation was re-equipped with jet aircraft, received new means of destruction - guided and unguided missiles, bombs, torpedoes and missiles with nuclear charges etc. In 1960-1961, mine-torpedo and fighter aircraft were liquidated and new types of aircraft were created - missile-carrying and anti-submarine. With the creation of Soviet aircraft-carrying ships, carrier-based aviation appeared.

After the collapse of the USSR, naval aviation units located on the territory of the RSFSR became part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

AT modern Russia naval aviation is a branch of the forces of the Navy, designed to search for and destroy the combat forces of the enemy fleet, landing units, convoys and single ships (vessels) at sea and at bases; covering groupings of ships and fleet facilities from enemy air strikes; destruction of planes, helicopters and cruise missiles; air reconnaissance; aiming at the ship forces of the enemy of their strike forces and issuing target designation to them. It is also involved in mine setting, mine action, electronic warfare(EW), air transportation and landing, search and rescue operations at sea. The basis of naval aviation is aircraft and helicopters for various purposes.

Functionally, naval aviation is divided into types of aviation: naval missile-carrying; anti-submarine; fighter; reconnaissance and auxiliary purposes (long-range radar detection and guidance, electronic warfare, mine action, control and communications, refueling aircraft in the air, search and rescue, transport, sanitary).

According to the place of basing, it is subdivided into carrier-based aviation (on aircraft-carrying ships) and coastal-based aviation (at airfields).

Further development of naval aviation is in the direction of improving all types of aircraft, increasing their speed, range and duration of flight, equipping them with high-precision guided weapons, widespread introduction of electronic computers, control systems and methods, automation tools for collecting, processing information and issuing target designation for destruction. any targets with high accuracy, creation of means of search and destruction of surface and underwater targets on new physical principles, increasing their invisibility and combat stability.

In 2017, the naval aviation of the Navy was replenished with new aircraft, and the existing equipment was being updated in several areas. So, work was underway to re-equip the coastal tactical aviation forces of the naval aviation of the Navy with Su-30SM aircraft, which in the future will become their main aircraft. In 2018, in the naval aviation fleet of aircraft with a significant service life. This concerns the modernization of the Il-38 aircraft into the Il-38N Novella variant and the renewal of the Ka-27 helicopter fleet to the Ka-27M, which in the near future will form the basis of anti-submarine forces and target designation forces for ship groups.

Chief of Naval Aviation of the Russian Navy, Major General Igor Kozhin.

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

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