Russia has long been struggling with the United States for the priority in the creation of the fighter twenty-first century, combining the characteristics of a supersonic supermanevrennoy war machine and technology "Stealth".The aircraft, which has such qualities, should not overreach by means of infrared and radar surveillance.Built like a fighter of the future is not only able to dramatically improve the efficiency of the national Air Force, but also provide a powerful argument to compete in the global arms market.
Until very recently, the leading design bureaus and aircraft manufacturers did not work to unite in a single combat air vehicle such contradictory characteristics in the technological aspect.Moreover, Russia remained largely in the role of catch-up.Combining all these qualities, built on technology "Stealth" aircraft should be a major trump card in dealing with various geopolitical problems.
example, the MiG-29 was designed as an adequate response to the creation of an American fighter F-18s and Su-27 was a kind of counterbalance to the F-15.And although all these models at the time were a real breakthrough and a major achievement in the field of aviation, modern doctrines require the development of a fundamentally new fighter, combining excellent performance characteristics with technology "Stealth".The aircraft, construction of which is based on such a concept, should not only be available radars, but also possess the qualities of maneuverability and supersonic multi-purpose combat vehicle.
American aircraft invisible "Stealth» F-117 was not able to bring their designers to the desired goal.This machine has a very modest flight characteristics and could not take part in major air battles.United States Air Force to spend huge budget funds for the development of truly effective and invisible to radar winged predator.However, closer to the realization of this task, they were able only in the autumn of 1997, when we started testing the F-22 "Raptor".
But this time, American aircraft manufacturers could not count on the unconditional superiority.Since the beginning of the Sukhoi flight test machines S-37 "Berkut" just two weeks later their competitors.According to authoritative estimates of military experts, greatly exceeds the Russian fighter "Raptor", mainly due to the unique forward-swept wing.All this brought the competition of engineering and technology to a new round of confrontation.
After completion of the operation to seize Iraqi oil fields, ambitiously named "Desert Storm", US military officials tirelessly praised his aircraft F-117A of the company "Lockheed".These "black ghost" made several devastating raids on Baghdad, Iraqi air defenses could not even make out on their radar screens.The plane "Stealth", a photo which demonstrates the perfect geometry of the car became the epitome of the American thirty-year efforts of engineers to develop the technology.
Back in 1962, the company "Lockheed" attempted to create a stealth aircraft A-12.At first, these efforts have not yielded the desired result.You can still remember the "stealth" aircraft, air reconnaissance of the famous at the time the SR-71, got his nickname "Black Bird" because of the color corresponding to a special coating that absorbs radio waves.In the early 1970s, with the rapid development of computer technology and software the opportunity to flight simulation on a computer.Since the machine was designed, which had a minimum radiozametnost.Already in 1975, the designers of the company "Lockheed" created the first prototype stealth aircraft.In winter 1977, first flew on combat vehicle of the new generation F-117A, and six years later it adopted a US Air Force.
Encouraged by this success the Pentagon authorized the company "Northrop" develop the same technology a new strategic bomber, invulnerable to enemy air defenses.Work lasted nine years, completed the construction of the machine, code-symbol-2.When you create all of their "invisible" Americans are not used alien technology, as there were a lot of tall tales, and in theory development of our compatriots.
to absorb radio they used a special coating the ferromagnetic body.In addition, the Americans resorted to a variety of additional tweaks.For example, in the machine almost all the elements made of non-reflective radiation composite materials such as carbon fiber.All engines were equipped with noise-suppressing covers and forced cooling system, which reduces the intensity of the infrared emission.And a lot of what was used in the US "stealth".
But here there is a reasonable question about the effectiveness of these devices.And it turns out that huge amounts of money (billions of dollars!) Wasted.First of all, these machines were so capricious in operation that prepare them for the flight could only be on the basic ground.Besides passing it turned out that as soon as the "Stealth" wet, it begins to appear clearly on the radar screens, like the invisible man of the famous novel by HG Wells.Perhaps it is for this reason that during the war in Yugoslavia, F-117A was brought down in one of the first missions.
But finally dobilo survey of American scientists and aircraft manufacturers in the field of invention, made in Russia, which has developed a new technology for creating radionevidimosti.Near the plane generated by the special plasma cloud so intensely absorbing electromagnetic waves, the visibility of the machine on the radar screens is reduced by more than a hundred times.
