little more than a hundred years ago, Nicholas II authorized the establishment of a squadron of planes "Ilya Muromets".It was then that originated long-range aviation in our country.About the major milestones in its history, you will read in this article.
But first must pay tribute to those people who stood at the head of the industry.Who were the commanders of the long-range aviation?Let's list them:
- PV Androsov.
- AE Golovanov.
- PS Deinekin.
- AD Zhiharev.
- IM Kalugin.
- AA Novikov, who later became a marshal.
- Mikhail Oparin.
- VV Reshetnikov.
These commanders have done much to improve the defense capabilities of our country.
"Ilya Muromets": how it all began
At the end of 1914 imperial command was created Squadron "Muromtsev" headed by Mikhail was put Szydlowski.For the first time in the world there was such a large compound of four-engined bombers and long-range aviation was born as such.Actually, the "grandfather" of her first rose on the wing has 23 December 1913.
«Murom", which is better known as C-22, created the legendary Sikorsky factory Russo-Balt.For its time, it was an incredible machine, motors which could easily lift into the air as much as five tons of mass.The plane had just two gun platforms, which for those times was just as advanced technology.
participation in World War
Ironically, a squadron of aircraft was equipped with a fine, that the Russian army in those years was a pleasant exception.In the four years from 1914 to 1918, the aircraft completed more than four hundred sorties.Losses amounted to just one plane.
By 1917, Sikorski was created fundamentally new version, "type F".Total plans to build up to 120 aircraft, but then came the revolution.Some cars burned, so they do not fall into German hands, and the rest for some time was used as a teaching and vehicles.
The era Tupolev
But that was only the beginning.On the next level long-range aviation of the USSR came when the aircraft was established TB-3.Designing in charge Andrei Tupolev Design Bureau.The development of the machine was launched in 1926.Within five years, not only began large-scale production, but also the formation of the body of heavy bombers that for those years would have been unthinkable in any country of the world.
In the same 1934 was created TB-4, which remained in history under the name "Maxim Gorky".It was a machine of wide profile, which could be used for almost all purposes.
first flight took place in 1934, was at the helm of Mikhail Gromov.This machine set two world records: to lift loads of ten and fifteen tons to a height of five kilometers.It is the "bitter" flew the legendary writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery.But the age of the aircraft was short-lived, since it detects all new design flaws and shortcomings.But the story continued long-range aircraft.
new record distance
Already in 1932, the same bureau Tupolev developed a completely new aircraft with an all-metal fuselage, the ANT-25.The car was excellent, it was her best pilots of those years have set several world records.So, Chkalov flew it from Moscow to the Far East, covering a distance of 9375 kilometers.June 18, 1937 is the same command of the crew Chkalov, who performed the flight to the United States.
Just a month - a new record.Although this time the Soviet pilots flew back to America, but the ultimate goal was California, not Washington.During this trip it was beaten just two (!) World records.Firstly, the team overcame the 10,148 kilometers in a straight line and was able to fly 11,500 kilometers, walking on the broken line the shoreline.
legendary Ilyushin
In 1933, the leadership of the young country decided to gather all prospective aircraft designers in one place, as urgently needed a new long-range aircraft, equipped with the best, the most promising machines.This is how was born the famous CDB, which stood at the head of Sergei Ilyushin.In just two years with a team of like-minded people, he creates a new long-range bomber DB-3.He spent long departures test pilot Vladimir Kokkinaki.Already in 1936, the aircraft began to arrive en masse by the Soviet army.
improved model of the same car, which appeared two years later, called IL-4.He received powerful engines and new weapons.Before the war, in the middle of 1940, DB-3 is removed from the conveyor, and its place is taken by IL-4.Whole country produced 1528 cars DB-3 family, which participated in both the Finnish and the Great Patriotic War.
first Soviet attack aircraft Ilyushin was also created.His IL-2 brought fame to this constructor.Today, the legendary IL-76 is the main military transport aircraft of our country is worthy of continuing the work of his ancestor.
Great Patriotic War, the role of aviation
For June 22, 1941 range aircraft began to carry out its first combat missions.And on the second day of the war (!), They have caused "a courtesy visit" Nazis bombed by Danzig, Konigsberg, as well as some cities in Poland and Hungary.
main engines were Pe-8, SB-3, IL-4 and Pe-2.The backbone of long-range aviation was the direction described above, IL-4.In all the years of the war they have committed thousands of sorties by doing an incredible amount of problems.It must be said that the long-range aviation in the period "gave birth to" a lot of the heroes of the Soviet Union.Total 269 privates and officers received this high title, and six have received it twice.
But the price was high: after World War II aviators were practically "on the beans', having lost most of the aircraft fleet.And it's been not only in quantitative terms: 1,800 aircraft more or less modern, suitable for solving important problems had only three dozen cars.And so the decision was made to copy an American B-29, made on the basis of its new aircraft.
Already in 1947 was arranged production of heavy Tu-4.As soon as possible has been done tremendous work aimed at adapting aircraft under domestic conditions and weapons designers managed to significantly improve the reliability of the machines.In 1951, these were the first domestic aircraft carriers of nuclear weapons.
postwar work
In mid-1950, new long-range aviation aircraft, predetermined the development of the industry for decades to come.It was at this time was developed and got commissioned epic Tu-95 "Bear", which still stands on the defense lines of our country, as well as some other machine.
So, Tu-16, which earned him the nickname "The Badger", was the first monoplane with swept wings.The first machine was assembled in 1953.Her crew is six or more people.The main weapon for self-defense began to bow automatic gun PU-88 and three-gun turrets, controlled remotely.Subsequently, the aircraft received seven guns AM-23, the caliber of which was 23 millimeters.
«Badgers" and their long-range aviation pilots took an active part in the "Six Day War" of 1967, virtually all other Arab-Israeli conflict at the time and managed to participate in the Afghan campaign.
Tu-95, the Russian "Bear»
experience this monumental plane in 1952.This all-metal midwing with four turboprop engines, which were installed directly into swept wings.His "highlight" of just the same and are the motors NK-12, which still remain the best turboprop in its class.
aircraft can carry twelve tons of bomb load.Furthermore, in the bomb bay can be mounted bombs weighing up to ten tons.In 2010, they set a new record: over 43 hours bombers flew 30 thousand kilometers.The peculiarity of this action in the fact that its conduct used conventional production machines.So that the Russian long-range aviation, even turboprop performance still represents a formidable force.
Bomber ZM
This machine was made in 1956-1960.A feature of the aircraft was the newest weapons systems "backbone" which was a special D-5 missile, which could hit confidence as sea and ground targets.Range its entire flight was 280 km, and the rate was higher than the speed of sound three times.It should be noted that these missile has long formed the backbone of Strategic Air Command in the Far East.
Today, long-range aviation of the Russian Federation represented by several machines, including Tu-95 and Tu-160, but the "old" ZM were retired recently.Accurate information about whether there were currently planes of this family that can get in the air, no.
Cold War and the long-range aviation
After Germany was defeated, the sphere of influence all over the world were redrawn again.Formed NATO and the Warsaw Pact alliance that did not feed each other special love.Today, historians and military themselves believe that only a miracle at the time does not start World War III.
is not surprising that in those years was strategic aviation was one of the guarantors of peace in the world, supporting the fortress of the nuclear shield of the country.Up until 1961 the planes were the most important means of delivering nuclear bombs to the probable opponent.By the way, the command, the aircraft stood at the head of the first Soviet missile division.
change in direction of development of
After the war it became clear that it was time to move from an old turboprop aircraft to jet engines.In principle, the first jet IL-28 appeared in the far end of 1940.Of course, this aircraft was in some ways a breakthrough, but still on the design required a lot of work.
So, at the beginning of 1970 (on the basis of relatively old TU-22) was a new missile K-22.In addition, there are other versions of this aircraft.We are talking about machines Tu-22M2 and Tu-22M3.They are characterized by the fact that in their design and manufacture were massively used the new technologies and materials, which up to that time are used exclusively in space.
Finally it's time beautiful "White Swan", the Tu-160.He became one of the symbols of the entire Cold War.It was the world's first aircraft of this size with variable geometry wing design that has been used thousands of advanced technical solutions, many of which are unique to this day.The impetus for the realization of the need to develop something like steel intelligence, which reported on the beginning of the creation of the plane B-1.
first "White Swan" took off from the airfield "Ramenskoye".It happened at the end of December 1981.In 1984, at the Kazan aviation plant began mass production of unique machines.
In mid-2003, these aircraft flew over the Indian Ocean, crossing the airspace of many countries.Until long-range aviation in Russia (which has a photo in the article) flights this extent is not satisfied in principle.Last September, two Tu-160 flew to Venezuela, cementing the allied relations between the two countries.
can say with confidence that the development of strategic aviation - a pledge of statehood and security of our country in the coming years.
