Download on the Appstore
Brief.
Curated.
Every day.
Download on the Appstore Get it on Google play

Download RBTH Daily app for free to be up to date with what’s new in Russia. Get a fresh and brief digest every day.

Follow the link to learn more
Russia Beyond The Headlines
RBTH RBTH RBTH RBTH RBTH RBTH RBTH RBTH RBTH
Top 12 self-portraits by Russian artists Hunting Soviet-style: Sport for heads of state

Top 10 Russia’s finest military planes

The very latest aircraft, not yet in service, plus others with a distinguished record are featured in a new gallery by RBTH
By Ksenia Isaeva, RBTH
On August 12, 2014, the Russian Air Force marks its 102nd anniversary. The appearance and capability of these birds of prey, ever on call to defend the nation, have changed a lot over the years. The very latest aircraft, not yet in service, plus others with a distinguished record are featured in a gallery by RBTH.
Scroll down to see more

ITAR-TASS

On August 12, 2014, the Russian Air Force marks its 102nd anniversary. The appearance and capability of these birds of prey, ever on call to defend the nation, have changed a lot over the years. The very latest aircraft, not yet in service, plus others with a distinguished record are featured in a gallery by RBTH.
The Su-35S is a “4++” generation super-maneuverable multi-purpose single-seat fighter, currently being delivered to the Russian Air Force. In 2013, at the Le Bourget Air Show in France, the Su-35 caused a commotion. Not for nothing was it dubbed a show-stopper: when it took to the skies, the exhibition really did come to a standstill.

Anton Denisov / RIA Novosti

The Su-35S is a “4++” generation super-maneuverable multi-purpose single-seat fighter, currently being delivered to the Russian Air Force. In 2013, at the Le Bourget Air Show in France, the Su-35 caused a commotion. Not for nothing was it dubbed a show-stopper: when it took to the skies, the exhibition really did come to a standstill.
Sea-based aviation is a separate category. Take-off and landing on the swaying deck of an aircraft carrier out at sea — and hooking on to the arresting cable — is beyond the skills of many pilots. The Su-33, the Russian Navy’s primary deck-based aircraft, flies with the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s only aircraft carrier.

ITAR-TASS

Sea-based aviation is a separate category. Take-off and landing on the swaying deck of an aircraft carrier out at sea — and hooking on to the arresting cable — is beyond the skills of many pilots. The Su-33, the Russian Navy’s primary deck-based aircraft, flies with the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s only aircraft carrier.
The T-50 PAK FA is a future fifth-generation tactical multi-role fighter, currently slated for delivery only in 2016. In the meantime it is undergoing testing at Akhtubinsk, and occasionally makes an appearance at MAKS and Aviadarts, the most important air shows in Russia.

ITAR-TASS

The T-50 PAK FA is a future fifth-generation tactical multi-role fighter, currently slated for delivery only in 2016. In the meantime it is undergoing testing at Akhtubinsk, and occasionally makes an appearance at MAKS and Aviadarts, the most important air shows in Russia.
The Su-24 is a tactical bomber with a variable-sweep wing, renowned for its elongated nose (which earned it the nickname “Fencer”) and for the angular shape of its body (earning it the additional title of “Suitcase”)

ITAR-TASS

The Su-24 is a tactical bomber with a variable-sweep wing, renowned for its elongated nose (which earned it the nickname “Fencer”) and for the angular shape of its body (earning it the additional title of “Suitcase”)
The Tu-160 strategic bomber, known as the “White Swan,” is the largest supersonic aircraft in the world. The Russian Air Force only has 16 these days, but that is still enough for nuclear deterrence purposes. After 2020, Russia will implement the PAK DA program to create a next-generation long-range aviation complex, which will gradually replace the Tu-160 and Tu-95.

Lystseva Maria

The Tu-160 strategic bomber, known as the “White Swan,” is the largest supersonic aircraft in the world. The Russian Air Force only has 16 these days, but that is still enough for nuclear deterrence purposes. After 2020, Russia will implement the PAK DA program to create a next-generation long-range aviation complex, which will gradually replace the Tu-160 and Tu-95.
The MiG-29 is another of Russia’s most widely known and produced combat aircraft. Unveiled in 1977, it was dubbed the “Fulcrum” by NATO. Aces from the Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic performance team display their mastery of the skies in this plane.

ITAR-TASS

The MiG-29 is another of Russia’s most widely known and produced combat aircraft. Unveiled in 1977, it was dubbed the “Fulcrum” by NATO. Aces from the Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic performance team display their mastery of the skies in this plane.
Russia’s only combat trainer aircraft is the Yak-130. During training, the autopilot can level the plane in an emergency and prompt what actions the novice pilot needs to take.

Ramil Sitdikov / RIA Novosti

Russia’s only combat trainer aircraft is the Yak-130. During training, the autopilot can level the plane in an emergency and prompt what actions the novice pilot needs to take.
The Su-34 is an all-weather two-seat fighter-bomber. It is heavy (38 metric tons) and very recognizable by the streamlined shape of the fuselage and characteristically flattened nose. Only in 2014 was it officially adopted into service. This is the primary strike aircraft of the Russian Air Force, able to fire all types of high-precision air-to-surface weapons.

ITAR-TASS

The Su-34 is an all-weather two-seat fighter-bomber. It is heavy (38 metric tons) and very recognizable by the streamlined shape of the fuselage and characteristically flattened nose. Only in 2014 was it officially adopted into service. This is the primary strike aircraft of the Russian Air Force, able to fire all types of high-precision air-to-surface weapons.
The IL-76MD is a heavy military transporter designed to carry and land people, equipment, and supplies for various purposes. It was the Soviet Union’s first turbojet military transport aircraft.

Vladimir Astapkovich / RIA Novosti

The IL-76MD is a heavy military transporter designed to carry and land people, equipment, and supplies for various purposes. It was the Soviet Union’s first turbojet military transport aircraft.
The A-50 is Russia's only radar surveillance and trackingq aircraft, with a huge and easily recognizable satellite dish mounted on its back. Based on the Il-76MD with on-board radio systems, the A-50 “Bumblebee” is the eyes and ears of the Russian Air Force

ITAR-TASS

The A-50 is Russia's only radar surveillance and trackingq aircraft, with a huge and easily recognizable satellite dish mounted on its back. Based on the Il-76MD with on-board radio systems, the A-50 “Bumblebee” is the eyes and ears of the Russian Air Force
Print page
August 12, 2014
Tags: military, aviation, defense

Related articles

Read more

+
Like us on Facebook