Soviet Aviation And Air Power

In the light of new archival material the editors take a fresh look at Russian aviation in the twentieth century. Presenting a comprehensive view of Russian aviation, from its genesis in the late czarist period to the present era, the approach is essentially chronological with a major emphasis on the evolution of military aviation. The contributions are diverse, with appropriate attention to civilian and institutional themes.

This book is the story of Russian aviation and Soviet Russia's progress in preparing its strength as an air power. It discusses the Russia-Germany connect post 1919, how Russians gained expertise from German know-how, and post World War II progress from Stalin to Strategic Arms Limitation Talks.

"From the team that published the 'Famous Russian Aircraft' series comes Soviet Air Power in World War 2, the authoritative guide to all of the aircraft flown by the Soviet Air Force during the conflict." "As well as exploring in-depth the individual aircraft types, this book also takes a closer look at the Soviet Air Force's structure and aircraft fleet. Included are all of the unit insignia of Soviet air armies, divisions and regiments, as well as the varied artwork and camouflage schemes used on individual aircraft. An extensive selection of unseen photographs and colour side views of all the aircraft types that operated in the immediate pre-war years and in World War 2 are featured, including many British and American aircraft flown by the Soviet Air Force and Soviet Naval Aviation. The book also reveals information about the Soviet Air Force commanders and famous aces of the period; the aces' aircraft and their personal insignia are illustrated, as well as the combat operations they flew against the Axis air forces between 1941 and 1945." "Written by an acknowledged expert in Soviet and Russian military aviation, and illustrated with photographs, profiles and detailed line drawings, this guide to the Soviet Air Force in World War 2 will be of interest not only to aviation and military history enthusiasts but to modellers of this period."--BOOK JACKET.

"The Russian Air Force carries the mantle of the erstwhile 'Red Air Force' of the Soviet Union and has a long and illustrious history backed by grand traditions and customs. The Russian Air Force is still coming to grips with its changed circumstances after the collapse of the Soviet Union and is perhaps in the best shape of the three armed forces to be able to lend credence to the Russian Federation's claim to international influence and power projection capabilities. Doctrine is the reflection of a nation's character, and air power doctrine is influenced by the strategic culture of a nation. Nowhere else is this more apparent than in the case of the Russian Air Force. The Red Air Force has been directly influenced by the political upheavals in the Soviet Union and now Russia, but has displayed exemplary resilience in continuing to provide adequate support for government policies. The impact of political ideology on the development of doctine and air power has not been greater in any other air force around the world. This book is an extension of a doctoral thesis produced in 2005 and is essential reading for anyone trying to come to grips with the intricate relationship that exists between national security imperatives, political ideology and the development of military doctrine."--Back cover

A follow up to the hugely popular first publication of Russian Air Power in 2009, Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov bring readers the fully updated and revised new edition. The original volume was the first comprehensive survey published on all the Russian Air Forces and was the result of Yefim Gordon's unrivalled access to information on Russian air forces. Since the first edition was published Russia has undergone a complete restructuring of its air forces. The previous edition of Russian Air Power described the Russian Air Force's post-Soviet organisation, order of battle and, to a certain extent, the types in Russian Air Force service. In the course of the 20 years that have had elapsed since the demise of the Soviet Union the Russian Air Force and Russian Naval Aviation have had repeatedly been reformed; still, the Russian government was not happy with the results. The Russian President voiced his dissatisfaction with the Air Force's performance especially strongly after the August 2008 operation in the Caucasus whose aim was to 'compel Georgia to peace'. The many reforms of the Russian aircraft industry, too, have failed to yield the desired results. Therefore, the Russian political leaders and military top brass took the decision in 2009 to launch yet another reform of the Russian Armed Forces, including the Air Force. The new Air Force organisation is to improve the control of first-line units by eliminating superfluous and inefficient links in the chain of command. In 2009 the customary air armies, air divisions and air regiments were replaced by aviation bases, each of which comprises two or three squadrons operating a single type or several types of aircraft. In the course of reorganisation a sizeable number of airbases (military airfields) were transferred to the Air Force reserve and are presently unoccupied. Many air regiments were disbanded, their personnel and aircraft being transferred to other aviation bases. Each aviation base has its unique number and is a direct reporting unit. Moreover, in late 2008 the Russian Air Force started fielding new aircraft and helicopter types. The long-awaited maiden flight of the Sukhoi T-50 (alias PAK FA) – Russia's fifth-generation fighter – took place in late January 2010. The Russian Air Force has a lot riding on this aircraft; some defence analysts believe that the T-50 outperforms the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor in several parameters. The Russian Navy has ordered the new MiG-29K/MiG-29KUB shipboard fighter to complement the Su-33; for the Russian Air Force's strategic arm, funding has been allocated for further work on the PAK DA, a new bomber that is to be far superior to both the Russian Tu-160 and the American B-2. Following a re structuring to Russian's air forces, Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov provide readers with a fully revised and updated new edition of the popular Russian Air Power.The title will include any updates made since the publication of the first edition and provide a true picture of Russian Air Power and forces today. The new book will describe all the changes that have taken place in the Russian Air Force. The contents are completely revised and packed with extensive detail, photographs and colour artworks.

At the peak of the Cold War in the 1950s the Soviet Union possessed some 12,000 aircraft, making it the largest air force of all the protagonists. By the 1990s this had declined to around 8,000, the reduction largely reflecting the increase in aircraft capability. As well as fighters and bombers, the Soviet inventory included trainers, transports, seaplanes, electronic warfare and ground attack aircraft, as well as an impressive helicopter fleet, notably the Mi-24 ‘Hind’ gunship and the massive Homer transport. The Tu-4 ‘Bull’ was the first Russian nuclear-capable bomber, a copy of the US B-29, which was followed by their range of jet bombers, the Il-28 ‘Beagle’, Tu-16 ‘Badger’ and M-4 ‘Bison’. The prop driven Tu-20 ‘Bear’ and its successors including the Tu-22 ‘Backfire’ and finally the Tu-160 ‘Backfire’, were all formidable. The jet-engined MiG-15 fighter entered service in 1948 and proved itself during the Korean War. The MiG-17, MiG-19 and MiG-21 followed . Ground-attack aircraft included the Su-7 ‘Fitter’ and M-23 ‘Flogger’. The 1970s saw the MiG-25 ‘Foxbat’ interceptor, followed by the MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum’ and Su-27 ‘Flanker’, coming into service. All these aircraft and many more are authoritatively described and vividly illustrated in this comprehensive work.

This report assesses trends and prospects in Russian military aviation, drawing on the extensive reportage on air power in the Russian defense literature since the onset of glasnost in 1986.