Over the past seven months, from the moment when Russia occupied and illegally joined Ukraine belonging to the Crimean peninsula, Vladimir Putin subordinate military provocations carried out by air, land and water dramatically increasing. This is most pronounced among the United States and its allies in military aircraft pilots.
Writes "The Washington Times, the United States and its allies in the aircraft almost daily rise in the air to meet the looming Russian military aircraft. Experts say that the Russians also check the American response to the impending threat of speed in Alaska, opportunities to meet Japanese of flights to the northern islands or Estonian military action.
Significantly increasing the tension in the air is well illustrated by the figures in Japan. As reported by Reuters, in the last six months, the country's fighter jets by the alarm to meet the upcoming Russian bomber or reconnaissance aircraft had twice as often as usual. According to the Japanese government during the last half of such incidents recorded in 324. During the previous six months - 136th
Russian military aviation provocations dramatically increasing and adjacent to the Baltic airspace protected by NATO fighters. Latvia alone on its borders in the air this year recorded over one hundred and fifty Russian provocations. And this number is increasing alarmingly.
Lithuania does not publish such numbers. However, more recently (second half of September), the Financial Times announced that the NATO air policing mission in fighter jets this year, even 68 times came to Lithuania's borders to monitor the upcoming Russian military aircraft. You can be sure that a month from the publication of the number of such aircraft still increased. It is the largest such aircraft over the last 10 years.
This week the Russian reconnaissance aircraft was invaded Estonia (and NATO) air space and there was about a minute.
Anxiety Russian Air Force presents and Scandinavians. Finns this year already captured five national airspace violations. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has said that in September took place in "the most serious inroads into the country's airspace, over eight years, where he holds the post of Minister.
Mostly Russian military aircraft fly off transponders that are not possible to determine their identification code, deviates from the flight plan or fly a total of without him. As a result, Russian military aircraft usually invisible civilian air traffic control systems and pose a threat to civil aviation.
Such operations in Russia using a variety of types and models of aircraft - from the smaller fighter Su-27 supersonic bomber Tu-22, to a nuclear weapon capable of delivering thousands of kilometers of giant strategic bomber Tu-95th
Every time there is a distance appears ominous approaching Russians, the air rises and met them in the United States, NATO and their partners fighters. "The Washington Times" made up of the best military aircraft manufactured in the United States, which uses American partners, ten. Battles at once to test aircraft for many years ensure superiority in the air not only their manufacturers to America, but also its partners.
Some planes are no longer used, but they got on the list because of the huge importance of American military aviation development history.
10. F-4 Phantom
In the tenth position in the list we find the American military is no longer available double, a twin-engine, all-weather conditions over long distances on capable supersonic fighter bomber F-4 Phantom.
Aircraft designed in the company "McDonnell Aircraft and originally produced the US Navy uses. Fleet in the arms of this plane took in 1960. Broad opportunities for the aircraft soon became a United States Marine Corps and the US Air Force assault force.
It was a big plane, have been able to develop up to 2.3 thousand. km / h. speed. The aircraft lifted up and was able to carry as much as 8 thousand. 400 kg of ammunition - to nine external attachment points mounted air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs.
Like some of the other current aircraft, originally the F-4 was supplied without external gun. However, later the plane was still equipped with the M61 Vulcan cannon rotating.
Starting in 1959, the F-4 "Phantom" has reached even 15 aviation records, including at the time the largest aircraft speed and maximum height of the boom.
The aircraft was widely used in the Vietnam War. Here it was important and fleet operations, and the Air Force tasks, support land forces operations in the late stage of the war by the intelligence tasks.
F-4 Phantom Seventies and eighty decades of the last century formed the striking power of the US aviation. However, later it gradually replaced the more modern aircraft: F-15 Eagle and F-16 (Air Force) F-14 Tomcat (fleet) and F / A-18 Hornet (Navy and Marine Corps).
Some time later the F-4 was used for reconnaissance and suppression of enemy air defense operations.
9. F-14 "Tomcat"
F-14 Tomcat is a double, a twin-engine supersonic fighter with variable geometry wings. The aircraft is designed and developed in the United States Navy pilot combat aircraft program VFAX after the collapse of the F-111B project.
F-14 was the first plane out of the so-called "teen" series. This series is developed and improved aircraft had to be adapted to the Vietnam War air battles gained experience. Under this program, the American aircraft were required to gain an advantage in the air against the Russian MiG series fighter.
The air in the F-14 for the first time rose in 1970. December. 1974. it was first deployed on the deck. Floating base of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), he changed the company, McDonnell Douglas produced at F-4 Phantom II.
Inducted into Navy weapons, the F-14 was designed to ensure the supremacy of the air fleet of the defensive and intelligence tasks. Nineties equipped with low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared nighttime systems (LANTIRN), the aircraft started to use high-precision air strikes hit.
US Navy F-14 aircraft abandoned in 2006. 22 September., received a modern fighter F / A-18E and F Super Hornets manufactured in the company Boeing.
At present, the F-14 Tomcat is still used by the Iranian Air Force. Iran received the aircraft in 1976. The United States while maintaining friendly diplomatic relations with this country.
All 30 years of the F-14 was used by the US armed forces, the aircraft ensured American superiority in the air and has a huge role in the victories and the prevention of armed conflicts in various corners of the earth.
8. AV-8B "Harrier II"
Company McDonnell Douglas AV-8B created "a Harrier II is a single-engine attack aircraft. This is the second generation Harrier Jump Jet family of aircraft.
Vertically or particularly short runway take-off and landing capable aircraft developed in the late last century 8th decade in joint British and American efforts to improve the first model of this family.
Aircraft called block-hawk family bird springs (ang. Harrier) name. Aircraft options are very broad - it is primarily an attack aircraft. As well as multi-plane, for a variety of other tasks - from air support from the grant of land to the armed forces intelligence.
AV-8B, so far used in the United States Corps, Spanish and Italian fleets. A modification of the aircraft is suitable for the British military, and his version of the TAV-8B is a double training plane.
As already mentioned, the development of the first generation of aircraft "Harrier" General of the British and American project, the final result and eventually became the AV-8, launched in the last century 8th years of the decade. Aircraft adapted to the company's powerful Rolls-Royce engines aircraft capabilities greatly expanded.
However, in 1975. United Kingdom the budget constraints of the project withdrew. The British left the project, the company McDonnell Douglas, however, did not abandon him, and to improve early AV-8A Harrier made the current AV-8B.
The aircraft passed its predecessor, the design and form, but its wings improved cockpits raised slightly redesigned body, made some more improvements to improve its aerodynamics. Installed to improve the company's Rolls-Royce engines "Pegasus" for the plane to a smooth rise or descend vertically.
The first flight of the AV-8B by 1981. November. Marine Corps aircraft took to arms and began to use in 1985. After some time, the aircraft are provided, night attacks and improved radar equipment, the possibility has increased.
7. A-10 Thunderbolt
A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Warthog" ("Warthog") or simply "Hog" ("Boar"), is the last century of the 8th year of the decade the company Fairchild-Republic "developed a twin-engine airplane single storm . Exclusively to the United States military aircraft used for air support from the grant, tanks, armored vehicles and other targets on the earth to destroy.
A-10 is equipped with 30 mm rotating cannon GAU-8 Avenger, which is the main weapon of the aircraft and the most difficult type of cannon, mounted on the aircraft. Thunderbolt is also designed so that even a direct hit on the target to continue the flight, the pilot's cabin and major aircraft systems covers the 540-pound titanium armor.
A-10A is only this single aircraft modification, produced in series. True, only one aircraft was converted into a double-10B modification. However, over two-seater version and has not been improved. 2005. A-10A model modified A-10C version - it is equipped with the-art digital equipment, the aircraft can carry precision-guided munitions especially with laser sights.
In addition to its main purpose to support the ground troops and to destroy land targets, A-10 "Thunderbolt" has a secondary function - management and control of other aircraft, indicating their targets on the ground.
A 10-name "Thunderbolt" has received the honor of World War II aircraft, "Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, which is particularly effective at supporting ground forces from the air.
It is planned that the modernization of some of the elements of the plane, he will serve in the armed forces before 2028.
6. The F / A-18 "Hornet"
"Hornet is a twin-engine ultrasonic, but weather conditions can operate multifunction aircraft performing a fighter and fighter storming functions. The plane can be used as a fighter or storming the aircraft, and its name refers to the letters F / A - fighter / attack (ang. Fighter / Attack).
Company McDonnell Douglas and Northrop aircraft to the F / A-18 8-sixties created the United States Navy and Marine Corps use. The plane uses not only the US but also in some other countries, the military (eg., The current NATO air policing mission in the Baltic countries carrying Canadians). These aircraft also loved the famous US military aerobatic team "Blue Angels F / A-18 uses since 1986.
F / A-18 "Hornet" ("Hornet") can attain 1 thousand. 915 km / h. speed and is able to rise to 12 thousand. 190 meters in height. The aircraft can carry different types of ammunition, including bombs, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, as well as an additional 20 mm cannons M61 Vulcan. Aircraft powered by two General Electric F404 turbo motors for excellent traction and weight ratio.
The plane has excellent aerodynamic properties. Today it is a major US Navy combat aircraft for the armed escort, fleet air defense from enemy air defense suppression and close air support for the provision of location intelligence.
The first combat missions the F / A-18 by 1986. bombarded Libya operation, "Operation El Dorado Canyon. Later, he was active in Operation Desert Storm (Eng. "Operation Desert Storm") in 1991. and Operation Iraqi Freedom "(Eng." Operation Iraqi Freedom ") in 2003.
5. F-117 "Nighthawk"
Compared with other aircraft, Twin-engined, single bomber F-117 "Nighthawk" The United States aviation has been a very long time. However, it is the world's first aircraft produced by the so-called "stealth" technology, for which the aircraft undetectable radar.
The first flight of the F-117 by 1981., The military began to use in 1983. In October, however, only in 1988. November has been officially recognized that the aircraft would be there.
The aircraft is widely used in 1991. held during the Gulf War. At that time it was called the invisible fighter, while the F-117, the war has only bomber functions.
F-117 "Nighthawk" also participated in the Yugoslav war. Here the Americans one of this type of aircraft is lost, when he in 1999. 27 March. was shot down by surface-to-air type missiles.
Although these planes planned for use by 2018. US military refused to have them in 2008. April. First of all, due to the much more modern aircraft F-22 "Raptor" and quickly turn having an F-35 Lightning II.
Total has made 59 such aircraft, including military actively used the 54th
4. F-16 "Fighting Falcon"
Fourth place in the Washington Times concluded the best American military aircraft, who is ranked F-16 "Fighting Falcon", like the F / A-18 "Hornet", is currently deployed in addition to Siauliai in the Aviation Base of the plays and the NATO air policing mission. The model aircraft of the Baltic airspace protected by the Portuguese.
These aircraft, when necessary, to assist NATO colleagues from the Polish and Dutch soldiers are ready.
Airplane single multifunction F-16 "Fighting Falcon" was developed specifically for the United States Air Force. Created at the beginning of the day to ensure superiority in the air with a Fighter, a lot of advanced F-16 eventually became a multifunctional aircraft, able to perform a task successfully at any time of the day.
From 1976. When these planes to produce a series, they have made over 4 thousand. 500. Although the United States Air Force these aircraft now stop buying, they are still happy to purchase from other countries military. This aircraft is used for approximately 25 countries.
The development of this aircraft has been adapted countless innovations that facilitate pilots installed before not to use electronic innovation.
F-16 is equipped with a cannon M61 Vulcan has eleven mounting points of different types of weapons and ammunition to carry.
3. F-15 Strike Eagle
The Company has a McDonnell Douglas designed for all-weather conditions suitable for multi-fighter F-15 Strike Eagle Baltic airspace guarded by this spring. It NATO air police mission by US military pilots.
Aircraft developed last century 9th years of the decade. It was conceived as a long-distance, high-speed maneuverable aircraft that can independently carry out a variety of tasks.
US Air Force F-15E of distinguished dark color concealer and after hanging engines fuel tanks.
"Strike Eagle" has a number of successful military operation in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. These wars F-15 destroyed a number of enemies a valuable target by an air patrol missions, from air fire support of land forces. The aircraft used and the subsequent conflict.
F-15 Strike Eagle "will be happy to use not only the US but also in other countries in the military.
2. The F-35 Lightning II
The company Lockheed Martin developed the F-35 Lightning II is one of the most advanced fifth generation of single, one-engine-powered multi-purpose fighter bomber. Produced by the so-called "stealth" technology, undetectable radar aircraft designed to destroy land targets, reconnaissance and patrol the airspace.
Until now this, three F-35 modifications. F-35 A is generally rising and descending aircraft for the US Air Force. This is the cheapest model in this family. It is expected that it will buy it most other countries the military.
F-35 B short runway and descend vertically capable aircraft. The main users of the future - the US Marine Corps and the UK Royal Navy.
F-35 C in the United States dedicated fleet modification. The model aircraft wing area is larger, so it can better maneuver when flying at low speeds, when raised from the deck of a carrier.
First flight of the F-35 by 2006. 15 December. United States military plans to acquire a total of 2 thousand. 443 such aircraft. It is expected that in the coming decades, this model aircraft will ensure the final of the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy air superiority. Ordered all American military planes should get up to 2,037 years old.
1. F-22 "Raptor"
The best American made military aircraft ten crowns the company Lockheed Martin developed the F-22 Raptor. This is a single, twin-engine supersonic, fifth-generation highly maneuverable and undetectable radar (made using "stealth" technology) fighter.
Greyhound air supremacy enforcement aircraft, the F-22 and away from the runway to get other tasks - it is able to destroy targets on the ground, to suppress the electronic signals, perform electronic intelligence.
Home airplane manufacturer is the company Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. The company has developed and improved the airframe, weapon systems, it is responsible for the final assembly of the aircraft. Program partners Boeing Defense, Space & Security is responsible for aircraft wings, rear fuselage of the electronic compatibility of equipment and training systems.
Until 2005. Until the weapons were taken F-22 A, the aircraft was improved and had a few modifications - the F-22 and F / A-22nd Although the project is delayed, the aircraft finally gained today's functionality and appearance. The US military says that the world has not yet created anything better than the F-22nd
At the same time, the company Lockheed Martin claims that the assessment of the aircraft structure, the secrecy of the radar, speed, agility, quick thinking, and air-to-air or air-to-ground combat characteristics, today it is the best fighter in the world.
