The last day of September 2015 will go down in history as the date when Russia start bombing in Syria was bombed at the same time the remnants of the former authority of NATO. A few hours later after the Council of Federation unanimously supported the appeal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to use the Armed forces of Russia in Syria, the Military space forces of our country launched the first air strikes on ground infrastructure of the terrorist “Islamic state” (is prohibited in Russia organizations).
During this time, the effectiveness of our videoconferencing has been proven time and again. “MK” has decided to find out what Russia is fighting in Syria.
At the airport, “Hamim” near the Syrian Latakia in a short time established a joint group of Air and space forces (VKS), was composed of more than 50 aircraft and helicopters. 12 Sukhoi su-24M2 and six su-34, 12 su-25SM attack aircraft, four multi-purpose fighter su-30CM, as well as attack helicopters Mi-24 and multi-purpose Mi-8.
Base Hamim” equipped with everything necessary for comfortable stay of employees: accommodation units, kitchen, supply warehouses, fuel and ammunition, technical services. The base is fully provided with material and technical assets from Russia. However, local authorities are actively assisting in the provision of food — fruits and vegetables.
The base is guarded by a battalion tactical group of Marines black sea fleet of the Navy of the Russian Federation with reinforcements and special forces units. From the sea base to cover the ships of the Navy of the Russian Federation headed by the missile cruiser “Moskva”, attack helicopters Mi-24 patrolling the middle of the perimeter at low altitudes.
Work combat aircraft is planned for aerial reconnaissance data and only after verifying all the information received from the headquarters of the Syrian army. Russian group actively uses over Syria’s own funds space and aerial reconnaissance, extensive use of unmanned aerial vehicles (what we can judge by the videos of the bombing, regularly presented by the Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation).
Photo: mil.ru
Officially model drones are not called, but, judging by published in Jul photos, these are drones “Orlan-10” and “Aileron-3SV”.
Russian planes inflict pinpoint strikes on targets from a height of over 5000 meters, it allows you to avoid defeat man-portable anti-aircraft missiles (like stinger” or “Igla”), which are present in abundance from the opposing side. Airborne sighting and navigation equipment of Russian aircraft allows us to provide the contact with any ground objects with high precision.
The technique used
The Russian aviation group is represented in Syria as even the old Soviet and repeatedly modernized su-25 and su-24, already having the experience of combat use, and new cars, which is normal for configuration of mobile groups of any armies in the world, including the United States.
For example, modern heavy multi-purpose fighter su-30CM — a redesigned version of the su-30, — has overcome the generation “4+”. It re-equipped with modern navigation and radar equipment can bear the increased load of high-precision weapons, and is considered one of the best modern fighters.
In addition, it is the latest Sukhoi su-34, which replaced the su-24. It is a multifunctional machine, equipped with everything necessary for precision air strikes, but they have not participated in the fighting. Participation in the Syrian conflict is a unique opportunity to test them in real conditions.
Among the Russian aircraft, which is helping Syria to combat “Islamic state”, presents not only aircraft, but also helicopters. They are used to guard the airfield airbase “Hamim”, search and rescue and reconnaissance.
In particular, in Syria involved attack helicopters Mi-24. They are used for visual observation and organization of a security zone in the terminal area. Mi-24 aircraft armed with missiles and 30-millimeter cannon.
Mi-24 rise to a height of 4.5 kilometers and is capable of speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour. In addition, these helicopters can fly at extremely low altitudes — 5-10 meters over a smooth surface.
The helicopter crews have the ability to make missions in the dark through night vision glasses.
In addition, on the territory of the airbase located a transport-combat helicopters Mi-8AMTSH. This is the most modern modification of the famous Mi-8.
The exact number of helicopters involved in Syria, is not called.
Su-25 “Grach”
Photo: mil.ru
Old Soviet armored subsonic attack aircraft, nicknamed “the comb” for the characteristic shape of the underwing pylons for the suspension of ammunition.
Designed for direct support of troops in the front page of the day and night in all weather conditions. First took to the air in 1975, is actively exploited since 1981 and managed to take part in all conflicts during this period: the war in Afghanistan, the two Chechen wars, the conflict in South Ossetia, but also abroad (Iran-Iraq war, Gulf war, Second Congo war).
Su-25SM used in Syria is a modified version of the old su-25 with upgraded avionics.
Su-24M2 “Suitcase”
Photo: mil.ru
Double old Soviet tactical bomber with variable sweep wing. Depending on the flight mode front part of the wing (console) are installed in one of four positions: 16° — at takeoff and landing, 35° in subsonic cruising flight, 45° with combat maneuvering and 69° with flight at transonic and supersonic speeds. Adopted in 1975. Actively used during both Chechen wars, during the conflict in South Ossetia, partially used some foreign countries (Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Libya, Ukraine).
The modern version of the su-24M2 entered into force in 2007. The machine is equipped with a new navigation system, extended range precision weapons that can apply a bomber.
Su-34 “Duck”
photo: ru.wikipedia.org
Modern multipurpose double fighter-bomber (tactical bomber) the “4++” generation, intended for precision strikes, including with nuclear weapons. The first aircraft entered service in 2006. He is now considered the primary attack aircraft of the aerospace defence forces of Russia. The Russian military su-34 was nicknamed “Duck” because of the nose, resembling the beak of a duck.
First su-34 was used during the war in South Ossetia, where he had sustained the strike aircraft, suppressing the Georgian air defense.
Powerful booking delivers su-34 high combat survivability when flying at low altitude over enemy territory, intense air defense systems. Some elements of the su-34 is made with consideration of Stealth technology with the use of radar absorbing coatings and materials. This made the su-34 is much less visible on the radar screen than such machines as the su-24, F-111 and F-15E.
Su-30CM
Photo: mil.r
Double heavy multi-purpose fighter generation “4+”. Was created on the basis of combat training of the su-27 in 1989. Solves the problem of securing air superiority, interception and destruction of enemy aircraft, cover the bombers, and self-destroy ground and surface targets. Able to fight at a long range flight and carry large ammunition.
An upgraded version of su-30 used in Syria, made its first flight in 2012. Compared with its predecessor, the su-30CM equipped with more sophisticated avionics systems and navigation, capable of carrying the advanced composition modern weapons of all classes. Its combat effectiveness is greatly improved compared to previous models.
According to a survey by the prestigious British magazine Flight, the su-30 was recognized as the best fighter, beating the American F-22 and F-15.
Weapons used by viagraprice HQs in Syria
Russian VKS used in Syria a wide range of ammunition. Each type of missile or bomb is responsible for highly specialized tasks. As with technology, among these munitions are as modern and high-precision guided munitions and unguided bombs.
FAB-500
photo: Vitaly Kuzmin
Mass: 500 kg/213 kg of EXPLOSIVES. Circular error probable: from 30 to 150 m. Unmanaged universal high-explosive air bomb. Widely used to defeat a variety of purposes: military-industrial sites, railway junctions, power structures, fortifications, manpower and military equipment of the enemy. Guaranteed the affected area for FAB-500 — 50 meters, contusions and wounds caused by manpower at a distance of 150 meters from the epicenter. Probably used in Syria, and explosive bombs of larger caliber (FAB-1000 FAB-1500).
Ofab-250-270
photo: Vitaly Kuzmin
Weight: 266 kg/94 kg of EXPLOSIVES. Circular error probable: from 30 to 150 m. Unguided high-explosive bomb designed to defeat manpower, weapons and military equipment. Produced from 60-ies with small upgrades, the stock they have accumulated a huge amount. Is a conventional explosive bomb, but with a lower content of explosive — approximately 30-35% — and the special funds organized by the crushing body such as a sawtooth inner side of the body or the system of longitudinal and transverse recesses. Guaranteed the affected area for ofab-250 — about 30 meters, the affected area of manpower due to the shock wave and shrapnel is far higher (up to 150-200 meters.
BETAB-500ШП (assault with jet booster)
photo: Vitaly Kuzmin
Weight: 424 kg/350 kg of EXPLOSIVES. Circular error probable: 15 to 50 m Concrete-piercing bomb is designed to effectively defeat reinforced concrete shelters (bunkers) and runways. The case is made more durable with the padded head. Can penetrate the slab thickness up to 550 mm. In the soil of medium density forms a funnel with a diameter of 4.5 m. it is with any (including small) heights. Bomb due to the parachute tilts to 60°, the chute is detachable and included reactive accelerator. One bomb betab-500 has 12 of the shock blocks.
KAB-500S
Mass: 560 kg/195 kg of EXPLOSIVES. Circular error probable: 4-7 m. high-Explosive driven (guided) bomb belongs to high-precision weapons with the principle of “dropped—forgot”, is designed to engage stationary ground and surface targets such as warehouses, military-industrial objects, vehicles parked at any time of day and in any weather.
Unlike foreign analogues the basic model CAB is not built in satellite navigation GPS/GLONASS, and on the detection maps on the television head. Homing KAB uses not the object itself, and landmarks to know their exact position, and zooms to the target, which is not allocated from the landscape. This makes it more reliable in terms of use of modern means of electronic warfare, when signals of GPS/GLONASS can be suppressed.
The disadvantage of television head of guidance is dependent on the weather, so in bad weather used model KAB-500S using GLONASS navigation (these are used in Syria) or KAB-500L with a guidance system for a laser beam that can be positioned on the target by special forces units from earth.
The cost of one bomb — about 3 million rubles. In addition to bombs caliber 500 kg Russia videoconferencing is also used in Syria and “senior companions” “Patitucci” — polutoratonny If that is able to penetrate the soil to a depth of 20 meters.
KAB-250S, or LH
Mass: 250 kg/127 kg of EXPLOSIVES. Circular error probable: 4-7 m. the Most compact in its class, air bombs, which was first shown to the public only in 2011. Fitted as a receiving system of satellite coordinates and thermal imaging homing head. Modification of the LH allows you to direct it with a laser designation. The bomb was designed specifically for weapons of the fifth generation fighter (T-50, PAK FA), and for the application of vnutrifyuzelyazhnyh compartment of weapons, which is why it has a characteristic elongated shape.
KH-29L
Weight: 660 kg/116 kg of EXPLOSIVES. Flight range: 8-10 km Circular error probable: 3,5–4 m. the Missile of class “air—surface” with enhanced damaging factors of high-explosive and fragmentation intended for destruction of objects, equipment and manpower of the enemy. Equipped with a laser seeker: the target is illuminated with a laser, which is guided, the missile perceives only the desired wavelength of light, which ensures high stability of the target.
The image, captured with homing missiles, is broadcast on the television screen in the cockpit. The retention beam illumination is provided by the automatic tracking system. The missile itself selects the best trajectory passes at the target, trying to hit it under high angle to strike the least protected of overlapping structures and armor vehicles. The missiles cost about 500 thousand rubles.
KH-25ML
Mass: 300 kg/90 kg of EXPLOSIVES. Flight range: 8-10 km Circular error probable: 5 to 10 m. the Missile of class “air—surface” designed to defeat small mobile and stationary targets. Targeting is performed using semi-active laser homing. Illumination of the attacked target can be airborne or ground station targeting. The construction of the station lights, and homing missiles eliminates the influence of laser radiation from other sources. The task of the pilot included only the detection and labeling of striking targets on the TV display. The exact retention beam illumination is provided for the purposes of automatic tracking system. In the terminal phase of the trajectory the missile makes a “hill”. This is an old tested the rocket, second in power KH-29L.
RBK-500 SPB
Mass: 500 kg/15 elements of 14.5 kg Circular error probable: from 1 to 3 m. a Single cluster bomb curb 15 fully Autonomous homing anti-tank submunitions, which are equipped with dual-mode infra-red focal points of the target. Designed to defeat modern tanks and other armored vehicles in the difficult conditions of natural and artificial interference. Effective against concentrations of military equipment. After ejection of submunitions from RBK-500 they release the parachute and begin to rotate around its axis in search of goals. The viewing angle of the IR coordinator is 30°, it scans the target area at a speed of 6-9/min.
After the detection of a target and determine the point of detonation of the warhead with the on-Board computer (approximately 150 m) will defeat the purpose. Copper disc with a diameter of 173 mm and a weight of 1 kg accelerates to a speed of 2000 m/s and can penetrate 70 mm of armor, the impact is applied in a relatively weakly armored area (roofs of towers and engine-transmission compartments).
