Soviet Air Force
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The Soviet Union possessed one of the most impressive aircraft fleet in history. Striving to maintain air equality with Nazi Germany and later the United States, the Soviet produced formidable aircraft that could defend Mother Russia or even start a nuclear war if necessary. Today, the Soviet aeronautical legacy lives on in the Russian air force.
The Soviet air force in World War II consisted of both bombers and fighters. The USSR mass produced over 30,000 single-pilot fighters in the Yak line. Equipped with machine guns and a maximum speed of almost 400 mph, these planes proved ideal for aerial close combat. As the war progressed, newer models increased in range. The Soviets also churned out the Ilyushin Il-2. With over 36,000 produced, this became the most manufactured airplane ever.[1] It fulfilled the role of ground attack with smashing success, becoming an invaluable deterrent to German tanks. Capable of carrying up to 10,000 lbs of bombs and armed with machine guns, the only drawback was the limited range of 400 miles. By the end of the war, the Soviet Union had outstripped Germany in aerial superiority.
After World War II, the Soviets spun off their air force branch into a separate division, much like the United States did. However, the Air Defense Force also became its one division. Several notable aircraft emerged as the USSR sought to keep pace with American aeronautical developments. Like the United States, the Soviets benefitted from German technology discovered after WWII. The most iconic Soviet fighter of the period came from the Mig line. The Soviet employed the Mig-15 frequently during the Korean War. Armed with three machine guns, these planes effectively prevented the US from launching long range bomb attacks with formidable but unwieldy B-52s[2]. The Mig experienced several transformations in the next few decades and was widely distributed to the allies of the USSR. The most recent variation, Mig-29, remains an important part of the Russian air force today.
The most famous Soviet bombers of this period were the Tu-16 Badger and later the Tu-95 and variants, also called the Bear. The Badger was designed by Russian aeronautical engineer Andrey Nikolayevich Tupolev, who desired to create an aircraft to rival the American B-52 Superfortress. He found himself a victim of Stalin’s purge in 1937, but during World War II was released from prison and awarded the Stalin Prize for his aircraft expertise.[3] The Tu-16 could hold an impressive 10 tons of bombs are travel almost 4,500 miles at max speed of about 650 miles per hour. The Tu-95 was designed around the Tu-16 to function as long-range intercontinental bomber. Its range extended to 9,300 miles. It became a symbol of Russian aggressiveness. During the Cold War, these planes would often probe the perimeter of European and North American air defenses. Armed with cruise missiles, they could present a formidable challenge if the Cold War ever turned into actual conflict. Although the Cold War is over, updated versions of the Tu-95 remain an important part of Russia’s Air Force. In 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to restart long-range patrols.[4] Later that year, two Tu-95s almost invaded American airspace around the Pacific island of Guam. As late as 2014, the United Kingdom was scrambling to jets to prevent an incursion by these aircraft.
[1] Encyclopedia Britannica Online, s. v. "Ilyushin Il-2", accessed October 14, 2014, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/283215/Ilyushin-Il-2.
[2] Encyclopedia Britannica Online, s. v. "MiG-15", accessed October 14, 2014, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/381788/MiG-15.
[3] Encyclopedia Britannica Online, s. v. "Andrey Nikolayevich Tupolev", accessed October 14, 2014, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/609441/Andrey-Nikolayevich-Tupolev.
[4] BBC News, “Russia's Bear bomber returns”, accessed October 14, 2014, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6984320.stm
Article Bibliography:
Encyclopedia Britannica Online, s. v. "Ilyushin Il-2", accessed October 14, 2014,
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/283215/Ilyushin-Il-2.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online, s. v. "MiG-15", accessed October 14, 2014,
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/381788/MiG-15.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online, s. v. "Andrey Nikolayevich Tupolev", accessed October 14, 2014,
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/609441/Andrey-Nikolayevich-Tupolev.
BBC News, “Russia's Bear bomber returns”, accessed October 14, 2014,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6984320.stm