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In December 2020, the first Sukhoi Su-57, codenamed Felon by NATO,
entered service with the Aerospace Forces, making it Russia's most
recent combat aircraft. It is a multirole aircraft combining the
functions of both a fighter and strike aircraft, with design
features that include stealth, supersonic cruising speed and
maneuverability, the latest sensors and weaponry, and
network-centric warfare capability. Fully illustrated with over 170
full-colour photographs, this book describes the trials of the T-50
prototypes and the implementation of the Su-57 into series
production, as well as looking at the design, characteristics and
combat capabilities of this fifth-generation fighter. 170
illustrations
Russian military aviation has undergone several upheavals in the
post-Soviet era. There have been two driving forces behind these
changes. First, the Russian experience of air power in conflicts
has led to an increasing integration of the various branches of the
armed forces. Today's VKS was created as a result of the absorption
of the Air Defence Troops (VPVO) by the Air Force (VVS) in 1998,
and then a merger of the Air Force with the Aerospace Defence
Troops (VVKO) in 2015. Meanwhile, Russia has adapted to financial
realities, with insignificant defence spending throughout the 1990s
followed by rapid expansion as the global price of oil increased
since the beginning of the 21st century. Mass purchases of aircraft
and helicopters began in 2009, and the proportion of modern
equipment in Russia's Aerospace Forces now exceeds 75%. The fourth
title in Harpia Publishing's series on Russian military aviation
details all fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and other aerial
vehicles operated by Russia's military air arms. Like the previous
volumes, Flashpoint Russia is a comprehensive reference work,
presenting organisational structure and the quantitative potential
of Russian military aviation. The centrepiece of the book describes
the current order of battle of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) and other
operators of military aircraft in Russia and includes all the
country's aviation units. Other chapters cover Russia's approach to
purchases of arms and military equipment, and priority air
programmes for the next decade.
The Ka-50 (NATO reporting name: Hokum A) helicopter made its maiden
flight 40 years ago on 17 June 1982. After undergoing extensive
tests and tweaks, the helicopter was ready for full-scale
production almost 10 years later. However, by then Russia had
entered an economic crisis, and the money had run out. Only in
2011, almost another 20 years later, did deliveries of the
redesigned Ka-52 begin to military units. The Ka-52 Hokum B has a
unique co-axial rotor design, with a two-person crew seated side by
side in ejection seats, and an extremely powerful weapons and
self-defence suite. Along with the original Ka-52s, a ship-borne
Ka-52K variant has been developed for the Russian Navy and an
improved KA-52M ( modernised') version is being tested. From
February 2022, Ka-52s were used by Russian forces in their invasion
of Ukraine. With over 200 photographs, this book explores the
history of the Ka-50 and Ka-52, their development, setbacks and
successes, designs, armament and combat capabilities, presenting a
holistic overview of these helicopters.
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