Product Description

This comprehensive new book describes the current state of Russia's military air assets - the Air Force/Air Defence Force, the Naval Aviation, the air arms of the Border Guards, the Federal Security Service and the Ministry of Interior (the police). The book details the Russian Air Force's current order of battle, starting with the top command (the Air Force Chief of Staff) and down to the operational regiments and squadrons. It also includes descriptions and specifications of the Russian Air Force's and the Russian Navy's main fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft - combat aircraft, transports and special-mission aircraft (reconnaissance, electronic warfare etc.). The book also provides details of the missile and bomb armament carried by Russian combat aircraft today. Much attention is given to the Russian Air Force's day-to-day operations, with reports of major exercises that have taken place in recent years involving the Air Force. A special chapter deals with Russia's air bases, and coverage is given to the Russian Air Force's test and research establishments, such as the 929th State Flight Test Centre in Akhtoobinsk, as well as to the training establishments in Ryazan' (strategic bomber arm), Lipetsk (tactical aviation), and Ivanovo (military airlift aviation). A chapter devoted to naval operations includes the history of the Russian Navy's sole aircraft carrier RNS Fleet Admiral Kuznetsov and its operational shipboard fighter regiment. The book features a wealth of colour photographs and is also illustrated by maps, charts, line drawings and data tables. Also included are colour side views of aircraft currently in service with the Russian Air Force and Russian Navy, such as the Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighters, the MiG-31 heavy interceptor and many more important types and variants. The book also includes portraits of leading Russian Air Force commanders and notable military pilots, such as Gen. Aleksandr Kharchevskiy, Commander of the Lipetsk Flight Test Centre, who took President Vladimir Putin on an express inspection trip to Chechnya in a Su-27UB combat trainer.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #400313 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

A most interesting read
This book represents a remarkably successful attempt to present the aviation elements of the numerous branches of the Russian armed forces and their equipment. Although detailed accounts of the latest Russian aircraft have been available for years, this lavishly illustrated volume succeeds in presenting these impressive aeronautical achievements in the context of the operational requirements and national strategy of Russia. Tactics and weapons are thoroughly discussed and major shortcomings, especially in training and maintanance are dealt with as well. The organisations themselves are presented in some detail; however, the reader who expects a detailed "order of battle" of these organisations will be disappointed.
The outstanding achievement of this volume is that it combines the russian perspective on airpower with some unknown aspects of Russian operations, e.g. Russian army UAVs, the two Chechen campaigns as well as fascinating future developements.

HOLY COW!!!
Being interested in Russian/Soviet military aviation, I already had several of Yefim Gordon's books (Mig-21, MiG-29, Su-27, Soviet Weapons, etc.). I've almost always been disappointed in books that cover multiple aircraft types, so I was not overly hopeful that this book would be anything special. Boy, was I wrong! Almost every, if not every page is filled with eye-popping color photographs and artwork. Most (if not all) of it is new and the emphasis is on operational aircraft instead of the company demonstrators so often seen in books on Russian aircraft. If you have any interest in modern Soviet military aircraft you will will love this book!

Better than Popular Mechanics
Essentailly, this book provides great analysis on the current state of the Russian Airforce. Since the fall of Communism in 1990, the country has gone into an extreme debt. Due to that debt the Russian Airfoce has been forced to endure extreme budget cuts and upgrades to existing aircraft. Most development programs are now only research and development for scientific purposes. Many of the more advanced aircraft such as the Mig 1.42, S-37a or SU-47, and SU-37 will never see combat service. The history behind these planes, however, is fantastic. Huge recommendation for any Cold War fans. This is way better than Popular Mechanics on individual jets.