Russia. This time we will talk about aerospace forces

And we'll start with the most pleasant. When is Air Force Day celebrated?

Aerospace Forces Day

At Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation very little experience. They arose on August 01, 2015 with the unification of the air force (Air Force) and the Aerospace Defense Forces (VKO)

The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation presents the Battle Banner of the Aerospace Forces

Taking into account the merits of the personnel in the defense of the country, by decree of the President of our country, back in 2006, a professional holiday of the Air Force was adopted. August 12 is considered their day..

And since the Air Force is now part of the Aerospace Forces, the same day is considered a holiday!

The combination of forces led to the necessary combination of the air and space spheres as adjacent areas, for more convenient control over them. The creation of these forces is due to the situation on the world stage, changes in the rearmament of other states, and the increasing importance of the space sector for military, economic and social progress.

Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces

The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces is Colonel General Sergei Vladimirovich Surovikin, in office since November 22, 2017. He commanded at the last stage the grouping of Russian troops during the Syrian military mission.

Composition of the Aerospace Forces

Structure of the videoconferencing consists of 3 types:

• Air Force,
• space troops,
• Air and Missile Defense Troops.

The Air Force is represented by several branches:

• long-range aviation;
• front-line aviation;
• military transport aviation;
• Anti-aircraft missile forces;
• radio engineering troops;

At long-range aviation their mission is expressed by the elimination of air and sea targets, command posts and communication links of the opposing side.

The DA units are armed with strategic bombers and missile carriers Tu-160 and Tu-95MS, long-range aircraft Tu-22M3. The aircraft are armed with Kh-55 and Kh-22 cruise missiles for maximum, medium range, in addition, they are armed with aerial bombs (including nuclear ones).

White Swan TU-160 strategic bomber-missile carrier of the aerospace forces of the Russian Federation

Front-line aviation- is obliged to provide cover for the Ground Forces. It contains:

Front-line bomber and attack aviation - its arsenal has Su-24M, Su-25, Su-30, Su-35 aircraft. On board, they are equipped with a set of aerial bombs, guided and unguided missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and air guns.

Su-30 multirole fighter 4+ generation

reconnaissance aviation- conducts combined arms reconnaissance during flight. The Su-24MRs in their arsenal are equipped with reconnaissance systems.

The purpose of Fighter Aviation is to counter air attacks and opposing objects in the air. They are armed with Su-27, Su-33, MiG-25, MiG-29, MiG-31 fighter aircraft equipped with air-to-air missiles and air guns.

"Fox Hound" MiG-31 supersonic high-altitude all-weather fighter-interceptor

Army Aviation- they specifically provide cover for the Ground Forces, supply the rear and the front. Equipped with aircraft and helicopters: Mi-8, Mi-24, Ka-50, Ka-52, Su-24M, Su-25, Su-30, Su-35, performing fire cover. Having equipment in the form of guided missiles "Air-to-ground", unguided rockets, aircraft cannons, aerial bombs, on board. In addition, the AA is supplemented by Mi-8 transport helicopters and An-26 aircraft.

"Alligator" Attack helicopter Ka-52

Military transport aviation- parachutes manpower and equipment, is engaged in transportation in the rear and technical support in situations of war on water and land. They are armed with strategic aircraft An-124 "Ruslan", An-22 "Antey", long-range aircraft Il-76, An-12, and medium-range aircraft An-26.

Anti-aircraft missile troops- cover military forces and points from air threats of the opposing side. They are armed with anti-aircraft missile systems for short, medium and long distances - Osa, Buk, S-75, S-125, S-300, S-400.

Radio engineering troops- are engaged in identifying air threats from opposing forces. Identification, notification of management, prosecution of identified objects, control and management support for flights.

space troops

They are engaged in maintaining the security of our state in the space sector.

As a separate branch of the military, it existed in the RF Armed Forces from 2001 to 2011, from 01.12.2011 they are being transformed into the aerospace defense. And 08/01/2015 are considered a branch of the military, part of the VKS.

KV are armed with: satellites of specific reconnaissance, electronic control, communications and a global system of satellite military navigation.

Air and Missile Defense Troops

Formed in 1914. In their current form, they are air defense-missile defense brigades and have the following primary purposes:

countering ballistic and aerodynamic threats.

Purpose of the Aerospace Forces

Military Space Force have their own tasks, namely:

• countering attacks from the air and protective measures against attacks on the points of the military leadership of the state of the upper level, points of administrative and political appointment, industrial and economic territories, valuable infrastructural and economic objects of the state and military formations;
• destruction of military points of the opposing side with the help of conventional and nuclear means of destruction;
• air support during an armed conflict of all its units;
• study of the space sphere, determination of possible dangers in that area, if they arise - neutralization;
• carrying out the launch of spacecraft, maintaining civil and military satellites, obtaining the necessary information of a military nature;
• maintaining a system of satellites in a certain number and ready-to-use state.

Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria

First combat experience

The first combat experience was the Syrian military mission, highly appreciated by the country's leadership. The personnel of the Aerospace Forces were involved in the Syrian conflict in large numbers and many were awarded high government awards. Even world analysts highly appreciated the quality of the actions of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

During the control observation of the Syrian territory, a constellation of satellites was used to carry out visual and electronic reconnaissance, in addition, to provide radio communications.

There have been reports of the use of Orlan and Granat drones.

Achievements of the VKS

At some cultural events and during demonstration flights in any air show, the Russian Aerospace Forces are usually represented by the Russian Knights and Swifts aerobatic teams.

Their skill delights visitors of those show programs. It is not uncommon that the impression of the flights seen encourages young guys to choose this military service. This is evidenced by surveys of cadets of flight schools who saw virtuoso pilot skills.

A similar and most famous event has been taking place at the MAKS air show for more than two decades, which anyone can visit.

Representatives Videoconferencing of Russia showcase their professional skills.

Space Forces of the Armed Forces
Years of existence:
	the Russian Federation
Subordination:	Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (Ministry of Defense of Russia)
Included in:	Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (AF of Russia)
Number:	150,000 people
Participation in:	cold war

space troops- a separate branch of the armed forces of the Russian Federation responsible for military operations in space. On June 1, 2001, the Space Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were formed and began to carry out their tasks. According to the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of October 3, 2002, October 4 is celebrated as the Day of Space Forces. The holiday is timed to the day of the launch of the first artificial satellite of the Earth, which opened the annals of astronautics, including military.

Tasks

The main tasks of the Space Forces are:

• timely warning of the top military-political leadership of the country about the beginning of a nuclear missile attack.
• creation, deployment and control of orbital constellations of spacecraft for military, dual and socio-economic purposes;
• control of the developed near-Earth space, constant reconnaissance of the territories of a potential enemy with the help of satellites;
• missile defense of Moscow, destruction of attacking enemy ballistic missiles.

Story

Until 1981, responsibility for the creation, development and use of space assets was assigned to the Central Directorate of Space Facilities (TSUKOS) of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Armed Forces of the USSR. At the end of the 1970s, a contradiction objectively arose and began to aggravate between the interspecific nature of the tasks being solved and the specific subordination of military space.

Under these conditions, the leadership of the USSR Ministry of Defense (MO USSR) in 1981 decided to withdraw the Main Directorate of Space Facilities (GUKOS) from the Strategic Missile Forces and subordinate it directly to the General Staff. In 1986, GUKOS was transformed into the Office of the Chief of Space Facilities (UNKS). In 1992, the UNCS was transformed into a military branch of central subordination - the Military Space Forces (VKS), which included the Baikonur, Plesetsk, Svobodny cosmodromes (in 1966), as well as the Main Center for Testing and Control of Spacecraft (SC) military and civil destination named after German Titov, located 40 kilometers from Moscow, Golitsino-2, aka Object 413, aka Krasnoznamensk. In 1997, the VKS became part of the Strategic Missile Forces.

Taking into account the increasing role of space assets in the system of military and national security of Russia, in 2001 the top political leadership of the country decided to create on the basis of formations, formations and units of launch and RKO of a new type of troops - Space Forces, allocated from the Strategic Missile Forces. At the same time, it was taken into account that the space forces and means, the forces and means of the RKO have a single sphere for solving problems - space, as well as close cooperation between industrial enterprises, which ensures the creation and development of weapons.

Now the main divisions space troops RF are located in Olenegorsk and the village. Lekhtusi (Leningrad region)

Orbital constellation

The orbital constellation of the Russian Federation consists of 100 spacecraft. Of these, 40 are defense satellites, 21 are dual-purpose and 39 are spacecraft for scientific and socio-economic purposes.

For comparison, the United States has the largest orbital constellation, which owns 413 artificial satellites. In third place is China with 34 satellites.

India maintains 7 active earth imagery satellites in polar orbits.

Commanders

• 1992-1997 - Vladimir Leontievich Ivanov
• 2001-2004 - Anatoly Nikolaevich Perminov
• 2004-2008 - Vladimir Alexandrovich Popovkin
• Since July 4, 2008, the commander of the Space Forces has been Lieutenant General Oleg Nikolayevich Ostapenko; Chief of Staff - Major General Alexander Nikolaevich Yakushin.

Educational establishments

The training of officers for the space forces is carried out by:

• A. F. Mozhaisky Military Space Academy (former A. F. Mozhaisky Military Space Engineering University)
• Military Academy of Aerospace Defense named after Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov
• Moscow Military Institute of Radio Electronics of the Space Forces

Secondary complete general education provides:

• Military Space Cadet Corps of Peter the Great

March 24, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the Space Forces of the Russian Federation. They were created in accordance with Decree No. 337 of March 24, 2001 of the President of Russia "On ensuring the construction and development of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, improving their structure." And by the decision of the Security Council of the Russian Federation of February 6, 2001.

OUR REFERENCE

space troops - a separate branch of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, responsible for the defense of Russia in space. October 4 is Space Forces Day. The holiday is timed to the day of the launch of the first artificial satellite of the Earth, which opened the annals of astronautics, including military.

The first parts (institutions) for space purposes were formed in 1955, when a decision was made by the Government of the USSR to build a research site, which later became the world-famous Baikonur Cosmodrome. Until 1981, responsibility for the creation, development and use of space assets was assigned to the Central Directorate of Space Facilities (TSUKOS) of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Armed Forces of the USSR.

In 1981, it was decided to withdraw the Main Directorate of Space Facilities (GUKOS) from the Strategic Missile Forces and subordinate it directly to the General Staff. In 1986, GUKOS was transformed into the Office of the Chief of Space Facilities (UNKS). In 1992, the UNCS was transformed into a military branch of central subordination - the Military Space Forces (VKS), which included the Baikonur, Plesetsk, Svobodny cosmodromes (in 1996), as well as the Main Center for Testing and Control of Spacecraft (SC) of the military and civil appointment named after German Titov.

In 1997, the VKS became part of the Strategic Missile Forces. Taking into account the growing role of space assets in the system of military and national security of Russia, in 2001 the country's top political leadership decided to create, on the basis of formations, formations and launch units and RKOs, an independent branch of the military - the Space Forces - based on the formations and launch units allocated from the Strategic Missile Forces.

The main tasks of the videoconferencing:

- timely warning of the top military-political leadership of the country about the beginning of a nuclear missile attack;

— creation, deployment and control of orbital constellations of spacecraft for military, dual and socio-economic purposes;

- control of the developed near-Earth space, constant reconnaissance of the territories of a potential enemy with the help of satellites;

- missile defense of Moscow, the destruction of attacking enemy ballistic missiles.

Composition of troops:

- Command of the Space Forces;

- Main Missile Attack Warning Center (MC PRN);

- Main Space Control Center (MCC KKP);

- State test cosmodromes of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation - Baikonur, Plesetsk, Svobodny;

— Main test center for testing and control of space facilities named after G.S.Titov;

- Connection of anti-missile defense (ABM);

- Office for the introduction of new systems and complexes of the Space Forces;

- Military educational institutions and support units.

The number of the Military Space Forces is more than 100 thousand people.

VKS armament:

— surveillance satellites(optical-electronic and radar reconnaissance);

— electronic monitoring satellites(radio and electronic intelligence);

— communications satellites and a global satellite navigation system for the troops, in total there are approximately 100 vehicles in the orbital group;

- the launch of satellites into a given orbit is provided light launch vehicles("Start 1", "Cosmos 3M", "Cyclone 2", "Cyclone 3", "Roar"), middle("Soyuz U", "Soyuz 2", "Lightning M") and heavy("Proton K", "Proton M") classes;

— means of ground-based automated spacecraft control complex(NACU KA): command and measurement systems "Taman Baza", "Pheasant", radar station "Kama", quantum optical system "Sazhen T", ground receiving and recording station "Nauka M-04";

— detection systems, radar stations "DON 2N", "Daryal", "Volga", "Voronezh M", radio-optical complex for recognition of space objects "KRONA", optical-electronic complex "OKNO";

— PRO Moscow A-135- the anti-missile defense system of the city of Moscow. Designed to "repel a limited nuclear strike on the Russian capital and the central industrial region." Radar "Don-2N" near Moscow, near the village of Sofrino. 68 missiles 53Т6 ("Gazelle"), designed for interception in the atmosphere, are located in five positional areas. Command post - the city of Solnechnogorsk.

The objects of the Space Forces are located throughout the territory of Russia and beyond its borders. Abroad, they are deployed in Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan.

/Based on materials www.mil.ru and topwar.ru /

space troops

From the history of creation

space troops The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were created in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 24, 2001.

The first military formations for space purposes were formed in 1955, when a decision was made by a decree of the USSR government to build a research site, which later became the world-famous Baikonur cosmodrome.

In 1957, in connection with the preparations for the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite, the Command and Measurement Complex for Spacecraft Control was created (now the Main Test Center for Testing and Control of Space Facilities named after G.S. Titov, GITsIU KS). In the same year, in the city of Mirny, Arkhangelsk Region, construction began on a test site intended for launching R-7 intercontinental ballistic missiles - the current Plesetsk cosmodrome.

On October 4, 1957, the launch and control units of spacecraft launched the first artificial Earth satellite PS-1, and on April 12, 1961, the launch and flight control of the world's first manned spacecraft Vostok with cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on board. In the future, all domestic and international space programs were carried out with the direct participation of military units for launching and controlling spacecraft.

In 1964, in order to centralize work on the creation of new means, as well as to quickly resolve the issues of using space means, the Central Directorate of Space Facilities (TSUKOS) of the USSR Ministry of Defense was created. In 1970, TsUKOS was reorganized into the Main Directorate of Space Facilities (GUKOS) of the Ministry of Defense. In 1982, GUKOS and its subordinate units were withdrawn from the Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) and subordinated directly to the Minister of Defense.

In 1992, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 27, 1992, the Military Space Forces (VKS) of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation were created, which included the Baikonur Cosmodrome, parts of the launch of spacecraft from the Plesetsk test site, and the Main Test Center for Testing and Control of Space Assets. Colonel-General Vladimir Ivanov was appointed the first commander of the VKS.

In 1997, according to the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 16, "in accordance with the needs of defense and security, as well as the real economic opportunities of the country," the Russian Aerospace Forces merged with the Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) and the Rocket and Space Defense Forces (RKO) of the Air Defense Forces.

In 2001, in connection with the growing role of space assets in the system of military and national security of Russia, the country's top political leadership decided to create, on the basis of formations and units allocated from the Strategic Missile Forces, the launch and control of spacecraft, as well as the RKO troops of a new type of troops - Space troops. On March 26, 2002, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation presented a personal standard to the Commander of the Space Forces.

On October 3, 2002, the Day of the Space Forces was introduced by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, which is celebrated annually on October 4.

The Space Forces of the Russian Federation are designed to solve the following tasks:
• detection of the beginning of a missile attack on the Russian Federation and its allies;
• combating enemy ballistic missiles attacking the defended area;
• maintaining in the established composition of orbital constellations of military and dual-use spacecraft and ensuring their use for their intended purpose;
• control over outer space;
• ensuring the implementation of the Federal Space Program of Russia, international cooperation programs and commercial space programs.

The Space Forces included:
• rocket and space defense association (RKO)
• State test cosmodromes of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Baikonur, Plesetsk and Svobodny
• G.S.Titov Main Test Center for Testing and Control of Space Facilities
• cash deposit management department
• military schools and support units.

  The RKO association includes missile attack warning (PRN), anti-missile defense and space control (SCC) formations. It is armed with radar, radio engineering, opto-electronic, optical means, which are controlled from one center, operate according to a single plan in real time using a single information field.

  The control of orbital constellations of spacecraft is carried out by the Main Test Center. G.S. Titov. The state test cosmodromes Plesetsk, Svobodny and Baikonur are designed to create, maintain and replenish the domestic orbital constellation of spacecraft.

  The objects of the Space Forces are located throughout Russia and beyond its borders. Abroad, they are deployed in Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan.

  As of the end of 2007, the orbital constellation of the Russian Federation consisted of 100 spacecraft. Of these, 40 are defense satellites, 21 are dual-purpose (capable of simultaneously solving military, socio-economic and scientific tasks) and 39 spacecraft for scientific and socio-economic purposes. Since 2004, it has increased one and a half times.

  The Space Forces are armed with satellites for specific reconnaissance (optoelectronic and radar reconnaissance), electronic control (radio and electronic reconnaissance), communications (Cosmos, Globus and Raduga series) and a global satellite navigation system for troops ( series "Hurricane"). The launch of satellites into a given orbit is provided by launch vehicles of light ("Start-1", "Cosmos-3M", "Cyclone-2", "Cyclone-3"), medium ("Soyuz-U", "Soyuz-2", "Zenith") and heavy ("Proton-K", "Proton-M") classes.

  The main cosmodrome for launching military and dual-purpose spacecraft is the Plesetsk cosmodrome. It is based on technical and launch complexes for space rockets Molniya-M, Soyuz-U, Soyuz-2, Cyclone-3, Kosmos-3M, Rokot.

  The Space Forces use the means of the ground-based automated spacecraft control complex (NACU KA): the Taman-Baza and Fazan command and measurement systems, the Kama radar, the Sazhen-T quantum-optical system, and the ground-based receiving and recording station " Nauka M-04", radar stations "DON-2N", "Dnepr", "Daryal", "Volga", radio-optical complex for recognition of space objects "KRONA", optical-electronic complex "OKNO".

  The structure of the Space Forces includes military educational institutions: the Military Space Academy (VKA) named after. A.F. Mozhaisky (St. Petersburg), Pushkin Military Institute of Radio Electronics of the Space Forces. Air Marshal E.Ya.Savitsky (Pushkin), Moscow Military Institute of Radio Electronics of the Space Forces (Kubinka), Peter the Great Military Space Cadet Corps (St. Petersburg).

  From July 4, 2008 to December 1, 2011, the Commander of the Space Forces is Major General Oleg Nikolayevich Ostapenko.

  With the formation of the Aerospace Defense Forces in Russia, the Space Forces ceased to exist. The Aerospace Defense Troops were formed on the basis of the Space Forces and the troops of the operational-strategic command of the Aerospace Defense.

  The creation of the Aerospace Defense Forces was required to combine the forces and means responsible for ensuring the security of Russia in and from space with military formations that solve the tasks of air defense (air defense) of the Russian Federation. This was due to the objective need to integrate under the unified leadership of all forces and means capable of fighting in the air and space sphere, proceeding from the current world trends in armament and rearmament of the leading countries to expand the role of aerospace in ensuring the protection of state interests in the economic, military and social spheres.

  The facilities of the Aerospace Defense Forces are located throughout Russia - from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, as well as beyond its borders. In the countries of the near abroad - Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, objects of systems for warning of a missile attack and control of outer space are deployed.

  Commanders of the troops of the East Kazakhstan region:
  • From December 1, 2011 to November 9, 2012 - Colonel General Oleg Nikolayevich Ostapenko.
  • Since November 9, 2012, acting Lieutenant General Valery Mikhailovich Ivanov.
  • Since December 24, 2012 - Major General Alexander Valentinovich Golovko.

  Organizational structure of the Aerospace Defense Forces

  • Aerospace Defense Troops
  • Command of the Aerospace Defense Forces
  • Space Command (CC):
    • Main Test Space Center G.S. Titov
  • Air and Missile Defense Command (K Air Defense and Missile Defense):
    • Air Defense Brigades
    • Missile defense compound
  • Plesetsk State Test Cosmodrome (GIK Plesetsk)
    • Separate scientific research station (test site "Kura")
  • Arsenal

  Aerospace Defense Troops (VVKO)- a separate branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, created by decision of President Dmitry Medvedev. The first duty shift of the command post of the aerospace defense troops took up combat duty on December 1, 2011.

  These troops include:
  • Main Missile Warning Center (Missile Warning System);
  • The main center for reconnaissance of the space situation (Center for Outer Space Control);
  • Main Test Space Center named after German Titov;
  • Air and Missile Defense Command (K Air Defense and Missile Defense) (Operational-Strategic Command of Aerospace Defense), having an air defense brigade (former troops of the Operational-Strategic Command of Aerospace Defense and the Special Forces Command of the Moscow Air Defense District) and anti-missile formations defense;
  • Plesetsk State Test Cosmodrome (1st State Test Cosmodrome), having a separate scientific research station (Kura test site). The Kura missile range is a test site for the Russian Strategic Missile Forces;
  • Arsenal (a military institution for storing, repairing and assembling, recording, issuing weapons and ammunition to the troops, as well as for carrying out work on their assembly, repair and manufacture of some parts for them).

  Main missile attack warning center
  (Missile warning system)

  Missile attack warning system (SPRN)- a special integrated system for warning the leadership of the state about the use of missile weapons by the enemy against the state and repelling its surprise attack.

  Designed to detect a missile attack before the missiles reach their targets. It consists of two echelons - ground-based radars and an orbital constellation of early warning satellites.
  

  History of creation
  

  The development and adoption of intercontinental ballistic missiles in the late 1950s led to the need to create means for detecting launches of such missiles in order to exclude the possibility of a surprise attack.

  The Soviet Union began building a missile warning system in the early 1960s. The first early warning radar stations (RLS) were deployed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their main task was to provide information about a missile attack for missile defense systems, and not to ensure the possibility of a retaliatory strike. The first radars fixed missiles after they appeared from behind the local horizon, or, using the reflections of radio waves from the ionosphere, "looked" beyond the horizon. But, in any case, the maximum achievable power of such stations and the imperfection of the technical means of processing the information received limited the detection range to two to three thousand kilometers, which corresponded to an alert time of 10 to 15 minutes before arrival in the territory of the USSR.

  In 1960, in the USA, the AN / FPS-49 radar (developed by D.K. Barton) for the missile attack warning system was adopted in Alaska and Great Britain (replaced only after 40 years of service with newer radars).

  In 1972, the concept of an integrated missile attack warning system was developed in the USSR. It included ground-based over-the-horizon and over-the-horizon radar stations and space assets and was capable of implementing a retaliatory strike. To detect ICBM launches during their passage of the active part of the trajectory, which would provide the maximum warning time, it was supposed to use early warning satellites and over-the-horizon radars. The detection of missile warheads in the late sections of the ballistic trajectory was provided for using a system of over-the-horizon radars. This separation significantly increases the reliability of the system and reduces the likelihood of errors, since different physical principles are used to detect a missile attack: registration of infrared radiation from a running engine of a starting ICBM by satellite sensors and registration of a reflected radio signal using radar.

  Soviet missile attack warning system

  missile warning radar

  Work on the creation of a long-range warning radar (DO) began after the adoption in 1954 of the decision of the Government of the USSR on the development of proposals for the creation of an anti-missile defense (ABM) in Moscow. Its most important elements were to be the DO radar for detecting and determining with high accuracy the coordinates of enemy missiles and warheads at a distance of several thousand kilometers. In 1956, by the Decree of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR "On missile defense" A.L. Mints was appointed one of the chief designers of the DO radar, and in the same year, studies began in Kazakhstan on the reflective parameters of the BR warheads launched from the Kapustin Yar test site.

  The construction of the first early warning radar stations was carried out in 1963-1969. These were two Dnestr-M radars located in Olenegorsk (Kola Peninsula) and Skrunda (Latvia). In August 1970, the system was put into service. It was designed to detect ballistic missiles launched from US territory or from the Norwegian and North Seas. The main task of the system at this stage was to provide information about the missile attack to the missile defense system deployed around Moscow.

  In 1967 - 1968, simultaneously with the construction of radar stations in Olenegorsk and Skrunda, the construction of four Dnepr-type radar stations (a modernized version of the Dnestr-M radar station) began. For construction, nodes were selected in Balkhash-9 (Kazakhstan), Mishelevka (near Irkutsk), Sevastopol. Another one was built at the site in Skrunda, in addition to the Dnestr-M radar already operating there. These stations were supposed to provide a wider coverage sector of the warning system, expanding it to the North Atlantic, the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.

  At the beginning of 1971, on the basis of the command post for early detection in Solnechnogorsk, a command post for a missile attack warning system was created. On February 15, 1971, by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR, a separate anti-missile surveillance division took up combat duty.

  Developed in 1972, the concept of a missile attack warning system provided for integration with existing and newly created missile defense systems. As part of this program, the Danube-3 (Kubinka) and Danube-3U (Chekhov) radars of the Moscow missile defense system were included in the warning system. In addition to the completion of the construction of the Dnieper radar station in Balkhash, Mishelevka, Sevastopol and Skrunda, it was planned to create a new radar station of this type at a new node in Mukachevo (Ukraine). Thus, the Dnieper radar station was to become the basis of a new missile attack warning system. The first stage of this system, which included radars at nodes in Olenegorsk, Skrunda, Balkhash-9 and Mishelevka, began combat duty on October 29, 1976. The second stage, which included radars at nodes in Sevastopol and Mukachevo, was put on alert January 16, 1979.

  In the early 70s of the last century, new types of threats appeared - ballistic missiles with multiple and actively maneuvering warheads, as well as strategic cruise missiles that use passive (false targets, radar traps) and active (jamming) countermeasures. Their detection was also hampered by the introduction of radar visibility reduction systems (Stealth technology). To meet the new conditions in 1971 - 1972, a project was developed for a new early warning radar of the Daryal type. In 1984, a station of this type was handed over to the state commission and put on combat duty in the city of Pechora, Komi Republic. A similar station was built in 1987 in Gabala, Azerbaijan.
  

  Space echelon early warning system
  

  In accordance with the project of the missile attack warning system, in addition to over-the-horizon and over-the-horizon radars, it was supposed to include a space echelon. It made it possible to significantly expand its capabilities due to the ability to detect ballistic missiles almost immediately after launch.

  The lead developer of the space echelon of the warning system was the Central Research Institute "Kometa", and the Design Bureau named after A.I. Lavochkin.

  By 1979, a space system for early detection of ICBM launches from four spacecraft (SC) US-K (Oko system) was deployed in highly elliptical orbits. To receive, process information and control the system's spacecraft in Serpukhov-15 (70 km from Moscow), an early warning control center was built. After conducting flight design tests, the US-K first generation system was put into service in 1982. It was intended to monitor the continental missile-prone areas of the United States. To reduce the illumination by the background radiation of the Earth, reflections of sunlight from clouds and glare, the satellites observed not vertically down, but at an angle. To do this, the apogees of the highly elliptical orbit were located over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. An additional advantage of this configuration was the ability to observe the US ICBM base areas on both daily turns, while maintaining direct radio communication with the command post near Moscow, or with the Far East. This configuration provided conditions for observation of approximately 6 hours per day for one satellite. To ensure round-the-clock surveillance, it was necessary to have at least four spacecraft in orbit at the same time. In reality, to ensure the reliability and reliability of observations, the constellation had to include nine satellites. This made it possible to have the necessary reserve in case of premature failure of the satellites. In addition, the observation was carried out simultaneously by two or three spacecraft, which reduced the probability of issuing a false signal from the illumination of the recording equipment by direct or reflected sunlight from clouds. This configuration of 9 satellites was first created in 1987.

  In addition, since 1984, one US-KS spacecraft (Oko-S system) has been placed in geostationary orbit. It was the same basic satellite, slightly modified to operate in geostationary orbit.

  These satellites were placed at a position at 24° West longitude, providing observation of the central part of the United States at the edge of the visible disk of the Earth. Satellites in geostationary orbit have a significant advantage - they do not change their position relative to the Earth and can provide constant support to a constellation of satellites in highly elliptical orbits.

  The increase in the number of missile-prone regions required detection of ballistic missile launches not only from the continental territory of the United States, but also from other regions of the globe. In this regard, the Central Research Institute "Kometa" began to develop a second-generation system for detecting ballistic missile launches from continents, seas and oceans, which was a logical continuation of the "Oko" system. Its distinctive feature, in addition to placing the satellite in geostationary orbit, was the use of vertical observation of the launch of rockets against the background of the earth's surface. This solution allows not only to register the fact of the launch of missiles, but also to determine the azimuth of their flight.

  The deployment of the US-KMO system began in February 1991 with the launch of the first spacecraft of the second generation. In 1996, the US-KMO ("Oko-1") system with a spacecraft in geostationary orbit was put into service.

  Russian missile attack warning system

  As of October 23, 2007, the SPRN orbital constellation consisted of three satellites - 1 US-KMO in geostationary orbit (Kosmos-2379 was launched into orbit on August 24, 2001) and 2 US-KS in a highly elliptical orbit (Kosmos-2422 was launched into orbit on July 21 .2006, Kosmos-2430 was put into orbit on 10/23/2007). On June 27, 2008, Kosmos-2440 was launched.

  To ensure the solution of the tasks of detecting launches of ballistic missiles and bringing commands to the combat control of the strategic nuclear forces (Strategic Nuclear Forces), it was supposed to create the Unified Space System (UNS) on the basis of the US-K and US-KMO systems.

  At the beginning of 2012, a planned deployment of VZG radar stations of high factory readiness (VZG radar) "Voronezh" is being carried out in order to form a closed radar field for warning of a missile attack at a new technological level with significantly improved characteristics and capabilities. At the moment, new VZG radars have been deployed in Lekhtusi (one meter), Armavir (two decimeter), Svetlogorsk (decimeter). Ahead of schedule, the construction of a dual VZG radar complex of the meter range in the Irkutsk region is underway - the first segment of the southeast direction has been put on experimental combat duty, the complex with the second antenna sheet for viewing the east direction is planned to be put on OBD in 2013. Work on the creation of a unified space system (UNS) is entering the finish line.
  

  Russian early warning stations on the territory of Ukraine
  

  In December 2005, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko announced that the United States had sent a package of proposals for cooperation in the rocket and space sector. After they are formalized into an agreement, American specialists will have access to space infrastructure facilities subordinate to the National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSAU), including two Dnepr radar stations of the missile attack warning system (SPRN) in Sevastopol and Mukachevo, information from which is transmitted to the central command post of the early warning system in Solnechnogorsk.

  Unlike the Russian-leased and serviced early warning radar stations located in Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan, the Ukrainian radar stations have not only been owned by Ukraine since 1992, but have also been serviced by the Ukrainian military. On the basis of an interstate agreement, information from these radars, which monitor outer space over Central and Southern Europe, as well as the Mediterranean, is sent to the central command post of the early warning system in Solnechnogorsk, subordinate to the Russian space forces. For this, Ukraine annually received $1.2 million.

  In February 2005, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry demanded that Russia increase the payment, but Moscow refused, recalling that the 1992 agreement was for 15 years. Then, in September 2005, Ukraine began the process of transferring the radar to the NSAU, meaning the renewal of the agreement in connection with a change in the status of the radar. Russia cannot prevent American specialists from accessing the radar. At the same time, Russia would have to deploy new Voronezh-DM radars on its territory at an accelerated pace, which it did by putting nodes on duty near Armavir in Krasnodar and Svetlogorsk in Kaliningrad.

  In March 2006, Ukrainian Defense Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko announced that Ukraine would not lease two missile warning stations in Mukachevo and Sevastopol to the United States.

  In June 2006, Director General of the National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSAU) Yuri Alekseev announced that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to increase the service fee in 2006 in the interests of the Russian side of the radar station in Sevastopol and Mukachevo "one and a half times."

  Currently, Russia has abandoned the use of stations in Sevastopol and Mukachevo. The leadership of Ukraine has decided to dismantle both stations within the next 3-4 years. The military units serving the stations have already been disbanded.
  

  The main center for reconnaissance of the space situation
  (Space Control Center)

  The main center for reconnaissance of the space situation (GC RKO) is an element of the Outer Space Control System (SKKP), which is part of the Russian Space Missile Defense Army (RKO). SKKP serves to provide information support for the space activities of the state and counteract the means of space intelligence of potential adversaries, assess the danger of the space situation and bring information to consumers.

  Tasks performed:
  • detection of space objects in geocentric orbits;
  • recognition of space objects by type;
  • determination of the time and area of ​​possible fall of space objects in emergency situations;
  • determination of dangerous encounters along the flight path of domestic manned spacecraft;
  • determination of the fact and parameters of spacecraft maneuver;
  • notification of overflights of foreign reconnaissance spacecraft;
  • information and ballistic support for the actions of active means of anti-missile and anti-space defense (ABM and ASW);
  • maintenance of a catalog of space objects (Main catalog of the system - GCS);
  • evaluating the performance of funds and SKCP;
  • control of the geostationary area of ​​space;
  • analysis and assessment of the space situation.

  History of education
  

  On March 6, 1965, the Directive of the Main Headquarters of the Air Defense Forces (VPVO) was signed on the formation on the basis of the 45th Specialized Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense (SNII MO) of the "Special CKKP Personnel". This day has been the birthday of the CCMP since 1970. In April 1965, the government decided to build a complex of technological buildings for the Central Control Commission in the Noginsk district of the Moscow region, which was named the city of Noginsk-9. On October 7, 1965, the "Cadre of the Special CKKP" was assigned a number - military unit No. 28289. The first temporary state of the "Cadra of the Special CKKP" was put into effect on April 27, 1965. November 20, 1965 - the first order in the history of the CCCP was signed, which stated that Lieutenant Colonel V.P. At the end of 1965, Colonel N. A. Martynov, who graduated from the Academy of the General Staff with a gold medal, was appointed head of the Central Control Commission, Lieutenant Colonel V. P. Smirnov became chief engineer. On October 1, 1966, on the basis of the directive of the General Staff, the "Personnel of the Space Control Center" subdivision was transformed into the "Space Control Center", removed from the 45th SNII MO and transferred to the command of the commander of military unit 73570.
  

  Air and Missile Defense Command (K Air Defense and Missile Defense)
  (Operational-strategic command of aerospace defense)

  Operational-strategic command of aerospace defense (OSK VKO)- the operational-strategic command of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, designed for the strategic defense of Russia from threats from the air and from space. The headquarters is in the city of Balashikha (Moscow region). On December 1, 2011, on the basis of the USC EKR and the Russian Space Forces, a new branch of service was created - the Aerospace Defense Troops.
  The only commander during the existence of the structure was Lieutenant General Valery Ivanov, on November 8, 2011, he was dismissed from the post of commander of the USC East Kazakhstan troops and appointed first deputy commander of the Aerospace Defense Forces.

  Story

  The USC EKR was formed during the military reform of 2008-2010 on the basis of the Special Forces Command of the Moscow Air Defense District, disbanded on July 1, as well as a number of other structures of the Air Force and Space Forces of Russia.

  The OSK VKO includes the following systems:
  • air defense (air defense)
  • reconnaissance and warning of aerospace attack
  • missile defense (ABM)
  • space surveillance.

    It is planned that over time, under a single command will be all the forces and means intended for the strategic defense of the country both from threats from the air and from space.

    The basis of the subsystem for reconnaissance and warning of aerospace attacks, as well as the subsystem for the destruction of aerospace attack weapons of foreign states, will be formations and units of aviation and air defense forces of the Air Force and missile and space defense forces from the space forces.

    At the same time, the maintenance of all parts of the troops in a state of full combat readiness and the timely execution of commands given from above will continue to be in charge of the former headquarters and commands of the structure: for example, the Air Force in the case of fighter-interceptors or KV in the case of anti-missiles. However, the operational management, as well as decision-making on the use of a particular type of weapon, will be in charge of the Joint Command.
    

    Plesetsk State Test Cosmodrome

    Plesetsk Cosmodrome (1st State Test Cosmodrome)- Russian cosmodrome. It is located 180 kilometers south of Arkhangelsk, not far from the Plesetskaya railway station of the Northern Railway. The total area of ​​the spaceport is 176,200 hectares.

    The administrative and residential center of the cosmodrome is the city of Mirny. The number of personnel and population of the city of Mirny is approximately 28 thousand people. The territory of the cosmodrome belongs to the municipality of the city district "Mirny", bordering on the Vinogradovsky, Plesetsky and Kholmogorsky districts of the Arkhangelsk region.

    The Plesetsk Cosmodrome is a complex scientific and technical complex that performs various tasks both in the interests of the Russian Armed Forces and for peaceful purposes.

    In its composition:
    • launch complexes with launchers of launch vehicles;
    • technical complexes for the preparation of space rockets and spacecraft;
    • multifunctional refueling and neutralization station (ZNS) for refueling launch vehicles, upper stages and spacecraft with propellant components;
    • 1473 buildings and structures;
    • 237 power supply facilities.
    The main units located in the launch facility are:
    • Launcher;
    • Cable filling tower.

    From the 1970s to the early 1990s, the Plesetsk cosmodrome held the world leadership in the number of rocket launches into space (from 1957 to 1993, 1372 launches were carried out from here, while only 917 from Baikonur, which is in 2nd place).

    However, since the 1990s, the annual number of launches from Plesetsk has been less than from Baikonur. Russia carried out 28 launches in 2008, retaining its first place in the world in terms of the number of launches and surpassing its own figure in 2007. Most (19) of the 27 launches were made from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, six from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. One space launch each was carried out from the Yasny launch base (Orenburg region) and the Kapustin Yar test site (Astrakhan region). The United States in 2008 conducted 14 launches of launch vehicles, including four "shuttles". China launched 11 rockets into space, Europe - six. Other countries carried out three or less launches. In 2007 Russia made 26 launches, USA - 19, China - 10, European Space Agency - 6, India - 3, Japan - 2.

    Among the currently operating cosmodromes, Plesetsk is the northernmost cosmodrome in the world (if you do not include sites for suborbital launches among the cosmodromes). Situated on a plateau-like and slightly hilly plain, the spaceport covers an area of ​​1762 km², stretching from north to south for 46 kilometers and from east to west for 82 kilometers, with the center having the geographical coordinates of 63°00′ N. sh. 41°00′ E d. (G) (O).

    The cosmodrome has an extensive network of roads - 301.4 km and railway lines - 326 km, aviation equipment and a first-class military airfield, which allows the operation of aircraft with a maximum landing weight of up to 220 tons, such as Il-76, Tu-154, communications , including space.

    The railway network of the Plesetsk cosmodrome is one of the largest departmental railways in Russia. From the railway station Gorodskaya, located in the city of Mirny, passenger trains depart daily on several routes. The length of the farthest of them is about 80 kilometers.
    

    Kura missile range- test site of the Strategic Missile Forces of Russia. Located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, near the village of Klyuchi, 500 km north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, in a swampy deserted area on the Kamchatka River. The main purpose is to receive the warheads of ballistic missiles after test and training launches, control the parameters of their entry into the atmosphere and the accuracy of the hit.

    The polygon was formed on April 29, 1955 and was originally codenamed "Kama". A Separate Scientific and Testing Station (ONIS) was formed on the basis of Research Institute No. 4 in the village of Bolshevo, Moscow Region. The arrangement of the landfill began on June 1, 1955 by the forces of a separate radar battalion attached to it. In a short time, the Klyuchi-1 military camp, a network of roads, an airfield and a number of special structures were built.

    Currently, the range continues to function, remaining one of the most closed objects of the Strategic Missile Forces. The following are deployed at the training ground: military unit 25522 (43rd Separate Scientific and Testing Station), military unit 73990 (14th separate measuring complex), military unit 25923 (military hospital), military unit 32106 (aviation commandant's office), military unit 13641 ( separate mixed aviation squadron). More than a thousand officers, ensigns, contractors and about 240 conscripts are serving at the training ground.

    To monitor the test site, the United States maintains a permanent observation station "Eareckson Air Station" (the former air base "Shemya"), 935 kilometers from the test site, on one of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. The base is equipped with radars and aircraft to monitor hits at the range. One of these radars, "Cobra Dane", was created in 1977 at Shemya specifically for this purpose.

    On June 1, 2010, the range was withdrawn from the Strategic Missile Forces and included in the structure of the Space Forces.

The Russian Federation is a relatively young type of troops. VKS appeared the year before last. This happened when the Air Force and Space Forces merged into a single whole as a result of the reform. The new type of troops entered into force on the first day of August 2015, in connection with the corresponding decree of the commander in chief.

Tasks of the Aerospace Forces

A new type of troops was put into operation in order to solve many problems, including:

Composition of the Aerospace Forces

The VKS consists of troops of three types:

• Air Force of the Russian Federation;
• Anti-aircraft and anti-missile troops;
• Space troops.

Nine educational institutions of the country are engaged in training specialists to replenish the officers of the Aerospace Forces. The main command of the new type of troops is based in the capital of Russia, in the Arbat area. A professional holiday for employees in the VKS is the former day of the Russian Air Force - August 12.

Colonel-General Bondarev was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, to whom Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country, presented the battle banner of a new type of troops.

The representative of the VKS of Russia at cultural events is the vocal and choreographic ensemble of the VKS. The main cultural center of the Aerospace Forces of Russia is the Central Club of Aerospace Forces Officers, located in Moscow.

Prerequisites for the emergence of a new type of troops

The need to reform the Air Force was discussed at the end of the last decade of the 20th century. Why is there such a need? This need was dictated by the fact that by that time the service life of most of the military equipment that was in service with this type of troops had expired. The technical arsenal was significantly worn out, which undermined the combat effectiveness of the Air Force. As a result of the reforms, part of the obsolete equipment was written off, which made it possible to reduce the staff. The number of airfields that served as military bases was also reduced. Changes have taken place in the field of specialized education.

These changes were manifested in the concentration of educational institutions involved in training personnel for service in the Air Force. By the beginning of 2012, the Russian Air Force acquired a new, more compact look. The reduction in the number of personnel and units of military equipment took place against the backdrop of an increase in government spending on the maintenance of these troops. The result of the reform measures was an increase in the salaries of employees and a more intensive pace of updating military equipment. However, not all measures taken have been effective.

Second wave of reforms

After Sergei Shoigu became head of the Ministry of Defense, a new set of measures was implemented to restore the Air Force to its former power.

Among the activities carried out were:

It is of great importance for maintaining the combat potential of the Aerospace Forces and the modernization of the aircraft fleet. Until 2020, repairs should be completed, and more than half of the equipment in the arsenal of the Aerospace Forces should undergo technical improvements.

Results of transformations

The creation of the Aerospace Forces of Russia was the optimal solution to the problem of the further development of the aviation defense of the Russian Federation. As a result of the unification of several branches of the military and the creation of the VKS, the command of these troops was concentrated in one hand, which increased its effectiveness. There has been a tendency to increase quantitative and qualitative indicators in the development of the Aerospace Forces of the country. But that's not all. The effectiveness of the participation of aviation and space troops in the defense sphere has increased.

Baptism of fire

The first military operation of the Aerospace Forces was participation in the armed conflict in Syria. This military company was highly appreciated by the commander-in-chief. By the end of last year, most of the personnel of the Aerospace Forces were involved in the operation. Many pilots were awarded high government awards of the Russian Federation and Syria. The actions of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria have received high marks from the world's leading analysts. In March last year, part of the military equipment was withdrawn from the deployment area due to the fact that the mission was fully completed.

The face of aviation

At many cultural events, as well as during the demonstration of the flight program of air shows, the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation are usually represented by the Swifts and Russian Knights aerobatic teams. Their masterful handling of aviation equipment is admired by many people who make up the audience for such events. These aerobatic teams also participate in campaigns to attract people to contract service, and to attract young people to serve in the ranks of the Aerospace Forces. According to surveys, many young people enter the higher aerospace educational institutions and flight schools, inspired by the example of the pilots who are part of the aerobatic teams.

Exhibition of achievements

For more than 20 years, one of the main events demonstrating the level of development of the country's aerospace complex has been the MAKS air show.

Air shows are usually held at this exhibition, the audience of which can be MAKS participants during the first three days and everyone who wishes on the following days. Aerobatics demonstrated by Russian pilots during demonstration flights are clear evidence of the highest professional level of representatives of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation.

The President of Russia has repeatedly stressed the great importance of the Aerospace Forces in the defense of our country and in the development of outer space. There were many significant milestones in the history of aviation and space types of troops of our state that citizens of the country can be proud of.