VVS Russian Airforce Force: News #2

GarryB wrote:To be supersonic at altitude is rather easy, and the speed of sound changes with altitude.

No known manned aircraft can exceed about mach 1.6 at sea level, but an aircraft at 18,000m doesn't need to be traveling as fast to break the sound barrier at that altitude.

Yup ~10% less still you need fly more than 1,000km/h though. BTW what makes MiG-1.44 with projected top speed ~3150 km/s a Ma 3 machine

On the contrary, the stratosphere (no pressure, no oxygen for the engines, T -60°C) is the normal flight level for the mig-25 (and U2).

Could the Mig-25 reach M3 speed? I do not have sources, but, afaik, yes. Easily. So easily that it required a computer control of the flight, in order not to exceed the aircraft's limits.

What limits? Aerodynamic controllability, engines, airframe overheating; in this order. And the aircraft controllability started giving problems long before the engines. The airframe overheating can reduce the airframe strength and G-tolerance (but in a high supersonic interception the G-limit of the combat is about 1-2,5G), or the canopy ability to contain the pressurized cockpit. So, the first problems are the aerodynamic control and the engines. But many Mig-25 exceeded M 2,83 and also M 3 without problems. The problem was that, afaik, if there was not a good reason to exceed the limits, the pilot could have disciplinary problems.

Needed the M3 speed? In a correct interception, afaik, no. Why? Because the majority of the interceptions with the Mig-25 were in front of the target, with the target closing in.
And from the rear emisphere of the target? There were some limitations, due to the target's speed, so, from behind the maximum target speed had to be Mach 2,5.

GarryB wrote:

Yup ~10% less still you need fly more than 1,000km/h though. BTW what makes MiG-1.44 with projected top speed ~3150 km/s a Ma 3 machine

Projected probably required the 18 ton thrust engines from Saturn... which might or might not ever exist.

GarryB wrote:

Needed the M3 speed? In a correct interception, afaik, no. Why? Because the majority of the interceptions with the Mig-25 were in front of the target, with the target closing in.
And from the rear emisphere of the target? There were some limitations, due to the target's speed, so, from behind the maximum target speed had to be Mach 2,5.

Ideally, but it all depends on where the target is coming from and where it is going... the MiGs will try to get in front of the targets to fire their missiles but when the target is not heading towards their airfield they might not get that option... high speed and high altitude improves missile performance and increases effective missile kill envelope so climb and acceleration is always part of a long range AAM missile attack.


Needed the M3 speed? In a correct interception, afaik, no. Why? Because the majority of the interceptions with the Mig-25 were in front of the target, with the target closing in.

That´s why I mentioned projected not achieved. Nonetheless if MiG 1,44 was the chosen one (not Sukhoi design) as PAK FA then proper engines surely would be build

Seems like interceptor speed is utmost important especially in vast terirtory of Russia to intercept incoming threat as far as possible from own bases.

I think that now we are in front of a new generation of weapons, in a new atmosphere region, above the stratosphere. The M-4 speed or more, I THINK, it is not for big territories, but for the combat against very high supersonic (or hypersonic?) weapons, at an altitude between 30,000 and 100,000 (suborbital) meters. A new generation of fighters and missiles in a new region, beneath the Space.

franco wrote:Operations in Syria reveal minor technological glitches in the new Su-34 and Su-35S's. Better to find them now;

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160327/1037039268/russian-jets-syrian-campaign.html

Austin wrote:Russian Aerospace Procurement Falls As Currency Weakens

http://aviationweek.com/defense/russian-aerospace-procurement-falls-currency-weakens

franco wrote:No Russian Air Base for Belarus At the Present

The question of placing on the territory of Belarus, the Russian military air base is not necessary, but the republic did not rule out the possibility of returning to the subject - depending on the circumstances, said Friday the head of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus Vladimir Makei.
In mid-September of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Russian Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry to hold talks with Minsk and their follow-up to sign an agreement on the establishment of a Russian air base in Belarus. Later, the Belarusian leader Lukashenko said he would not discuss with Russia the issue.
"If need be, in any case, you can return to this issue, but at this stage, it seems to us that there is no sense to speak on the issue of placement of Russian military bases on the territory of Belarus. As long as the question at this stage is closed. But this does not mean that it will be impossible to return if the relevant circumstances change, and we will have to make some appropriate response, "- said Mackay.
In November, head of operational management of the main command of air and space forces of Russia Alexander Lyapkin said that the project to create a Russian airbase in Belarus involves placing at the airport in Bobruisk Russian aviapodrazdeleniya of 12 combat aircraft and 4 military transport helicopters.

SeigSoloyvov wrote:So seems an SU-24 flew within 30 feet of a US DD with apparently violates a treaty earlier today

Article is on military times. If that true that and very reckless behavior and the DD could claim a legal shot down if it felt threatened.