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Air defense space forces. Russian Aerospace Defense Forces. Defense of the Russian Federation

Molecular physics
16.10.2020

Russia. This time we will talk about Aerospace Forces

And we'll start with the most pleasant part. When is Aerospace Forces Day celebrated?

Aerospace Forces Day

U aerospace forces Russian Federation very little experience of existence. They arose on August 1, 2015 with the unification of the Air Force (Air Force) and Aerospace Defense Forces (ASD)

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces 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 it was adopted professional holiday Air Force. Their day is considered to be August 12.

And since the Aerospace Forces now include the Air Force, this 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 the last stage of a group of Russian troops during the Syrian military mission.

Composition of the Aerospace Forces

VKS structure consists of 3 types:

  • Air Force,
  • Space Forces,
  • Air and missile defense troops.

The Air Force is represented by several branches:

  • Long-range aviation;
  • Frontline aviation;
  • Military transport aviation;
  • Anti-aircraft missile forces;
  • Radio technical troops;

U Long-Range Aviation their purpose is expressed by the elimination of air and sea targets, command posts and communication connections of the opposing side.

The DA units are armed with strategic bombers and Tu-160 and Tu-95MS missile carriers, and Tu-22M3 long-range aircraft. The aircraft are equipped with maximum and medium range cruise missiles X-55 and X-22 on their sides; 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

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

Front-line bomber and attack aviation - its arsenal includes 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 cannons.

Su-30 multi-role fighter 4+ generation

Reconnaissance aircraft– conducts general reconnaissance during flight. The Su-24MRs in their arsenal are equipped with reconnaissance complexes.

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

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

Army aviation– specifically provide cover for the Ground Units, supply the rear and front. Equipped with airplanes and helicopters: Mi-8, Mi-24, Ka-50, Ka-52, Su-24M, Su-25, Su-30, Su-35, providing fire cover. Equipped with air-to-ground guided missiles, unguided rockets, aircraft guns, and bombs on board. In addition, AA is supplemented by Mi-8 transport helicopters and An-26 aircraft.

"Alligator" Attack helicopter Ka-52

Military transport aviation– lands manpower and equipment, provides rear transportation and technical support in war situations 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 forces– protect military forces and points from air threats of the opposing side. They are armed with short, medium and long range anti-aircraft missile systems - Osa, Buk, S-75, S-125, S-300, S-400.

Radio technical troops– engaged in identifying air threats from opposing forces. Identification, notification of management, pursuit of identified objects, control and management support of flights.

Space Force

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 December 1, 2011, they were transformed into the Aerospace Defense Forces. And 08/01/2015 are considered a branch of the military that is part of the Aerospace Forces.

KVs are armed with: satellites for 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 represent air defense-missile defense brigades and have primary purposes:

countering ballistic and aerodynamic threats.

Purpose of the Aerospace Forces

Military space forces have their own tasks, namely:

  • countering air attacks and protective measures against attacks on top-level military command posts of the state, administrative and political points, industrial and economic territories, valuable infrastructure and economic facilities of the state and military formations;
  • destruction of military points of the opposing side using conventional and nuclear means of destruction;
  • air support for all its units during an armed conflict;
  • studying the space sphere, identifying possible dangers in that area, and neutralizing them if they arise;
  • launching spacecraft, maintaining civilian and military satellites, obtaining the necessary military information;
  • maintaining the satellite system in a certain quantity and ready for use.

Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria

First combat experience

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

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

There were reports of the use of Orlan and Granat drones.

Achievements of VKS

At some cultural events and during demonstration flights at any air show, the Russian Aerospace Forces usually present the aerobatic teams “Russian Knights” and “Swifts”.

Their skill delights visitors to those show programs. Often the impression of the flights seen encourages young guys to choose this military service. This is evidenced by surveys of flight school cadets who saw virtuosos of piloting 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 Russian Aerospace Forces clearly demonstrate their professional skills.

Space Force

From the history of creation

Space Force 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 by decree of the USSR government it was decided to build a research site, which later became the world-famous Baikonur Cosmodrome.

In 1957, in connection with 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 Spacecraft 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 launches of R-7 intercontinental ballistic missiles - the current Plesetsk cosmodrome.

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

In 1964, to centralize work on the creation of new assets, as well as to quickly resolve issues of using space assets, the Central Directorate of Space Assets (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 the units subordinate to it 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 dated July 27, 1992, the Military Space Forces (VKS) of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation were created, which included the Baikonur Cosmodrome, spacecraft launch units at 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 Aerospace Forces.

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 capabilities of the country,” the Russian Aerospace Forces merged with the Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) and the Missile and Space Defense Forces (RKO) of the Air Defense Forces.

In 2001, due to the increasing role of space assets in the military and national security Russia, the country's top political leadership decided to create, on the basis of formations, formations and units for launching and controlling spacecraft, as well as the RKO troops, a new type of force - the Space Forces - on the basis of the formations and units allocated from the Strategic Missile Forces. 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, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Space Forces Day was introduced, celebrated annually on October 4.

    The Russian Space Forces 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 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 compliance with the Federal space program Russia, programs international cooperation 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
  • Main Test Center for Testing and Control of Spacecraft named after G.S. Titov
  • department for depositing cash settlement services
  • military educational institutions and support units.

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

    Management of orbital constellations of spacecraft is carried out by the Main Test Center named after. G.S. Titova. The state test cosmodromes Plesetsk, Svobodny and Baikonur are intended to create, maintain and replenish the domestic orbital constellation of spacecraft.

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

    As of the end of 2007, the Russian orbital constellation consisted of 100 spacecraft. Of these, 40 satellites are for defense purposes, 21 are dual-use (capable of simultaneously solving military, socio-economic and scientific problems) 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 (optical-electronic and radar reconnaissance), radio-electronic control (radio and electronic reconnaissance), communications (Cosmos, Globus and Rainbow series) and a global satellite navigation system for troops ( "Hurricane" series). The launch of satellites into a given orbit is provided by light (Start-1, Kosmos-3M, Cyclone-2, Cyclone-3), medium-sized (Soyuz-U, Soyuz-2, "Zenit") and heavy ("Proton-K", "Proton-M") classes.

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

    The space forces use the ground-based automated spacecraft control complex (NAKU KA): command and measurement systems "Taman-Baza", "Fazan", radar "Kama", quantum-optical system "Sazhen-T", 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: Military Space Academy (VKA) named after. A.F. Mozhaisky (St. Petersburg), Pushkin Military Institute of Radio Electronics of the Space Forces named after. Air Marshal E.Ya. Savitsky (Pushkin), Moscow Military Institute of Radio Electronics of the Space Forces (Kubinka), Peter the Great Military Space Institute cadet corps(Saint Petersburg).

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

    With the formation of the Aerospace Defense Forces in Russia, the Space Forces ceased to exist. The aerospace defense forces 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 assets responsible for ensuring the security of Russia in and from space with military formations problem solvers air defense(Air Defense) of the Russian Federation. This was caused by the objective need to integrate, under a single leadership, all forces and means capable of fighting in the air and space spheres, based on modern world trends in armament and rearmament of leading countries towards expanding the role of aerospace in ensuring the protection of state interests in the economic, military and social spheres.

    Aerospace Defense Forces facilities are located throughout Russia - from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, as well as beyond its borders. Missile attack warning and space control systems are deployed in neighboring countries - Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

      Commanders of the Aerospace Defense Forces:
    • From December 1, 2011 to November 9, 2012 - Colonel General Oleg Nikolaevich 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 Forces
    • Command of the Aerospace Defense Forces
      • Space Command (SC):
      • Main Test Space Center named after. G.S. Titova
      • Air and Missile Defense Command (Air Defense and Missile Defense):
      • Air Defense Brigades
      • Missile Defense Joint
      • State Test Cosmodrome "Plesetsk" (GIC "Plesetsk")
      • Separate scientific research station (Kura test site)
    • 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 Forces took up combat duty on December 1, 2011.

      These troops include:
    • Main Missile Attack Warning Center (Missile Attack Warning System);
    • Main center for space reconnaissance (Space Control Center);
    • Main Test Space Center named after German Titov;
    • Air and Missile Defense Command (Air Defense and Missile Defense) (Operational-Strategic Command of Aerospace Defense), comprising air defense brigades (former troops of the Operational-Strategic Command of Aerospace Defense and the Command special purpose Moscow Air Defense District) and missile defense formations;
    • State Test Cosmodrome Plesetsk (1st State Test Cosmodrome), including a separate scientific research station (Kura test site). Kura Missile Range - test site of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces;
    • Arsenal (a military institution for storing, repairing and assembling, accounting, issuing weapons and ammunition to troops, as well as for carrying out work on their assembly, repair and production of some parts for them).

    Main missile attack warning center
    (Missile Warning System)

    Missile attack warning system (MAWS)- a special comprehensive system for warning the leadership of a state about the enemy’s use of missile weapons 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 system satellites.

    History of creation

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

    The Soviet Union began building a missile attack warning system in the early 1960s. The first early warning radar stations 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 detected 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 technical means processing of the received information limited the detection range to two to three thousand kilometers, which corresponded to a warning time of 10 - 15 minutes before arrival to the territory of the USSR.

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

    In 1972, the USSR developed the concept of an integrated missile attack warning system. It included ground-based above-the-horizon and over-the-horizon radar stations and space assets and was capable of ensuring the implementation of a retaliatory strike. To detect ICBM launches while they are passing through the active part of the trajectory, which would provide maximum warning time, it was planned to use early warning satellites and over-the-horizon radars. Detection of missile warheads in later sections of the ballistic trajectory was provided 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: registration of infrared radiation from the operating engine of a launching ICBM by satellite sensors and registration of the reflected radio signal using radar.

    USSR missile attack warning system

    Missile attack warning radar

    Work on the creation of a long-range detection radar began after the decision of the USSR Government in 1954 to develop proposals for the creation of a missile defense system for Moscow. Its most important elements were to be the 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, research began in Kazakhstan on the reflective parameters of ballistic missile warheads launched from the Kapustin Yar test site.

    The construction of the first early warning radars was carried out in 1963 - 1969. These were two radars of the Dnestr-M type, 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 the United States or from the Norwegian and North Seas. The main task of the system at this stage was to provide information about a missile attack for the missile defense system deployed around Moscow.

    In 1967 - 1968, simultaneously with the construction of radars in Olenegorsk and Skrunda, the construction of four Dnepr-type radars (a modernized version of the Dnestr-M radar) began. Nodes were selected for construction in Balkhash-9 (Kazakhstan), Mishelevka (near Irkutsk), and 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 area of ​​the warning system, expanding it to the North Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.

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

    The concept of a missile attack warning system developed in 1972 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 Dnepr radar in Balkhash, Mishelevka, Sevastopol and Skrunda, it was planned to create a new radar of this type at a new node in Mukachevo (Ukraine). Thus, the Dnepr radar should have become the basis new system missile attack warnings. The first stage of this system, which included radars at the nodes in Olenegorsk, Skrunda, Balkhash-9 and Mishelevka, began combat duty on October 29, 1976. The second stage, which included radars at the nodes in Sevastopol and Mukachevo, was put on combat duty 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 decoys) and active (jamming) countermeasures. Their detection was also made difficult by the introduction of radar signature reduction systems (Stealth technology). To meet the new conditions, in 1971 - 1972, a project for a new early warning radar of the Daryal type was developed. In 1984, a station of this type was handed over to the state commission and entered combat duty in Pechora, Komi Republic. A similar station was built in 1987 in Gabala, Azerbaijan.

    Space echelon early warning system

    In accordance with the design 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 them was responsible for the development of spacecraft. Lavochkina.

    By 1979, a space system for early detection of ICBM launches was deployed, consisting of four US-K spacecraft (SC) (Oko system) in highly elliptical orbits. To receive, process information and control the system’s spacecraft, an early warning control center was built in Serpukhov-15 (70 km from Moscow). After flight development tests, the first generation US-K system was put into service in 1982. It was intended to monitor continental missile-prone areas of the United States. To reduce exposure to background radiation from the Earth, reflections of sunlight from clouds, and glare, the satellites observed not vertically downward, but at an angle. For this purpose, the apogees of the highly elliptical orbit were located above the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. An additional advantage of this configuration was the ability to observe the basing areas of American ICBMs on both daily orbits, while maintaining direct radio communication with the command post near Moscow, or with 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 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 satellites. In addition, the observation was carried out simultaneously by two or three spacecraft, which reduced the likelihood of issuing a false signal from illumination of the recording equipment by direct sunlight or sunlight reflected 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 positioned at 24° west longitude, providing surveillance 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-hazardous areas made it necessary to ensure the detection of ballistic missile launches not only from the continental United States, but also from other areas 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. Her distinctive feature, in addition to placing a satellite in geostationary orbit, there was the use of vertical observation of rocket launches against the background of the earth's surface. This solution allows not only to register the fact of missile launch, 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 second-generation spacecraft. 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 early warning system orbital constellation consisted of three satellites - 1 US-KMO in geostationary orbit (Kosmos-2379 launched into orbit on 08/24/2001) and 2 US-KS in a highly elliptical orbit (Cosmos-2422 launched into orbit on 07/21/2001) .2006, Cosmos-2430 launched into orbit on October 23, 2007). On June 27, 2008, Kosmos-2440 was launched.

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

    At the beginning of 2012, the planned deployment of high factory readiness radar stations (VZG radar) "Voronezh" is being carried out with the aim of forming a closed missile attack warning radar field at a new technological level with significantly improved characteristics and capabilities. Currently, new VZG radars have been deployed in Lekhtusi (one meter), Armavir (two decimeter), and Svetlogorsk (decimeter). The construction of a dual VZG meter range radar complex is progressing ahead of schedule in Irkutsk region- the first segment of the south-eastern direction has been put on experimental combat duty, the complex with the second antenna panel for viewing the eastern direction is planned to be put on the OBD in 2013. Work on creating a unified space system (USS) is entering the home stretch.

    Early warning stations of Russia on the territory of Ukraine

    In December 2005, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko announced the transfer to the United States of a package of proposals regarding cooperation in the rocket and space sector. After their formalization into the 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 (MAWS) in Sevastopol and Mukachevo, information from which is transmitted to SPRN central command post in Solnechnogorsk.

    Unlike early warning radars located in Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan, leased by Russia and maintained by Russian military personnel, Ukrainian radars have not only been owned by Ukraine since 1992, but have also been maintained by the Ukrainian military. Based on 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 received $1.2 million annually.

    In February 2005, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense 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 station to the subordination of the NSAU, with a view to re-registering the agreement in connection with the change in the status of the radar station. Russia cannot prevent American specialists from accessing the radar. At the same time, Russia would have to rapidly deploy new Voronezh-DM radars on its territory, which it did, putting nodes on duty near Krasnodar Armavir and Kaliningrad Svetlogorsk.

    In March 2006, Ukrainian Defense Minister Anatoly Gritsenko said that Ukraine would not lease two missile attack warning stations in Mukachevo and Sevastopol to the United States.

    In June 2006 CEO The National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSAU), Yuriy Alekseev, reported that Ukraine and Russia agreed to increase the service fee in the interests of the Russian side of the radar stations in Sevastopol and Mukachevo “one and a half times” in 2006.

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

    Main space reconnaissance center
    (Space Control Center)

    Main center for space reconnaissance (GC RKO) is an element of the Space Control System (SCCS), which is part of the Russian Missile and Space Defense Army (RKO). SKKP serves for information support space activities of the state and countering the space reconnaissance means of potential adversaries, assessing the dangers of the space situation and communicating information to consumers.

      Performed tasks:
    • 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;
    • identification of dangerous approaches 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 anti-missile and anti-space defense systems (BMD and PKO);
    • maintaining a catalog of space objects (Main System Catalog - GCS);
    • assessment of the performance of funds and SKKP;
    • control of the geostationary region of space;
    • analysis and assessment of the space situation.

    History of education

    On March 6, 1965, the Directive of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces (VPVO) was signed on the formation of a “Special Central Control Commission Cadre” on the basis of the 45th Specialized Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense (SNII MO). This day has been the birthday of the Central Committee of the Red Cross since 1970. In April 1965, the government made a decision to build a complex of technological buildings for the Central Committee for Communal Use and Control in the Noginsk district of the Moscow region, which was named Noginsk-9. On October 7, 1965, the “Cadre of the Special Central Control Commission” was assigned the number - military unit No. 28289. The first temporary staff of the “Cadre of the Special Central Control Commission” was put into effect on April 27, 1965. November 20, 1965 - the first order in the history of the Central Control Commission was signed, which stated , that Lieutenant Colonel V.P. Smirnov took temporary command of the “Cadre of the Special Central Command and Control Commission.” At the end of 1965, Colonel N. A. Martynov, who graduated from the Academy with a gold medal, was appointed head of the Central Committee General Staff, Lieutenant Colonel V.P. Smirnov became the chief engineer. On October 1, 1966, based on a directive from the General Staff, the “Cadre of the Space Control Center” unit 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 (Air Defense and Missile Defense)
    (Operational-Strategic Aerospace Defense Command)

    Operational-Strategic Command of Aerospace Defense (USC VKO)- the operational-strategic command of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, intended 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 VKO and the Russian Space Forces, a new branch of the military was created - the Aerospace Defense Forces.
    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 VKO troops and appointed first deputy commander of the Aerospace Defense Forces.

    Story

    USC East Kazakhstan region was formed during military reform 2008-2010 on the basis of the Special Purpose 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 USC East Kazakhstan region includes the following systems:
    • air defense (air defense)
    • reconnaissance and warning of aerospace attack
    • missile defense (BMD)
    • space surveillance.

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

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

      At the same time, maintaining all units of the troops in a state of full combat readiness and timely execution of commands given from above will continue to be the responsibility of the previous headquarters and command structures: for example, the Air Force in the case of fighter-interceptors or the KV in the case of anti-missile defenses. However, operational management, as well as decision-making on the use of this or that type of weapon, will be in charge of the Joint Command.

      State Test Cosmodrome Plesetsk

      Plesetsk Cosmodrome (1st State Test Cosmodrome)- Russian cosmodrome. Located 180 kilometers south of Arkhangelsk near railway station Plesetskaya Northern Railway. The total area of ​​the cosmodrome 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 municipality urban district "Mirny", bordering the Vinogradovsky, Plesetsk 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.

        It contains:
      • launch complexes with launch vehicles;
      • technical complexes for the preparation of space rockets and spacecraft;
      • multifunctional refueling and neutralization station (FNS) for refueling launch vehicles, upper stages and spacecraft with rocket fuel components;
      • 1473 buildings and structures;
      • 237 energy supply facilities.
        The main units placed in the starting structure are:
      • Launch table;
      • Cable filling tower.

      From the 1970s until the early 1990s, the Plesetsk cosmodrome held the world leadership in the number of rocket launches into space (from 1957 to 1993, 1,372 launches were carried out from here, while only 917 were launched from Baikonur, which was in second place).

      However, since the 1990s, the annual number of launches from Plesetsk is less than from Baikonur. Russia carried out 28 launches of launch vehicles in 2008, maintaining first place in the world in the number of launches and surpassing its own figure for 2007. Most (19) of the 27 launches were carried out from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, six from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. One space launch was carried out from the Yasny launch base (Orenburg region) and the Kapustin Yar test site (Astrakhan region). In 2008, the United States conducted 14 launches of launch vehicles, including four shuttles. China launched 11 rockets into space, Europe - six. Other countries have carried out three or fewer launches. In 2007, Russia carried out 26 launches, the USA - 19, China - 10, the 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 count sites for suborbital launches as cosmodromes). Situated on a plateau-like and slightly hilly plain, the cosmodrome covers an area of ​​1762 km², stretching from north to south for 46 kilometers and from east to west for 82 kilometers with a center having geographical coordinates 63°00′ N. w. 41°00′ E. d. (G) (O).

      The cosmodrome has an extensive network highways- 301.4 km and railway tracks - 326 km, aviation equipment and a first-class military airfield, allowing 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 ones in Russia railways. From the Gorodskaya railway station, 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 Russian Strategic Missile Forces. 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 test site was established on April 29, 1955 and was initially codenamed “Kama”. A Separate Scientific Testing Station (ONIS) was formed, formed on the basis of Research Institute No. 4 in the village of Bolshevo, Moscow Region. The development of the training ground began on June 1, 1955 with the help of a separate radar battalion assigned to it. In a short time, the military town of Klyuchi-1, a network of roads, an airfield and a number of special structures were built.

      Currently, the test site continues to function, remaining one of the most closed facilities of the Strategic Missile Forces. The following are stationed at the training ground: military unit 25522 (43rd Separate Scientific 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, warrant officers, contract soldiers and about 240 conscripts serve at the training ground.

      To monitor the test site, the United States maintains a permanent observation station, Eareckson Air Station (former Shemya airbase), 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 training ground. One of these radars, "Cobra Dane", was created in 1977 at Shemya specifically for this purpose.

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

On December 1 of this year, a new branch of the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces was born. This day will also be remembered for the complete winding down of such troops as the space forces.

The new branch of troops has already begun to control the orbit and airspace, the first duty shift of three thousand people solemnly took up combat duty.

creation of East Kazakhstan region
The first attempts to create a system for monitoring air and empty space were made back in 2001. But due to a lack of funds and other political priorities, the implementation of the program to create the East Kazakhstan region was constantly postponed. And only the threat of Western missile defense systems approaching Russian borders forced the Russian leadership to remember about adequately countering emerging threats.

East Kazakhstan region management
The former commander of the space forces, Lieutenant General O. Ostapenko, was appointed head of the East Kazakhstan region.
General V. Ivanov was appointed first deputy.
The space department is commanded by Major General O. Maidanovich.
The air direction is commanded by Major General S. Popov.

Tasks of East Kazakhstan region
The main purpose of the new type of troops is to warn of a missile attack and repel a missile and aviation attack from the aerospace environment on the territory of the Russian Federation. After detecting an attack and reporting to senior management, use all measures to destroy the threat, suppress attack control centers and cover important facilities on Russian territory.
-instantly informing the military-political leadership of the country about the detection of a missile launch from territory controlled by the aerospace defense forces;
- destruction of detected missiles and warheads fired into the territory of the Russian Federation;
- ensuring the protection of the main control points of the country and the Armed Forces, the protection of strategic objects of the fatherland;
- constant monitoring of all spacecraft, preventing threats from space, creating parity of forces;
- launching new space objects into orbit, constant control of satellites and orbital and space vehicles, control of civilian satellites to collect the necessary information.

Composition of East Kazakhstan region
The space divisions include:
- a missile attack warning system, consisting of an orbital constellation of three satellites, one US-KMO and 2 US-KS;
- the main center for testing and control of the orbital constellation;
- Plesetsk cosmodrome;
- space control system, consisting of:
Command post of PKO and RCMP;
Complex "Krona", located in the North Caucasus;
The Window complex, located in Tajikistan;
Complex "Moment", located in the Moscow region;
Complex "Krona-N", located in the Far East;
Spetsko flight warning system;
All Dnepr radars;
All Daryal radars;
Volga station, located in Baranovichi;
Station "Danube-ZU", missile defense station "Don-2N", located in the Moscow region;
Azov station, located in Kamchatka;
Stations "Sazhen-T and -S";
Stations "Voronezh-M and -DM";
The control system can use the NSOS network in the CIS, and the system also takes data from COSPAR, OOH and NASA.
The anti-missile and anti-aircraft units include:
- missile defense division located in the Moscow region;
- 3 anti-aircraft missile brigades "S-400", located in the Moscow region;
- several S-500 anti-aircraft missile brigades are expected by 2020;
In addition to these areas, radio engineering troops will support aerospace defense.

Subordination
The aerospace defense forces will be directly linked to the General Staff, and the structure will also be controlled by the General Staff.

The air defense control system has not yet been fully calibrated. And what is possible, because the new branch of the army is not even a month old. Almost all stations consist of old equipment, many open uncontrolled areas and outdated weapons. But let’s hope that everything will settle down and the aerospace defense region will acquire the latest complexes, stations and weapons. In the meantime, the technology is working on two fronts: in East Kazakhstan region and in our own districts.

Additional Information
Judging by the reaction Western countries to create aerospace defense, they reliably know the capabilities of these troops, they learn any information on domestic defense capabilities faster than some commanders of our military units. And they can start to worry no earlier than the S-500 is put into operation.
It’s a pity that the time was lost on the creation of the East Kazakhstan region, colossal opportunities were lost in ten years, at least take the change military base in Cuba.

On October 4, Russia celebrates Space Forces Day. The holiday is timed to coincide with the launch day of the first artificial Earth satellite PS-1 (Simple Satellite-1). It was launched into orbit on October 4, 1957 by an R-7 launch vehicle from the 5th research site of the USSR Ministry of Defense, which later became known as the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The spacecraft was a ball with a diameter of 58 centimeters, weighed 83.6 kilograms, and was equipped with four whip antennas 2.4 and 2.9 meters long. The successful launch of the world's first satellite became a revelation in the annals of astronautics, including military ones.

Emblem of the Aerospace Defense Forces. Photo: ommons.wikimedia.org

AiF.ru talks about what the space forces do, their composition and the history of their origin.

Tasks

Space Forces are a branch of the military within the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation. Their main tasks are:

  • a warning to the country's top military-political leadership about a missile attack;
  • missile defense of the city of Moscow;
  • control of outer space;
  • creation, deployment, maintenance of the domestic orbital constellation and control of spacecraft for military, dual, socio-economic and scientific purposes.

Composition of the space forces:

  • Space Forces Command;
  • Main missile attack warning center;
  • Main center for space reconnaissance;
  • Directorate for the Introduction of New Systems and Complexes of the Space Forces;
  • Missile defense formations;
  • Main Test Center named after German Titov;
  • State test cosmodrome Plesetsk.

The number of personnel of the Aerospace Defense Forces of the Russian Federation is 165,000 people.

Orbital constellation

As of September 2015, the Russian orbital satellite constellation is the second in the world and consists of 149 devices. Together with orbital constellations of the CIS countries - 167 devices.

For comparison, the largest orbital constellation is owned by the United States, which owns 446 artificial satellites. In third place is China with 120+ satellites. India maintains 40+ operational Earth imaging satellites in polar orbits.

Pilots during an exercise to test the combat readiness of the Aerospace Defense Forces, the 1st Air Force and Air Defense Command of the Western Military District at the Baltimore airfield in Voronezh. Photo: RIA Novosti / Alexander Utkin

Names

  • Central Directorate of Space Facilities (TSUKOS) of the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces) (1964-1970),
  • Main Directorate of Space Facilities (GUKOS) of the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces) (1970-1981),
  • Main Directorate of Space Facilities (GUKOS) of the General Staff Armed Forces (1981-1986),
  • Office of the Chief of Space Facilities (UNKS) of the USSR Ministry of Defense (1986-1992),
  • Military Space Forces (VKS) (1992-1997),
  • as part of the Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) (1997-2001),
  • Space Forces (SF) (2001-2011),
  • Aerospace Defense Forces (VVKO) (from December 1, 2011 - August 1, 2015),
  • Space Forces (HF) of the Aerospace Forces (since August 1, 2015).

Major General, Commander of the Aerospace Defense Forces (VKO) Alexander Golovko. Photo: RIA Novosti / Mikhail Klimentyev

Commanders

1964-1965 — K.A.-A. Kerimov
1965-1979 — A. G. Karas
1979-1989 — A. A. Maksimov
1989-1996 — V. L. Ivanov
2001-2004 — A. N. Perminov
2004-2008 — V. A. Popovkin
2008-2011 — O. N. Ostapenko
2012 — V. M. Ivanov- acting temporarily
from December 2012 — A. V. Golovko

Educational establishments

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

Story

The first space units were formed in 1955 as part of the artillery of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (RVGK), when by decree of the USSR Government it was decided to build a research site.

In 1964, to centralize work on the creation of new assets, as well as to quickly resolve issues of using space assets, the Central Directorate of Space Assets (TSUKOS) of the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces) was created. In 1970, it was reorganized into the Main Directorate of Space Facilities (GUKOS) of the Strategic Missile Forces.

In 1986, GUKOS was transformed into the Office of the Chief of Space Facilities of the USSR Ministry of Defense.

Military personnel of the Aerospace Defense Forces greet Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the parade dedicated to the 68th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War Patriotic War, on the Red Square. Photo: RIA Novosti / Vladimir Ostapkovich

In 1992, the Office of the Chief of Space Facilities was transformed into a branch of centrally subordinate forces - the Military Space Forces (VKS).

In 1997, the Military Space Forces to improve the efficiency of command and control and savings defense budget were included in the Strategic Missile Forces.

In connection with the increasing role of space assets in the system of military and national security of Russia, a presidential decree in 2001 created an independent branch of the force - the Space Forces - on the basis of formations, formations and launch and missile launch units allocated from the Strategic Missile Forces. At the same time, it was taken into account that space forces and means, forces and means of the RKO have a single sphere of problem solving - space, as well as close cooperation of industrial enterprises, ensuring the creation and development of weapons.