Who will take off from Admiral Kuznetsov? And will it take off?
Where to begin? Probably from the fact that the beauty and pride of our fleet, the admiral "Admiral Kuznetsov" stands up for many years of overhaul. As a result of which, perhaps, TAVKR will overcome the "childhood" diseases of its propulsion system and will be able to use heavy missile weapons. Which, on the one hand, seems to be there, and on the other, “does not work.”
Perhaps, the problems of the landing complex will also be solved, about which so much has already been said before and which cost us something and some in the operation in Syria, where, I remind you, non-combat losses exceeded combat losses exactly 2 times. 2: 1, if anyone does not remember, in favor of non-combat.
And here, starting with the news of the repair of our semi-avian carrier (the name-title is argued a bit later), it begins to cause just clouds of questions.
The very first: what are the pilots?
The answer suggests itself immediately. What experiences can be if now we already have two sets of THREAD. Crimean and Krasnodar, in Yeisk.
And yes, the press service of the Northern Fleet has already announced that 45 man from among the flight and technical staff of the Northern Fleet Fighter Regiment has already gone to the Crimea. For several months, the pilots will work off and landing on the simulator.
Undoubtedly, theoretically, everything looks ... Here it just looks. Practically, the layout is somewhat different. Yes, the Crimean complex is equipped with a take-off springboard, an aerofinisher, even a steam catapult. True, there are no planes for it, but these are aspects.
Another question, in which it is all state. And the state, let's face it, is not so hot. Crimean complex requires money. It must be thoroughly repaired, and even better to replace the part that is finishing. No one has crashed on it yet.
And the complex in Yeisk ... not ready! His construction was actually stopped, as the Crimea returned. And why for a handful of pilots TWO complex?
In general, there is really no one. This is a fact that today they are beginning to speak openly.
But even the current simulator is not a panacea. He is a substitute, assistant, but not a full replacement for the deck of an aircraft carrier. On which, unlike the ground complex, there is more than one factor such as waves, fog and other sea pleasures.
A comparison with the Russian bobsleighs, who were preparing without a track before the Olympiad, is appropriate here. On the simulator. Acceleration - landing. And that's all. It was the case. Or skiers who ride on asphalt tracks on roller skaters.
It seems to be the same, but there are differences. Indigenous. And a slightly swaying wet deck of an aircraft carrier, and even with possible rain-fog charges - this is still not a THREAD. Accordingly, the pilot trained on the simulator is far from a full-fledged sea pilot, whatever one may say.
Ugly situation. And that's why.
According to the plans of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the repair and modernization of “Admiral Kuznetsov” are planned in time to 2026. Yes, at the Murmansk Ship Repair Plant they promise to meet the year 2022. But we actually see how easy it is today to break down the scheduled dates. And these commitments will almost certainly be broken. Or, as is customary to formulate in the military, will be "shifted to the right."
Well, let's say, money suddenly poured so much that is enough for repairs, and to steal. And the factory urgently postpone all the cases and take up the repair. And at related enterprises, where orders for repair will be sculpted, nothing will happen either.
Actually, zero sense.
Five years. Five years at least (for optimists, I think, 8-10 years will stuff Kuznetsov). Five years no landing and no take-off from the deck. Ersatz in the form of a simulator, thank you, though not computer. I am confident that the piloting skills of Russian pilots will become almost zero. Although with a simulator NITKA, even without him. Five years of lack of practice is too much.
Argument? Easy. French people. They have the same quality nuclear carrier carrier Charles de Gaulle. In which from repair to repair is not so much time. Approximately, as at "Admiral Kuznetsov", and approximately they are equal in military successes.
So, quite recently, this unfortunate aircraft carrier got up at the next year and a half repairs. Problems with french pilots? Not at all. Immediately, an agreement was reached with the US Navy on training French pilots on the Rafals from the deck of the aircraft carrier George Bush. Fundamentally and technologically aircraft carriers are no different from each other, they are used for takeoff catapult.
But there is no catapult on the Admiral Kuznetsov. From it the planes take off with the help of a springboard. Yes, and our planes can not start with a catapult. It "hooks" the plane to the front landing gear, the entire assembly must be redone for an ejection start.
So even if the American military loved us as our neighbor, not one of the many American aircraft carriers could help us. Alas. At one time, we did not technically master the steam catapult. Therefore - springboard.
So - either a gradual degradation of the class of pilots on the thread, or ...
Thank God, the 1143 type of non-Savior was built a few. And besides “Admiral Kuznetsov”, there is also “Liaonin” (formerly “Varyag”, formerly “Riga”) and “Vikramaditya” (formerly “Admiral Gorshkov”, formerly “Baku”, former “Kharkov”).
To bow to the Indians and Chinese? Why not? If it comes to preserving the skills of a small, in general, a handful of deck pilots aviation, then you can probably fork out.
I have no idea of any other way out. And that's why.
Indirectly, the presence of a big problem confirms another fact. From the whole separate shipboard fighter regiment, 45 people left for Crimea. Among them, pilots - God forbid a third. Human 10-15. The rest are technical staff plus managers. Well, someone from the command required. Well, in the North to hang around, if you can warm up in the Crimea? Quite so logical.
Rest? Difficult to understand. There is no data about the group. There is a misunderstanding.
I, in fact, proceed from the data that are given in the Admiral Kuznetsov TTKh TAVKR. 26 aircraft. If there are only pilots and technicians in a group, in half, which, of course, simply cannot be, this is one situation. Also not the best.
You can, of course, say that airplanes can serve local ones, but I’m sure that we’ll clarify the situation on our flight crew website. How it is, in fact, when your plane will be serviced by Vasya Pupkin, whom you see for the first time.
Airplanes, by the way, were driven from the north for training. One Su-30, six Su-33 and two Su-25UTG. Nine. Accordingly, and their technology, I am sure. Even a 2 pilot on a plane will still be “not enough.” Especially since it's all from the 279-th up, which is on the "Su". About those who are on the "MiGs" of 100-th up, in general, there is no information.
Given the alignment of the Kuznetsov in the Syrian campaign, Su / MiG as about 50 / 50, then it turns out that it is no more than 15 pilots.
Well, we don't take those who are on MiGs. They seem to have their own thread in Yeisk.
Well, after five (?) Years of training on NITKA, all 15 pilots will miraculously be able to fully retain their flight skills. I emphasize bold, all 15. The whole air regiment itself. And the same will be the pilots of the 100-th in Yeisk.
It is doubtful. More than doubtful.
To begin, let us return to the beginning, when the conversation touched upon these complexes.
Let's start with the complex in Novofedorovka.
In general, the operation of this complex itself is questionable. The complex was commissioned back in the distant 1982 year, and its current state is of concern.
We are not talking about any deterioration, by the way. During the period of Ukrainian rule in Crimea, NITKA in Novofedorivka was idle. And where was he to go, if anyone had anyone, and the pilots of deck aircraft in Ukraine were not foreseen at all? Yes, and the Russians, as it were, didn’t have much time to fly on the coast, what could be said about the sea?
That is, NITKA calmly collapsed under the influence of Mother Nature. And now it is difficult to say how much he is ready to replace the aircraft carrier. It is certain that the catapult was sentenced as far back as the nineties, when it became clear that Russia would no longer have other aircraft carriers in the near future. Especially with steam catapults.
Then the Crimea changed their affiliation. This did not facilitate the fate of the complex. And since 2015, the Ministry of Defense has feverishly figured out what to do with a suddenly fallen gift. Some said that it was necessary to restore it, because one EI thread would not be enough. Others argued that the Crimean complex should be closed as soon as possible. Because two expensive complexes are too big a burden for the military budget.
In the end - really not one.
Let me remind you: the decision to build NITKA in Yeisk was made in 2008. After another twist in the Ukrainian-Russian relations, namely 08.08.08, when Russia broke Georgian blood into the bloodstream. Well, the Ukrainian and the Georgians are brothers forever, because Ukraine refused to provide the Russian Navy with its complex in the Crimea.
The normal solution, and there was nowhere to go. I had to urgently design my complex so as not to depend on Kiev.
Construction began in 2012. And the matter was progressing quite so-so, there were problems with financing. Well, and then who knew that in 2014, everything would turn out like this ...
As I understand it, in the Ministry of Defense then, on the wave of general euphoria, a wrong understanding of the situation arose. That is, there is nothing really to finish building the complex in Yeisk, since the Crimean NITKA has fallen for free.
Obviously, no one has hammered the state of the complex in the Crimea.
And the "Ministry of Health" in the person of sober-minded from the Ministry of Defense continued to gradually warn. Masking anonymity, but who needs such adventures of life?
Many “sources” told in 2016 that the complex in Yeisk was not ready, and in Novofedorovka it was worn to the limit. The result we already know.
It turned out generally interesting. Pilots on the “Su” could somehow practice on the Crimean complex, but the 100-th air regiment created in Yeisk “flew” as it is. Together with the MiG-29KR and MiG-29KUBR, which were obtained from the plant back in the year 2014.
Meanwhile, the timing of the training of pilots of the 100 regiment was thwarted. We wrote shortly before the Kuznetsov epic campaign to Syria that not everything went smoothly with the preparations. And they turned out to be, unfortunately, right. Non-combat losses exceeded all reasonable limits. Including with the participation of the crew of the specified regiment.
Or is there a "MiG" did not fall?
But that was in 2016. At the end of 2017, the complex was commissioned. Well, if you believe the leading media and TV channels. And suddenly, we find out that we are still in the 2016 situation of the year. Pilots on the "Su" went, flew to the worn complex in the Crimea, and the new, it turns out, is not ready?
Again they fed us lies when they solemnly reported about the discovery?
Well, we are no longer used to the lies of the Ministry of Defense. How not to get used to the fact that non-combat losses in Syria caught up and overtook combat. If, again, the gentlemen from the press service of the Ministry of Defense do not lie, as always.
And further. They say (potential) that at least three pilots should be trained for each deck-based aircraft (in case of vacations, illnesses, wounds, etc.). And just to increase the intensity of flight.
But while we barely scrape one wing. And then there's the prospect of turning eagles into chickens.
And some especially loud “hawks” are still constantly shouting about the new nuclear aircraft carrier. Where are you planning to take the pilots, if not a secret? And how to cook?
So, the summary. We have what we have.
1. Yeisk complex unfinished. Obviously, a window dressing with a solemn part was arranged, and the pilots went to the Crimea, because it was safer.
2. The Crimean complex must be thoroughly repaired.
3. "Admiral Kuznetsov" also needs, if not reanimated, then overhaul.
And all you need is what? Right, money. Which we obviously do not have. They are in the football show profukany. Along with everything else. So now we will once again strain, to somehow compensate for the Wishlist of the king-father. Well, he wanted 13 billions of dollars to spend on a show - he spent it. What is it now ...
Is it not time to send Lavrov to China or India?
Perhaps it is time. Agree on training on their aircraft carriers. For good money, of course.
And the Chinese and ground simulators have ... New ...
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