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Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria

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On Tuesday, Russian Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22 strategic bombers went through a baptism of fire in the Russian military offensive against the Islamic State (ISIL) terrorist group in Syria. They have joined a group of Russian Aerospace Forces jets which have been involved in the operation since its very beginning in late-September. A US-led coalition comprising United Kingdom, France, Germany, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also been bombing ISIL since August 2014.

The aircraft involved in anti-ISIL aerial operations over Syria – in out photo gallery.

 

© Sputnik / Vladimir Sergeev / Go to the mediabankThe supersonic Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack was the last strategic bomber developed in the Soviet Union. In the Russian Air Force, the aircraft was nicknamed the White Swan due to its anti-flash white paint scheme. The first operational aircraft was delivered to the Soviet Air Force in April 1987. A total of 35 Tu-160’s have been built. The Tu-160 can reach speeds of Mach 2.05. It is the world's largest combat aircraft, largest supersonic aircraft and largest variable-sweep aircraft built. The Tu-160 has the heaviest take-off weight of any military aircraft besides transports.

Above: A Tu-160 flies by during rehearsal for parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The supersonic Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack was the last strategic bomber developed in the Soviet Union. In the Russian Air Force, the aircraft was nicknamed the White Swan due to its anti-flash white paint scheme. The first operational aircraft was delivered to the Soviet Air Force in April 1987. A total of 35 Tu-160’s have been built. The Tu-160 can reach speeds of Mach 2.05. It is the world's largest combat aircraft, largest supersonic aircraft and largest variable-sweep aircraft built. The Tu-160 has the heaviest take-off weight of any military aircraft besides transports.

Above: A Tu-160 flies by during rehearsal for parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
© Sputnik / Go to the mediabankThe Tupolev Tu-95 (Bear) is a Russian four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. It entered serviced with the Soviet Air Force in 1956 and is expected to remain in service with the Russian Air Force until 2040. It is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today.

Above: Tu-95 strategic bombers of the Russian Air Force during the rehearsal of the aerial part of the parade devoted to the 70th anniversary of Victory.
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The Tupolev Tu-95 (Bear) is a Russian four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. It entered serviced with the Soviet Air Force in 1956 and is expected to remain in service with the Russian Air Force until 2040. It is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today.

Above: Tu-95 strategic bombers of the Russian Air Force during the rehearsal of the aerial part of the parade devoted to the 70th anniversary of Victory.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankThe Tupolev Tu-22M3 (Backfire) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing long-range strategic bomber. It can reach speeds of 2,300 kmh (Mach 1.88). The aircraft is armed with the GSh-23 cannon, Raduga Kh-22 and Raduga Kh-15 missiles, and various bombs.

Above: A Tu-22M3 during demo flights at the Russian stage of the Aviadarts-2015 Flight Skills Competition in Voronezh.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The Tupolev Tu-22M3 (Backfire) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing long-range strategic bomber. It can reach speeds of 2,300 kmh (Mach 1.88). The aircraft is armed with the GSh-23 cannon, Raduga Kh-22 and Raduga Kh-15 missiles, and various bombs.

Above: A Tu-22M3 during demo flights at the Russian stage of the Aviadarts-2015 Flight Skills Competition in Voronezh.
© Sputnik / Dmitry Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankThe Sukhoi Su-34 (Fullback) is an all-weather combat aircraft capable of carrying all available types of high-precision air-to-surface weapons. It carries air-to-air missiles, including the R-73 short-range missile and R-77 long-range radar-navigated missile (with an operating range of nearly 1,130 kilometers). The Su-34 can also serve an electronic warfare aircraft. It is equipped with the Khibiny multifunctional electronic system to protect the jet from missile attacks and ground air defenses.

Above: Russian pilots of the Su-34 at the Hmeymim base in Syria.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The Sukhoi Su-34 (Fullback) is an all-weather combat aircraft capable of carrying all available types of high-precision air-to-surface weapons. It carries air-to-air missiles, including the R-73 short-range missile and R-77 long-range radar-navigated missile (with an operating range of nearly 1,130 kilometers). The Su-34 can also serve an electronic warfare aircraft. It is equipped with the Khibiny multifunctional electronic system to protect the jet from missile attacks and ground air defenses.

Above: Russian pilots of the Su-34 at the Hmeymim base in Syria.
© Sputnik / Dmitry Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankIn Syria, Su-30SM jet fighters serve to protect ground support aircraft and bombers which are used to attack ISIL. The aircraft are armed with the R-73, R-27P and R-27ER air-to-air missiles. The R-73 is designed for dogfights. It has an operational range of 30 kilometers, and is equipped with a heat-seeking warhead.

Above: A Su-30SM of the Russian Aerospace Forces before a combat flight the Hmeymim base in Syria.
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In Syria, Su-30SM jet fighters serve to protect ground support aircraft and bombers which are used to attack ISIL. The aircraft are armed with the R-73, R-27P and R-27ER air-to-air missiles. The R-73 is designed for dogfights. It has an operational range of 30 kilometers, and is equipped with a heat-seeking warhead.

Above: A Su-30SM of the Russian Aerospace Forces before a combat flight the Hmeymim base in Syria.
© Sputnik / Dmitry Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankThe Sukhoi Su-25 SM (Frogfoot) is an armored subsonic close air support/attack aircraft. The good old aircraft has a long combat history and has been involved in many conflicts across the world, including the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. Due its capability to provide fire support to ground forces, the aircraft earned its reputation of the "flying tank."

Above: Russian Su-25 attack aircraft take off from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria.
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The Sukhoi Su-25 SM (Frogfoot) is an armored subsonic close air support/attack aircraft. The good old aircraft has a long combat history and has been involved in many conflicts across the world, including the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. Due its capability to provide fire support to ground forces, the aircraft earned its reputation of the "flying tank."

Above: Russian Su-25 attack aircraft take off from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria.
© Sputnik / Dmitry Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankThe Sukhoi Su-24 (Fencer) is the main striking power of the Russian task force in Syria. With its maiden flight having taken place back in 1970, the Su-24 was the first Soviet/Russian jet to feature a variable-sweep wing. The maximum speed of the Fencer at high altitudes is 1,600 kmh. The upgraded Su-24 carries the R60M air-to-air guided missile, the Kh-29L and Kh-25 ML air-to-surface missiles, as well as guided bombs, regular bombs and non-guided missiles.

Above: A Russian Su-24 jet lands at Latakia airport, Syria.
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The Sukhoi Su-24 (Fencer) is the main striking power of the Russian task force in Syria. With its maiden flight having taken place back in 1970, the Su-24 was the first Soviet/Russian jet to feature a variable-sweep wing. The maximum speed of the Fencer at high altitudes is 1,600 kmh. The upgraded Su-24 carries the R60M air-to-air guided missile, the Kh-29L and Kh-25 ML air-to-surface missiles, as well as guided bombs, regular bombs and non-guided missiles.

Above: A Russian Su-24 jet lands at Latakia airport, Syria.
© AFP 2023 / USAFThe F-22 Raptor is one the most advanced combat aircraft flying over Syria. The high-flying supersonic stealth fighter has been used as a strike platform. With its large number of advanced sensors, US commanders are using Raptors as a flying intelligence gathering and command and control platforms.

Above: An F-22 Raptor of the US Air Force.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The F-22 Raptor is one the most advanced combat aircraft flying over Syria. The high-flying supersonic stealth fighter has been used as a strike platform. With its large number of advanced sensors, US commanders are using Raptors as a flying intelligence gathering and command and control platforms.

Above: An F-22 Raptor of the US Air Force.
CC0 / / The MQ-1 Predator is a US multirole UAV built by General Atomics and used by the US Air Force and the CIA. Its maiden flight took place in 1994. The aircraft, in use since 1995, has seen combat over Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria, and Somalia.

Above: An MQ-1 Predator UAV.
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The MQ-1 Predator is a US multirole UAV built by General Atomics and used by the US Air Force and the CIA. Its maiden flight took place in 1994. The aircraft, in use since 1995, has seen combat over Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria, and Somalia.

Above: An MQ-1 Predator UAV.
© AFP 2023 / MICHAEL W. PENDERGRASS / US NAVY The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine supersonic all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet. The F/A-18 has a top speed of Mach 1.8 (1,915 kmh). It can carry a wide variety of bombs and missiles, including air-to-air and air-to-ground, supplemented by the 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon.

Above: An F/A-18 Hornet launches from the deck of the USS Enterprise 22 February 1999.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine supersonic all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet. The F/A-18 has a top speed of Mach 1.8 (1,915 kmh). It can carry a wide variety of bombs and missiles, including air-to-air and air-to-ground, supplemented by the 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon.

Above: An F/A-18 Hornet launches from the deck of the USS Enterprise 22 February 1999.
© Flickr / Airman MagazineThe McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is a US multirole strike fighter. It was designed in the 1980s for long-range high speed interdiction. It has a top speed of Mach 2.5+ (3,000 kmh). It is armed with the M61A1 Vulcan six-barreled cannon, various air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and bombs.

Above: An F-15E Strike Eagle.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is a US multirole strike fighter. It was designed in the 1980s for long-range high speed interdiction. It has a top speed of Mach 2.5+ (3,000 kmh). It is armed with the M61A1 Vulcan six-barreled cannon, various air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and bombs.

Above: An F-15E Strike Eagle.
© AFP 2023 / Atta KENAREThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom is a two-seat, twin-engine long-range supersonic interceptor/fighter developed for the US Navy. It entered service in 1960 with the US Navy. The Phantom has a top speed of over Mach 2.2 (2,370 kmh). It can carry more than 8,400 kg of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs.

Above: An Iranian family walks past a US-made Iranian Air Force Phantom F-4 plane 24 September 2001.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom is a two-seat, twin-engine long-range supersonic interceptor/fighter developed for the US Navy. It entered service in 1960 with the US Navy. The Phantom has a top speed of over Mach 2.2 (2,370 kmh). It can carry more than 8,400 kg of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs.

Above: An Iranian family walks past a US-made Iranian Air Force Phantom F-4 plane 24 September 2001.
© AFP 2023 / ARIS MESSINISThe Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a US four-engine supersonic variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber. It was initially developed in the early-1970s, but entered service in 1986. The aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 1.25 (1,335 kmh) and carry a payload of 56,700 kg.

Above: A US Air Force B-1 Lancer bomber flies above the Syrian town of Kobane.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a US four-engine supersonic variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber. It was initially developed in the early-1970s, but entered service in 1986. The aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 1.25 (1,335 kmh) and carry a payload of 56,700 kg.

Above: A US Air Force B-1 Lancer bomber flies above the Syrian town of Kobane.
© AFP 2023 / US AIR FORCEThe Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American twin-engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by in the early 1970s. It entered service in 1976, and is the only United States Air Force production aircraft designed solely for close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets. The A-10 was designed around the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon that is its primary armament.

Above: This US Air Force file photo obtained 07 March 2002 shows an A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft during a training exercise.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American twin-engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by in the early 1970s. It entered service in 1976, and is the only United States Air Force production aircraft designed solely for close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets. The A-10 was designed around the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon that is its primary armament.

Above: This US Air Force file photo obtained 07 March 2002 shows an A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft during a training exercise.
© REUTERS / Jean-Paul PelissierThe Dassault Rafale is a French aircraft was developed in the 1980s as a replacement for the Mirage 2000 fighter. The Rafale serves in the French air force and navy. The Rafale is equipped with an electronic warfare system, SPECTRA. The system is reprogrammable and very effective. It is also equipped with a Damocles targeting pod. It also comes with a number of French-produced weapons.

Above: Flight deck crew work around a Rafale (left) and a Super Etendard fighter jets as a French flag flies aboard the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The Dassault Rafale is a French aircraft was developed in the 1980s as a replacement for the Mirage 2000 fighter. The Rafale serves in the French air force and navy. The Rafale is equipped with an electronic warfare system, SPECTRA. The system is reprogrammable and very effective. It is also equipped with a Damocles targeting pod. It also comes with a number of French-produced weapons.

Above: Flight deck crew work around a Rafale (left) and a Super Etendard fighter jets as a French flag flies aboard the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
© Flickr / Airman MagazineThe General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed primarily for the United States Air Force. The MQ-9 is a larger, heavier, and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator.

Above: An MQ-9 Reaper UAV.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed primarily for the United States Air Force. The MQ-9 is a larger, heavier, and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator.

Above: An MQ-9 Reaper UAV.
© Flickr / David AllanThe Panavia Tornado is a twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft developed by Italy, the United Kingdom and West Germany. The aircraft conducted its maiden flight in 1974 and was introduced into service in 1979-1980. The Tornado made its combat debut as part of the British contribution to the Gulf War in 1991.

Above: A Tornado jet of the Royal Air Force.
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The Panavia Tornado is a twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft developed by Italy, the United Kingdom and West Germany. The aircraft conducted its maiden flight in 1974 and was introduced into service in 1979-1980. The Tornado made its combat debut as part of the British contribution to the Gulf War in 1991.

Above: A Tornado jet of the Royal Air Force.
© Sputnik / Dmitry Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankAbove: A MiG-23 aircraft of the Syrian Air Force at the Hama airbase near the city of Hama in Syria.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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Above: A MiG-23 aircraft of the Syrian Air Force at the Hama airbase near the city of Hama in Syria.
© Sputnik / Dmitry Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankAbove: A Syrian pilot at the Hama airbase in Syria.
Aviation Aces: World's Fiercest Aircraft Put to the Test in Syria - Sputnik International
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Above: A Syrian pilot at the Hama airbase in Syria.
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