During the First World War, a man sitting behind a pilot manually dropped bombs on enemy positions. These were the first bombers, and after 30 years they became a formidable force that can wipe entire cities off the face of the earth, as happened with the English Coventry or German Dresden during World War II.
Today, bombers are equipped with a multi-ton bean arsenal, homing missiles and other high-precision weapons. Consider several military models, and choose the best bomber in the world.
The best bombers of the past and present:
1
Ilya Muromets
To begin with, a small digression into history. In fact, the "Ilya Muromets" designed by I. Sikorsky was the first bomber in the world.
For a long time, it remained the largest aircraft in world aviation, and on board 1.5 tons of bombs fit. Participating in the air battles of the First World War, the aircraft made 400 sorties, and the losses amounted to only 1 machine.
It is noteworthy that this aircraft not only dropped a large number of deadly bombs on the enemy’s position, but also shot down 12 fighters in battles. With such indicators, he is perhaps the best among the bombers.
2
De havilland mosquito
This aircraft, armed with the British Air Force during the Second World War, had the lowest losses, and was considered one of the most effective.
He surpassed many military vehicles of that time in flight altitude, up to 11 thousand meters, as well as in speed. This made the Mosquito simply unattainable for ground-based air defense and Luftwaffe fighters.
Only the engines and some control parts were made of this aircraft made of metal, so the German radars could hardly detect it in the night sky.
3
Junkers Ju 88
German designers also managed to put into operation a multi-purpose bomber capable of performing complex combat missions.
First of all, Ju 88 was created as a front-line bomber, but over time it was improved and its flight range increased significantly. Another significant fact in the history of this combat vehicle is that the Junkers of this type became the first missile carriers, and periodically launched air attacks on London with FAU-1 missiles.
France used trophy specimens until the mid-50s of the last century, and today about 20 cars have survived in the world.
4
Lancaster
The British "Lancaster" at the end of the war was recognized as the most effective night bomber. Models of this class made 156 sorties from 1941 to 1945.
A vertical aerial view taken during a daytime attack at the Bek d’Amb tank farm at the mouth of the Garonne River, at the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, France.
In addition, the UK was able to establish mass production in such a way that it became the most popular. During the war, 7,300 units left the assembly lines.
Many countries adopted the Lancaster after the war, and Canada was the last country to stop using these models in 1963.
5
DB-3
For historical justice, let us recall one of the best Soviet long-range aircraft of the time of the DB-3 war, which was developed in KB S.V. Ilyushin.
It was these models of bombers that were used for the first bombing of Berlin in August-September 1941. Cars have proven themselves during the long night flights.
Despite heavy losses, these planes fulfilled their main combat mission of demoralizing the enemy during the bombing of the Nazi capital and other German cities. After the war ended, DB-3 and almost all of its modifications were decommissioned.
6
Tu-95
Now let's move on to post-war and modern bombers. The first in this row is undoubtedly the Soviet Tu-95 project, which the NATO countries dubbed the Bear. Its commissioning took place in 1956.
In the photo: Tu-95 and B-52 bombers
Despite his considerable age, some combat vehicles of this turboprop missile carrier are still in service, and sometimes carry out combat and training missions. Meeting them in the air, NATO pilots often shout "Grandmother!"
It is noteworthy that the Tupolev Design Bureau created a passenger airliner on the basis of this military aircraft, as well as a Tu-142 anti-submarine defense aircraft and a radar reconnaissance aircraft.
7
Tu-22M
Back in 1965, Soviet designers launched the production of a supersonic missile carrier with variable wing geometry Tu-22M.
The military machine was equipped with various weapons and performed tasks at different heights to destroy both ground targets and water targets. It is noteworthy that the aircraft could travel long distances, carrying on board more than 20 tons of bomb load.
In the correspondence confrontation with the USA, the Tu-22M significantly surpassed its American counterparts in terms of tactical and technical characteristics. The upgraded Tu-22M3 is now in service with the Russian airborne forces.
8
B-47 Stratojet
The Boeing company launched a bomber in 1951, and one of his first missions was to conduct a reconnaissance flight in the Murmansk region.
High tactical and technical characteristics allowed the B-47 to perform complex military and tactical tasks in the midst of the Cold War. Several combat vehicles were destroyed by Soviet pilots.
Interestingly, from this model, the Americans wanted to make unmanned aircraft capable of delivering hydrogen bombs. But the project was not developed, and the Stratojet in 1969 was withdrawn from service. Perhaps on thebiggest.ru we will publish an article about interesting, but unrealized projects of military aviation.
9
B-2 spirit
This bomber differs from its counterparts in the design features created according to the “flying wing” scheme. It was designed according to the Stealth system, which assumed the invisibility of the object for enemy radars.
It was planned to produce a large number of these military vehicles, but the collapse of the USSR adjusted the US plans. Also, a huge price affected the decline in production.
The bomber was actively used in the bombing of Yugoslavia, and today there are 19 vehicles in the US Army.
10
B-52 Stratofortress
The ultra-long heavy US bomber belongs to the second generation of Boeings, and is in service with the United States Air Force in 1955.
Having gone through several high-quality upgrades, this combat vehicle is still in operation today. A plane with a high range and altitude is capable of carrying a bomb charge weighing 27 tons. Nuclear warheads may also be placed in his orth.
It is actively used by Americans in all armed conflicts in the world, and baptism took place in Vietnam.
11
B-1 Lancer
The American B-1, like the Russian Tu-160, has a variable sweep of the wing, and this supersonic bomber entered service in 1984.
Rockwell originally created it to equip nuclear bombs, but then reoriented to conventional bomb weapons. Baptism of fire took place during an operation in Iraq, and today it is actively used in the fight against ISIS in the Middle East.
Despite the high combat qualities of the machine, 10 models of the upgraded B-1B were lost as a result of air disasters.
12
Tu-160
Today, all specialists and military experts acknowledge that the brainchild of the Tupolev Design Bureau T-160 is the most efficient and one of the best bombers of our time.
For graceful aerodynamic forms, he was affectionately nicknamed the “White Swan”. This is the real pride of Russian aviation, and now 16 combat vehicles are in combat service, but due to the tense international situation, it is planned to significantly increase the fleet of Tu-160 and its modernized models.
A supersonic bomber with variable wing geometry is capable of performing tasks of any complexity, and technical and tactical characteristics surpass all world analogues.
Finally
In the photo: Avro Vulcan XH558 strategic bomber
Modern bombers have long been the main striking force of the Air Force of any army in the world. They are able to overcome great distances in order to carry out combat missions of high complexity and hit targets not only on the ground, but also in the air, as well as hit surface and underwater targets.
TheBiggest.ru editors are asking you to participate in the discussion of this article. Write down which, in your opinion, the best bombers in the world should also be on this list.