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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Above: A MiG-23 aircraft of the Syrian Air Force at the Hama airbase near the city of Hama in Syria.

Above: A Syrian pilot at the Hama airbase in Syria.