The Russian military’s regular live fire exercise provided an excellent opportunity to see the country’s latest hardware in action.
Su-30SM ‘Flankers’ RF-95860 and RF-95866 get airborne from Ryazan for an air combat maneuvering (ACM) mission during ‘Aviadarts’.
THE LATEST ITERATION of the now regular ‘Aviadarts’ competitive live fire exercise was staged from Ryazan from May 26 until June 2. It attracted a range of participants from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and Russian Navy. ‘Aviadarts’ is attended by the 60 best aircrews who have been whittled down in a preliminary stage held within the various military districts, which this year occurred in March.
A Su-25SM ‘Frogfoot’ pilot taxies back from a mission on the Dubrovichi range.
A Su-34 ‘Fullback’ toting a pair of B-13 five shot 130mm rocket canisters.
A MiG-29SMT from the 14th Fighter Aviation Regiment at Kursk. In the background is one of two Myasishchev VM-T Atlants, used in the past to carry outsize loads for the Russian space program.
A Su-24M ‘Fencer’ unleashes a salvo of rockets during the opening event.
The cross-service competition sees crews participating in several disciplines such as reconnaissance, formation work, air combat maneuvers (ACM) and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).
