The twentieth century was a period of intensive development of military aviation in many European countries. The reason for the emergence of the air force was the need of states for air defense and missile defense of economic and political centers. The development of military aviation was observed not only in Europe. The twentieth century is a time of building up the strength of the Japanese Air Force, whose government also sought to protect itself, strategic and state-important facilities.
How it all began? Japan in the years 1891-1910
In 1891, the first aircraft were launched in Japan. These were models using rubber motors. Over time, a larger aircraft was created, in the design of which there was a drive and a pushing screw. But this product of the Japanese Air Force was not interested. The birth of aviation took place in 1910, after the acquisition of Farman and Grande aircraft.
1914 year. First air battle
The first attempts to use Japanese military aircraft were made in September 1914. At this time, the army of the Land of the Rising Sun, together with England and France opposed the Germans stationed in China. The year before these events, the Japanese Air Force purchased for training purposes two two-seater “Newpor NG” and one three-seater “Newpor NM” 1910 release. Soon, these air units began to be used for fighting. The Japanese Air Force in 1913 had at its disposal four Farman aircraft, which were designed for reconnaissance. Over time, they began to be used for air strikes against the enemy.
In 1914, German aviation attacked the fleet in Qingatao. Germany at that time used one of its best aircraft, the Taub. During this military campaign, Japanese Air Force planes made 86 sorties and dropped 44 bombs.
1916-1930 years. Activities of manufacturing companies
At this time, the Japanese companies “Kawasaki”, “Nakajima” and “Mitsubishi” are developing a unique flying boat “Yokoso”. Since 1916, Japanese manufacturers have created the design of the best aircraft models in Germany, France and England. This state of affairs lasted fifteen years. Since 1930, companies began manufacturing aircraft for the Japanese Air Force. Today, the armed forces of this state are among the ten most powerful armies in the world.
Domestic developments
By 1936, the first manufacturing aircraft were designed by Japanese manufacturing companies Kawasaki, Nakajima and Mitsubishi. The Japanese Air Force already possessed twin-engine Russian-made G3M1 and Ki-21 bombers, Ki-15 reconnaissance aircraft and A5M1 fighters. In 1937, the conflict between Japan and China flared up again. This entailed the privatization of large industrial enterprises by Japan and the restoration of state control over them.
Japanese air force. Command Organization
The head of the Japanese Air Force is the General Staff. In his submission is the command:
- combat support;
- Aviation
- communication;
- training;
- security team;
- test;
- hospital;
- Japanese counterintelligence department.
The combat structure of the Air Force is represented by combat, training, transport and special aircraft and helicopters.
Command structure of aviation before the First World War
For a long time, the armed forces of the Japanese Empire were two independent military infrastructures - ground forces and the Navy. The leadership of the first sought to have their own aviation units under command to transport their goods. To create such aircraft carriers in the city of Takinawa at the Arsenal No. 1 military plant, which belonged to the ground forces, the existing passenger and merchant ships were improved and altered. They were auxiliary vehicles and were widely used for the transportation of personnel and armored vehicles of the ground forces. An aerodrome was located on the territory of this plant, the infrastructure of which made it possible to test trophy aircraft.
Before the First World War, the Japanese army aviation had its main military unit - the air brigade of the ground forces. It consisted of squadrons (AE). Each contained eleven airplanes. Of these, three cars belonged to the reserve. The same number made up one link of the aviation line (LA) and were subordinate to the headquarters. Each squadron was intended for a separate task: carrying out reconnaissance, fighter and light-bombing tasks assigned to the Japanese Air Force. The equipment and armament of reconnaissance aviation regiments totaled 30 units, fighter - 45. Specialized air groups formed divisions that had their own airfields, garrisons. They were brought into the army aviation corps. They were controlled by officers not less than the captain.
Reorganization
In 1942, army aviation corps were liquidated. Only the divisions remained, which, with individual parts of the air regiments, were the highest command operational-tactical structure. Until World War II, all of Japan's aviation was not a separate type of army, but was subordinate to the fleet and army of the emperor. Soon, the reorganization of the army aviation units was carried out, as a result of which associations or aviation regiments (AA) were formed having an operational and strategic level:
- First Air Force (VA) with a base in the Kanto area and headquarters in Tokyo. This army controlled the Japanese and Kuril Islands, Korea, and Taiwan.
- The second VA was deployed in Xinjing. The area of responsibility was Manzhou-go.
- The third ground forces VA was responsible for the Southeast Asian region. The headquarters was stationed in Singapore.
- The fourth VA controlled New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The headquarters was located in the city of Rabaul.
- The fifth VA had a zone of responsibility within the occupied southern and eastern territories of China. Headquarters - in the city of Nanjing.
- Sixth VA had its headquarters on the island of Kyushu. Controlled territory - Okinawa, Taiwan and western Japan.
“Kamikaze” Japanese Air Force
The history of the word extends in 1944. At this time, Japan was reorganizing aviation. On the basis of the already existing aviation regiments, the command of Japan formed shock special forces. They were suicide squadrons and were designated as “Kamikaze” air squadrons in official documents. Their task was the physical destruction of the bomber units of the US Air Force B-17 and B-29. Since the Japanese attack special forces carried out their work with the help of a ram, there was no weapons on board their aircraft.
The design of such aircraft units is characterized by reinforced fuselage reinforcement. In the entire history of the Japanese air force, more than 160 strike aviation special units were created. Of these, 57 were formed on the basis of training air divisions.
In 1945, Operation Ketsu-go was carried out to protect the islands of Japan from the air forces of the United States of America. As a result of the reorganization, all the armies were united in a single structure under the leadership of aviation general M. Kawabe.
Multipurpose model
Among the various military aircraft, a special place is occupied by the Mitsubishi F-2. The Japanese Air Force, for which it was designed, used this model as a trainer, as well as as a fighter-bomber. The aircraft is considered a follower of the previous unfortunate version of the F-1, which was also created by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi. The disadvantages that F-1 had were that this model was released with an insufficient range and small combat load. When designing the new F-2 model, Japanese designers were influenced by the American Project Falcon. Despite the fact that the created F-2 visually resembles its prototype - the American model F-16, it is considered new in Japanese production, since it has some differences:
- The use of various structural materials. In the manufacture of the Japanese model, the widespread use of promising composite materials is characteristic, which significantly affected the reduction in the weight of the airframe.
- The design of the F-2 is different from the F-16.
- Various airborne systems.
- The difference in armament.
- F-2 and its prototype use a variety of electronics.
The design of the Japanese F-2 aircraft compares favorably with the prototype in its simplicity, lightness and manufacturability.
Model B6N1
In the Second World War, the Japanese Air Force used one of its best carrier-based torpedo bombers, the B6N1 (Tenzan). The start of serial deliveries of this aircraft began in 1943. By the end of autumn, 133 aircraft were constructed. The first samples were received by squadrons, which included aircraft carriers: 601th, 652nd and 653rd. Since there was a real threat from the US Air Force to Bougainville Island, the Japanese aviation leadership decided to transfer forty units of B6N1 to Rabaul. In November, with the participation of this model, the first air battle was held, which was lost. It was attended by 16 combat “Tenzanov”. Of these, the Japanese Air Force lost four. The next two sorties were also ineffective.
Construction B6N1
- Tenzan is equipped with an air-cooled cylinder engine.
- The Mamoru engine is designed for 1800 l / s.
- The combat equipment of the aircraft is represented by the upper and lower installation of two 27.7 mm machine guns.
- Bomb load B6N1 is designed for 800 kg. This includes a torpedo (1 pc) and bombs.
- Passenger capacity - three people.
War of the Mariana Islands
In June 1944, the Japanese Air Force used the deck Tenzan in the battle near the Mariana Islands. A total of 68 units took part. The B6N1 model in this battle performed the functions of torpedo bombers and radar leaders - they were gunners for strike special groups of Japanese aviation. This battle of Japan and its aircraft was lost. Of the 68 sides, only eight returned to the base.
After the battle in the Mariana Islands, the Japanese aviation leadership decided to use this aircraft model only from the coastal base.
Confrontation of the USSR
The Tenzan aircraft in the battles for Okinawa were used as bombers and kamikaze machines. The B6N1 was equipped with special radars. Therefore, the Japanese Air Command, this model was assigned to the 93rd Kokutai (air group), which carried out anti-submarine patrols. The Tenzans also entered the 553rd Kokutai. The Japanese Air Force Air Force Group numbered 13 vehicles that took part in battles with Soviet Union aviation.
Despite its positive technical parameters, the Japanese Tenzans had a flaw that consisted of an unsuccessful choice of engine. This slowed down the process of introducing B6N1 into mass production. As a result, the released models lagged significantly behind enemy aircraft.
Japanese aircraft fleet
In 1975, the Japanese Air Force personnel consisted of 45 thousand people. The combat fleet had 500 units. Of these, 60 F-4EJ vehicles, 170 F10-4J units and 250 F-86F belonged to the fighters. For reconnaissance, the RF-4E and RF-86F models (20 units) were used. In the Japanese Air Force, 35 aircraft and 20 helicopters of 150 missile launchers Hajk-J were provided for the transport of goods and the wounded. In flight schools, there were 350 aircraft. For deployment, the command of the Japanese aviation had 15 air bases and airfields.
In 2012, the number of personnel decreased from 45, 000 to 43, 700. The fleet of aircraft increased significantly (by 200 units).
The Japanese Air Force today contains 700 units, including:
- 260 - tactical and multi-purpose fighters;
- 200 - attack aircraft and training models;
- 17 - AWACS aircraft;
- 7 - models carrying out electronic intelligence;
- 4 - strategic refuelers;
- 44 - military transport vehicles.
