Akhtubinsk (air base)

Akhtubinsk is a Russian Aerospace Forces base located near Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan Oblast, Russia.

Akhtubinsk
Akhtybinsk
Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan Oblast in Russia
Akhtubinsk is located in Astrakhan Oblast
Akhtubinsk
Akhtubinsk
Shown within Astrakhan Oblast
Akhtubinsk is located in Russia
Akhtubinsk
Akhtubinsk
Akhtubinsk (Russia)
Coordinates48°18′31″N 46°12′15″E
TypeAir Base
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRussian Aerospace Forces
Site history
Built1948 (1948)
In use1948 - present
Battles/wars2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Airfield information
IdentifiersICAO: URWH
Elevation2 metres (6 ft 7 in) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
12L/30R 4,000 metres (13,123 ft) Concrete
12L/30R 2,500 metres (8,202 ft) Concrete

The base is home to the 929th State Flight Test Centre named for V. P. Chkalov.[1][2]

The then-State Red Banner GK Scientific Research Institute VVS was moved to the base from Chkalov in Moscow Oblast in 1960, and the 1st (fighters and fighter-bombers), 2nd (bombers), 5th (radio range), 9th (route measuring complex), and 10th (nuclear test) Scientific-Experimental Departments of the Institute were set up at Akhtubinsk that year.[2]

In 1990 the institute received its current name.

The aerodrome was in use for testing as early as 1948; in June 1948, V. D. Lutsenko, a test pilot and Hero of the Soviet Union crashed in an aircraft of unknown type. On October 27, 1949, test pilot E.S. Greenfield died in a crash of a La-15 aircraft at Akhtubinsk during the first show of aviation equipment. On April 9, 1963 test pilot V. I. Grotsky died during a test flight of a Sukhoi Su-7B fighter-bomber aircraft near Akhtubinsk airfield.

Aircraft

5 of the advanced 5th generation Sukhoi Su-57 (ASCC: Falon) supersonic combat jet were spotted on commercial satellite pictures in January 2023.[3]

References

  1. "Akhtubinsk (URWH)". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  2. "929th order of Lenin Red Banner State Flight-Test Center Defense Ministry USSR im. V.P. Chkalov". Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  3. "Russia using new Su-57 jets against Ukraine". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
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