Posted on 08/22/2007 10:50:33 AM PDT by Freeport
In a scene reminiscent of the Cold War, a Russian air force Tupolev Tu-95 bomber is pictured being intercepted by a Royal Air Force fighter before approaching too close to UK airspace on 17 August.
But for the first time, the aircraft providing so-called quick reaction alert (QRA) cover is a Eurofighter Typhoon F2 from the RAF's 11 Sqn - the unit tasked with leading the type's evolution into a multirole fighter also capable of performing ground-attack duties in Afghanistan from July 2008.
Russian bombers have been intercepted by UK fighters on several occasions so far this year, with their presence reflecting President Vladimir Putin's eagerness to underline Moscow's military capabilities as it stakes claim to Polar mineral resources and approaches national elections to take place early next year.
Previous meetings have been between Tu-95s and RAF Panavia Tornado F3 interceptors, with the latter gradually handing over QRA responsibility for the southern UK to Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The latest encounter took place over the North Atlantic, according to the RAF.
(Excerpt) Read more at flightglobal.com ...
“Tupolev” They’re called ‘bears’ and the RAF escorts them out of the North Sea daily!
Dang. Everyone gets to post this article.
Prop bombers?........
Aviation ping...
Yeah, we know, but it's Elvis month.
It's Tupelo, honey!
This business of allowing “probing” of the air defenses is crazy. The policy should be to let them incur without challenge, then shoot them down without warning. Otherwise, they will be able to map out your air defense capabilities. If they are going to do it, it ought to COST.
Personally, I think a few Tu-’s KO’d would be a good thing... Just an opinion though...
The Tu 95 “Bear” has turbo prop engines and is a contemporary of the B-52.
We oughta sell them some........
Korean Air Lines Flight 007, also known as KAL 007 or KE007, was a Korean Air Lines civilian airliner shot down by Soviet jet interceptors on September 1, 1983 just west of Sakhalin island. 269 passengers and crew, including US congressman Lawrence McDonald, were aboard KAL 007; there were no survivors.
The Soviet Union stated it did not know the aircraft was civilian and suggested it had entered Soviet airspace as a deliberate provocation by the United States, the purpose being to test its military response capabilities, repeating the provocation of Korean Air Flight 902, also shot down by Soviet aircraft over the Kola Peninsula in 1978. The incident attracted a storm of protest from across the world, particularly from the United States.
Yep...sixty-year old technology that still works today as good as it did in the 1950s.
I like your reasoning, Watchman.
Yea, those "storms of protest" have really been effective in dealing with other countries.
Thing is they don't actually enter the airspace, just come close.
Search for these to see more
PICTURES: RAF Typhoon intercepts Russian Tupolev Tu-95 bomber
Posted by Freeport
On News/Activism 08/22/2007 1:50:33 PM EDT · 12 replies · 516+ views
www.flightglobal.com ^ | 22/08/07 | Craig Hoyle
U.K. Scrambles Typhoon Jets to Shadow Russian Strategic Bomber
Posted by maquiladora
On News/Activism 08/22/2007 7:26:02 AM EDT · 25 replies · 636+ views
Euronews ^ | Aug. 22
UK Typhoons shadow Russian bomber
Posted by Caledonia2007
On News/Activism 08/21/2007 4:01:43 PM EDT · 52 replies · 1,185+ views
BBC ^ | Tuesday, 21 August 2007,
RAF Eurofighters Intercept Russian Bomber (Typhoon’s First Scramble)
Posted by zencat
On News/Activism 08/21/2007 3:51:14 PM EDT · 31 replies · 1,200+ views
UK Telegraph ^ | 08/21/2007 | Richard Holt
Stop, or I’ll say Stop again!!!
Spoken like a man with a 1000’ deep bunker or access to goobermint shelters.
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