Russian warplanes harass U.S. craft over Pacific

Washington Times ^ | 9/11 | Bill Gertz

[oxi-nato]

At one point during the aerial harassment, a MiG-31 interceptor pilot flew his jet within 50 feet of a P-3 maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane. The incident was similar to a Chinese aerial intercept that resulted in a collision earlier this year.

[Voronin]

Response to increase US meddling in the Caspian region (Turkish F-16s to Azerbaijan etc.)??

VRN

[AntiKev]

I still don't understand why there aren't Tomcats or Hornets flying cover for the P-3 flights. It would make sense, espically after these incidents.

[A+Bert (Outta here)]

Is Russia developing a lean mean fighting machine to protect the homeland vs the US and a fat sprawled machine to defend the world against whom?

[cynicom]

The military and the Washington Times both know the word "patrolling" is inaccurate.

[oxi-nato]

well for one nato continues to expand its alliance!!!

[RandallFlagg]

All of your rubles are belong to us!

[desertfox]

Wake-up! We have a whimp in the Whitehouse. China knows it, Russia knows it, Mexicans know it. The whole world except a few Americans that thought they voted to make a difference in the last election know it.

[Sawdring]

Just a little FYI so it doesn't get lost in the WTC threads.

[Hoplite]

Designation: MiG-31
NATO Codename: Firefox
Nation of Origin: USSR
Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
Type: High Speed Interceptor (Prototype)
Year: 1982
Number of Aircraft Produced: 2
Powerplant: 2 Tumansky RJ-15BD-600 high-bypass afterburning turbojets producing 50,000 lbs. thrust each
Span: 46 ft 3 in
Length: 63 ft 1 in
Height: 16 ft 9 in
Empty Weight: 54,117 lbs
Loaded Weight: 81,725 lbs
Max Speed: 3,568 mph (Mach 5+)
Max Ceiling: 120,500 ft
Range: 3,000 miles
Crew: 1
Armament: Six AA-11 AAM's, or six R-23R or R-60 missiles, two 23mm internally mounted cannons and 4 rearward defense pods containing chaff / flare dispensers.

Who's da man?

That's right...

[klpt]

The most capable Russian air defense interceptor aircraft, the FOXHOUND has a multiple-target engagement capability and was the first Soviet fighter to have a true look-down, shoot-down capability. The key to the MiG-31's effectiveness is the SBI-16 Zaslon fixed phased array antenna radar, codenamed 'Flash Dance' by NATO, which is said to be the world's most powerful fighter radar. The new Soloviev D-30F6 engine was specified for the MiG-31 in order to improve range, the key performance parameter for which an improvement over the MiG-25 was demanded. By 1987 over 150 FOXHOUNDs were operationally deployed at several locations from the Arkhangelsk area in the northwestern USSR to the Soviet Far East. The FOXHOUND is dedicated to the homeland air defense mission. The FOXHOUND carries the long-range AA-9 air-to-air missiles, and can engage 4 different targets simuitaneouly with the M-9.

[Hoplite]

FINE!

Be that way.

See if I invite you to my Birthday party.

[AGAviator]

I wonder what concessions we'll give to Russia and China for a free hand avenging the WTC attack.

[PRND21]

I'm guessing our planes will not be harassed in the near future.

[struwwelpeter]

This is all part of the normal fun and games of superpower politics. I am in Russia now, and let me tell you that the mood is 100% pro-America.

The catastrophies in Washington in NYC, we cannot tear ourselves away from news, but we cannot bear to watch. ORT, NTV, all the Russian stations have switched to CNN, often without translation, so we get the whole bloody Turner production.

No one here in Russian hates America, every watches the news in horror, many with tears in their eyes. Everyone sends their sympathy, all say we should use all weapons, even nukes... that Islam - whether in Chechnya, Irak, Iran, or even Kosovo, is the enemy of civilization.

Putin last night spoke on how in his talk with Bush he warned that the dangers are not from nations with missles, but those that support terrorists. Russia went through an ordeal, several apartment complexes blown up, one after another, and is now engaged in a bloody war against the Chechnyans who did these. Putin sent this message to the American people: My s vami - We are with you.

Islam wants Jihad, Russia is ready to support with another Svyashchennaya Voyna

[Don Joe]

A Rooskie kid has hacked the taliban website. Very creative, and strikingly pro-American. Gotta admire his spunk -- he signed it with his email address.

(If the vermin un-hack it let me know and I'll post the hacked archive to my website.)

The Russians may end up being one of our better allies.

[Askel5]

So ... what do you make of Russia's invitation to the G-7?

[piasa]

He forgot to put in the animated pig.gif