RAF catches Russian Tu-160 aircraft in UK airspace
95 replies, posted
[quote]THIS striking picture shows the RAF intercepting two long-range Russian "Blackjack" bombers after they breached UK airspace off the Scottish coast.
[img]http://www.scotsman.com/getEdFrontImage.aspx?ImageID=456372[/img]
• An RAF Tornado fighter closes in on one of the two Russian 'Blackjack' bombers that were intercepted in UK airspace. Picture: Ministry of Defence/Complimentary
The Russian planes, the world's biggest combat aircraft that are capable of carrying nuclear or conventional weapons, were intercepted by two Tornados near Stornoway in the Western Isles.
RAF crews have now been scrambled 20 times in the past year to intercept Russian aircraft over British airspace, the Ministry of Defence revealed last night.
MoD insiders claim the Russian operation may have been aimed at watching preparations for a major military exercise to take place off the Scottish coast next month.
The two Tornado F3 fighters from 111 Squadron were scrambled from RAF Leuchars in Fife in the early hours of 10 March.
After intercepting the Russian bombers, the Tornados shadowed the Tupolev TU-160 aircraft as they flew south before turning north, just short of the Northern Ireland coast.
Eventually the Russians left UK airspace and, after four hours, the Tornado crews stood down and returned to Leuchars.
Wing Commander Mark Gorringe, who is the commander of 111 Squadron, said: "This is not an unusual incident and people may be surprised to know that our crews have successfully scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft on more than 20 occasions since the start of 2009.
"Our pilots, navigators and, indeed, all the support personnel at RAF Leuchars work very hard to deliver the UK Quick Reaction Alert Force 24 hours a day, which can be scrambled in minutes, to defend the UK from unidentified aircraft entering our airspace, or aircraft in distress.
"It's a very important job, defending the UK and helping to keep UK citizens safe. It is also important for the safety of civilian aircraft that we intercept all aircraft that do not make contact with British air traffic control."
New RAF Typhoon fighter jets are scheduled to replace the Tornados the in the Quick Reaction Alert role next year.
The latest incident followed the resumption in 2007 of long-range bomber patrols by the Russians, which has resulted in RAF fighters being scrambled on a number of occasions.
The bomber flights have been seen as an indication of the current tensions between Russia and the West, particularly Britain.
MoD sources said the latest episode may have been linked to the Joint Warrior military exercise to be staged off the Scottish coast from 12 April. As part of the exercise, navy, RAF and army squadrons will be engaged in mock engagements across the north and west coasts of Scotland. It will involve forces from other Nato countries.
The source said: "It is possible that the Russians were having a nosey around the north of Scotland to keep an eye on preparations for this major exercise.
"The Ark Royal was also on operation in this area in recent weeks, which may have attracted attention from the Russian military.
"These events have become fairly common in recent years and are really just about the Russians trying to make their presence felt."
In 2007, a nuclear-armed Blackjack bomber staged a mock attack on the east coast of England and got within 90 seconds of Hull without being intercepted. Creeping in low over the North Sea, it changed course only 20 miles from UK territorial airspace.
'White Swan' harks back to days of Soviet Union
THE Tupolev Tu-160 is a supersonic heavy bomber which began to be deployed in the last years of the Soviet Union.
Known as the "White Swan" by its crews, it is the largest jet-powered combat aircraft ever built.
Although several civil and military transport aircraft are bigger, the Tu-160 has the heaviest take-off weight and the highest top speed of any combat aircraft, as well as one of the largest payloads of any current heavy bomber.
The aircraft remains in production, with at least 16 currently in service with the Russian air force.
It has the following specifications:
Crew: four
Wingspan: 35.6m
Length: 54.1m
Height: 13.1m
Normal Combat Load Weight: 9,000kg
Maximum Combat Load Weight: 40,000kg
Fuel Weight: 148,000kg
Maximum Flight Speed: 2,000km/h[/quote]
[url]http://www.scotsman.com/news/RAF-catches-Russian-bombers-in.6178775.jp[/url]
Russia forgot that the Cold War was over.
Don't mind, it's just Putin still being badass
Jesus Christ, World War III is coming faster than expected
[editline]10:31PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Archy;20962975]:comissar:
damn russia[/QUOTE]
Quoted so you can't edit
[QUOTE=Archy;20963014]oh i hate you so badly :saddowns:[/QUOTE]
:v:
[QUOTE=rob54362;20962990]Jesus Christ, World War III is coming faster than expected[/QUOTE]
Well I don't think so it's just Russia waving it's massive military cock in Nato's big stupid face
They've breached airspace before though
[QUOTE=rob54362;20962990]
Quoted so you can't edit[/QUOTE]
oh i hate you so badly :saddowns:
[QUOTE=j-richardson;20963008]Well I don't think so it's just Russia waving it's massive military cock in Nato's big stupid face
They've breached airspace before though[/QUOTE]
Yeah they've done this for a long time.
[QUOTE=Archy;20963014]oh i hate you so badly :saddowns:[/QUOTE]
I don't think anyone gives 2 shits, besides, that kid is an idiot for doing it just to troll.
[QUOTE=Tyler_Durden;20963089]I don't think anyone gives 2 shits, besides, that kid is an idiot for doing it just to troll.[/QUOTE]
He's expecting WW3 because of an airspace breach
so yep
Inb4 Russia wants to nuke UK
They've been doing this for like ten years now its not even surprising.
Coo lairplane.
[QUOTE=Archy;20962975]Don't mind, it's just Putin still being badass[/QUOTE]
[URL="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Vladimir_Putin_Cockpit_TU-160_Bomber.jpg"][IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Vladimir_Putin_Cockpit_TU-160_Bomber.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[I]"Sup"[/I]
[QUOTE=Exploits;20963156]They've been doing this for like ten years now its not even surprising.[/QUOTE]
The only reason it's special was because the MoD thinks Russia are monitoring military exercises in Scotland and the last flyover was about 3 years ago or something
The russians are lost clearly
Do you think if we sent a long range bomber over their airspace they'd just shadow it or would they just fire straight away?
[QUOTE=Kilgore 2nd;20963256]Do you think if we sent a long range bomber over their airspace they'd just shadow it or would they just fire straight away?[/QUOTE]
What long range bomber, we don't have any.
[QUOTE=Kilgore 2nd;20963256]Do you think if we sent a long range bomber over their airspace they'd just shadow it or would they just fire straight away?[/QUOTE]
Probably something stupid enough to cause a war.
[QUOTE=Archy;20962975]Don't mind, it's just Putin still being badass[/QUOTE]
Yeah, what a badass, sending nuclear-capable aircraft over areas densely populated by civilians.
[QUOTE=Kilgore 2nd;20963256]Do you think if we sent a long range bomber over their airspace they'd just shadow it or would they just fire straight away?[/QUOTE]
Herpaderp russians r aggressive commies.
Shooting down an aircraft is a very bad idea unless you know its intent. If there was a malfunction in the navigation systems, and the RAF were to shoot it down, it could be considered an act of war.
[QUOTE=Tyler_Durden;20963366]Shooting down an aircraft is a very bad idea unless you know its intent. If there was a malfunction in the navigation systems, and the RAF were to shoot it down, it could be considered an act of war.[/QUOTE]
A russian bomber flying to Scotland? What possible intent is that? You don't go west 400 miles because of malfunctioning navigation systems.
[QUOTE=Reborn9;20963345]Yeah, what a badass, sending nuclear-capable aircraft over areas densely populated by civilians.[/QUOTE]
exactly.
[QUOTE=Regulas021;20963454]A russian bomber flying to Scotland? What possible intent is that? You don't go west 400 miles because of malfunctioning navigation systems.[/QUOTE]
You do if you're not within range of a safe place to land and you CAN'T NAVIGATE YOUR PLANE
They're just testing the limits
This has happened many times in the past few years over Canada
They're testing RAF's reaction time.
They want to know if they are able to get in range to launch a nuke before being intercepted.
Boo.
Is it just me, or is Russia like, the most paranoid country on the planet? :tinfoil:
[QUOTE=Regulas021;20963454]A russian bomber flying to Scotland? What possible intent is that? You don't go west 400 miles because of malfunctioning navigation systems.[/QUOTE]
There isn't a damn thing to bomb in Scotland, unless Russia really hates their fashion.
[QUOTE=Tyler_Durden;20963987]There isn't a damn thing to bomb in Scotland, unless Russia really hates their fashion.[/QUOTE]
I can see why.
[url]http://www.silverjames.com/wp-content/uploads/kilts.jpg[/url]
[sp]Theres some scrotum in that image, why its not tagged.[/sp]
[editline]11:21PM[/editline]
Click the spoilers before the image, for the love of god.
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