Two Russian aircraft made an "unsafe, unprofessional" intercept of a US Air Force B-52 bomber on Friday over the Black Sea and in international waters, according to a statement from US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs.
The Russia pilots crossed within 100 feet of the nose of the B-52 multiple times and also caused turbulence to the B-52 restricting its ability to maneuver, according to the statement.
"Actions like these increase the potential for midair collisions, are unnecessary, and inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules," said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, in the statement.
"While the Russian aircraft were operating in international airspace, they jeopardized the safety of flight of the aircraft involved. We expect them to operate within international standards set to ensure safety and prevent accidents," he said.
This is not first time Russian jets intercepting U.S. aircraft in International airspace. Them Russian Air Force pilots need to not drink vodka and fly.
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,483PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
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Yawn. Why is this "shocking" news? These types of intercepts have been going on for almost as long as Putin has been in power.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Of course the US complains when Russia intercepts it plans.
They don't complain when they are doing the interceptions. I'm sure there has been plenty of close encounter US/NATO interceptions of Russian planes.
When you post a video of an F-15 passing in front of a Tu-95 like that you'll have a point.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
Yawn. Why is this "shocking" news? These types of intercepts have been going on for almost as long as Putin has been in power.
For as long as there has been a post-war Soviet Union or Russia, you mean
In all my years I've never seen the like. It has to be more than a hundred sea miles and he brings us up on his tail. That's seamanship, Mr. Pullings. My God, that's seamanship!
A captain I have flown with at my airline was the aircraft commander on this P-3 mission in 1987, when they got to inspect a Flanker up close. VERY close. Too close for comfort, in fact. The Flanker hit a propeller on the Orion, shattering it and puncturing the fuselage. Quite a dramatic incident.
In all my years I've never seen the like. It has to be more than a hundred sea miles and he brings us up on his tail. That's seamanship, Mr. Pullings. My God, that's seamanship!
A fighter places another aircraft in the centre of it's turn and manouevres.. I fail to see a collision risk.
This is not like a forward quarter pass or anything which actually would increase the risk of collision.
I think the attached photo shows a view that seems like there was a collision risk. From what I can tell, this video was taken from looking directly out of the front of the B-52.
Ken Cartwright
No single drop of rain feels it is responsible for the flood.
Looking out of the front of the aircraft. Did the 'collision risk' remain in the same place or did it rapidly transit from port to starboard at a high crossing rate?
The first, a growing blob on the same heading is a collision. A transition with the B52 in the centre of the turn circle is not a risk - scary looking - possibly unpleasant to fly through, with vortices and messy air from a high g turn ahead, but no risk of conflict.
A lower aspect approach could be a far higher risk of collision because you are looking to keep the blob in the same place and close enough to the same size, but margins can be tight.
This isn't an earth shattering event nor is it "nothing". The USAF was right to complain.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
Complaining about this publicly only makes America look weak and the Russians strong. We could warn our allies diplomatically in private without giving the Russians publicity that they crave.
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,483PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,483
Miami, FL USA
+1 Blastman.
There’s no need to feed the sabre-rattling troll known as Putin.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”