Six RAF Jets Intercept Russian Aircraft Heading for Scottish Coast

[6Foot2]

Link: Six RAF jets intercept Russian aircraft heading for Scottish coast [bBC News]

 

Six RAF fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft as they approached British airspace, the Ministry of Defence has said.

 

The Russian bombers were tracked heading towards the north-west coast of Scotland on Saturday.

 

It prompted the air force to deploy three pairs of Typhoons from its Quick Reaction Alert programme.

 

Two pairs left from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, while the third flew from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

 

Flying in formation, two pairs approached the aircraft before withdrawing, while the third pair forced them to change course.

 

The Russian aircraft were later identified as Tupolev Tu Bears, which are used both as strategic bombers and long-range maritime patrol planes.

 

The total number of Russian aircraft involved in the incident has not been revealed.

 

"This was a routine response to Russian aircraft approaching UK air space and was coordinated with several other Nato allies," and RAF spokesman said.

 

RAF Lossiemouth tweeted: "At no point did these aircraft enter UK sovereign airspace.

 

"The Russian aircraft were shadowed by our Typhoons, along with (Quick Reaction Alert) aircraft from our NATO partners in Norway and France."

 

It added: "We are ready to respond to any unidentified aircraft and potential airborne threats, 24/7/365."

 

Last month, RAF jets were scrambled from Lossiemouth after reports of unidentified aircraft flying towards UK airspace.

 

The aircraft, thought to have been Russian bombers, were spotted off Shetland.

 

The bombers were not intercepted as they remained outside of the area considered UK airspace.

[mikeprice]

Initial reports claimed 2 of the RAF planes were Tornados - now corrected

 

apparently other NATO countries were involved as well

[FishCustard]

Waste of aviation fuel for the Russians these sort of chicken exercises. Of course, it makes NATO waste fuel too, but I mean...

[mikeprice]

I wonder if they are looking for someone to send up an F35 to intercept - I'm sure they are VERY interested in getting close to one and tracking it as they move away - if they can

 

Of course - the RAF etc will know this and probably not send it up fully stealthy - e.g. with external stores - but they would still be interested

[superatticman]

I wonder if they are looking for someone to send up an F35 to intercept - I'm sure they are VERY interested in getting close to one and tracking it as they move away - if they can

 

Of course - the RAF etc will know this and probably not send it up fully stealthy - e.g. with external stores - but they would still be interested

 

 

The RAF F-35 is primarily a ground attack aircraft isn't it? I don't think they will use them to intercept. The Typhoon is considerably faster and has a better air to air weapons system. Speed and radar are everything in the interception role. Saying that the F-35 does have a very capable air to air platform if required.

 

I believe the Royal Navy version of the F-35 will be a much more multi-role flavoured beast though. Similar to the legendary Sea Harrier.

[mikeprice]

The RAF F-35 is primarily a ground attack aircraft isn't it? I don't think they will use them to intercept. The Typhoon is considerably faster and has a better air to air weapons system. Speed and radar are everything in the interception role. Saying that the F-35 does have a very capable air to air platform if required.

 

I believe the Royal Navy version of the F-35 will be a much more multi-role flavoured beast though. Similar to the legendary Sea Harrier.

 

As far as I am aware the RAF and RN versions will be the same

 

I would be interested in any links which explain any differences

 

actually - I would have thought that the Navy would be more likely to have greater fighter capabilities if there was a difference - after all they could be somewhere out of range of friendly air cover - like the Falklands

[superatticman]

Agreed re the Navy operations. They will probably be training for a number of roles. Air to air including long range interception and close quarters combat will no doubt be high on the agenda. I believe the F-35B can carry up to 6 air to air missiles including medium and short range. So you could say it's a genuine air to air platform if required. By contrast the Sea Harriers which operated in the Falklands could only carry two short range AAMs. However to say they were effective is an understatement.

 

Still believe though, that for long range interception of enemy aircraft, sheer speed wins on most days. The RAF Tornado F3s weren't the most agile but wings back and full afterburn they could certainly shift!

[mikeprice]

Agreed re the Navy operations. They will probably be training for a number of roles. Air to air including long range interception and close quarters combat will no doubt be high on the agenda. I believe the F-35B can carry up to 6 air to air missiles including medium and short range. So you could say it's a genuine air to air platform if required. By contrast the Sea Harriers which operated in the Falklands could only carry two short range AAMs. However to say they were effective is an understatement.

 

Still believe though, that for long range interception of enemy aircraft, sheer speed wins on most days. The RAF Tornado F3s weren't the most agile but wings back and full afterburn they could certainly shift!

 

and, of course, if they carry air-to-air internally only then there is a good chance the incoming attacker won't know they are there until the missiles are already launched

which would be annoying!!

[36Degrees]

The RAF Tornado F3s weren't the most agile but wings back and full afterburn they could certainly shift!

 

Non F3 people used to say the ADV bit of the original concept stood for Air Display Variant rather than Air Defence Variant!

 

It was never designed to be a dogfighter, it was supposed to take out bombers, but with all the proper equipment installed it didn't need to be. It could take out fighters and bombers alike before the target had a chance to react.

[superatticman]

Non F3 people used to say the ADV bit of the original concept stood for Air Display Variant rather than Air Defence Variant!

 

It was never designed to be a dogfighter, it was supposed to take out bombers, but with all the proper equipment installed it didn't need to be. It could take out fighters and bombers alike before the target had a chance to react.

 

I believe the F2 which preceded the F3 was a bit of a lame duck. Mainly because it didn't actually have a radar installed!!!!!! It became known as the 'blue circle' due to having a bag of cement secured into the nosecone simulating the weight of a radar.

 

The F3 though was actually a far more capable platform than it got credit for. Dog fighting, in the main is a thing of the past.