Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

RAF and French Jets Intercept a Pair of Russian Blackjack Bombers

February 9, 2017 french-jet-escorting-russian-blackjack-bomber
FighterSweep Staff 2 Comments French Air Force, Military Aviation, Russian Air Force, United Kingdom

Reports out of the United Kingdom say that a pair of RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to intercept two Russian Blackjack bombers that flew down the west coast of Ireland but did not enter UK airspace. The Russian bombers flight path took them down towards France before they turned back and exited to the north.

The French Air Force also sent jets to escort the Russian Tupolev Tu-160 bombers.

russian-blackjack-bomber

Photo of two Russian Blackjack bombers by French Air Force

The Independent understands the Russian Tu-16 “Blackjack” bombers entered the UK’s area of interest from the north-east at around 10am, flying between the Shetland and Faroe islands, then down the west coast of Ireland and over the Bay of Biscay.

A Royal Air Force spokesman said: “We can confirm that quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby scrambled to monitor two Blackjack bombers while they were in the UK area of interest. At no point did the Russian aircraft enter UK territorial airspace.”

French and Spanish aircraft took over the interception but the two planes then turned around to head towards Russia, flying back into the British military’s “patch” while heading north. – Independent

Watch Raw Footage of the Tupolev Tu-160

While there was no indication if the Russian bombers were armed, the Tupolev Tu-160  Blackjack bomber is capable of launching nuclear missiles. The aircraft first flew in 1981 and is one of the largest and fastest supersonic bombers ever built with a top speed greater than Mach 2. The latest reports say Russia has 16 of these aircraft in their inventory but it is unclear how many are airworthy.

Featured image of Russian Blackjack bomber by French Air Force

Related Posts

  • Watch: RAF F-35B, U.S. Air Force F-15E and French Air Force Rafale fighters train together for the first timeWatch: RAF F-35B, U.S. Air Force F-15E and French Air Force Rafale fighters train together for the first time
  • Langley AFB Hosts Trilateral Multinational ExerciseLangley AFB Hosts Trilateral Multinational Exercise
  • French Air Force Invests in Training Partnership with US Air ForceFrench Air Force Invests in Training Partnership with US Air Force
  • 4,013 enemy killed and only 1 civilian casualty: Royal Air Force brags about its effectiveness4,013 enemy killed and only 1 civilian casualty: Royal Air Force brags about its effectiveness
  • British airports install anti-drone systems in response to rogue dronesBritish airports install anti-drone systems in response to rogue drones

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

  • September 4, 2019

    Photo Gallery: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

  • Whistling Death: How The Corsair Got Its Nickname
    August 30, 2019

    Whistling Death: How the Corsair got its nickname

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...