2 French Mirages intercept Russian AWACS and 2 Flankers

[A.V.]

On 30 May 2011, a patrol of two Mirage 2000 RDI intercepted over the Baltic Sea, a Russian HVAA (High Value Air Asset) consisting of a Beriev A-50 "Mainstay" and 2 hunters Sukhoi-27 "Flanker".

Alerted at 11:40 am, the two French hunters take off quickly from the air base in Siauliai in Lithuania to control an aircraft performing the air link Saint-Petersbourg/Kaliningrad.

The Mirage 2000 radar detected a presence on the position indicated by the air traffic controllers in Kaunas. However, five different dots were viewable on the VTB (monochrome LCD head-down display that shows the radar echoes to the pilot) while the two French pilots were preparing to control a single aircraft. .

Indeed, the flight plan filed by the crew of the Beriev A-50 indicated a single unit of AWACS but not the two Su-27 escort. In addition, two Swedish Jas-39 Gripen were already conducting a surveillance behind this impressive device. The two Mirage 2000 relayed the Gripen to accompany the three Russian aircraft to the limit of the Baltic airspace.

The A-50 "Mainstay", built from the cell of the Ilyushin 76-MD "Candid" (cargo aircraft equivalent of C-141 Starlifter U.S.) is a Russian aircraft warning and forward air control.

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operation...ontrole-aerien

 

[A.V.]

 

[bhramos]

On 30 May 2011, a patrol of two Mirage 2000 RDI intercepted over the Baltic Sea, a Russian HVAA (High Value Air Asset) consisting of a Beriev A-50 "Mainstay" and 2 hunters Sukhoi-27 "Flanker".

Alerted at 11:40 am, the two French hunters take off quickly from the air base in Siauliai in Lithuania to control an aircraft performing the air link Saint-Petersbourg/Kaliningrad.

The Mirage 2000 radar detected a presence on the position indicated by the air traffic controllers in Kaunas. However, five different dots were viewable on the VTB (monochrome LCD head-down display that shows the radar echoes to the pilot) while the two French pilots were preparing to control a single aircraft. .

Indeed, the flight plan filed by the crew of the Beriev A-50 indicated a single unit of AWACS but not the two Su-27 escort. In addition, two Swedish Jas-39 Gripen were already conducting a surveillance behind this impressive device. The two Mirage 2000 relayed the Gripen to accompany the three Russian aircraft to the limit of the Baltic airspace.

The A-50 "Mainstay", built from the cell of the Ilyushin 76-MD "Candid" (cargo aircraft equivalent of C-141 Starlifter U.S.) is a Russian aircraft warning and forward air control.

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operation...ontrole-aerien

why do always Russian Aircraft get intercepted???
do they enter Enemy Airspace!!!
like always Tu-95 were intercepted before......

 

[Armand2REP]

why do always Russian Aircraft get intercepted???
do they enter Enemy Airspace!!!
like always Tu-95 were intercepted before......

Because they have huge radar returns and fly over international waters. It is not hard to find a Tu-95 or an A-50 Mainstay.