Russian Bear T-95 Bombers provoke Dutch and UK Airspace

[Castout]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Not really, MiG-29s and Su-27s can carry nuclear payloads just as easy as a Bear.

Plus there is a huge difference between a Bear-A/B/G/H and Bear-D/E/F. Just because its based on a strategic bomber does not make it one.

Sure Su-27 or MiG-29 could carry bombs or even nuclear bombs but as this is a political maneuver the effect would not be as much as when you send a Tu-95 Bear. If it was a military move no ordnance was released and no target was hit. Tu-95 Bear would not violate another nation airspace other than from direct orders from superior to do just that.

And you're right that there are significant configuration and role differences between all the variants of bear but how does one suppose to know which is which from the radar blip or from 5 km away? The threat might not be real but the distress it might have caused for a few minutes sure is.

Reading this thread made me want to fire up DW with DWX and fly that Bear

[Krauter]

Very true Castout.

I was refering to this picture TLAM.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tu...arade_2008.jpg

Edit: I stand corrected, it would seem the Tu-95 in that photo is being refuelled, not refuelling the other aircraft.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Krauter

Very true Castout.

I was refering to this picture TLAM.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tu...arade_2008.jpg

Edit: I stand corrected, it would seem the Tu-95 in that photo is being refuelled, not refuelling the other aircraft.

Normally the aircraft in the back is the one getting fuel... although sometimes its hard to tell...

[krashkart]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Normally the aircraft in the back is the one getting fuel... although sometimes its hard to tell...

When they fly up alongside one another for a photo op...


Edit: The Badger furthest from the camera is the one delivering fuel.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by krashkart

Edit: The Badger furthest from the camera is the one delivering fuel.

That's a bunch of Bull. It's a real Bear when you Badger me that way.

[krashkart]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

That's a bunch of Bull. It's a real Bear when you Badger me that way.

Dude, I am so sorry. That Flashlight came out of nowhere... it was a real Blinder.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by krashkart

Dude, I am so sorry. That Flashlight came out of nowhere... it was a real Blinder.

Your intentions seem to have Backfired. That must be a real Helix......oh crap, I messed up. Can I start over?

[Tchocky]

Could have had loads to tell you guys about this had it not been my day off

Dammit!

[Oberon]

I come out of the Kitchen for this? I guess I'd better put the Koala back in the Kennel before it Grumbles and becomes a Gremlin.

[UnderseaLcpl]

I don't mean to Harp on you Oberon, but in Hind sight you should have expected as much from this bunch. I fear this is the Apex of our humour. Might as well Kickback and enjoy.

[Growler]

My ADA senses are going into overload.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

I fear this is the Apex of our humour.

Sorry Charlie but as sure as my Papa wrote a 'damn Yankee' on his Tomb Stone we can keep this Havoc going till November when there will be nothing left but Ash.

[Sailor Steve]

You Madcap bunch of Cossacks better Mallow out, or this old Coot will Clobber yer Fantails with a Brawny Bull Moose Bat! The Bosun has spoken!

Now you got my Hormones up! Where's the Maiden?

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Castout

And you're right that there are significant configuration and role differences between all the variants of bear but how does one suppose to know which is which from the radar blip or from 5 km away?

Oooohh there are ways.

The IRST and TV systems on jets like the old Tomcat come to mind, they had ranges of over 5 km easy. Also they are doing wonderful things with ISAR systems now. They can tell the differences in the air frame. If the Bear lights up its radar they will know for sure.

But I'm leaning to the camp that these were Bear-Hs like they sent near Alaska not to long ago unless someone shows a picture of these that proves otherwise.

Anyways I'm not too worried about it. You can see a Bear coming from a long distance away so our pilots can intercept any missile attack from it, unless its got a substantial escort (that would send up a red flag on my Radar so to speak).

[Castout]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Oooohh there are ways.

The IRST and TV systems on jets like the old Tomcat come to mind, they had ranges of over 5 km easy. Also they are doing wonderful things with ISAR systems now. They can tell the differences in the air frame. If the Bear lights up its radar they will know for sure.

But I'm leaning to the camp that these were Bear-Hs like they sent near Alaska not to long ago unless someone shows a picture of these that proves otherwise.

Anyways I'm not too worried about it. You can see a Bear coming from a long distance away so our pilots can intercept any missile attack from it, unless its got a substantial escort (that would send up a red flag on my Radar so to speak).

Umm I think you're missing the point . To identify something one needs to send assets (intercepting aircrafts) even if the Bear had turned on its radar to gain positive visual id and to escort it out of the violated airspace. The period between detection of the T-95 from the radar blip to confirming which variant it is would still have caused distress .

Netherlands is a small country I could imagine heightened alert to its government officials if they are told that one or two bear is flying over their city at the moment . Bear equates with strategic bomber payload if not nuclear ones.


I'd worry too if a foreign heavy bomber happened to fly over my city without authorization or declaration whatsoever even in times of peace.
Heck even if it was just a Malaysian Hornet fighter bomber which flew above the city.