The Russian Strategic Bomber Tu-95 being intercepted

ketsan Says:

Aug 13, 2008 - Slide rule keeps working even if all your systems fail. That said the Russians are backwards.

rhblakeman Says:

Aug 16, 2008 - Russians, formerly Soviets, are actually pretty advanced. They gave us a run for our money when I was stationed in Iceland from 80 to 82 with the TU-95's and we were flying F-4E Phantoms, working on new structures for the F-15's to come in. Even as a "friendly" now they still have some wicked stuff and would be a hell of an adversary if things turned around between the US and Russia. Might be an aircraft from the 50's but like the B-52's they are kept because they work and work well.

rhblakeman Says:

Aug 16, 2008 - The 2 yrs I was in the 57th FIS in Iceland I was on a few back seat ride alongs (I was enlisted in the missile/ammo field, not a WSO but one plane would be allotted occasionally for "incentive flights") and the [then Soviet] crew and our crews were on very good terms with each other. Lead would contact radioman on the TU and tell them they were in restricted space, they acknowledged, and the group of F-4E's and the TU-95(s) would ride along with each other until they were in clear airspace.

DSMeclipsegst Says:

Aug 19, 2008 - i dont like russia or thier planes. But those engine designs are kick ass.

DSMeclipsegst Says:

Aug 19, 2008 - russia has these prop job planes (the engine design is sweet) but america has the B-52.

Sanazai Says:

Aug 23, 2008 - that is really cool, i'm wondering though (if you know) was communication in english or russian?

tajmsd Says:

Aug 27, 2008 - Wow 1950 technology at its best

eoghan93 Says:

Sep 2, 2008 - it is a ruler but you got to remember the russian miltary never throws anything away its one of their oldest bombers it can be advantage they use most of those old bombers like awacs obviosly not that one though

okano186 Says:

Sep 16, 2008 - They have just been intercepted....not actually penetrated..

jedispartancoolman Says:

Sep 28, 2008 - w8 wat? i thgt euro fighters were well euro? wats they doing with jolly old russia?

TonyAirlines Says:

Sep 30, 2008 - Why do they always get intercepted?

Abeastlypie Says:

Oct 8, 2008 - They are long-range and they go into other countrie's territorie (US, Canada, etc.) so they get intercepted so they can shoot them down if they try to bomb a country.

agriffin4608 Says:

Oct 30, 2008 - looks like glare off the window

shortkid97 Says:

Nov 13, 2008 - because Russia isnt an Allie and they are probing Canadian British and American air space

clearancedelivery Says:

Nov 15, 2008 - I love it. What a menacing looking aircraft.

odessaboy Says:

Nov 21, 2008 - Contrary to some of the other responses to this question, the reason that they get intercepted is because it is the most effective way to gather intelligence about any new capabilities that have been added to the plane. The bear hasn't and won't actually fly in American, British, or Canadian airspace; they'd be shot down if they did that. They're flying in international airspace, and other nations have the right to fly in international airspace next to them. It is also political.

bryanshipley Says:

Nov 24, 2008 - uh ya they do, if they dont fly into our airspace they why the heck would be go intercept them, and in who's airspace there's? they have been intercepted numerous times in northern canada

odessaboy Says:

Nov 24, 2008 - No they don't. They are intercepted in international airspace, especially if they are considered to be in too close proximity to America/Canadian airspace, or American assets overseas. On occasion they may actually penetrate overseas airspace, like in Guam, or over the USS Essex. But the routine intercept occurs usually over the Bearing Straight or Pacific Ocean.

vanbeukenmans Says:

Nov 25, 2008 - he is right they tend to come to north-west europe from north and they get intercepted by norwegian, dane, english and dutch fighters way before they even reach the territorial border.

Dogapsa Says:

Nov 30, 2008 - Real reality TV right here. Knife-edge of the end of it all. Well, that's overdramatizing, but you get the idea.

elpcon Says:

Dec 2, 2008 - cause it is so noise and slow

nuk3m3vil Says:

Dec 5, 2008 - u r absolutely right, i love russia, though i m not from russia

Avantime Says:

Dec 10, 2008 - Do people still use slide rules these days?

jakleven Says:

Dec 25, 2008 - was that two F-16's who where intercepting? Norwegian air force perhaps?

Scrat335 Says:

Dec 31, 2008 - The insigia on the tail of the one says it is not American, I do not believe that insignia on American palnes are allowed to stand out so much. I could be wrong.