Norwegian F-35s Intercept Russian Tu-142MK Maritime Patrol Aircraft on “Special Mission”
Recently, the Norwegian Air Force deployed two of its fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to intercept and escort two Russian Tupolev Tu-142MK maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft flying over the Bay of Biscay, off the west coast of France.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Recently, the Norwegian Air Force deployed two of its fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to intercept and escort two Russian Tupolev Tu-142MK maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft flying over the Bay of Biscay, off the west coast of France.
According to Bulgarian Military, these Russian patrol aircraft were conducting a “special mission.”
German magazine “Flug Revue” reported that the Russian patrol aircraft flew for 15 hours, covering a distance of 10,000 km from the Bay of Biscay to the North Atlantic.
The “special mission” of the two Tu-142MK aircraft started from Kipelovo and aimed to test the newly installed Over-The-Horizon (OTH) radar in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
In addition to the two Tu-142MK patrol aircraft, a Tu-95 bomber was also detected flying off the coast of Alaska.
According to NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), the Tu-95 bomber entered the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and remained there for approximately four hours.
In response, NORAD deployed F-22 and F/A-18 fighter jets to intercept and escort the Russian bomber out of the North American ADIZ.
The OTH radar calibration test is not a combat mission but a practical or test mission.
The Russian Air Force’s Tu-142MK maritime patrol aircraft play a crucial role in the calibration test of the newly installed OTH radar.
These Tu-142MK aircraft are equipped with advanced sensors and electronic systems that enable them to detect and track surface and subsurface targets over a wide area.
The primary objective of the OTH radar calibration test flight is to ensure the radar functions correctly, providing accurate information and data to its operators.
During the test flight, the Tu-142MK aircraft fly in predetermined patterns to cover various conditions, environments, and altitudes.
All the information and data collected by the aircraft are transmitted to the radar operators, who use it to adjust the OTH radar parameters.
Apart from their role in the OTH radar calibration test, the Tu-142MK aircraft also provide training opportunities for radar operators and analysts.
The Tu-142MK maritime patrol and ASW aircraft are equipped with the “Korshun-K” radar for detecting and tracking surface and subsurface targets.
Additionally, they have the “Berkut-95” Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) for detecting magnetic fields generated by large metallic objects such as submarines.
The Tu-142MK aircraft also feature modern sonar systems, including sonobuoys that can be deployed from the aircraft, and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) equipment for intercepting and analyzing electronic signals produced by their targets.
This allows the aircraft to gather electronic intelligence and identify the presence of enemy submarines or surface vessels based on their electronic emissions.
Regarding the OTH radar, the Bulgarian Military portal suggests it might be the “Container” radar, capable of detecting targets up to 3,000 km away and at altitudes of up to 100 km.
It was developed by NPK NIIDAR, the same Russian company that developed the Voronezh-DM radar. — DSA
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