question: QRA 11/12-3

[slednah]

Hi, sorry if this is the wrong forum but I have a few questions. Wednesday and Thursday a few Russians got intercepted by UK fighters. What I've read on Twitter was that shannon was advising several civil aircrafts to have a look out for the Russians. Do these Russians have contact with ATC , otherwise how do they know their routing and how can they not collide with another planes?
What's the purpose of these flights? I assume it's an exercise, but why do 2 BlackJacks fly into southern Europe and then go back home? "Our" aircrafts fly over the black sea but do they ever really enter Russian airspace?

[Le Addeur noir]

Hi, sorry if this is the wrong forum but I have a few questions. Wednesday and Thursday a few Russians got intercepted by UK fighters. What I've read on Twitter was that shannon was advising several civil aircrafts to have a look out for the Russians. Do these Russians have contact with ATC , otherwise how do they know their routing and how can they not collide with another planes?
What's the purpose of these flights? I assume it's an exercise, but why do 2 BlackJacks fly into southern Europe and then go back home? "Our" aircrafts fly over the black sea but do they ever really enter Russian airspace?

The reasons for these flights are,

1 To cause maximum disruption.

2 To test and evaluate NATO reaction to these incursions, which may or may not be used in the planning for any intended wartime action.

[slednah]

Ok, thank you.

[joost]

Because they are not in contact with air traffic control could/is be the reason the QRA was launched in the first place.

[guess mode on] The first two were Tu-142's which I believe are reconaisance & submarine hunter aircraft.
To be honest, I am not sure were I have read it let alone if it is true, it was said HMS Prince of Wales was operating in the area were the Tu142's went. [guess mode off]

I believe the Tu-142's on both ocassions went to the same area, not sure about the TU-160's though.
So there was/is something of interest in my opinion that prompted the russians to do execute these missions.

[slednah]

Tnx Joost!

[michel N]

One of these Tu142’s carried a system with a very long cable trailing, to communicate with submarines apparently. That aircraft with such a long cable (few miles long?) in airspace with airliner, without communicating is a dangerous thing. Guess that’s also a good reason to send the QRA to check

[pluggie]

The Tu-142MRM 'Orel' Bear-J involved. Notice the trailing VLF antenna belly fairing:

[De Verrekieker]

Serial of the picture is RF-34073/17(red) (Velinky Ustyug) 73OPLAE Fedetovo-Kipelovo

[Coati]

"Our" aircrafts fly over the black sea but do they ever really enter Russian airspace?

Some Reading material for you:
By Any Means Necessary: America's Secret Air War
Book by William E. Burrows

There you can read everything about US incursion, spy flight and ferreting operations by US air assets.