NORAD F-22s and CF-18s intercept Russian ISR aircraft near Alaska
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted two Russian Tu-142 ISR aircraft entering Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone on 9 March.
However, the Russian aircraft did not enter US or Canadian airspace.
A NORAD fighter escort consisting of F-22 and CF-18 aircraft monitored the Russian aircraft with the support of KC-135 Stratotanker and an E-3 Sentry AWACS vehicle for approximately 4h.
The incident comes after British and Norwegian aircraft confronted a Russian Tu-95 bomber as it approached airspace over the North Sea on 7 March.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: L3Harris prepares ground for future Polish AEW&C replacement]()
Eurosatory 2026: L3Harris prepares ground for future Polish AEW&C replacement
L3Harris is positioning its AERIS X aircraft and a planned Polish industrial partnership as it anticipates a competition to replace Poland’s Saab 340 fleet.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: France presses ahead with A400M ISR fleet upgrades]()
Eurosatory 2026: France presses ahead with A400M ISR fleet upgrades
Airbus Defence and Space and OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) signed a contract at Eurosatory to develop new capabilities for the French Air Force’s A400M aircraft.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Low-cost airpower emerges as a new counter-drone option]()
Eurosatory 2026: Low-cost airpower emerges as a new counter-drone option
Lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East are prompting fresh interest in using training aircraft and other low-cost platforms to support airborne counter-drone operations, creating new opportunities for weapons suppliers and air forces seeking scalable solutions.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: First public flight of Teledyne FLIR Black Recon reconnaissance system]()
Eurosatory 2026: First public flight of Teledyne FLIR Black Recon reconnaissance system
The drone took flight as undisclosed European customers are testing the system. Defence Insight highlights the Nordic region and existing Black Hornet users as potential early customers amid growing demand for micro-UAVs.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: The H160M’s agnostic approach to drones draws global interest]()
Eurosatory 2026: The H160M’s agnostic approach to drones draws global interest
As Airbus Helicopters advances its H160M Guépard programme towards targeted first delivery in late 2028 for the French Army, the platform’s “agnostic” approach to drone integration could offer a window into how Western militaries are rethinking the relationship between crewed rotorcraft and uncrewed systems.
