Russian bombers and fighters intercepted off Alaska
US fighters intercepted six Russian military aircraft in international airspace west of Alaska, and shadowed them until they exited the area, the North American Air Defense Command said on 21 May.
The Russian aircraft included two Tu-95 strategic bombers, which were intercepted 20 May by two F-22 fighters, the command said. A second group of two Tu-95 bombers and two Su-35 fighters were also intercepted by a pair of F-22 fighters, it added.
An AWACS surveillance plane monitored the operations, NORAD said, adding that the Russian aircraft were in international airspace throughout.
They were picked up as they entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, a perimeter line that lies outside national airspace but within which air traffic is kept under constant surveillance to reduce response times in case of a hostile threat.
‘Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens and vital infrastructure starts with detecting, tracking, and positively identifying aircraft in our airspace,’ NORAD's commander, General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, said. ‘We are on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.’
The US has four Air Defense Identification Zones. The Alaska zone extends about 200 miles (320 kilometres) from the state's coast.
More from Defence Notes
-
![How the Chinese balloon incident will impact future US air threat detection]()
How the Chinese balloon incident will impact future US air threat detection
Although the Pentagon claims that current systems can detect this type of threat, it has confirmed that measures will be taken in order to maintain the US's edge over its adversaries.
-
![UK and France target 2030 for future cruise missile, seek commonality on future fighter weapons]()
UK and France target 2030 for future cruise missile, seek commonality on future fighter weapons
The UK and France aim to deliver a new cruise missile in 2030 as part of the MBDA-led Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) project.
-
![China's multi-domain warfare concept could outpace US JADC2, warns ex-general]()
China's multi-domain warfare concept could outpace US JADC2, warns ex-general
China's Multi-Domain Precision Warfare project is aiming to disrupt US networks, and could outpace the Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiative. A retired US Army general explains what the Pentagon is doing about it.
-
![How artificial intelligence can threaten military readiness]()
How artificial intelligence can threaten military readiness
Although AI provides several operational benefits in the defence arena, it can also put armed forces in risky situations.
