As has been recently noted in the news, an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon F2 intercepted a Russian Tu-95 ‘Bear’ bomber over the North Atlantic last Friday.
The MoD used NATO reporting code ‘Bear-H’ which indicates this is a Tu-95MS cruise-missile carrier built in the late 80s or early 90s in the Ukraine. The Tu-95MS can carry a number of (probably 6+) KH-55 (NATO reporting: AS-15 ‘Kent’) cruise missiles with 200kt nuclear warheads and a 1,800 mile stand-off range.
The Typhoon F2 involved is from XI Squadron based at RAF Coningsby and, as far as I know, is just one of two to so far enter service with the RAF. In the two pictures issued by the MOD, the tail pennant on the Typhoon reads ‘08′ indicating this is the same aircraft. It is quite possible that the photographs were taken from a Tornado F3 from RAF Leuchars.
The cynic in me says that the Typhoon was scrambled mainly for the photo-opportunity and despite the Typhoon’s superior performance, the Tornados may have arrived on the scene first unless the Typhoons were moved up to Leuchars in readiness
The Tornado F3 is still the mainstay of the RAF QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) and are based at RAF Leuchars and RAF Leeming. The Typhoon F2s will gradually take over the QRA role from the Tornado over the coming years.
The Typhoon was designed during the Cold War. When the Cold War ended, many politicians and critics stated that the Typhoon was no longer relevant having been designed to counter aircraft of the Soviet airforce. The critics would, of course, have been right had Russia not decided to resume their probing flights and adopt a more aggressive stance. While the Tornado F3 is more than capable of intercepting the Tu-95s, there is a more ominous threat in the North Atlantic aerial arena.
The Russians have fielded the Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ for North Atlantic operations. Like the Tu-95, the Tu-160 carries KH-55 cruise missiles. Superficially resembling a B1 Lancer but far bigger, the Blackjack is the largest and fastest bomber in the Russian inventory. With it’s wings swept at altitude, it can travel at up to Mach 2.05 and has an operational range of up to 7,600 miles.
With it’s ’supercruise’ (supersonic flight w/o afterburn) capability, the Typhoon would be the ideal candidate for intercepting a Blackjack making a fast run on the United Kingdom.
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