Cold War tensions renew as Russia resumes the traditional but potentially deadly game of Eagle versus Bear with long range combat patrols by its strategic, armed bombers. In this intercept, a Norwegian F-16 pulls alongside a Tupolev Tu95MS "Bear" over the North Sea. Note the air to air missiles on the Falcon and the red star insignia on the bomber.
The lower photo shows an intercept by an F2 Typhoon of No. 3 Squadron, RAF. The turboprop was originally built in 1956, but various upgraded models and modifications have kept it in service much like the B-52. The bomber has a maximum speed of 575 mph, a range of 9,400 miles, and carries cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads. In a related development, the Austrian minister of defense called the US proposal to build parts of a missile defense shield in Poland and Czech Republic, a "provocation". Russia objects to the plans and has offered to cooperate against possible missile threats by terrorists or 'rogue' states. The Kremlin thinks the missile shield could dilute Russia's strategic nuclear deterrence. In a classic instance of double- think, a US official accused the Austrian minister of "cold war thinking". George Orwell would be appaled.
Cold War tensions renew as Russia resumes the traditional but potentially deadly game of Eagle versus Bear with long range combat patrols by its strategic, armed bombers. In this intercept, a Norwegian F-16 pulls alongside a Tupolev Tu95MS "Bear" over the North Sea. Note the air to air missiles on the Falcon and the red star insignia on the bomber.
The lower photo shows an intercept by an F2 Typhoon of No. 3 Squadron, RAF. The turboprop was originally built in 1956, but various upgraded models and modifications have kept it in service much like the B-52. The bomber has a maximum speed of 575 mph, a range of 9,400 miles, and carries cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads. In a related development, the Austrian minister of defense called the US proposal to build parts of a missile defense shield in Poland and Czech Republic, a "provocation". Russia objects to the plans and has offered to cooperate against possible missile threats by terrorists or 'rogue' states. The Kremlin thinks the missile shield could dilute Russia's strategic nuclear deterrence. In a classic instance of double- think, a US official accused the Austrian minister of "cold war thinking". George Orwell would be appaled.