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Originally posted by ghost
Third, If the Russian really did this, I doubt that they would so openly admit to it. Remember, Entering another nation's soverign airspace with a military aircraft without authorization is an act of provocation. Why do you think the U-2 incident of 1960 was such a huge issue? Something about the fact that the Russians supposedly did this and then openly admitted it, doesn't feel right!
Why would they do this and then Rush to tell the world that they intentional Ignored International Law about Soverign Airspace!
If there was even the sightest hint of truth in the clame, the Russian Government just won a hell of a dangerous game if international game of chicken!
Sorry, but I have my suspisions! First of all there is Top Rock. Top Rock is the Code Name for the Alaskan NORAD command center. That entire area has it's own Air Defense Network. Second, since 9/11 NORAD has maintain a hightened alert. Third, If the Russian really did this, I doubt that they would so openly admit to it.
Originally posted by Daedalus3
But why would you lean only in the direction of human error and not human ingenuity?
Originally posted by ghost
It all just doesn't feel right! Propaganda maybe?!
Tim
Originally posted by Aelita
The two preceding posts are non-sequitur. Nobody suggested that Russians would want to do that. So I really don't see your point. The report was about a remote location outside the Canada territorial waters. Big deal.
Originally posted by they see ALL
but what really matters is the russians can do it over the US (where citizens actually live)...
Originally posted by Aelita
You gotta be kidding. Are you saying that a modern bomber needs to be directly above your head to cause damage? The days of WWI technology are gone. Have you heard of cruise missiles? The TU-160 is a strategic bobmer.
I agree of course that a direct fly over would have been a lot more threatening form any perspective.
Originally posted by waynos
Its not so surprising that it could happen, I am surprised if it DID happen though.
What I mean is, the Russians have carried out these types of incursions regularly for decades, not only with the USA either. There is a lovely photo of an RAF Lightning in formation with a Tu-95 and one of the Russian crew members is seen grinning out through the transparent blister near the tail with a thermos flask in one hand and flicking 'V's at the Lightning pilot with the other, I love that picture
I had assumed though that this activity ceased when the Soviet Union collapsed, maybe not then.
As to how they would know, historically, each and every flight that was detected was met by a fighter escort (ie the Lightning story above), therefore the absence of any fighters is what would tell them they hadn't been detected.
Maybe they did stop but just restarted again and the US has become complacent with its attention turned towardsa the middle east? Who knows.
Interesting story though, if the USAF has become complacent then America should say 'thank you' to the Russians for waking them up again.
edit; just seen the tag someone added. A plane being missed by the defenders does not make it stealthy you know. It happens all the time
[edit on 24-4-2006 by waynos]
Originally posted by StellarX
en.rian.ru...
Well that is the original source material and their apparently quite serious about the claims made.
Stellar
Originally posted by waynos
First and second, Tim, I don't think that you should make the assumption that NORAD is completely infallible, there appears to be a belief in here that NORAD would detect and track anyhting that dared to transgress US airspace. Well, that is certainly what they aim to do but what is the actual success rate? 70%? 90%?
I'm not saying the Russians have developed such a thing (I don't know it it is even possible to) but maybe one of these naturally occurring blind spots might have been present when the bomber passed by, even by chance?
As for your third point, why brag about it, thats something I'm still chewing on.
Originally posted by waynos
Its not so surprising that it could happen, I am surprised if it DID happen though.
I had assumed though that this activity ceased when the Soviet Union collapsed, maybe not then.