Images Released Of Supersonic Bomber Intercept

The Ministry of Defence have released images of last week's RAF Typhoon intercept of Russian bombers.

The Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) fighter jets were scrambled on Thursday from RAF Lossiemouth as two 'Blackjacks' approached UK airspace.

Backed by a Voyager refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton the Typhoons escorted the massive aircraft away from the 'UK area of interest'.

The Tupolev Tu-160's are able to fly at Mach 2.05 (1380mph) and with its four crew are capable of delivering 12 short-range nuclear missiles.

The Blackjack as it is called by NATO, although known more affectionately as the 'White Swan' by Russian aircrews, first entered service back in 1987.

The fleet was all but grounded through the 1990's however, with the aircraft languishing under the control of Ukraine following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Having re-purchased the aircraft and with the commissioning of new airframes Russia began to rebuild its long range, supersonic bombing capacity.

The first post-Cold War encounters between the RAF and Russian Tu-160's were in 2007 when Vladimir Putin announced the resumption of 'strategic aviation flights'.

Blackjack flights have caused several diplomatic incidents including violations of Colombian airspace while operating in Russian-friendly South American countries.

Capable of flying for more than 23 hours they're also reported to have dropped the most powerful conventional weapon in history - the 'Father of all Bombs' - in a test in 2007.

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