The recent deployment of Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft in Alaska’s ADIZ continues to generate updates, as reported by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The latest concerns events that took place on September 23, when a Sukhoi Su-35S fighter executed a dangerous maneuver against a United States Air Force (USAF) F-16, which had been deployed in the area to intercept a formation of Tu-95MS bombers escorted by the mentioned combat aircraft.
In a published report on the incident, NORAD informed that one of the Su-35 fighters escorting the Tu-95 bomber performed a dangerous maneuver against one of the USAF F-16s, deployed to confront the presence of Aerospace Forces aircraft in Alaska’s ADIZ.
Thanks to the photographs and video released by NORAD, it is clear that the pilot commanding the Su-35 performed a maneuver known as “Headbutting,” which involves flying at close distance to another aircraft, then sharply ascending or descending in front of the overtaken plane. This maneuver generates turbulence that can cause a course change or be seen as a form of harassment.
Regarding the events of September 23, it was stated that: “…a NORAD aircraft safely and professionally intercepted a Russian military aircraft in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The behavior of a Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered everyone—something not expected from a professional air force.”
Despite the Russian pilot’s skill, the maneuver remains dangerous for the safety of both aircraft, with the possibility of causing a collision that could activate search and rescue protocols for both forces in a region dominated by extreme weather conditions.
Throughout September, alongside various exercises carried out by the Russian Armed Forces, there has been intense activity by both the Aerospace Forces and Russian Naval Aviation. This includes the presence of patrol aircraft such as the Tu-142MK and Il-38.
Various U.S. commands have been monitoring Russian assets’ activity and, occasionally, the People’s Liberation Army of China. This was the case in the joint patrol conducted in late July by Tu-95 and H-6 bombers, which was intercepted by F-16, F-35, and F-18 fighters from the United States and Canadian Air Forces.
*Photo credits: NORAD.
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