Nimitz and the Russians

Hey guys,
So I was talking to one of my friends on IRC about the incident, who's an aviation enthusiast as well, and his immediate response was that perhaps the Russians were trying to get a peak at a "new toy" that had just been installed on the Nimitz. Wikipedia states that the Nimitz had been at North Island, San Diego for a while, and has only just got in-theatre. Seems interesting, but purely circumstancial of course.

What we're curious about is the precise variant of TU-95 used. Those beasts are capable of being refitted to carry powerful imaging gear (off the top of my head, the TU-130MS I think it is has a lot of naval imaging gear) so it makes sense you could use one as a spy plane. Why not use something a little bit faster? So if it got shot down, it's not as much of a loss. All the information we've been able to gather in our...ohh...20 minutes of discussion has been purely circumstancial, but I figured it would be a good idea to bring it before fellow ATSers.


On a further note, those Bears got mighty close. Myself and my friend think it sounds awfull like they didn't have a CAP out, or that those Russians snook in. No CAP, we reason, could indicate test of an airborne weapon. Or if there was a CAP, but the Russians snook in, it would mean they either wanted to REALLY aggravate the Americans by flexing their muscles, or they really wanted to take a peak. As I said, circumstancial evidence, but I wonder if we can turn up more.

Nimitz hasn't been down NEARLY long enough for any new toys to be installed. She got back from the Gulf in September, and sailed again January 24th. She's covering for Kittyhawk, which is in maintenance. From Sept 2007 to Jan 24, 2008 she was involved in quals, and exercises off the West Coast.

Yeah Nimitz is just taking over for (insert rude nickname for CV-63 here) because she broke down again.

The Bears were almost certainly the Tu-95MS variant, as that is all the Russians operate these days. India still operates the dedicated maritime patrol versions, but not the Russians.

No, actually she didn't. This was a planned maintenance cycle in Japan. Nimitz is merely covering her obligations.

Are you sure?

Talk around here (her homeport) was that Nimitz's deployment was unexpected, due to an engine problem on CV-63.

Then again it could be typical rumor stuff... looking around the Navy seems to be saying it was pre-planned after all.

I suppose the next logical question would be: "if anything was put in the Nimitz, what could it be?"

Don't you need a link to a story that would help those of us who aren't so tuned in to this situation know what the discussion is about?

Originally posted by AlphaOfTheOmega

On a further note, those Bears got mighty close. Myself and my friend think it sounds awfull like they didn't have a CAP out, or that those Russians snook in. No CAP, we reason, could indicate test of an airborne weapon. Or if there was a CAP, but the Russians snook in, it would mean they either wanted to REALLY aggravate the Americans by flexing their muscles, or they really wanted to take a peak. As I said, circumstancial evidence, but I wonder if we can turn up more.

Alpha, can you do better than "we think?" Were they squawking US IFF? Did they have Mode "classified" on thier IFF?

IFF? Identification Friend or Foe? Squawk or you will never get with-in "classified" nautical miles close to any aircraft carrier. Ever seen an Air War Center on an aircraft carrier? Try 8 to 15 guys 24/7 on radar. Computer generated track assignment. No sneaking here. Ready 5 aircraft would have you even if nothing was up in the air.

Rookie.

reply to post by GradyPhilpott


Fine, I'll do it. The Russians buzzed the Nimitz with one of their bombers. It's "above the fold" in a lot of places.

Grady - Bears buzz Nimitz

And the news stories say the Bears were intercepted and escorted by F-18's, they simply flew one over Nimitz anyway.