The crews of the Su-34 multi-role fighter-bombers together with the Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft of the Central Military District aviation unit (CVO) at the test site in the Kurgan region, as part of a control check for the winter training period, worked out refueling in the air and missile launches.
The crews of fighter-bombers and reconnaissance aircraft flew to the area of combat use, located at a great distance from the home airfield. In order to expand the flight range, the pilots refueled with fuel from the Il-78 aircraft tanker in the air. In the process of refueling, the aircraft of the operational-tactical aviation performed an alternate approach to the tanker at a distance of up to 10-15 m at a speed of 600 km/h.
After refueling the Su-34, air–to-surface missiles were launched at ground targets.
During the three flight shifts, the crews completed about 30 sorties, made 30 refueling operations, and hit more than 20 ground targets.
The tactical flight exercise was conducted as part of a control check of the winter training period. It involved 11 units of aviation equipment, more than 300 military personnel from the flight, engineering and technical personnel, flight control and support groups, as well as Su-34 fighter-bombers, Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft and Il-78 tanker aircraft.
Earlier it became known that the pilots of separate fighter regiments of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" will serve on Novaya Zemlya and in other Arctic regions.
Experts believe that such experience can provide better cover for the regions and maintain the experience of pilots.
