The crews of the MiG-31BM supersonic interceptor fighters of the Central Military District (CVO) worked out refueling in the air and made more than 50 contacts with the cone sensor of the air tanker during a tactical flight exercise that started in Eastern Siberia.
During the first stage of the exercise, the MiG-31BM pilots of the fighter aviation regiment stationed in the Krasnoyarsk Territory practiced refueling in the air from an Il-78 tanker aircraft in day and night conditions. Contact with the cone sensor of the air tanker was carried out at an altitude of 2000 to 8000 meters.
The interceptor crews performed paired approaches to the tanker at a speed of about 600 km / h, while the distance between the MiG-31BM and the Il-78 was up to 10 meters. In addition, the pilots of the fighter aviation regiment of the Central Military District worked out the most difficult element of flight training – refueling in the air in conditions of limited visibility, at night, using on-board lighting equipment. The crews made more than 20 sorties, performing more than 50 refueling operations, about 20 of which were at night.
The second stage of the tactical flight exercise will be held in the Southern Urals, where pilots of Su-34 fighter-bombers and Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft will work out refueling.
