Image source: topwar.ru
Some details of the interception of the American strategic reconnaissance aircraft RC-135 over the South China Sea have become known. The interception was carried out by a Chinese Air Force fighter. It is reported that this fighter was the J-16 (a further modification of the J-11, built on the basis of the Su-27).
The interception of an American reconnaissance aircraft was carried out on May 26. On May 30, the American side accused China (traditionally in such cases) of "an aggressive maneuver." The US military department states that due to the actions of the Chinese pilot, the American plane "was forced to fly through a satellite jet, hitting it."
A satellite jet is called vortex traces that occur when an aircraft moves in air masses. Such vortices occur, for example, when air masses descend from the horizontal and vertical tail of the aircraft, its other surfaces.
The American side publishes footage that shows the interception of the RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft by the Chinese J-16.
You can see how a PLA Air Force plane approaches the American reconnaissance aircraft on the right side, then flies in front of the nose of the RC-135 at a distance of several tens of meters. In the Pentagon's understanding, this was an "unnecessarily aggressive action" of the Chinese crew.
Image source: topwar.ru
The operator is literally rushing around the cockpit, trying to catch the flight of a Chinese combat aircraft.
The very appearance of a strategic reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea is a provocation on the part of Washington.
