Cliff, nice links,
I don't think we've seen some of that info before.
Just to clarify the aircraft name. The Soviets called it a Tu-160. NATO for their own obscure reasons gave it the "code name" Blackjack, which when run through the secret NATO decoder ring means russianheavy supersonicbomberthatlookslikeab1anddoesthesamekindofstuffonlyprobablynotasgood.
Now, as you recall, part of the hold-up in the paperwork transfer was the need to get these things demilitarized--removing the armaments, weapons aiming systems, bombsights, active and passive electronic warfare systems, etc, etc. Now that this has been done, perhaps the NATO code name should not be used. I like "Blackhawk". I hope NATO gets the word.
Worst case scenario:
Supreme Allied Headquarters:
31 DEC 1999 23:59:47
"Sir, we have reports of a flight of three Blackjacks entering Polish airspace, heading west. They claim to be Howard Foote Blackhawks on a commercial mission--intelligence thinks this is a clever ruse, sir."
31 DEC 1999 23:59:58
"Get me the President"
01 JAN 2000 00:00:04
"Sir, they're jamming our radar. Digital readout now indicates 1900 bombers in the air!!
Etc
Maybe we should paint smiley faces on the tails, just in case. . .
Happy trades
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