NATO intercepts are becoming more common and remembering the first flight of the Phantom
NATO's intercepts of Russian aircraft is on the rise and remembering the first flight of the iconic F-4 Phantom
“The air battle is not necessarily won at the time of the battle. The winner may have been determined by the amount of time, energy, thought and training an individual has previously accomplished in an effort to increase his ability as a fighter pilot.”
-Pappy Boyington
Mission Briefing
Increase in NATO Interceptions of Russian Aircraft in 2024
Starting in 2024, NATO military aviation interceptions of Russian aircraft approaching allied airspace over the Baltic Sea region have seen a significant increase of 20-25%, according to a report by Reuters. This uptick highlights the growing tension and military activity in the region, signaling a concerning trend for both NATO and its member countries.
Frequency of Interceptions
The exact number of Russian military aviation flights recorded near NATO territory remains undisclosed, as Reuters' Alliance source declined to specify this information. However, Alliance data obtained at the end of 2023 provides a clearer picture. NATO fighter jets were scrambled over 300 times to intercept Russian military aircraft throughout the year. Most of these incidents occurred over the Baltic Sea, a crucial region for both NATO and Russian strategic interests.
Changing Composition of Russian Aircraft
One notable observation reported by NATO is the change in the types of Russian aircraft detected near Alliance territory. Western pilots now rarely encounter Russian fighters and strategic bombers. Instead, there has been a marked increase in sightings of reconnaissance and transport aircraft. This shift indicates a potential change in Russian military strategy, focusing more on intelligence gathering and logistical operations rather than direct combat provocations.
Russian Aircraft Protocol Violations
The report also highlights ongoing protocol violations by Russian military aircraft. These aircraft have long ceased transmitting transponder codes, which are crucial for indicating their location and altitude. Additionally, they do not file flight plans or communicate with air traffic controllers. These actions not only pose significant risks to air safety but also contribute to the escalating tensions between NATO and Russia.
Historical Context and Regional Impact
Early Reports of Aggression
Baltic leaders have been reporting active manifestations of Russian aggression since 2009. Initially, these reports focused on cyberattacks, mass propaganda, and information warfare. Over the years, the situation has become increasingly tense, with Russia systematically conducting various types of aviation flights over the Baltic countries and escalating the conflict with provocative anti-Western statements.
Recent Developments
In recent times, the conflict has seen new dimensions. For instance, the Russian missile ship Serpukhov, which was disabled in the Baltic, was considered for transfer to the Black Sea following the loss of part of the Black Sea Fleet. This move underscores the strategic importance of the Baltic Sea region for Russia and highlights the continuous military maneuvering by both NATO and Russian forces.
Conclusion
The recent spike in NATO interceptions of Russian aircraft around the Baltic Sea really highlights the rising tensions and the strategic importance of this area. With the types of Russian planes changing and continuous protocol breaches, NATO has a tough job keeping the region secure. Looking back at the history and considering the latest developments, it's clear that dealing with these issues is both complex and urgent to maintain safety and stability in the region.
This week in aviation history
Back-to-back. Last week’s episode featured the F-4 Phantom in this section, and well - so does this week. Happy birthday to the Phantom, which first flew 66 years ago yesterday:
The Birth of a Legend: The First Flight of the YF4H-1 Prototype
On 27 May 1958, a pivotal moment in aviation history unfolded at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Missouri. McDonnell Aircraft Corporation’s Chief Test Pilot, Robert C. Little, who would later become the company's president, made the first flight of the YF4H-1 prototype. This twin-engine Mach 2+ airplane was the precursor to what would become one of the most iconic aircraft in military aviation history: the F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber.
The Historic First Flight
The maiden flight of the YF4H-1 lasted a brief but eventful 22 minutes. Little had intended to push the aircraft to supersonic speeds, but a leak in a pressurized hydraulic line forced him to keep the landing gear extended as a precaution. This decision limited the prototype’s speed to 370 knots (426 kilometers per hour). Post-flight inspections revealed foreign-object damage to the starboard engine. Initially designated as the XF4H-1 and bearing the Bureau of Aeronautics serial number 142259, the prototype's identifier was later changed to YF4H-1. This aircraft had been in development for over five years, stemming from a company proposal to the U.S. Navy.
Technical Specifications
The McDonnell YF4H-1 Phantom II boasted impressive dimensions and capabilities. It measured 56 feet, 7.9 inches (17.271 meters) in length, with a wingspan of 38 feet, 4.89 inches (11.707 meters) and an overall height of 16 feet, 3.0 inches (4.953 meters). When the wings were folded, the span narrowed to 27 feet, 6.6 inches (8.397 meters). The aircraft featured a 45° wing sweep at 25% chord, with the inner wing having no dihedral and the outer panels having a 12° dihedral. The stabilator spanned 16 feet, 5.0 inches (5.004 meters) with a -23.25° anhedral. The tricycle undercarriage had a wheelbase of 23 feet, 3.25 inches (7.093 meters) and a main wheel tread of 17 feet, 10.46 inches (5.447 meters).
Power and Performance
The YF4H-1 was powered by two General Electric J79-GE-2 engines. These single-spool, axial-flow turbojet engines featured a 17-stage compressor and a 3-stage turbine. Each engine was rated at 10,350 pounds of thrust (46.039 kilonewtons), and 16,150 pounds (71.389 kilonewtons) with afterburner. Measuring 17 feet, 4.0 inches (5.283 meters) in length and 3 feet, 2.3 inches (0.973 meters) in diameter, each engine weighed 3,620 pounds (1,642 kilograms).
The production F4H-1 (later designated the F-4B) could achieve a maximum speed of 845 miles per hour (1,360 kilometers per hour) at sea level and 1,485 miles per hour (2,390 kilometers per hour) at 48,000 feet (14,630 meters), translating to Mach 1.11 and Mach 2.25, respectively. It had a service ceiling of 62,000 feet (18,898 meters) and a maximum range of 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) with external fuel tanks.
Record-Breaking Achievements
The second YF4H-1 prototype, bearing the serial number 142260, achieved significant milestones. On 6 December 1959, Commander Lawrence E. Flint, Jr., USN, piloted the aircraft to a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Record for Altitude, reaching 30,040 meters (98,556 feet) in a zoom climb. Later, on 22 November 1961, Lieutenant Colonel Robert B. Robinson, USMC, set an FAI World Record for Speed over a Straight 15/25 Kilometer Course, averaging 2,585.425 kilometers per hour (1,606.509 miles per hour). The same aircraft, flown by Commander George W. Ellis, USN, set another FAI World Record for Altitude in Horizontal Flight at 20,252 meters (66,444 feet) on 5 December 1961.
Armament and Production
Early models of the Phantom, from the F-4A to the F-4D, were armed with four AIM-7 Sparrow radar-homing air-to-air missiles and could carry additional Sparrows or AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-homing missiles on wing pylons. The aircraft could also carry up to 16,000 pounds (7,257 kilograms) of bombs on five hardpoints.
McDonnell Aircraft Corporation produced two YF4H-1 prototypes, followed by 45 F4H-1F (F-4A) Phantom IIs before introducing the F-4B in 1961. A total of 649 F-4Bs were built. The initial U.S. Air Force variant, the F-110A Spectre (later redesignated the F-4C Phantom II), marked the beginning of widespread adoption across various branches of the military. McDonnell Douglas ultimately delivered the last Phantom II, an F-4E-67-MC, on 25 October 1979, culminating in a production run of 5,057 aircraft over 21 years.
In case you missed it
The F-22 and eventually the NGAD will be tasked with air superiority in the coming years, here’s a comparison of the two:
Photo Outlet
The Growler is one of my favorite airplanes - an electronic warfare platform placed inside a fighter jet:
Post Flight Debrief
Thanks for reading! If you’d like to receive this newsletter in your inbox, then become a free or paid subscriber, you can use the email form below. To be clear, this newsletter will always be free to everyone, however if you’d like to go above and beyond and become a paid subscriber, you can use the same form below. Thank you and now you know!
-Tog