BELOGORSK. Aug 23 (Interfax-AVN) - Tupolev Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 missile-carrying aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces' long-range aviation have practiced performing head-on takeoffs in the Amur region for the first time, according to the press service of the Eastern Military District.
"Responding to a simulated alert, the crews took off by turns with minimum intervals on head-on tracks. This maneuver allowed the crews to seriously reduce the time a group of missile-carrying aircraft needs to take off from its permanent airbase," the press service said.
The crews needed to perform advanced piloting techniques during the maneuvers, as air flow during head-on takeoffs differs significantly from that found in conditions normally recommended for takeoff, it said.