MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Crews of Tu-160 and Tu-95 strategic bombers of Russian Air Force have performed flights with refueling in the air during daytime and nighttime in bad weather conditions, the Defense Ministry’s press service told reporters of Thursday.
"Strategic missile platforms were refueled from an Il-78 aerial tanker in the conditions of poor visibility, precipitations and gusty winds at an altitude of more than 5,000 meters and at a speed of around 600 km/h," the press service said.
More than 10 crews of the Long Range Aviation were involved in scheduled flights, and each crew performed refueling in the air at least three times.
"During fulfillment of the most complicated element of flight training, crews of the Long Range Aviation approached the aerial tanker at a distance of less than 30 meters and after a flashing light signal, contacted the cone-sensor. After that, they maintained their place in the air ranks until the end of refueling," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
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