combat aircraft

support of maritime assets — simulated

the suppression of ground targets with

both cannon and unguided rockets.

At the same time, a search and rescue

Ka-27PS ‘Helix-D’ demonstrated its

capabilities in the waters of the Sea

of Azov, simulating the retrieval of a

downed An-26 transport aircraft crew.

As well as actions around Yeysk, a

signi cant element of the  ying was

out over the open water, including the

Il-38N ’May’ anti-submarine aircraft,

upgraded with the new Novella mission

system that includes the Sea Dragon

anti-submarine sensor

suite. Having detected a

notional submarine target, a Ka-27

‘Helix-A’ engaged it with two OMAB

bombs launched from the helicopter’s

ventral weapons bay.

The fast jet action included Su-24Ms

dropping OFAB-250 bombs on Russian

Aerospace Forces (VKS) ranges in the

south of the country. Notably, the naval

MiG-31 ‘Foxhounds’ did not participate

due to airspace restrictions and

commitments relating to the ongoing

World Cup soccer tournament.

PHOTO REPORT // RUSSIAN NAVY EXERCISE

80 September 2018 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net

78-81 Russian Navy Report C.indd 80 19/07/2018 12:18