Rivet Joints now escorted?

[TSR2]

Noticed one of the RAF Rivet Joint sorties over the Black Sea on Sunday I think it had a Typhoon escort. First time I've seen that so far. Has anyone else noticed the same thing?

[Kevin Farnell]

In the earlier days of the conflict, I had noticed several aircraft (Usually A330 Voyagers) were accompanied by Typhoons, but as they approached the conflict area (border of Poland/Belarus, or over Romania, close to the black sea) , the fighters would go 'dark' (i.e.disappear from FR24). When the Voyager was returning, across Europe, the fighters would become visible again. Perhaps, what you saw, for some reason (show of strength?), the fighter remained visible. Although, I would guess that Russia would have means of detecting the fighters without having to resort to FR24.

Kevin

[TSR2]

Thats a good point Kevin, but they also had the Voyager up tanking them too. I’ve also noticed that on occasion we’ve been basing the Rivet Joints at Chania over the last month or two (for a few days at a time).

[TobyV]

I think they probably always were escorted, it's just a question of whether the transponder is switched on and broadcasting ADS-B Mode S (I believe, could be wrong here I am not an expert). The Russians, or others could have a variety of electronic means of knowing that they're there, but the FR24 makes it obvious, which sometimes you might want to do, other times, not.