The Drive: NATO planes and drones of eleven models regularly monitor Russia
The publication of the American edition of The Drive lists eleven models of aircraft and drones of NATO countries that regularly spy on Russia.
It is noted that the aircraft conduct their operations in Eastern Europe — in areas over the Black and Baltic Seas, as well as near the Kaliningrad region, Crimea and Belarus.
Thus, the E-8C JE-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (STARS) combat control and targeting aircraft is equipped with a synthesized aperture radar station (RADAR) that allows tracking the movements of moving objects, in particular tanks, artillery and missile systems, at long distances.
The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft is designed for conducting electronic reconnaissance, in particular, detecting radars and intercepting radio messages. Similar tasks are solved by the RC-135U Combat Sent.
The U-2S high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft is distinguished by its ability to carry a variety of sensors and systems capable of conducting radar and optical observations. The information collected by this aircraft is capable of being transmitted to a ground station in almost real time.
The RQ-4 Global Hawk strategic reconnaissance unmanned aerial Vehicle (UAV) is equipped with a set of electro-optical, radar and electronic information acquisition systems optimized for operation from a high altitude. The publication assures that this UAV is able to "look" inside Russia for considerable distances. Somewhat less often, the MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and strike UAV, as well as the RQ-4D Phoenix, are used to track the Russian side.
The EP-3E Aries II electronic warfare aircraft operates mainly in coastal areas and is designed to collect real-time information, for example, interception of messages, as well as detection and classification of electromagnetic radiation sources, including those associated with air defense systems.
The P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft allows, in particular, tracking submarines. The RC-12X electronic reconnaissance aircraft is used especially often near the Kaliningrad region and Belarus. The Artemis Army reconnaissance aircraft is designed to locate, identify and track critical targets.
The publication also recalls the Bayraktar TB2 operational tactical medium-altitude UAV used by Ukraine.
The Drive concludes that regardless of the development of the situation in Ukraine, these aircraft "will regularly monitor the battle formations of Russia," as well as "in the greater Black Sea region, as they have done for many years."
In January, the Military-Industrial Courier (MIC) said that the Russian A-100 Premier long-range radar detection and control aircraft qualitatively surpasses Western analogues, but is inferior to them quantitatively.
