NATO reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea
Aircraft AWACS E-3. Photo by US Department of Defense
NATO is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and collecting information by all available means. In particular, reconnaissance aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles of various types, equipped with various means of collecting information, are almost constantly in the airspace over the Black Sea. This data is used both for the needs of the alliance itself and to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Reconnaissance over the sea
Before the start of a special military operation to protect Donbass, intelligence aviation NATO periodically appeared over the Black Sea. However, these were only isolated cases, and the constant presence of aircraft or drones was not considered necessary in the region.
However, at the end of 2021 the situation changed. Against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in the situation, several NATO countries began to organize almost constant duty of reconnaissance aircraft over the waters of the Black Sea. The purpose of these operations is to collect data on the progress of hostilities and the activity of Russian troops. The information obtained is used both for military planning within NATO and to assist the Kyiv authorities.
According to reports, the armed forces of several countries are participating in these activities. The most active role is played by the United States, which uses reconnaissance aircraft of the Air Force and Navy. The UK, the Netherlands and other states also play a certain role. Some countries do not send their own planes and crews, but provide the necessary infrastructure or their own airspace.
Reconnaissance aircraft RC-135W. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The manned reconnaissance aircraft of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) includes several main types of aircraft. Among them:
- long-range radar patrol aircraft E-3 Sentry;
- multifunctional reconnaissance aircraft RC-135W Rivet Joint;
- patrol and anti-submarine P-8A Poseidon.
In addition, heavy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) MQ-9 Reaper, RQ-4 Global Hawk and their naval version MQ-4C Triton are used in reconnaissance operations.
The organization of air duty depends on the current tasks. Depending on the circumstances, there may be carriers of radars, electronic reconnaissance systems and other means in the sky. This determines the order of departures of various aircraft.
Reconnaissance aircraft and UAVs are based at airfields of NATO countries both near the Black Sea region and at a considerable distance from it. For example, heavy UAVs take off from the Italian base of Sigonella on the island of Sicily. Flights are carried out over the neutral waters of the Black Sea or in the airspace of neighboring NATO countries. With limited exceptions, NATO aircraft do not approach Russian territorial waters or closed sea areas. Such patrol routes allow you to effectively complete assigned tasks without creating dangerous situations.
Aircraft and their capabilities
The E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft is a typical representative of its class. It is capable of flying at high speeds and long distances. A special radar complex is installed on board this aircraft.
The AN/APY-1 or AN/APY-2 radars, which are used on various modifications of this aircraft, are designed to detect air, ground and surface targets. After detecting objects, the on-board equipment processes the received data and transmits it to headquarters or other aircraft.
Operators of the RC-135 radio engineering complex at work. Photo by US Department of Defense
According to open data, the radar stations on board the Sentry are capable of detecting large air targets at medium and high altitudes at a distance of up to 650 km. For targets flying at low altitude, the stated detection range is up to 400 km. Up to 100 targets can be tracked at the same time, and target designation can be issued for them.
The RC-135W Rivet Joint is an electronic and electronic reconnaissance aircraft. Like the E-3, it is based on a subsonic air platform and is equipped with a special electronic complex. The AN/AMQ-15 electronic reconnaissance system is installed on board the aircraft, as well as various direction finders and devices for receiving and processing signals.
Rivet Joint is designed to search for radio communication channels, radar sounding signals and other types of radiation. The aircraft's radio engineering complex intercepts signals for their subsequent decryption, and also determines the type and class of the signal source, its location, and so on. The received reconnaissance and interception data is transmitted to headquarters or other recipients almost immediately.
The P-8A Poseidon was designed for anti-submarine warfare, which determined its basic equipment. However, during the development of the project, the on-board equipment complex was supplemented with new devices, which led to the expansion of the aircraft’s functions. An AN/APY-10 radar is installed on board the Poseidon to search for surface and ground targets, electronic reconnaissance stations, and so on. The patrol aircraft can fully interact with the MQ-4C UAV to expand all its basic capabilities.
An anti-submarine/patrol P-8A drops a torpedo. Photo by US Department of Defense
Standard P-8A equipment allows you to detect submarines both on the surface of the water and under water. It can also detect surface and air targets.
In general, its functions are similar to those of the RC-135, but due to a different composition of equipment, the P-8A has different tactical and technical characteristics.
One of the key innovations is the ability to collaborate with unmanned aerial vehicles.
Unmanned vehicles
NATO's main unmanned reconnaissance vehicle in the Black Sea is the RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV, owned by the US Air Force. This aircraft is used to observe and search for various objects.
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is an aerial platform with a take-off weight of more than 12 tons, capable of carrying a variety of mission equipment. The flight range of this UAV exceeds 5500 kilometers, and the flight duration is more than a day.
In the US Air Force, the RQ-4 Global Hawk is equipped with a combined HISAR reconnaissance system. This complex includes an optical-electronic station with daytime, thermal imaging and rangefinder channels, as well as a side-view radar with a synthetic aperture. The radar has two operating modes. In the first mode, reconnaissance is carried out at a range of up to 200 kilometers with a resolution of 1 meter. It is also possible to survey an area of 2x2 kilometers with increased resolution. The received data is transmitted to the control station via satellite channel.
The US Navy operates the MQ-4C Triton drone, which is based on the RQ-4. However, it has some design features and carries a different set of equipment that meets the needs of the Navy. Despite the differences in configuration, the RQ-4 and MQ-4C are not fundamentally different in their capabilities and parameters.
MQ-9 UAV. Photo GA-ASI
Goals and objectives
NATO does not officially disclose information about the activities of its reconnaissance aircraft in the Black Sea region. However, the available data allows us to understand what goals are set for airplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), what tasks they solve, and what consequences their work has.
In general, we are talking about confronting Russia with all available methods, but minimizing possible risks.
Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from several countries are responsible for monitoring the airspace of Ukraine and nearby regions. With their help, NATO learns about the work of Russian aviation, the use missiles or strike UAVs. Data on the air situation is transmitted to the Kyiv regime for taking appropriate measures. In essence, NATO E-3s take on part of the work of radar stations (RLS) and air defense forces (Defense). By now, the Ukrainian air defense has lost a significant portion of its locators, and assistance from foreign AWACS aircraft should compensate for these losses.
In addition, Sentry aircraft, along with other aircraft and UAVs, conduct reconnaissance and try to identify various Russian objects, troop movements, and so on. According to this intelligence, attacks are planned on our facilities and positions. Scouts also work during missile strikes. At the same time, they monitor the results of the attacks, and also try to open our defense systems in order to organize subsequent attacks.
It should be recalled that by now the Russian army has knocked out a significant part of the Ukrainian military potential, including in the field of radar and electronic intelligence. Kyiv is now critically dependent on foreign aid in these areas. In a number of situations, NATO aircraft and UAVs are the optimal or even the only means of fully illuminating the situation and identifying threats.
MQ-4C drone based on Sigonella. Photo by US Department of Defense
Comprehensive help
Since the beginning of 2022, NATO member countries have provided comprehensive support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They provide him with various military equipment, train personnel, and also provide organizational and informational assistance.
In particular, NATO reconnaissance aircraft work in the interests of the Kyiv regime. Such assistance from third countries helps Ukrainian formations and slows down the process of their demilitarization. However, these activities also pose a threat to Russia's national security.
It recently became known that the Russian Ministry of Defense will take measures to counter NATO aircraft and drones over the Black Sea. Time will tell what measures will be taken and how they will affect intelligence in the interests of Kyiv.
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