Throughout the latest “Ukraine. Yr 2024” discussion board, Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of the Fundamental Directorate of Intelligence for the Ukraine Ministry of Protection, stepped apart to reply a few urgent questions from reporters. Among the many subjects mentioned, he supplied some intriguing particulars in regards to the February 23 operation to remove the second A-50U long-range radar detection plane.
Elaborating on the operation, Budanov careworn that it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment choice however a results of two weeks of meticulous planning. By mentioning this, he not solely highlighted the rarity and significance of such undertakings but in addition accentuated the robust challenges they pose. He gave credit score to all these concerned within the operation for his or her distinctive degree of group and talent set.
When quizzed in regards to the variety of such plane nonetheless in Russia’s possession, Budanov confirmed that that they had six. To place it into perspective, as of 2021, Russia formally listed 9 plane of this sort: three A-50s and 6 A-50Us. Two have been taken down – one on January 14th and the opposite on February twenty third, 2024. One other one suffered injury by a drone whereas stationed in Belarus in late February 2023.
Taking down the following A-50 is crucial
It appears that evidently the Russian Federation has but to restore the plane that was impaired in Machulishti. Additionally, in response to Kiril Budanov, with out an extra A-50, the enemy received’t have the ability to preserve a 24/7 airborne presence. Nonetheless, Budanov didn’t disclose what weapon downed the A-50U, thus leaving this matter open for debate.
It’s price noting that the Russian AEW&C plane was taken down 170 km away from the frontline, which surpasses the alleged aerial goal destruction vary of GEM-T missiles [150-160 km]. While it would seem the exceedance is minor, keep in mind that the deployment of any air protection system can’t be completely zeroed in. A slight deviation is compulsory, on the very least equalling the vary of enemy artillery.
Speculative studies recommend that the A-50U was pulled down by the S-200. Nonetheless, if this hypothesis holds, it will point out that the air protection system had been modified or upgraded since its default type is archaic and slightly cumbersome.
Apparently, the Russian Federation is proposing the concept that they had been chargeable for downing their very own A-50U, sometimes supplementing the narrative with particulars of their tried interception of an anti-aircraft missile from the S-200 air protection system which satirically resulted in their very own AEW&C plane being hit by one among their anti-aircraft S-400 missiles.
A-50’s function
Again within the latter a part of October of the earlier yr, an uncommon deployment technique involving A-50 long-range radar detection plane was shared by the Russian Federation’s state-run TASS information company. This information got here within the wake of Protection Minister Shoigu’s declaration stating the profitable takedown of 24 plane in a quick span of 5 days.
In response to the claims made by TASS, the Soviet Beriev A-50 plane belonging to Russian early warning and management [AEW&C] despatched out missiles from the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system concentrating on plane from Ukraine.
Of their report, TASS prompt the thought of considering the mixed operation of each the A-50 and the S-400. They additional held that the S-400 system was launching from farthest distances to interact aerial adversaries at roughly 1 km altitude, using new anti-aircraft guided missile warheads.
The ‘Mainstay’
The Beriev A-50 AEW&C, often known as the ‘Mainstay’ in NATO reporting, is a Russian airborne early warning and management [AEW&C] plane. It’s primarily based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane, with a big rotating radar dome affixed on its again. This plane is designed to detect and monitor quite a lot of airborne and floor targets, offering situational consciousness for command and management functions.
The radar capabilities of the Beriev A-50 are fairly spectacular. The plane is supplied with a ‘Shmel’ radar system [also known as ‘Vega-M’], which operates within the E-band and has a 360-degree protection. This radar system is able to monitoring as much as 150 targets concurrently inside a 230-kilometer vary for airborne targets and 400 kilometers for floor targets. It may additionally detect low-flying targets with a minimal radar cross-section of 1 sq. meter at a distance of as much as 215 kilometers.
A-50’s wartime capabilities
The Beriev A-50’s wartime capabilities are substantial. The plane serves as a command and management heart, able to guiding fighter jets to their targets and coordinating air protection operations. It may additionally present goal information for floor and ship-based air protection techniques. The A-50 is able to staying airborne for prolonged intervals, which permits it to supply steady surveillance and command and management capabilities.
Along with its radar and command capabilities, the Beriev A-50 additionally has digital countermeasures [ECM] techniques to guard itself in hostile environments. These ECM techniques can jam enemy radar and communications, making it more durable for the enemy to detect and monitor the plane. Moreover, the A-50 has a self-defense functionality with infrared countermeasures to guard towards heat-seeking missiles.
General, the Beriev A-50 AEW&C plane is a crucial asset for any air power, offering complete situational consciousness, command and management capabilities, and a sturdy self-defense system. Its superior radar system and intensive wartime capabilities make it a formidable software in fashionable warfare.
***
Comply with us all over the place and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you may open the web page from any laptop, cellular units or internet browsers. For extra up-to-date information, comply with our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Fb pages. Our requirements: Manifesto & moral rules.
