LONDON—The UK Defense Ministry has claimed that Russia may step up its use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to support its ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a series of intelligence updates posted to social media by the department in mid-November, UK defense intelligence analysts have suggested that Russia may return its Myasishchev M-55 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft into service for standoff ISR missions. The department says the aircraft, which has been used as an Earth-sciences platform, recently carried a military reconnaissance pod, apparently developed for use on Russian combat aircraft.
“There is a realistic possibility that the M-55 will return to frontline service to bolster Russia’s limited [intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance] capabilities over Ukraine,” the Defense Ministry said in a Nov. 19 social media post.
The ministry notes that operating the sensors from high altitudes enables them to work at considerable standoff range and from within Russian airspace—away from the threat of Ukrainian ground-based air defense systems.
Moscow’s failure to establish an airborne ISR capability for the conflict has been a “critical flaw” in its operation, leaving Russia unable to undertake “timely and accurate prosecution” of targets, the ministry says.
Russia has begun using its Beriev A-50 airborne early warning aircraft to support ground-based air defenses, including the long-range S-400 system, a Nov. 17 post from the Defense Ministry reported. The department refers to the A-50 version by its NATO codename Mainstay D, which is understood to be a reference to upgraded A-50U versions.
A heavily modified version of the Ilyushin Il-76 airlifter, the A-50 is equipped with an over-fuselage rotodome radar, like that installed on the Boeing E-3 Sentry.
“Russia has likely expedited integrating Mainstay and SA-21 partially because it is concerned about the prospect of Ukraine deploying Western-provided combat aircraft,” defense officials add, in reference to NATO plans to supply F-16 fighters to Ukraine.
There is a “realistic possibility that Russia will accept more risk by flying Mainstay closer to the front line so the aircraft can effectively carry out its new role,” the ministry says.
Related Content
