The Russia-Ukraine conflict has brought Europe to its closest point since the end of the Cold War. This situation has also led to the exchange of confidential information between the United States and NATO allies. Several spy planes circled the Russia-Ukraine border.
Satellites are already gathering critical information. But the mission of both unmanned and unmanned reconnaissance drones is to rapidly transmit everyday details. The surveillance system estimates that by January 30, more than 100,000 Russian troops had arrived on the Ukrainian border and that two-thirds of the rapidly available Russian troops had reached the Ukrainian border.
All modern warplanes have some kind of critical data collection system. The world’s most advanced surveillance aircraft and drones have been on missions in the skies over the Ukraine-Russia border for months. Learn more about spy planes that silently collect the most crucial information of rivals.
E-8C Joint Stars
U.S. Air Force E-8C JointStars aircraft capable of rapidly mapping the area using synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) systems. Land movements are quickly captured from above. Can work day and night in any adverse weather conditions. Has been active on the Ukraine border for the past few months.
RC-135V / W rivet joint
This aircraft of the US Air Force and the British Air Force is a specialist in capturing secret signals. The aircraft will provide an outline of the Russian military’s electronic communications systems. RC-135v / W provides information on geographical location, enemy radars, communications systems, and electronic warfare equipment.
This spy plane is also capable of capturing the conversations of enemy nations. This will help the enemy to detect the presence of this aircraft and to know about it before taking action. The aircraft also has the capability to quickly pass on the intelligence collected to its troops.
U-2S
The U-2S, also known as the Dragon Lady, has irreplaceable secret storage capabilities. The arrival of spy planes such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk was thought to pave the way for the withdrawal of the U-2S, but it did not. This small aircraft can fly at an altitude of over 70,000 feet for hours to collect data. The aircraft’s radar is the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System-2 (ASARS-2). This makes it possible to monitor electronic signals, including radio communications. They also have cameras that help with remote monitoring. This American-made single jet will be sent via satellites to the centers of the earth on the rapidly gathering information.
RQ-4 Global Hawk
Leading name in US drone reconnaissance aircraft. One of the most advanced American spy drones. A spy plane that flies at an altitude of more than 60,000 feet, efficiently collecting radar and electronic signals. It is believed that some of these American spy planes were flying marathons over the Russian-Ukrainian border in recent weeks. They can observe an area of one lakh square kilometers per day. It covers an area as large as South Korea and Iceland. Built by Northrop Grumman, the spy drone has been in the possession of the United States and NATO allies since 1998.
MQ-9 Reaper
These gray drones are monitoring the Black Sea, focusing on the Italian naval base of Sigonella. The presence of US Air Force MQ-9 drones has also been confirmed in Capia Tursi, Romania. From here, they can fly to the Russian-Ukrainian border and monitor the movements of the Black Sea.
EP-3E Aries II
Aries II class aircraft have a special place in US Air Force spy aircraft. They are mainly used for data collection in marine areas. Aries II spy planes have the unique ability to capture enemy communications signals and detect the presence of anti-aircraft systems. The United States is believed to have commissioned EP-3E Aries II reconnaissance aircraft to monitor the movements of Russian ships and navies. In 2001, a Chinese fighter jet, the J8II, and the EP-3E Aries II reconnaissance aircraft came face to face in the South China Sea. After that, the Aries II came face to face with Russian warplanes in the Black Sea.
P-8A Poseidon
The P-8A is used by the US Navy and the British Air Force to enable maritime surveillance over a wide area. Powerful cameras are enabled day and night. The powerful radar system gives them the ability to detect even small movements in the area under observation. Although these reconnaissance aircraft are often compared to the E-8, they have a clear advantage over coastal surveillance.
RQ-4D Phoenix
The RQ-4D Phoenix is one of NATO’s latest spy drones. The drone, which was launched only last year, is also in the skies of Ukraine. Recently, a team of five Phoenix drones made a long-term observation in the skies of Poland. The possibility of these drones collecting information from nearby Ukraine and the Mediterranean region cannot be ruled out. These drones also carry out missions over the Black Sea for more than 24 hours continuously.
Bioactive TB2
BioRact TB2 is one of the rare spy drones owned by Ukraine. Ukraine’s acquisition of Turkish-made TB2 drone comes amid escalating tensions with Russia. These drones are used not only for surveillance but also for attacks in Libya and Syria.
The presence of US-NATO spy planes in the region is likely to continue as Russia continues its conflict with Ukraine. The role of such spy planes in giving strategic advantage to their country and alliance, even if there is no direct war, is not small.
English Summary: This Is The Armada Of Spy Planes Tracking Russia’s Forces Surrounding Ukraine