방공체계(IADS) 우크라이나, 아조프해에서 러시아 A-50 1대 추가격추

[위종민]

최근 A-50 조기경보기로 추정되는 불타는 항공기가 포착된 영상이 소셜 미디어에 퍼졌는데, 우크라이나 정보국(GUR)이 우크라이나 군이 격추했다고 발표했네요. 

1970년대에 E-3를 설계한 엔지니어라고 주장하는 이의 설명으로는 조기경보기가 1) 전선 후방에서 레이스 트랙 패턴을 돌면서 조기경계를 할 시에는 적 전투기의 접근을 멀리서부터 알아챌 수 있기 때문에 적 전투기가 접근하면 우리 전투기를 불러오면 됐고 2) 전장 상공에서 지상 지원을 실시할 때에는 적 전투기가 가까이 있을 수 있어서 전투기 근접호위가 있어야 했는데 이 경우엔 근접호위기가 교대를 해야 돼 취약한 경우가 있었지만 3) 방사신호가 너무 커서 정체를 숨기는 게 불가능하기 때문에 조기경보기에는 장거리 미사일이 가장 큰 위협이었다고 합니다. 

https://defence-blog.com/russia-reportedly-loses-second-a-50-radar-jet/

Russia reportedly loses second A-50 radar jet

NEWSAVIATION

ByDylan Malyasov

Feb 23, 2024

Modified date: 25 seconds ago

Recent social media footage captures a burning aircraft on the ground, suspected to be the A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) jet, yet the exact circumstances remain unclear. It’s uncertain whether the Ukrainian military or Russian air defense systems caused the downing.

According to Russian sources, the A-50 was brought down by friendly fire over the Sea of Azov. However, there’s speculation that technical malfunction could have contributed to the crash.

The Beriev A-50, also known as the Mainstay, plays a crucial role as Russia’s AEW&C aircraft, utilizing the Ilyushin Il-76 platform. The loss of such aircraft for the Russians is significant.

This incident potentially marks the second A-50 downing since Russia initiated its aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Assuming this was a Russian A-50, it seems to have fallen apart mid-air with a rather impressive debris plume.

This is common for S-300/400 warheads. pic.twitter.com/GZUUeoL18G

— The Intel Crab (@IntelCrab) February 23, 2024

🔥✈️ The Russians are talking about the allegedly destroyed second A-50. pic.twitter.com/XN8I29h5xr

— MAKS 23 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) February 23, 2024

https://defence-blog.com/ukraine-confirm‎s-it-downed-another-russian-radar-jet/

Ukraine confirm‎s it downed Russian radar jet

NEWSAVIATION

ByDylan Malyasov

Feb 24, 2024

Modified date: 1 hour ago

The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) has disclosed details of a recent joint operation with the Ukrainian Air Force over the Sea of Azov, resulting in the downing of another Russian radar jet, the A-50U.

According to the GUR, the destroyed A-50U is a newly modernized Russian version of the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) jet.

The sudden drop in speed and altitude of the targeted A-50U was detected near the city of Yeysk. This aircraft served as an airborne command post, used by Russia for long-range radar detection, control, and guidance for missile strikes against Ukraine from strategic aviation.

The destruction of the A-50U marks another serious blow to the capabilities and potential of Russian forces.

The value of such an aircraft, now a rarity in Russia’s inventory, is estimated at 350 million dollars.

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/engineer-who-took-part-in-e-3-sentry-development-tells-why-long-range-missiles-are-the-only-real-threat-to-the-awacs-and-why-the-aircraft-tail-is-coated-with-dielectric-paint/

Engineer who took part in E-3 Sentry Development tells why Long-Range Missiles are the Only Real Threat to the AWACS and why the

• Aviation History
• Cold War Era
• Military Aviation

Engineer who took part in E-3 Sentry Development tells why Long-Range Missiles are the Only Real Threat to the AWACS and why the aircraft Tail is Coated with Dielectric Paint

By Dario Leone

Feb 23 2024

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In this article:

• The Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS
• Command and control battle management aircraft
• Hostile fighters Vs AWACS
• Long-Range Missiles Vs AWACS
• E-3 AWACS contributed to the invention of stealth technology

The Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS

The Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning & Control System (or AWACS) is a modified Boeing 707 equipped with long-range radar and passive sensors capable of detecting air and surface contacts over large distances. Information collected by AWACS can be transmitted directly from the aircraft to other users on land, at sea or in the air in near real time.

The AWACS is able to detect, track, identify and report potentially hostile aircraft operating at low altitudes, as well as provide fighter control of allied aircraft. It can simultaneously track and identify maritime contacts, and provide coordination support to allied surface forces.

Command and control battle management aircraft

As proven in operations Desert Storm, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Odyssey Dawn/Unified Protector the E-3 Sentry is the world’s premier command and control battle management (or C2BM) aircraft. They provide radar surveillance and control in addition to providing senior leadership with time-critical information on the actions of enemy forces. The E-3 has also deployed to support humanitarian relief operations in the US following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, coordinating rescue efforts between military and civilian authorities.

The data collection capability of the E-3 radar and computer subsystems allowed an entire air war to be recorded for the first time in the history of aerial warfare.

Hostile fighters Vs AWACS

Why don’t hostile fighters go after the AWACS before being engaged (and in many cases being shot down) by NATO fighter aircraft?

Jim Grupé, who was one of the systems engineers responsible for the design and development of AWACS, explains on Quora;

‘I was one of the systems engineers responsible for the design and development of AWACS. It happens that one of the studies I did was on the vulnerability of AWACS to enemy attack. This was in the 1970’s when the E-3 plane was first produced, so my information is rather dated. I’m sure improvements have been made.

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. E-3A Sentry, Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS), LX-N-90443. NATO E-3A Component, Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany

‘First off, AWACS had two basic missions types. In one case, the plane loitered at some distance and surveyed the horizon. I can’t give you numbers, but the radar is very accurate for a very long distance. (So accurate, we could tell by the radar signature what the target was, what armaments it was carrying, and how many were left.) In the event an enemy fighter came our way, we would simply call up our own fighters to take them out. I did the calculations for “probability of kill” in various scenarios, and the net of it is that AWACS was not likely to suffer any dents.

Long-Range Missiles Vs AWACS

‘The second case was more of a problem. This is where AWACS was over the battlefield providing ground support. (Besides aircraft, we could pick out vehicles on the ground even under dense cover). The problem in this situation was that the enemy aircraft might be right below us, or at least quite close. For this situation, we would need our own forces to fly alongside. Unlike AWACS, however, their time in the air is much more limited, so we’d need constant cycling of our defensive forces. Probability of kill was still high, but not so high that every crew position didn’t have an escape hatch.

‘The real problem was long range missiles. AWACS was radiating loudly on so many frequencies that a spit ball thrown into the air would likely be drawn to it by the static charge. Only a missile with a guidance system made in China might miss. Survivability was under 3 minutes unless the countermeasures were successful, which many times they are…. but many times, are not.’

E-3 AWACS contributed to the invention of stealth technology

Grupé continues;

‘So, we depended on careful deployment to NOT get us into those situations.

‘At this point, I think the best answer is that no fighter would go after AWACS because that would likely fail. But, if the enemy hoped to engage in any dogfighting, they had better start with a few long-range air defense missiles.’

According to Grupé the AWACS also ‘contributed to the invention of stealth technology. You see, when AWACS turns and runs, it’s own tail got in the way of the radar and created a 30+ degree blind spot. After various solutions were considered, like inverting the tail, or making it out of some composite material, these were abandoned when someone discovered that they could make the tail all but disappear with a careful coating of a dielectric paint. WHOA! That *literally* saved AWACS’ ass, but very quickly became a VERY big secret…. not to be mentioned again anywhere. It led to the F-117. But 40+ years later, it’s now out of the bag so it doesn’t matter anymore.’

Photo credit: Master Sgt. Dave Nolan / U.S. Air Force

[백선호]

이번에는 S-300 맞고 떨어진 것인가요?

[위종민]

저 트위터는 그렇게 추정하는 것 같은데, 후속 뉴스를 기다려봐야겠습니다.

[스피드조(조용진)]

저렇게 중요한 전략자산인 조기경보기를 상실하면 기체상실도 기체상실이지만 양성하는데 장시간이 걸리는 인적자원의 손실은 답이 없겠습니다

[위종민]

파일럿은 Il-76 조종사를 두 달 전환훈련시키면 되는데, 오퍼레이터 손실을 복구하기가 힘들 거라고 하더라구요. ( https://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/515G/4241 )

[백선호]

1979년 CIA 문서는 AWACS는 아니지만 GCI 요원 (대개 전투기 조종사 교육 중 신체 검사에서 탈락) 양성에 4년 걸린다고 썼습니다.

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000969825.pdf

[degg.]

몇달전에도 격추당해놓고 중요한 자산을 쉽게 내주네요