SATIM has detected unusual changes in the TU-95 and TU-160 bomber’s SAR signatures using Umbra SAR imagery obtained from the Engels-2 military base in Russia. The characteristics of the signal reflections captured do not match the known geometry and material composition of the aircraft. This may indicate a new camouflage method adopted to protect these valuable aircraft from drone attacks.
The Engels-2 Air Base, plays a crucial role in Russia’s strategic defense, serving as a principal host to a substantial portion of the nation’s long-range strategic bomber fleet.
We have previously observed similar efforts on the Russian side directed at obscuring the dimensions of objects, potentially as a countermeasure against drone attacks and to evade missiles equipped with target recognition cameras.
Get more insights into deceptive camouflage applications, in our previous post on LinkedIn on camouflage techniques for vessels.: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7085262731691323392
Also, see The War Zone article with the analysis of optical images of the Engels-2 airbase: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/russia-really-is-using-tires-to-protect-its-bombers-from-attack.
