Medium-haul "Superjet" aircraft could become a cheaper replacement for A-50 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft. This proposal was put forward by analysts of the "Voennaya Khronika" Telegram channel.
The authors of the publication noted that A-50s are increasingly being used to detect drones in the sky. However, these AWACS aircraft are in short supply, so new solutions are needed.
All that remains is to figure out how to install a smaller radar, or its analogue, on a civilian aircraft. A "Superjet", for example, or something smaller, or a helicopter – and start using it.
According to open sources, Russia owns seven AWACS aircraft and one more is undergoing major restoration. For comparison, the US has 31 aircraft.
Sergey Bendin, a member of the Russian Geographical Society, also noted that AWACS have a serious drawback – after six hours of duty in the air, the aircraft platform needs to be taken to an airfield for refueling and crew change. Drones can take advantage of this "window".