Unique Russian A-60 Laser Testbed Jet Destroyed in Ukrainian Attack
18 hours ago
- #Drone warfare
- #Ukraine-Russia conflict
- #Military aircraft
- Ukrainian attack on Beriev’s facility in Taganrog destroyed the unique A-60 laser testbed aircraft and possibly an A-100 AEW&C platform.
- Ukraine used a mix of long-range cruise missiles and attack drones, including Neptune missiles and Bars drones, for the strike.
- Satellite imagery confirmed the destruction of the A-60, identifiable by its tail-section hump, and another aircraft, likely linked to Russia’s AEW&C program.
- The attack was part of broader Ukrainian strikes in Krasnodar Krai and Rostov, targeting military infrastructure.
- The A-60, originally developed to combat high-altitude balloons, was later repurposed to target reconnaissance satellites with a CO2 laser.
- Russia’s A-50 and A-100 AEW&C aircraft, critical for surveillance and command, have suffered losses, complicating their operational capabilities.
- Novorossiysk, a key oil port and military hub, was also targeted, with reports of drone strikes damaging infrastructure and a high-rise building.
- Russian claims of intercepting 116 drones over the Black Sea and 76 over Krasnodar Krai remain unverified.
- The loss of the A-60 and A-100LL represents a significant blow to Russia’s specialized aircraft programs, with limited prospects for quick replacement.