Noted that in conditions when the offensive of the Ukrainian armed forces seems inevitable, NATO intelligence-gathering operations in the Black Sea have decreased after the March crash of the Reaper UAV.
Its wreckage could put sensitive information about the types of technology used in these operations into Russian hands.
On the eve of an “imminent” Ukrainian counter-offensive, the crash of an MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Black Sea reveals other shortcomings in NATO’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, according to Western experts.
A signal intelligence data logger (SIGINT) used for the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions it performed may be among the wreckage recovered by Russia after the crash. This raises concerns that Moscow may have recovered confidential information.
According to the leaked information, the MQ-9 Reaper UAV of the latest generation of the Block 5 modification, which crashed in the Black Sea, was carrying a reconnaissance container with a scalable open architecture developed by the American company L3Harris.
This multifunctional sensor integrates SIGINT with radio interception. It works with miniature classic sensors combined with artificial intelligence algorithmic blocks, which allows it to detect and automatically recognize radar and radio signals. This payload is configured to establish and transmit in real time a complete picture of enemy radio sources. All data collected is combined to provide a complete assessment of the adverse factors present in a given theatre.
Such flights are critical to understanding the tactical situation of operations in the conflict in Ukraine. Reconnaissance flights conducted by NATO countries over the Black Sea have been significantly reduced after the UAV crash and leaks of classified US documents that included details about the routes of all reconnaissance flights over the Black Sea.
In addition to lifting and possibly copying the Link 16 data exchange system, Russia could also get its hands on a reconnaissance container. The block containing the sensors is designed to withstand accidents and retain any information it stores.
Its capture would be a significant advantage for Russia. The ability to block American electronic intelligence and copy certain components would be a major tactical victory for Russia in the conflict with Ukraine and would significantly help Moscow catch up in this area. The Russian armed forces do not currently have built-in reconnaissance capabilities for this type of UAV.
US to launch satellites to track hypersonic weapons in 2023
In cooperation with the space forces, the Missile Defense Agency is developing a sensor for tracking hypersonic weapons and ballistic missiles in space (the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor constellation of satellites). Later this year, HBTSS will begin operations in orbit to demonstrate its unique tracking and targeting capabilities in hypersonic launches.
HBTSS will be involved in flight testing and real threat data collection throughout FY2024. Satellites for HBTSS are being developed by the American military-industrial companies L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman. In January 2021, they received $122 million and $155 million, respectively, from the Pentagon for these purposes.
