The US military’s latest electronic reconnaissance and intelligence aircraft, the Bombardier ARTEMIS II, took off from Romania and conducted a comprehensive surveillance flight over the Black Sea. The flight stood out among notable developments related to air activity in the region.
According to Flightradar flight-tracking data cited by the Crimean Wind channel, ARTEMIS II departed from Mihail Kogelniceanu Air Base in Romania and carried out a reconnaissance mission in the Black Sea region.
Long-Range Electronic Intelligence Mission
ARTEMIS II is known as a specially modified military version of the Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet. The aircraft is configured for the following missions:
- Long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR),
- Electronic signal and radar monitoring,
- Remote data collection from high altitude.
With an approximate reconnaissance radius of 600 kilometres, ARTEMIS II is capable of scanning a wide geographical area. According to Crimean Wind, during its course over the Black Sea, the aircraft has the capability to detect radar and communication activities in Russian territory and in areas of Ukraine controlled by the Russian military.
In this context, it was reported that the Rostov-on-Don and Donetsk regions were also within the aircraft’s surveillance range.
Increased Activity in Black Sea Airspace
Military activity in the Black Sea airspace has increased in recent months. According to Flightradar data, another US reconnaissance aircraft, a Boeing RC-135U, also conducted a flight in the region last month.
Taking off from Mildenhall Air Base in the United Kingdom, the RC-135U passed through the airspace of the Netherlands, Germany and Romania before reaching the Black Sea. It was observed that after passing near Crimea, the aircraft changed course off the coast of Sochi and returned.
The Same Route Had Been Followed Before
It is known that the Bombardier ARTEMIS II also carried out a mission over the Black Sea in September by following a similar flight route. At that time, Igor Korotchenko, Editor-in-Chief of National Defense magazine and a military analyst, evaluated the aircraft’s activities in a statement to RIA Novosti.
Regarding the activities of ARTEMIS II, Korotchenko stated:
“The aircraft jammed Russian military electronic equipment.”
According to experts, ARTEMIS II’s flights over the Black Sea once again demonstrate that electronic warfare and intelligence activities in the region are intensifying.
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