Why is Russia covering combat jets with car tyres?

Russia has adopted an unconventional approach to safeguard its combat aircraft, with car tyres. In an effort to prevent potential drone attacks from Ukraine on its military installations. Maxar satellite images show two Tu-95 long-range bombers covered in car tyres at Engels Airbase, around 500 kilometers from Ukraine.

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Theoretical explanations for this apparent defensive tactic abound, particularly as the Russian Air Force appears to be deploying it on more planes. The strategy was used after drone attacks on Russian air facilities caused the loss of both bombers and airlifters for the nation.

The primary objective of this tire armor could be to offer cost-effective protection against potential drone attacks. Additionally, the tires might serve as a rudimentary form of camouflage, especially during nighttime operations. It’s also possible that this tactic aims to confuse missile targeting systems, safeguarding valuable aircraft from missile attacks.

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Francisco Serra-Martins of drone maker One Way Aerospace, whose drones have been employed by the Ukrainian military, says that regardless of the situation, the technique probably has a very limited impact. The exposed strategic aviation assets located on airfield aprons may have less thermal signature due to this, but they will still be visible to infrared cameras.

If tires are placed over the aircraft, image-matching cruise missiles may be redirected and their infrared signature may be altered. When applied to cruise missiles, this technology is also referred to as ATR (Automated Target Recognition) or DSMAC (Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator).

Ukraine’s modified “Neptune” missiles may benefit from DSMAC/ATR technology for land attacks, as it makes them less susceptible to electronic warfare jamming and passive in terms of radio-frequency emissions.

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Although not all the planes were intact, other ideas have suggested shielding, which has led some to believe that there was a kind of decoy. Depending on the targeting strategy, the tires might be able to trick an approaching weapon, though it is doubtful they would act as a substantial buffer against a missile or drone strike. In that case, although it is simple and improvised, it’s possible that Russia is seeking a solution of this kind in response to recent strikes on its bases. Yet there are still a lot of unresolved issues.

Watkins, a researcher who tracks ships and aircraft for open-source research, suggest that the tires might shield the plane from flying debris in the event of an explosion above it. NATO is aware of the tire coverings, and some believe they are intended to protect against drones, but the effectiveness of this tactic remains uncertain.

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