Russia Uses Tire Strategy to Protect Strategic Bombers from Drone Attacks in Arctic

Recent satellite imagery reveals Russia‘s unconventional approach to protecting its strategic bombers from drone attacks, placing up to 20 tires on each wing of Tu-95MS bombers at the Olenya airbase inside the Arctic Circle, according to The Barents Observer.

Novel Anti-Drone Defense Tactic

The tire placement strategy, first observed at Engels-2 airbase, aims to confuse drone computer vision systems.

“If you put tyres onto the wings, all of a sudden, a lot of computer vision models have difficulty identifying that that’s a plane,” explains Schuyler Moor, Chief Technology Officer of U.S. Central Command.

Ukrainian Drones Reach Deep into Russian Territory

Ukrainian drone operators have demonstrated their ability to strike targets up to 2,000 km away, using sophisticated programming with over 1,000 waypoints to evade Russian air defenses.

One operator told CNN, “It looks like we play with them… but it’s not a game. It’s a war.”

Enhanced Security Measures

The satellite images from August 2024 reveal extensive protective measures at Olenya airbase. The facility now houses 39 Tu-22M3 planes and 11 Tu-95MS bombers, with protective metal wire nets installed over fuel storage areas. The base has strengthened its air defense with six surface-to-air missile launchers positioned in ready status, complemented by electronic warfare equipment including GPS jammers.

Evolving Drone Threat

Despite Russia’s comprehensive air defense systems, low-flying drones pose a significant challenge. Traditional S-300 or S-400 missiles struggle to intercept drones flying just above tree level, though a recent social media video showed artillery successfully intercepting a drone near Olenya airbase.

DroneXL’s Take

These developments highlight the growing importance of artificial intelligence in drone technology. The fact that simple tires can confuse drone AI systems shows both the potential and current limitations of computer vision in military applications. As Drone Technology evolves, we’re likely to see an ongoing cat-and-mouse game between drone capabilities and countermeasures.

What do you think about this unconventional approach to drone defense? Share your thoughts in the comments below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​