Nowhere near the quality of the MIG-27 over the desert.

you know about that! 😮 😮

Will appreciate all answers a lot.

Another pic that was posted recently by Ken. We want hi-res!!

The Russian A-50 is a superb example of the fact that offer the Russians two ways to do something and they’ll find another. The A-50 has datalinks to Mig-31 fighters but also Mig-31 have datalinks back. This means that the A-50 can take radar information from fighters and add to own picture. It also means it is possible to have a much greater area covered and to get the fighters to the scene of the action. The A-50 can even fly the MiG-31 fighters from its own stations and can even fire the weapons from the MiGs. That means it can deploy its fighters down the threat axis and then take radar information from those fighters to extend radar coverage down that threat axis. Imagine a circle changing to an ellipse as the fighters move down the threat axis. Now imagine two of three such combinations working together and merging their picture. Its not a system the USAF wants or needs but its one the Russians find greatly suited to their requirements. By the way, you may like to think about F-14s partnering with E-2s the same way.

Can anyone confirm these abilities?

There is a sort of general perception in everyone that the western stuff lasts longer than Russian equipment. I guess the hip is a great example of that being so wrong.

What is the Hip’s direct competitor from the USA? Blackhawk?