Using Janes to Identify an Unknown Aircraft

Janes increases your awareness of the operational environment by providing open-source intelligence that supports threat and capability assessments, event analysis, change detection and equipment recognition. The interconnectivity of Janes data delivers unique insights and reveals previously hidden connections, bringing both visibility and accessibility to help you deliver a more robust intelligence product.

The case study that follows demonstrates how the connections between Janes data and insight across equipment and military capabilities enable you to quickly identify an unknown platform. 

View more than 9,200 installations as a geospatial layer

Using the Janes geospatial bases layer, you can quickly gain insight into the capabilities of military bases across the globe. The example below looks at the Pskov Air Base. 

Detailed aerial imagery supports platform recognition

By zooming into the aerial imagery, you can identify platforms located at your chosen base. Then using the sizing tools within the map you can measure the wing span (approximately. 49.3 m) and the length (approximately. 47 m) to support entity recognition.

Specifications search support entity recognition

Powerful analytic tools enable you to use Janes specifications data to support entity recognition. By entering the wing span and length measurements into the Janes Fixed Wing Aircraft Specifications dashboard you will be given a list of platforms that fit the dimensions of the aircraft at Pskov. The data shows the aircraft is likely to be an IL-76.

Detailed insight into military equipment to support entity recognition and capability assessment

With more than 41,000 profiles, Janes offers the only single resource for comprehensive, unclassified and up-to-date intelligence on military equipment (air, sea, land and space) in production and use around the globe. Janes delivers insight into platform families and variants, with verified and validated data on specifications, weapons and systems, inventories, images and related news and analysis. The base location data enables you to confirm that IL-76s are operated out of Pskov Air Base. 

Using a combination of Janes content, quickly and easily identify an unknown platform.

• Specification data enables you to identify an unknown platform using approximate measurements.
• Detailed insight into military equipment to support entity recognition and capability assessment.
• Insight into bases your chosen piece of equipment is located at enables you to confirm your assessments from the specification tool. 

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Discover how Janes assured interconnected open-source intelligence delivers a validated, independent, impartial perspective to support entity recognition, capability assessment and market analysis.