OVERVIEW: The An-26RR "Curl B" is a Soviet twin-engine, turboprop reconnaissance aircraft developed from the An-26 transport, specialized in signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) missions. It was operated primarily by Frontal Aviation (VVS) units beginning in the mid-1970s for monitoring enemy electronic emissions and collecting tactical intelligence.

DETAILS: The An-26RR was developed from the baseline An-26 tactical transport airframe and modified for reconnaissance duties as part of the broader Soviet electronic warfare and surveillance network. It featured mission equipment for intercepting, recording, and analyzing radar and radio signals across various frequency bands. The aircraft retained the twin Ivchenko AI-24VT turboprop engines, with a maximum speed of around 540 km/h (approx Mach 0.45) and a range of about 1,100 km with a full reconnaissance load. Its role was to provide battlefield electronic intelligence to support operational-level decision-making and electronic warfare planning.

The “RR” in An-26RR stands for “Radiatsionnyi Razvedchik” (Radiation Reconnaissance), but the model was also used for ELINT/SIGINT purposes under the An-26RTR designation ("Radio-Technical Reconnaissance"). This specific variant was outfitted with specialized electronic surveillance and analysis equipment, antennas, and fairings on the fuselage and tail sections. The An-26RR was externally similar to the base model but identifiable by various antenna arrays and fairing modifications unique to its electronic mission profile.

TYPE: SIGINT/ELINT Reconnaissance Aircraft

FUNCTION: Designed to detect, intercept, and analyze enemy radio frequency emissions in support of electronic order of battle (EOB) construction and jamming planning. Its suitability comes from its endurance, modular mission equipment, and the ability to operate in forward areas from austere airfields.

NOTE:
IOC: 1970 (An-26 base model), 1975 (An-26RR/RTR variant)
Manufacturer: Antonov Design Bureau (Soviet Union)
Operators: Soviet Union, Ukraine
Conflict used in: Cold War electronic surveillance (1970s–1980s), limited post-Soviet regional conflicts

SOURCE:
Central Armed Forces Museum (Moscow) ; Scramble Dutch Aviation Society: https://www.scramble.nl/database ; Warfare.ru (Archived): https://web.archive.org/web/20120205025645/http://warfare.ru/?catid=255&linkid=1610 ; Jane's All the World's Aircraft: https://www.janes.com/defence-news