MOSCOW, May 20 (UPI) -- U.S. and Italian military inspectors this week will conduct observation flights over Russian territory under the Open Skies Treaty, officials said Monday.
An Italian Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft with surveillance equipment certified internationally and approved by Russia will fly over the country May 20-24, RIA Novosti quoted Russian Defense Ministry officials as saying.
Each aircraft flying under the treaty, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2002, is fitted with a suite of sensors that includes optical panoramic and framing cameras, video cameras with real-time display, thermal infrared imaging sensors and imaging radar, RIA Novosti said.
The Open Skies Treaty allows unarmed aerial observation flights over the 34 member states' territories to promote openness and transparency in military activities.
