[TommyDale]

Another very intriguing item is that E-Systems had fitted Electronic Warfare on the 747. Some think that the Soviets were tricked into thinking the 747 was the military craft by sending a false signal that emulated the C-135.

Yet another more radical theory is that it was a conspiracy to kill a congressman who was an extreme right winger, a John Birch Society member, I believe.

Lots of theories. One thing is sure -- the Soviet military never recuperated after this incident. They revealed their shortcomings and soon after fell far behind the U.S. military during the Reagan Administration, and eventually collapsed.

[struwwelpeter]

that E-Systems had fitted Electronic Warfare on the 747.

Some Soviet dezinformatsiya just lives on and on. ;-)

This may be referring to the airborne laser platform, or an E-4 upgrade. How about a link?