Beriev A-50

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beriev_A-50

The Beriev A-50 (NATO reporting name: Mainstay) is a Soviet airborne early
warning and control (AEW) aircraft based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport. The
existence of the A-50 was revealed in 1980 by Adolf Tolkachev. Developed to
replace the Tupolev Tu-126 "Moss", the A-50 first flew in 1978. It entered
service in 1984, with about 40 produced by 1992.

The mission personnel of the 15-man crew derive data from the large Liana
surveillance radar with its antenna in an over-fuselage rotodome, which has a
diameter of 29 ft 9 in (9.00 m). Detection range is 650 km for air targets and
300 km for ground targets.

The A-50 can control up to ten fighter aircraft for either air-to-air intercept
or air-to-ground attack missions. The A-50 is capable of flying four hours at
1000 km from its base at a maximum takeoff weight of 190 tons. The aircraft can
be refuelled by Il-78 tankers.

The radar "Vega-M" is designed by MNIIP, Moscow, and produced by NPO Vega. The
"Vega-M" is capable of tracking up to 150 targets simultaneously within 230
kilometers. Large targets, like surface ships, can be tracked at a distance of
400 km.

After completing State Joint Tests, Beriev has delivered the first upgraded
Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft to the Russian Air Force. The
aircraft, '47 Red'/RF-92957 was handed over at Beriev's facility in Taganrog on
October 31, 2011. It was accepted by an aircrew serving with the 2457th Aviabaza
Boevogo Primeneniya Samolotov Dalnego Radiolokatsionnogo Obnaruzheniya (Aviation
Base for Combat Operation of Airborne Early Warning Aircraft) at Ivanovo
Severny, which is the only base using the A-50 operationally. The 2457th
operates 16 aircraft. A second aircraft, '33 Red' is being upgraded and is due
for delivery in 2012. These are the only two production upgrades ordered to date
(January 2012), but Beriev anticipates further orders.

Development work on the A-50U began some years ago and state tests started on
September 10, 2008, using a Russian Air Force A-50 '37 Red' as a prototype. The
main element of the modernisation involves replacing the outdated analogue
equipment with a new, digital avionics suite supplied by Vega Radio Engineering
Corporation JSC. Notable improvements include faster data processing, enhanced
signal tracking, and improved target detection. Crew rest, toilet and galley
facilities are also included in the upgrade.

These upgrades form the basis of the concept for Beriev A-100 AEW&C.
Configuration will be similar to the A-50U, but with a new Vega Premier active
electronically scanned array radar.

In late December 2015, the A-50 started operations over Syria, flying from
Russia, in support of the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War.


Role
Airborne early warning and control

Manufacturer
Beriev

First flight
19 December 1978

Introduction
1984

Status
In service

Primary users
Russian Air Force
Indian Air Force

Produced
1978-1992

Number built
Around 40

Developed from
Ilyushin Il-76

Specifications (A-50)

General characteristics
Crew: 15
Length: 49.59m (152 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 50.50 m (165 ft 6 in)
Height: 14.76 m (48 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 300 m² (3,228 ft²)
Empty weight: 75,000 kg (165,347 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 170,000 kg (374,786 lb)
Powerplant: 4 × Soloviev D-30KP turbofan, 117,68 kN (26,500 lbf) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 900 km/h (559 mph)
Range: 7,500 km (3,977 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,371 ft)




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