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&C) aircraft based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport. The
existence of the A-50 was revealed to the Western Bloc 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 9 metres (30 ft). Detection range is 650 kilometres (400 mi) for air
targets and 300 kilometres (190 mi) 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
1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from its base at a maximum takeoff weight of 190
metric tons (420,000 lb). 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
kilometres (140 mi). Large targets, like surface ships, can be tracked at a
distance of 400 kilometres (250 mi).

Development work on the A-50U began in 2003 and state tests started on 10
September 2008, using a Russian Air Force A-50 '37 Krasnyy' 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main element of the modernisation involves replacing the outdated analogue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. 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.

After completing the joint state tests, Beriev has delivered the first A-50U to
the Russian Air Force. The aircraft, '47 Krasnyy'/RF-92957, was handed over at
Beriev's facility in Taganrog on 31 October 2011. It was accepted by an aircrew
serving with the 2457th Aviation Base for Combat Operation of Airborne Early
Warning Aircraft (Aviabaza Boevogo Primeneniya Samolyotov Dal'nego
Radiolokatsionnogo Obnaruzheniya) at Ivanovo Severny, which is the only base
using the A-50 operationally (it operates 16 aircraft). The fourth A-50U, '41
Taganrog', was delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces on 7 March 2017. The
fifth A-50U, '45 Krasnyy', was delivered on 6 December 2018.

The A-50U upgrade forms the basis of the concept for Beriev A-100 AEW&C. Its
configuration will be similar, 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.
In December 2018, it was deployed to Crimea.

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
~40

Developed from
Ilyushin Il-76

Developed into
Beriev A-100

Specifications (A-50)

General characteristics
Crew: 15
Length: 49.59 m (162 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 50.5 m (165 ft 8 in)
Height: 14.76 m (48 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 300 m2 (3,200 sq ft)
Airfoil: root: TsAGI P-151 (13%) ; tip: TsAGI P-151 (10%)
Empty weight: 75,000 kg (165,347 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 170,000 kg (374,786 lb)
Powerplant: 4 × Soloviev D-30KP turbofan engines, 117.68 kN (26,460 lbf) thrust
each

Performance
Maximum speed: 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn)
Range: 7,500 km (4,700 mi, 4,000 nmi)
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)



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