Beriev A-50

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The Beriev A-50 ????? (Shmel, "bumble-bee") (NATO reporting name: Mainstay) is a Russian airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport. Developed to replace the Tu-126 Moss (a variant of the Tu-95 Bear bomber), the Mainstay first flew in 1980. It entered service in 1984 (or in 1986?), with about 40 produced by 1992.

Related Topics:
Beriev - NATO reporting name - Russia - Airborne early warning - Ilyushin Il-76 - Tu-95

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The type has a lengthened forward fuselage providing the additional volume required for the tactical compartment in which the mission personnel of the 15-man crew derive data from the large Liana surveillance radar with its antenna in an over-fuselage rotordome, which has a diameter of 29 ft 9 in (9.00 m).

Related Topics:
Surveillance - Radar - Antenna

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The A-50 can control up to 10 fighter aircraft. A-50 is capable to fly for 4 hours at 1000 km from base at max takeoff mass of 190 t. The aircraft can be refuelled from Il-78 tanker.

Related Topics:
Aircraft - Il-78

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Radar "Vega-M" designed by MNIIP, Moscow, produced by NPO Vega-M. "Vega-M" is capable to track up to 50 targets simultaneously within 230 km range. Large targets (ships) are tracked within 400 km range.

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Electronics by Beriev's OKB.

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A-50 looks much close to the SKIP aircraft (the fore cockpit should have no glass).

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• Long range radar search for naval and air targets on minimal altitudes;
• Link with Automated Control System;
• Guides aircrafts of Military AF, Anti-Missile Defences, the Navy on targets;
• In-flight refueling;
• Etc.;
 
Beriev A-50: Variants ►