Click to see full-size image. Via Telegram.
The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) had received a new Beriev A-50U early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, Russian media reported on March 2.
The delivery came just a day after the head of the State Corporation Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, announced that Russia will resume the production of A-50 aircraft. According to him, the decision was due to the need for these aircraft by the VKS, as well as the interest of foreign countries.
Chemezov noted that production would definitely be resumed, as the companies have the appropriate capacity to produce both the radar station and the aircraft themselves.
The A-50U is a deeply upgraded version of the A-50, which was developed in the Soviet Union on the basis of the Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane.
The original A-50 was reportedly capable of controlling up to ten fighter aircraft for either air-to-air intercept or air-to-ground attack missions.
The AEW&C aircraft can fly for four hours with a range of 1,000 kilometers from its base, at a maximum takeoff weight of 190 metric tons . To further extend its range, the aircraft can be refueled by midair Il-78 tankers.
The main system of the A-50 is the Vega-M radar which was designed by MNIIP and produced by NPO Vega. The radar can track up to 150 targets simultaneously within 230 kilometers. Large targets, like surface ships, can be tracked at a distance of 400 kilometers.
The exact capabilities of the A-50U are classified, but the upgrade reportedly modernized the aircraft’s electronics and increased crew comfort.
The VKS first used its A-50U in real combat during operations against terrorist groups in Syria. After the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, two such aircrafts were lost, one on January 14 over the Sea of Azov and another on February 23 over the Krasnodar Krai region. Friendly fire was blamed for both incidents.
A third A-50U was attacked by saboteurs working for the Ukrainian intelligence with a small drone at the Machulishchy air base near the Belarusian capital, Minsk on February 26 of last year. Nevertheless, the attack failed.
The quick introduction of a new A-50U into service with the VKS and the plans to resume the production of the aircraft highlight how Russia’s large industrial complex continues to boost the country’s military capabilities despite facing unprecedented Western sanctions.
