India, Airborne early warning and control(AEW&C)

The A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C) was developed and manufactured by the Beriev Aircraft Research and Engineering Complex Joint Stock Company based at Taganrog in the Rostov Region of Russia. The A-50 aircraft was developed from the llyushin IL-76MD military transport aircraft manufactured by the Ilyushin Aviation Complex Joint Stock Company based in Moscow. 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 Detection range is 650 kilometres for air targets and 300 kilometres for ground targets The aircraft is known in the West by the Nato codename Mainstay. Beriev aircraft normally carry the Russian designation Be- followed by the number, however, the A-50 aircraft retained the well-known A-designation which Beriev allocated to the original prototype. The A-50 aircraft detects and identifies airborne objects, determines their coordinates and flight path data and transfers the information to command posts. The A-50 also acts as a control centre, guiding fighter-interceptors and tactical air force aircraft to combat areas in order to attack ground targets at low altitudes. The role of the A-50 is comparable to that of the US’s E-3 AEW system developed by Boeing.

 development

The A-50 entered service with the Russian Air Force in 1984. Currently, 16 aircraft are operational in the Russian Air Force. The upgraded version, the A-50U was first announced in 1995 but did not enter testing until 2008. It then entered service in 2011. The upgraded A-50Us have extended the aircraft’s the service life to 2020. The modernised A-50 aircraft can now take more fuel on board with the same take-off weight, while increasing the range and mission time performance. A satellite navigation system integrated into flight and navigation complex offers a dramatic increase in the navigational accuracy.

• Variants

1. A-50M – Modernized Russian Version fitted with midair refueling capability.
2. A-50U – updated variant of the A-50M with new modern electronics and increased crew comfort level
3. Izdeliye-676 – One-off stop-gap telemetry and tracking aircraft.
4. Izdeliye-776– One-off stop-gap telemetry and tracking aircraft.
5. Izdeliye-976 (SKIP), Airborne Check-Measure-and-Control Center) – Il-76 based Range Control and Missile tracking platform. Initially built to support Raduga Kh-55 cruise missile tests. Has fixed radar cover filled with other equipment and glassed navigator cockpit, (one prototype and five production conversions).
6. Izdeliye-1076 – One-off special mission aircraft with unknown duties.
7. A-50I – variant with Israeli radar, designed for China but project cancelled under pressure of United States
8. A-50E/I – With Aviadvigatel PS-90 A-76 engines, with Israeli EL/W-2090 radar made for the Indian Air Force.

The A-50 aircraft was followed by four variants: A-50M, A-50U, A-50I and A-50E/I. The A-50M variant is an advanced version of the A-50 aircraft. The outdated analogue equipment of the A-50 have been replaced with digital electronics system to create the A-50M aircraft. The A-50U is an updated Russian variant, first shown in 1995. It was created by modernising the element base of airborne radiotechnical complex, thereby reducing the total weight. The A-50I is a variant specifically developed to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force. It is additionally equipped with Israeli-made Phalcon radar. The variant, A-50E/I is an Israeli Phalcon radar export version.

Mainstay AEW&C radar system

1. The A-50U airborne radar warning and guidance system is the Schnel-M produced by Vega. 
2. It comprises:
3. radar station
4. data reduction system
5. interrogator-responder and signal transmission system
6. digital computer complex
7. identification friend or foe (IFF) equipment
8. command radio link to guide fighters
9. encoding communication system
10. radio communication equipment
11. telemetry / code equipment
12. registering equipment.

The radar and guidance systems have the capacity to track 50 to 60 targets simultaneously and to guide ten to 12 fighter aircraft simultaneously.

• Specifications

1. Crew: 15
2. Length: 49m
3. Wingspan: 50.50 m
4. Height: 14.76 m
5. Wing area: 300 m²
6. Empty weight: 75,000 kg
7. Max. takeoff weight: 170,000 kg
8. Powerplant: 4 × Soloviev D-30KP turbofan, 117,68 kN each
9. Maximum speed: 900 km/h
10. Range: 7,500 km
11. Service ceiling: 12,000 m