The A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft is based on the llyushin IL-76MD military transport aircraft with a considerable radar antenna on the plane's spine.
The plane is often seen with flights of Russian jets that get information from the giant plane that loiters close enough to the battlefield. These are crucial components of any modern fighting force and are a source of real-time information.
A-50 Mainstay
Called the Mainstay as its military designation and based on the IL-76MD transport, which is big enough to support all the equipment needed on the platform, reported Airforce-Technology.
In the West, the aircraft is identified by the NATO moniker Mainstay. The A-50 aircraft retained the A-designation Beriev designated to the original prototype, even though Beriev aircraft ordinarily carry the Russian designation Be- accompanied by the number.
The radar detects all airborne objects, whether friend or foe, the direction of their flight that will be sent to relevant commands that use the information.
It determines how best air and ground attack units can approach their assigned targets. Its operation is symmetrical to the US E-3 AWACS made by Boeing, per the Military.
Flying for the first time in 1984 with then Warsaw Pact when the USSR was intact, noted History, there are 16 A-50 Mainstay (AEW&C) aircraft in use with the Russian Federation.
An upgrade called the A-50U was announced in 1995 but not tested until 2008, coinciding with the Russian arms modernization. It was cleared to be in regular service in 2011, and the U ending units would have extended service to 2020.
Improvements done on the A-50U have more fuel but the same take-off weight with extended range and better mission performance.
Russian A-50U Aircraft Capabilities
The plane has adequate defenses and countermeasures installed to keep it flying in hostile airspace and patrol zones.
Systems are geared to defeat both guide and fire-and-forget-missiles used by enemy fighters and interceptors; its coverage is the front and backside of the recon craft. An electronic countermeasure system defeats radar and other energy-based systems.
Mainstay could keep away from hostile fighters from contact bounce from friendly forces in any area. Worse comes to shove, and enemy jamming targets the A-50 by defeating counter-electronics, crucial in modern warfare. It will be a tit for tat in radio and electronic attacks.
The aircraft is equipped with the NPK-T flight control and navigation system that ensures air navigation during all flight phases in all meteorological conditions, day and night, and year-round activities at all geographical latitudes.
Its system offers flight control and navigation data for mission-specific systems and equipment. Specs include a patrol service limit of 10 kilometers with a range of 5,000km; remain aloft for seven hours and 40 minutes. The aircraft's max take-off weight is 170,000kg. It can attain a maximum speed of 800km/h.
A-50 Mainstay (AEW&C) aircraft is an important part of the Russian armed forces that serve as a command and control on the battlefield giving information to commanders deciding what to do.
