The Beriev A-50 Шмель (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, with about 40 produced by 1992.
Large (d=9m) radome on twin pylons above the rear fuselage. 5 men of flight crew + 10 operators. Can control 10 fighters. A-50 is capable to fly for 4 hours at 1000 km from base at max takeoff mass of 190 t. The a/c can be refuelled from Il-78 tanker. Entered service in 1986.
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.
Electronics by Beriev's OKB.
A-50 looks much close to the SKIP aircraft (the fore cockpit should have no glass).
- 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.;
Variants
- A-50U - the latest one.
- A-50I (western name!) - version of A-50 for China. Fixed radar antenna of three active phased arrays.
- SKIP - Airborn Measure and Control Point. Fixed radar cover filled with another quipment. Navigator cockpit preserved.
Specifications (A-50)
General characteristics
- Crew: 7
- Length: 49.59 m (152 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 50.50 m (165 ft 6 in)
- Height: 4.80 m (15 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 300 m² (3,228 ft²)
- Empty: 75,000 kg (165,000 lb)
- Loaded: kg ( lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 170,000 kg (374,000 lb)
- Powerplant: 4 x Aviadvigatel PS-90A, 157 kN (35,200 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 800 km/h (500 mph)
- Range: 6,400 km (4,000 miles)
- Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,360 ft)
- Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
- Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight:
External links:
Related content
Related development:
Ilyushin Il-76
Comparable aircraft:
E-3 Sentry
Designation sequence (Beriev):
A-40 -
A-50 -
A-60
Designation sequence (Ilyushin):
Il-76 -
Il-78 -
Il-80 -
Il-82 -
Il-86 -
Il-87 -
Il-96
