Development and modernization of AWACS aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces
Combat aircraft A-50U
The Russian aerospace forces have a small but effective fleet of early warning and control aircraft. Existing aviation A-50 complexes meet the current needs of the Aerospace Forces and the armed forces, but certain measures must be taken to maintain the required capabilities in the future. Thus, a program for the modernization of available aircraft is being implemented, and a completely new complex of a similar purpose is being developed.
Aircraft in service
The operation of the AWACS A-50 complexes began in the mid-eighties and continues to this day. According to known data, now there are about a dozen such aircraft in service. A minority of them retain the basic configuration, while others have already been upgraded and improved all the main characteristics.
A-50s regularly make sorties on combat duty in order to monitor the situation in certain areas. They are also constantly attracted to teachings of various kinds. Since February last year, AWACS systems and their crews have been participating in the Special Operation to Protect Donbass. In general, they solve the usual problems, but now they have to deal with a real enemy.
The A-50 complexes, together with other systems and means, provide coverage of the air situation over the combat zone or in other areas, ensure the operation of tactical aviation, search for ground targets, etc. All details of duty and use, for obvious reasons, remain unknown. At the same time, the crews and their aircraft are highly appreciated.
Both in the basic configuration and as a result of the current modernization, the A-50 aircraft have high performance. They are able to keep watch at a distance from the base for several hours and continuously monitor the situation. The on-board radio-technical complex, controlled by 10 operators, provides detection of air targets at ranges from 300 (fighters) to 650 km (bombers). The detection range of large ground objects reaches 200-250 km, surface objects - up to the radio horizon. The RTK accompanies 300 targets and directs fighters at them or issues target designation to ground systems.
Modernization issues
On July 3, a meeting was held at the National Defense Control Center with the participation of the Minister of Defense and the leadership of the armed forces. The event discussed the course of the Special Operation, issues of military construction and renewal of the material part. In particular, the prospects for the A-50 aircraft fleet were discussed.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu recalled that his department had previously issued the TANTK to them. G.M. Beriev state contract for the repair and modernization of A-50 aircraft. According to him, the timely modernization of the AWACS aviation systems will have a positive impact on the effectiveness of the troops and will help them solve the assigned tasks.
What kind of modernization is in question, what goals it has and how it is progressing, they did not openly speak. Apparently, the minister had in mind the current program for the restructuring of aircraft under the A-50U project. It has been implemented for a long time and has solved the main part of the tasks set. Completion is expected in the foreseeable future.
Current project
The project for the modernization of the A-50 aircraft with the letter "U" was developed in the XNUMXs, and by the end of the decade, TANTK them. Beriev began to carry out the relevant work. In accordance with the established schedule, the enterprise received combat aircraft, carried out repairs and upgraded target equipment.
The A-50U program provides for a complete restructuring of the onboard radio engineering complex with the replacement of all major units. The deeply modernized RTC was built using modern hardware components and technologies. Due to this, a reduction in the mass and volume of equipment has been achieved, as well as improved performance. The main technical and operating parameters remained at the same level or improved. In addition, the A-50U is distinguished by improved conditions for the flight and tactical crew - also due to the release of volumes previously occupied by the equipment.
According to various sources, to date, at least half of the AWACS aircraft fleet has undergone restructuring under the A-50U project. The modernization process does not stop, and new results are expected in the near future. All work is carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Defense.
Plane of the future
In parallel with the modernization of the existing A-50, a completely new aviation complex is being developed. The project with the A-100 index started in the middle of the 2025s and is gradually approaching its completion. Serial production of such aircraft is planned to begin by XNUMX, and over the next few years, the first samples will enter service.
In terms of overall architecture, the prospective A-100 is broadly similar to the current A-50. In this case, only modern components are used. So, the new AWACS aircraft is also made on the basis of the transport Il-76, but its latest modification Il-76MD-90A is used. When rebuilding the A-100, the base aircraft undergoes certain changes.
A new RTK "Premier" was created for the A-100. Its main component is a radar with AFAR, which has enhanced performance. Like its predecessor, the antenna is located in a rotating fairing above the fuselage. Also, the complex should include modern computing tools for processing and issuing data. However, the exact composition of Premiere funds and their characteristics are still unknown.
The first prototype A-100 aircraft was built in the mid-50s by rebuilding one of the existing A-2016s. In the future, they planned to build another prototype. Flight tests of the first aircraft began in 17-2022. At the beginning of XNUMX, the first flight took place with the inclusion of a radio-technical complex.
In 2022, it was reported that the experimental equipment testing program would take another two years. The entire complex of checks of one or two prototype aircraft was going to be completed in 2024. After that, the A-100 Premier will have to receive a recommendation for adoption and production.
Prospects for Directions
Development plans of the Russian Ministry of Defense fleet AWACS aircraft as part of the VKS are generally simple and understandable. To maintain the characteristics and capabilities at the desired level, repairs and modernization of available A-50 aircraft are being carried out under the project with the letter "U". Most of the complexes have already been modernized, and it cannot be ruled out that the A-50U project itself has undergone some revision over the past time.
Experienced A-100 on trials
In parallel, a completely new model is being developed. The promising A-100 complex has already reached flight tests, and since last year, a full-fledged check and fine-tuning of all systems has been going on. The solution of all such problems, according to well-known estimates, requires another year and a half.
In the middle of the decade, mass production of new aircraft will begin, and within a few years after that, the first A-100s will enter service. By the beginning of the thirties, the fleet of AWACS aircraft will already have a mixed composition. Then, after the construction of a sufficient number of Premiers, it will be possible to write off the existing A-50s, which, despite all the repairs, will approach the development of the resource by that time.
As far as is known, the Ministry of Defense in the short and medium term is going to develop the fleet of AWACS aircraft only at the expense of aircraft of the current A-50/100 family. Development of fundamentally new samples on other platforms with other principles for constructing RTK, etc. not planned. However, it cannot be ruled out that such a decision will be made later and implemented in the distant future.
Today and tomorrow
Thus, the Russian Aerospace Forces has a fairly large and efficient fleet of early warning and control aircraft. Now it is used to solve problems within the framework of the Special Operation. At the same time, without interruption from the operation, the existing fleet is being repaired and updated, and it is also planned to re-equip it with completely new equipment.
Current plans for AWACS aircraft are designed for several years ahead and reach at least the second half of the twenties. This means that by this and the next decade, the armed forces will definitely retain the necessary equipment and related capabilities.
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