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World Defense & Security News - Russia
 
 
Russian Air Force takes delivery of fourth upgraded A-50U AEW&C aircraft
 
Beriev Aircraft Company, part of UAC, recently delivered a fourth upgraded A-50U AEW&C aircraft (N°41 "Taganrog") to the Russian Air Force. The A-50U is an improved variant of the Beriev A-50 "Mainstay" aircraft featuring new radar, increased maximum takeoff weight, and increase of the range and mission time performance.
     
Russian Air Force takes delivery f fourth upgraded A 50U AEW C aircraft 640 001The 4th A-50U delivered by Beriev to the Russian Air Force
(Credit: Beriev/UAC)
     
After passing all the necessary tests, the aircraft was handed over to the Russian Air Force crews and successfully flew from Taganrog to its permanent base. This is the fourth modernized A-50U aircraft transferred to the Ministry of Defense of Russia, UAC announced in a press release.

The A-50 AEW&C aircraft entered service with the Russian Air Force in 1984. As of 2011, 26 aircraft were reportedly operational in the Russian Air Force. The new A-50U version entered in service in the Russian Air Force in November 2011.

A-50 is able to fly at speeds up to 800 kilometers per hour for distances up to 7.5 thousand kilometers. The aircraft is capable of detecting various types of air and ground targets at ranges up to 650 and 300 kilometers respectively.

The A-50U is equipped with the Shmel II radio engineering complex which, according to analysts, has increased capabilities for detecting low-contrast ground-based targets, and has increased radio range (2,000 km in HF and 400 km in UHF). The A-50U also features a self-defense system including active and passive electronic countermeasures and radar reflectors.