Beriev A-50
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Short description Template:Infobox aircraft
The Beriev A-50 (NATO reporting name: Mainstay) is a Soviet-origin airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft that is based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane. Developed to replace the Tupolev Tu-126 "Moss", the A-50 first flew in 1978. Its existence was revealed to the Western Bloc in 1978 by Adolf Tolkachev.<ref name="billiondollarspy">Template:Cite book</ref> It entered service in 1985, with about 42 produced by 1992 when the breakup of the Soviet Union ended production.<ref name=brimelow>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Design and development
A-50
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 Template:Convert<ref name=brimelow/> Detection range is Template:Convert for air targets and Template:Convert for ground targets.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The A-50 can controlTemplate:Clarification needed up to ten fighter aircraft for either air-to-air intercept or air-to-ground attack missions. The A-50 can fly for four hours with a range of Template:Convert from its base, at a maximum takeoff weight of Template:Convert. The aircraft can be refuelled by Il-78 tankers.Template:Cn
The "Vega-M" radar is designed by MNIIP, Moscow, and produced by NPO Vega. The "Vega-M" can track up to 150 targets simultaneously within Template:Convert. Large targets, like surface ships, can be tracked at a distance of Template:Convert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
A-50U
Development work on a modernised version, the A-50U, began in 2003; state tests started on 10 September 2008, using a Russian Air Force A-50 "37 Red" as a prototype. It replaces analogue avionics with a new digital avionics suite, made by NPO Vega, that speeds data processing and improves signal tracking and target detection. Crew rest, toilet and galley facilities are also included in the upgrade.<ref name=upgraded_A-50U>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
After completing the joint state tests, Beriev delivered the first A-50U to the Russian Air Force. The aircraft, "47 Red", RF-92957, was handed over at Beriev's facility in Taganrog on 31 October 2011.<ref name="key">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was accepted by an aircrew serving with the 2457th Aviation Base for Combat Operation of Airborne Early Warning Aircraft (Aviabaza Boevogo Primeneniya Samolyotov Dal'nego Radiolokatsionnogo Obnaruzheniya) at Ivanovo Severny, the only base using the A-50 operationally, which operates 16 aircraft.<ref name=upgraded_A-50U /> The fourth A-50U, "41 Taganrog", was delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces on 7 March 2017. The fifth A-50U, "45 Red", was delivered on 6 December 2018. Eight A-50U aircraft have been delivered Template:As of.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The A-50U upgrade forms the basis of the concept for Beriev A-100 AEW&C. Its configuration will be similar, but with a new Vega Premier active electronically scanned array radar.<ref name=upgraded_A-50U />
It was announced by Rostec that production of the A-50U would restart in 2024. However, it is likely that production resumption will be delayed for a few years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Operational history
In peacetime
The aircraft entered service with the 67th Independent Aviation Squadron, Long-Range Airborne Surveillance (67 OAE DRLO) (в/ч 32457) in 1984 at Šiauliai in the Lithuanian SSR.<ref name="Janes_200102">Template:Cite journal</ref> The unit was redesignated the 144th Independent Regiment DRLO, (в/ч 89449) and later moved to Pechora Kamenka (often referred to as "Berezovka") in 1998.
There was a detachment of two A-50s and one Il-76 as part of the 192nd Guards Kerch Red Banner Military Transport Aviation Regiment (в/ч 26212), Ukurey Airfield Chita Oblast in Russia from 1985 to 1995. It was formed at the Ulan-Ude (Vostochny) airfield in 1985, and flew to Ukurei in 1988. It was disbanded in 1995 and aircraft transferred to the 144th Independent Regiment. The 18th Independent Aviation Detachment DRLO (two A-50s and 1 Il-76) was established at the Vitebsk-Severny airfield from 1985. In 1993, the detachment was disestablished.
Two aircraft "operated round-the-clock over [the] Black Sea during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm of the Gulf War (1990–1991), monitoring United States Air Force operations from Turkey and keeping a watch for "stray" cruise missiles."Template:R
Syrian Civil War
In late December 2015, the A-50 started operations over Syria, flying from Russia, to support Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Russo-Ukrainian War
In December 2018, the A-50 was deployed to Crimea.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:External media On 26 February 2023, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Association of Security Forces of Belarus (BYPOL), a partisan group, reported that it had conducted a drone attack and damaged a Russian A-50 at the Machulishchy air base near Minsk, Belarus.Template:R The attacked base also hosts MiG-31 fighters used to attack Ukraine.<ref name="Roth_20230227">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Damaged_Belarus_20230226">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, satellite imagery of the Machulishchy air base from 28 February showed no significant damage to the sole A-50 located there.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The drone operators posted a video of a practice run of the alleged A-50U bombing on YouTube on 2 March 2023, which shows the drone flying into Machulishchy unopposed, then landing on the A-50's rotodome. On 3 March 2023, the drone operators posted a second video showing a drone landing on the domed area on top of the fuselage just forward of the wings followed by a loss of video signal claimed to be due to the actual explosion.
On 17 November 2023, the British Defence Ministry said that it believed it "likely" that Russian forces were updating their A-50 early warning aircraft in anticipation of the West supplying Ukraine with modern fighter jets such as the F-16. The aircraft may also be integrated with ground-based S-400 missile systems.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Ukrainian forces claimed to have shot down an A-50 over the Sea of Azov on 14 January 2024 while it was on duty in the Kyrylivka area. The A-50 reportedly disappeared from radar and stopped responding to requests from tactical aviation. Later several Western and Ukrainian sources reported that the pilot of a Su-30 aircraft of the Russian Air Force detected the fire and crash of an unidentified aircraft in the area, presumably the A-50.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Forbes journalist David Axe cited one analyst who said that the Ukrainian Air Force first disabled Russian radars across Crimea, causing the Russians to re-establish radar coverage there by moving their A-50 north to near Berdyansk, thus within range of a Ukrainian SAM battery which shot it down. This was stated to leave the Russian air force with just two serviceable A-50s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Asof, Russian "war correspondents" have confirmed that the A-50 was indeed shot down. But, we still don't have official information from the Kremlin that it was shot down. Open source analysts later identified that the aircraft lost was A-50U "37 red" of the 610th Center for Combat Use and Retraining of Military Transport Aviation Flight Personnel (610th CBP i PLS), based at Ivanovo Severny.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Col. Rosanna Clemente, Assistant Chief of Staff at the 10th US Army Air and Missile Defense Command, later confirmed that this A-50 had been shot down by a Ukrainian-operated Patriot air defense system.<ref name=newdick>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Ukrainian official sources said that on 23 February 2024 a second A-50U aircraft had been shot down, over the Sea of Azov in Krasnodar Krai, at 18:44 Ukraine local time,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref group="UA government website">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Ukrainian language.</ref> by a long-range Soviet-era S-200 missile system. According to Ukrainian sources, 10 Russians were killed on the plane, including five majors.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>10 Russians, including 5 majors, killed in downed A-50 aircraft – Ukrainska Pravda sources</ref> The aircraft was later identified as A-50U "42 red" of the 610th CBP i PLS.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, said that as of 25 February 2024 Russia had only six operational A-50s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The BBC stated at this time that Russia had originally had six A-50s operational, with two destroyed in 2024 leaving it with only four. <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Taganrog Beriev Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex where the A-50s are repaired was reported to have suffered damage on the night of March 8/9, 2024, possibly from a Ukrainian drone strike.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On 1 June 2025, the Ukrainian SBU claimed to have damaged an A-50 at the Ivanovo airbase, using drones as part of Operation Spider's Web.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Extended footage confirmed to journalists that two A-50s were damaged in the operation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is unclear if the A-50s damaged were in a usable state with at least one missing engines and both having worn radomes.<ref name=newdickspider>Template:Cite news</ref>
Variants
- A-50 – Original variant
- A-50M – UpdatedTemplate:When variant of the A-50 fitted with mid-air refueling.Template:Cn Equipped with Shemel-2 radars.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- A-50U – (Mainstay-B) UpdatedTemplate:When variant of the A-50M with modern electronics and increased crew comfort.<ref name="airliners">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Has Shemel-M radar.<ref name=":0" />
- llyushin/Beriyev 'Aircraft 676'<ref name="Gordon, Yefim 2004">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:RpTemplate:Nbsp–Template:NbspA single stop-gap telemetry and tracking aircraft
- llyushin/Beriyev 'Aircraft 776'Template:RTemplate:Nbsp–Template:NbspA single stop-gap telemetry and tracking aircraft
- llyushin/Beriyev 'Aircraft 976' (SKIP)Template:RTemplate:Nbsp–Template:Nbsp(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
- Izdeliye 1076Template:RTemplate:Nbsp–Template:NbspA single special-mission aircraft with unknown duties
- A-50EI – A 2000s export version for the Indian Air Force with Aviadvigatel PS-90A-76 engines and Israeli EL/W-2090 radar<ref name="take-off">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Operators
- {{#invoke
- flag||India}}
India got its first A-50 on May 28, 2009. The plane was inducted into the No. 50 Squadron.
- Indian Air Force – 3 in service, 2 on order.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
North Korea's A-50 has not yet received its A-50 Template:As of. The plane was first flown on the 26th of March 2025.
- Korean People's Army Air Force – 1 in service<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Russia currently has 3 to 9 A-50 aircraft as of mid-2025. (source)
- Russian Aerospace Forces<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">Template:Cite report</ref>
- 2457th Aviation Base (Ivanovo Severny)
- 144th Independent Regiment Long-Range Airborne Surveillance
Former operators
The Soviet Union made 40-42 A-50s for itself. The production was stopped after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
- Soviet Air Defence Forces (1984–1992)
- 144th Independent Regiment Long-Range Airborne Surveillance
Russia's Air Defense Force had most of the remaining A-50s after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, however the exact amount is not known.
- Russian Air Defence Forces (1992–1998)
