Russian AWACS development continues with Israeli equipment

Published: 6/10/1999

A Rostov on Don newspaper has reported that, along with its work on amphibian aircraft, the Beriev (TANTK) complex, located in Taganrog, is continuing to develop the Beriev-50, the Russian version of the US Boeing E-3C Sentinel AWACS aircraft. According to the report, the development of the system has been given an additional impetus by the conflict in the Balkans, by reinforcing the effectiveness of the AWACS, which is used by a number of NATO members. The development program at the TANTK complex has accelerated its development work on what Concise assumes is the Beriev A-501: a derivative of the Il-76 based A-50 with Israeli radar, developed by Israeli Aircraft Industries and Beriev. Russia already has several A-50s, as well as the more advanced A-50U, in service. The newspaper report claims that the flight program of the aircraft has been increased and that Israel has ordered an airframe in which to install its equipment, possibly the Elta phased array radar, on home ground. Apparently, the antenna array was recently sent to Israel. Other potential customers for the aircraft are reported as being India and, according to Jane"s, the Chinese Air Force.

Article ID: 578