Beriev A-100

A-100 Premier
А-100
A-100 in flight
Role Airborne early warning and control
Manufacturer Beriev / JSC Vega
First flight 18 November 2017[1]
Introduction Not yet in service
Status Planned to military service; in service
Primary user Russian Aerospace Forces
Number built 2 (1 A-100LL, 1 A-100)
Developed from Ilyushin Il-76
An Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A (Il-476), on which the Beriev A-100 is based

The Beriev A-100 is a Russian-built airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft. This aircraft is developed to replace the Beriev A-50 in Russian Aerospace Forces service. Avionics and configuration will be similar to the A-50U, but with a new Vega Premier Active Phased Array Radar.[2]

Design and development

The A-100 is also known as the Izdeliye PM, and is planned to reinforce and then replace Russia's current fleet of Beriev A-50 AEW&C aircraft. Its development contract was signed in 2006 with the Vega Radio Engineering Corporation.[3] The aircraft is based on the improved Il-76MD-90A (Il-476), which is equipped with new PS-90A-76 turbofan engines that are 15% more powerful than the D-30KP used by the Il-76. The external shape of the A-100 will be similar to the A-50, with the main radar array housed in a rotating dome mounted on two struts above the fuselage. The new Vega Premier AESA radar in the dome will have electronic steering in elevation while azimuth is controlled by the rotation of the dome. The array will rotate once every 5 seconds, thus improving the radar's ability to track fast moving targets.[4] In addition to the new radar, the A-100 will have a new electronic warfare suite, a new navigation system, and new communication systems, including a satellite communication antenna.[3]

It can detect aerial targets more than 600 kilometres (370 mi) away and warships nearly 400 kilometres (250 mi) away.[5]

A flying laboratory, designated A-100LL and based on an A-50 airframe, is used to test the operation of the A-100's systems and help with their conception. It first flew on 21 April 2017.[3]

In April 2020, it was said by a source in the Russian military industry that Russia's Aerospace Forces will begin taking delivery of the new Beriev A-100 in 2024, to complement and eventually replace the existing Beriev A-50 and A-50U AEW planes in the Aerospace Forces’ inventory.[6]

In February 2022, The Drive claimed that sanctions placed on Russia had delayed the project.[7]

On 9 February 2022 A-100 made its first flight with a radar turned on.[8]

Specifications (Il-476)

General characteristics

  • Length: 46.59 m (152 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 50.5 m (165 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 14.76 m (48 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 300 m2 (3,200 sq ft)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Aviadvigatel PS-90-76 turbofan engines, 142 kN (32,000 lbf) thrust each [9]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.82

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ "Russia's latest radar aircraft performs debut flight - designer". TASS. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Beriev delivers first upgraded A-50U Mainstay". Air Forces Monthly (286): 28. January 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "[Actu] Premier vol du Beriev A-100LL". Red Samovar. 2 May 2017.
  4. ^ Butowski, Piotr. "Model Reveals A-100 Configuration". Air International, April 2014. Retrieved: 21 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Bristling with Antennas, Russia's A-100 is Likely More Than Just a New Radar Plane". 21 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Here's when Russia's Military Will Get Giant New 'Flying Radar' AEW Aircraft". 11 April 2020.
  7. ^ Newdick, Thomas (3 February 2022). "Western Sanctions Are Driving Delays In Fielding Russia's New A-100 Radar Plane: Report". thedrive.com. The Drive. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Самолёт ДРЛО А-100 выполнил полёт с включённой РЛС » Авиация России". Авиация России (in Russian). 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  9. ^ "IL76TD PS90".