Russian Air Force Shows Upgraded Awacs, and Plans New One ~ ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** the Russian air force exhibited Red 33, its second upgraded Beriev A-50U Awacs aircraft. Built in 1984, it was modernized from the A-50M standard last year and redelivered in February this year. Target detection and tracking values for the A-50U are classified but described as “vastly improved” over those of the A-50M. In particular, the A-50U is better at detecting cruise missiles, helicopters and other low-flying aerial targets. The baseline A-50M has a detection range of about 185 miles for land and 400 miles for aerial targets, and can track up to 300 targets simultaneously. Work on the A-50U began in 2008. Aerial trials followed in 2009 on the industry-owned prototype Side 37. The defense ministry certified the improved aircraft in November 2009, and the Russian air force accepted its first A-50U (Red 47) in October 2011. The defense ministry plans to upgrade the entire A-50 fleet–said to be 26 strong–to the new standard. The aircraft operate from Ivanovo airbase. Modernization centers on replacement of outdated analogue subsystems of the A-50’s Shmel radar set with digital components having higher performance, lower weight and better reliability. Operator work stations are now furnished with large-screen LCDs in place of cathode ray tubes. All processing is digital. The weight of the radar system has been considerably reduced, increasing range at the same mtow. Satellite-aided navigation improved accuracy. Automated control for interceptor aircraft is provided by radio commands transferred via secured datalink.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:38:48 +0000