The A-50 'Mainstay' was developed to replace the aging Tu-126 'Moss' airborne early warning and control aircraft. The A-50 is based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft, but the majority of the modifications have been performed by Beriev. In comparison to the original airframe, the A-50 incorporates a lengthened fuselage with space for display consoles and communications sytems for the 10 mission specialists. Similar to western designs performing the same mission, the A-50's most prominent feature is its large rotating radome mounted above the fuselage. Installed in the forward portion of the radome is the antenna for the surveillance radar while the after section houses various data-link systems that allow the A-50 to vector up to 10 or 12 interceptors at once.

Mounted further forward on the fuselage is a canoe fairing that houses a satellite communications antenna. The A-50 is also equipped with twin flare pods to defend against heat-seeking missiles, wingtip electronic countermeasures pods, an inflight-refueling probe in the nose, and a radar warning receiver.

Charged with detecting incoming cruise missiles as well as to provide airborne command to friendly fighters, the A-50 can operate over both land and water and is typically operated along the Russian coasts. An improved model equipped with a much more powerful radar was unveiled in 1995, and some 25 to 40 total aircraft are believed to have been built by the late 1990s. While most remain in Russian service, pairs of aircraft have also been leased to both India and China. China hoped to have its aircraft upgraded with the Israeli Phalcon radar system, but the deal fell through due to political pressure form the US and technical difficulties mounting the Phalcon system on a rotating radome. In addition, Iraq also converted several former civil Il-76 aircraft with radar equipment similar to that aboard the A-50.

A-50 Production airborne early warning model based on the Il-76 airframe but equipped with a large rotating radome to track 50 to 60 targets and guide 10 to 12 interceptor aircraft simultaneously
A-50M Updated model qith a new radar system and more powerful computer
A-50U Improved AEW model with a new radar, increased maximum takeoff weight, and increased patrol duration
Il-976 Civilian derivative of the A-50 serving as range control and data recording aircraft for flight testing, based on the Il-76 and equipped with a similar rotodome as the A-50 but retains the glass nose of the Il-76 and lacks many of the A-50's electronic fairings, antennas, and inflight-refueling probe; 5 converted
Baghdad 1 Iraqi Il-76MD airframe modified as an AEW platform through the addition of a Thomson-CSF Tigre surveillance radar mounted behind a blister radome in place of the aft clamshell doors, radar system crew included four operators and allowed monitoring a 180° sweep out to 190 nm (350 km); 1 converted but deemed unsuccessful due to unspecified problems
Adnan Iraqi Il-76 airframes modified as AEW aircraft by mounting a 29.5 ft (9 m) diameter rotating radome atop the fuselage; 3 converted but 1 was destroyed during the 1991 Gulf War and the other two fled to Iran where they still remain

"The A-50 Aircraft is intended to detect and identify aerial objects and sea targets, determine aerial targets coordinates and flight path data, transfer information to the Command Posts, guide fighter-interceptors to aerial objects, lead out tactical aircraft to combat areas to attack ground targets.

The A-50 Aircraft has been developed on the basis of the IL-76MD Military-Transport Aircraft. The high flight performance of the A-50 Aircraft is ensured by aerodynamic configuration of the basic model.

The aircraft is fitted with the PNK-T Flight Control and Navigation System providing air navigation at all flight phases, in any weather and season, in all geographical zones, by day and night. The system also provides flight control and navigation data required for operation of special systems."

Length 182.83 ft (46.59 m)
Wingspan 165.67 ft (50.54 m)
Height 48.42 ft (14.76 m)
Wing Area 3,229.28 ft2 (300.0 m2)
Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:
Empty unknown
Typical Load unknown
Max Takeoff 418,880 lb (190,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity 142,905 lb (64,820 kg)
Max Payload

unknown

PROPULSION:
Powerplant four Soloview D-30KP turbofans
Thrust 105,820 lb (470.4 kN)

PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed at altitude: 530 mph (850 km/h)
at sea level: unknown
Initial Climb Rate unknown
Service Ceiling 33,435 ft (10,200 m)
Range 3,940 nm (7,300 km)
Endurance 7 hr 42 min
g-Limits +2

ARMAMENT:
Gun provision for two 23-mm cannons in a tail turret
Stations 2 wingtip hardpoints

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