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 Air Force service.
Avionics and configuration will be similar to the A-50U, but with a new Vega Premier Active Phased Array Radar.
The A-100 is also known as the Izdeliye PM, and is currently replacing Russia’s current fleet of Beriev A-50 AEW&C aircraft.
Its development contract was signed in 2006 with the Vega Radio Engineering Corporation.
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 is very 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.
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.
It can detect aerial targets more than 600 kilometres (370 mi) away and warships nearly 400 kilometres (250 mi) away.
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.
