Russia's A‑50 early warning fleet status revealed by satellite images
It's important to recall that Russia lost two Beriev A-50 early warning aircraft this year, one on Sunday, January 14, and another on Friday, February 23. Subsequently, it was observed that Russia had at least one active A-50, as one was spotted at the Taganrog airport in the closing days of February. At that time, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian intelligence, reported six aircraft in active service.
Mar 7, 2024 | updated: 2:55 AM EST, March 8, 2024
A-50 aircraft grounded at a Russian airport
The analysis suggests that all Russia's A-50 aircraft are likely based at this airport. Consequently, Russia appears capable of conducting reconnaissance missions with only four operational aircraft while the rest are immobilized, their state rendering them unfit for regular deployment.
Overview of the A-50 early warning aircraft
As the successor to the Tupolev Tu-126, the A-50 Beriev early warning aircraft is a significant asset for monitoring aerial objects within a 403-mile range. This Russian aircraft, equipped with a Liana radar system on its fuselage, can detect ground targets up to 186 miles away. This dual capacity facilitates ground support operations, observation missions, and enemy interception efforts.
The A-50 measures nearly 164 feet in length and 49 feet in height, with a wingspan of roughly 165 feet. Four Soloviev D-30KP turbojet engines power it, each providing 26,455 pounds of thrust. This enables the aircraft to reach up to 528 miles per hour and operate at altitudes as high as 42,651 feet. The A-50 Beriev's maximum range extends to about 4,536 miles.
