Aircraft Beriev A-50 (IL-76) Mainstay Airborne Early Warning and Control System, Russia

Product description

Much like the USAF Boeing E-3 Sentry, the A-50 serves as an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) acting as a flying command and control centre for guiding combat aircraft over the battlefield. The Russian Air Force is currently thought to have about 16 - 20 SDRLO (Long Range Detection System) aircraft in service, operating from their home base of Ivanovo Severny in Western Russia. During the 1991 Gulf War however, Russian A-50s flew frequent missions from bases in Ukraine to observe allied air operations.