Some cool china prototype images:
Beriev A-50, Sukhoi Su-27
Image by Dmitry Terekhov
The Beriev A-50 Shmel (Russian: Шмель ‘bumble bee’), (NATO reporting name: Mainstay) is a Russian airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft primarily based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport. Created to replace the Tupolev Tu-126 ‘Moss’, the A-50 first flew in 1978. It entered service in 1984, with about 40 made by 1992.
The mission personnel of the 15-man crew derive data from the huge Liana surveillance radar with its antenna in an more than-fuselage rotordome, which has a diameter of 29 ft 9 in (9.00 m).
The A-50 can manage up to 10 fighter aircraft for either air-to-air intercept or air-to-ground attack missions. The A-50 is capable of flying for 4 hours at a 1000 km from its base at a maximum takeoff weight of 190 tons. The aircraft can be refuelled by Il-78 tankers , even though some sources indicates flight tests showed that aerial refueling was all but impossible because the rotodome would hit turbulence from the tanker, causing extreme buffeting.
The radar "Vega-M" is developed by MNIIP, Moscow, and created by NPO Vega. The "Vega-M" is capable of tracking up to 50 targets simultaneously within 230 kilometers. Large targets, like surface ships, can be tracked at a distance of 400 km.
* A-50M – Modernized Russian Version fitted with mid-air refueling capability.
* A-50U – updated Russian variant
* Izdeliye-676 – 1-off stop-gap telemetry and tracking aircraft.
* Izdeliye-776 – 1-off quit-gap telemetry and tracking aircraft.
* Izdeliye-976 (SKIP) – (СКИП – Самолетный Контрольно-Измерительный Пункт, Airborne Verify-Measure-and-Control Center) – Il-76 primarily based Variety Handle and Missile tracking platform. Initially constructed to assistance Raduga Kh-55 cruise missile tests.Has fixed radar cover filled with other gear and glassed navigator cockpit, (One particular prototype and five production conversions).
* Izdeliye-1076 – A single-off specific mission aircraft with unknown duties.
* A-50I – variant with Israeli Phalcon radar, created for China but project cancelled under pressure of United States
* A-50E/I – export version with Russian Shmel or Israeli Phalcon radar
* KJ-2000 – Chinese variant based on the A-50I airframe
Basic qualities
* Crew: 15
* Length: 49.59m (152 ft eight in)
* Wingspan: 50.50 m (165 ft 6 in)
* Height: 14.76 m (48 ft 5 in)
* Wing location: 300 m² (3,228 ft²)
* Empty weight: 75,000 kg (165,347 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 170,000 kg (374,786 lb)
* Powerplant: 4× Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofan, 157 kN (35,200 lbf) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 800 km/h (497 mph)
* Range: six,400 km (three,977 mi)
* Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,371 ft)
