The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will determine the launch of serial production for the A-50U Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft upon completion of all ongoing work and testing. This was announced on September 6, 2025, by Sergey Korotkov, UAC’s Chief Designer and Deputy CEO, as reported by TASS.
“We have active contracts in place, and there is a clear operational need for these platforms (A-50), particularly for the intelligence they provide. However, the current projects are not yet finalized, and the systems have not received final certification. Once these requirements are met, a decision on scalable, serial production will be made,” Korotkov stated.
The A-50U is capable of detecting and tracking up to 300 airborne, maritime, and ground targets simultaneously at ranges up to 400 nautical miles (650 kilometers). The platform can direct fighter aircraft to aerial targets and coordinate tactical aviation against ground targets, transmitting real-time data to command centers.
Production of the A-50U at the Beriev Taganrog Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex (TANTK) with integration of the Shmel-M radar system, developed by Vega Radio Engineering Corporation, was established in the 1990s.
References to “unfinished work” likely pertain to ongoing import substitution efforts. This involves replacing certain components of the radar system’s hardware, particularly those responsible for primary and secondary radar data processing, as well as display and control units. The shift to fully domestic components, necessitated by current sanctions and restrictions, requires additional testing to meet customer specifications.
In parallel with the A-50U program, development continues on the next-generation A-100 “Premier” AWACS aircraft. Based on the upgraded Il-76MD-90A airframe, the A-100 features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The A-100 will be capable of controlling both manned and unmanned aircraft, offering enhanced operational capabilities in line with modern command and control requirements.
Preliminary flight testing of the A-100 began in February 2019. Vega Corporation planned to complete these tests in 2022 and transition the system to state joint trials. In 2023, UAC reported the delivery of another upgraded A-50U to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS).
All operational A-50U aircraft are assigned to the 610th Center for Combat Training and Aircrew Conversion, part of the 4th State Center for Aviation Personnel Training and Military Trials. As of January 1, 2024, the VKS operated 15 A-50M and A-50U aircraft.
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