New Russian A-100 AWACS has flown

The Russians have been looking at replacing their old AWACS, the A-50, for some time. It is understandable: the older plane was built and its radars in place back when the 5th gen fighters were only a twinkle in the eye of their creators. That has, obviously, changed since the USAF now has hundreds of F-22s and F-35s and the Chinese have inducted their own J-20 into service.

They could replace just the radar. That's would be the cheapest route, but the problem with that is those airframes are rather old and a SLEP may not even be enough. Hence, the Russians have decided on putting their chits on a new everything in the A-100. The airframe is based on the Il-76MD-90A.

And, now, she's flown.

alert5.com...

a reply to: anzha

It makes more sense to go with a new airframe. A new radar would put a lot of strain on some of the systems.

a reply to: anzha

Now that's an ugly airplane.

That is one cool plane.