Russian military personnel are actively using A-50U airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to detect and neutralize enemy aircraft. The next upgraded aircraft entered the Russian Aerospace Forces in September 2023. The press service of Ruselectronics revealed some of its characteristics.
The A-50U was developed by specialists from the Vega concern (part of Ruselectronics) and TANTK named after Beriev (part of UAC). The modified aircraft can detect new types of aircraft, as well as track a larger number of targets, including fighters.
The A-50U has new high-performance electronics that improve the capabilities of the functional software. Replacing the old equipment with more modern equipment reduced the weight of the aircraft, which made it possible to increase the flight range and the time the aircraft spends in the air.
Earlier, British intelligence noted that the Russian Aerospace Forces use the A-50U AEW&C together with the S-400. It is alleged that the Russian military began using these aircraft to coordinate air defense operations, which shoots down enemy aircraft.
