The newest A-100 Premier long-range radar surveillance and guidance aircraft will significantly expand the capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The flying radar built in Taganrog has already tested radio equipment in flight.
According to The Drive, the new Premier aviation complex, located on the basis of the upgraded Il-76, will provide a significant expansion of capabilities compared to existing AWACS aircraft - A-50 and A-50U.
"Most notably, the Premier is equipped with a completely new radar, which has an active electronic height scanning function." - the publication reports.
Active electronic scanning provides advantages in terms of accurate detection and targeting even small or inconspicuous objects flying low over the terrain, as well as greater range, reliability and overall flexibility compared to mechanical scanning. Digital technologies are also more effective in electronic warfare.
Compared to the A-50 and A-50U, the new A-100 complex has a number of new antennas and fairings, which indicate additional capabilities in the form of electronic support for military units, communications and combat control.
Recall that on February 9, the A-100 complex made its first flight with the radar turned on. As told in the Rostec State Corporation, during the flight, the operability of avionics and part of the target equipment of the onboard radio engineering complex was checked. "All systems have worked in accordance with the specified parameters," the company noted.
Nikolay Grishchenko
