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The '''[[Beriev]] A-50''' Шмель (''Shmel'', "bumble-bee") ([[NATO reporting name]]: '''Mainstay''') is a [[Russia]]n [[airborne early warning]] (AEW) aircraft based on the [[Ilyushin Il-76]] transport. Developed to replace the Tu-126 Moss (a variant of the [[Tu-95]] Bear bomber), the Mainstay first flew in 1980. It entered service in 1984 ''(or in 1986?)'', with about 40 produced by 1992.

The type has a lengthened forward fuselage providing the additional volume required for the tactical compartment in which the mission personnel of the 15-man crew derive data from the large Liana [[surveillance]] [[radar]] with its [[antenna (radio)|antenna]] in an over-fuselage rotordome, which has a diameter of 29 ft 9 in (9.00 m).

The A-50 can control up to 10 fighter aircraft. A-50 is capable to fly for 4 hours at 1000 km from base at max takeoff mass of 190 t. The [[aircraft]] can be refuelled from [[Il-78]] tanker.

Radar "Vega-M" designed by MNIIP, Moscow, produced by NPO Vega-M. "Vega-M" is capable to track up to 50 targets simultaneously within 230 km range. Large targets (ships) are tracked within 400 km range.

Electronics by Beriev's OKB.

A-50 looks much close to the SKIP aircraft (the fore cockpit should have no glass). 
*  Long range radar search for naval and air targets on minimal altitudes;
* Link with Automated Control System;
* Guides aircrafts of Military AF, Anti-Missile Defences, the Navy on targets;
* In-flight refueling;
* Etc.; 

==Variants==
* '''A-50U''' - the latest one.
* '''A-50I''' (''western name!'') - version of A-50 for China. Fixed radar antenna of three active phased arrays.
* '''SKIP''' - ''Airborn Measure and Control Point''. Fixed radar cover filled with another equipment. Navigator cockpit preserved.

==Specifications (A-50)==
===General characteristics===
* '''Crew:''' 7
* '''Length:''' 49.59 m (152 ft 8 in)
* '''Wingspan:''' 50.50 m (165 ft 6 in)
* '''Aspect ratio:''' 8.50
* '''Height:''' 4.80 m (15 ft 9 in)
* '''Wing area:''' 300 m² (3,228 ft²)
* '''Empty:'''  75,000 kg (165,000 lb)
* '''Loaded:'''  kg ( lb)
* '''Maximum takeoff:''' 170,000 kg (374,000 lb)
* '''Powerplant:''' 4 x [[Aviadvigatel PS-90]]A, 157 kN (35,200 lbf) thrust each

===Performance===
* '''Maximum speed:''' 800 km/h (500 mph)
* '''Range:''' 6,400 km (4,000 miles)
* '''Service ceiling:''' 12,000 m (39,360 ft)
* '''Rate of climb:''' m/min ( ft/min)
* '''Wing loading:''' kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
* '''Thrust/weight:'''

==Operators==
* Russia,

==External links:==
* [http://www.aviation.ru/Il/#A-50 www.aviation.ru]
* [http://nvo.ng.ru/armament/1999-11-26/6_avaks.html Source article of NVO]
* [http://www.aviation.ru/Be/#A-50 TNTK named after Beriev is the responsible contractor]
* [http://www.iai.co.il/iai/dows/Serve/item/English/1.1.2.3.1.html Avionics by ELTA Electronics Industries Ltd.] (division of [http://www.iai.co.il/ Israel Aircraft Industries, ltd.]).

==Related content==
'''Related development:'''
[[Ilyushin Il-76]]

'''Comparable aircraft:'''
[[E-3 Sentry]]

'''Designation sequence (Beriev):'''
[[Beriev Be-42|A-40]] -
'''A-50''' -
[[Beriev A-60|A-60]]

'''Designation sequence (Ilyushin):'''
[[Ilyushin Il-76|Il-76]] -
[[Ilyushin Il-78|Il-78]] -
[[Ilyushin Il-80|Il-80]] -
'''Il-82''' -
[[Ilyushin Il-86|Il-86]] -
[[Ilyushin Il-87|Il-87]] -
[[Ilyushin Il-96|Il-96]]

== Copyright ==
"Original data received from Wikipedia on April 14, 2006. Credit given to original authors can be seen [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Beriev_A-50&action=history Here]."

[[Category:Military Aircraft]]