TechRevealed: Russia's A-50 Early Warning Fleet Grounded Amid Engine Shortages

Revealed: Russia's A‑50 Early Warning Fleet Grounded Amid Engine Shortages

Early Warning Aircraft A-50
Early Warning Aircraft A-50
Images source: © Wikimedia Commons
Norbert Garbarek

7 March 2024 14:28

It's important to note that Russia lost two Beriev A-50 early warning aircraft this year. The first was lost on Sunday, January 14, and the second on Friday, February 23. Following these incidents, it was discovered that Russia had at least one active A-50, as one was seen at the Taganrog airport in the last days of February. According to Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian intelligence, six such aircraft were reportedly in active service at that time.

A-50 without engines at a Russian airport

Researcher MT_Anderson recently explored the Russian A-50's home base, Ivanovo Severny Airport, about 700 km from the Ukrainian border. At the airport, four A-50s are in active service, one operational A-50, but not used by the military, and six A-50 machines from which engines have been removed.

Defense Express highlights that the Russians' activity of four early warning aircraft is evident from the tracks in the snow at Ivanovo Severny Airport, indicating movement towards the runway and showing they can conduct regular observation missions. However, a significant detail is that up to six A-50 aircraft at the Russian air base lack engines, serving as "donors" for spare parts.

Ivanovo North Airport
Ivanovo North Airport© Google Maps

All the A-50 aircraft Russia owns are currently stationed at this airport. Observations thus suggest that Russia today can only conduct reconnaissance with four jets. The rest are grounded, and their condition prevents them from flying regularly.

Early warning aircraft

The A-50 Beriev, succeeding the Tupolev Tu-126, serves as a tool for tracking aerial objects within a range of up to 650 km and detecting ground targets up to 300 km away. This capability allows the A-50 to support ground attacks, carry out observation missions, and intercept enemy units.
The aircraft is almost 50 meters long and 15 meters tall, with a wingspan of approximately 50 meters. Powered by four Soloviev D-30KP turbojet engines with a thrust of 12,000 kg each, it reaches speeds of up to 850 km/h and operates at an altitude of up to 13,000 meters. The A-50 Beriev's maximum range is about 7,300 km.
A-50 aircraft without engines at the airport. Machines that do not fly.
A-50 aircraft without engines at the airport. Machines that do not fly.© X | MT_Anderson