Russian A-100 Early Warning Aircraft Serial Production Contract by Early 2019

A contract to commence batch production of the Russian A-100 airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW &C) with the country’s Defense Ministry could be signed during end 2018 or early 2019.

President of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Yuri Slyusar said Saturday, "We expect a detailed discussion with the Defense Ministry of the A-100 aircraft serial deliveries contract by the end of this year or in 2019," he said, TASS reported.

The advanced A-100 Premier AEW & C aircraft was designed on the basis of the Il-776MD-90A. It is capable of quickly increasing the radar field in a specified line of operations. The A-100 is capable of detecting and tracking air and other targets and coordinate with the fighter and strike aviation when setting air, ground and sea targets.

The A-100 prototype made its first flight during November 2017. While the specifications of the A-100 are classified, its prominent radar dome on top besides antennas on various parts of the plane, suggest that the aircraft could be a multi-purpose command and control, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering platform.

The AEW &C aircraft is expected to feature a new Active Phased Array Radar capable of detecting enemy aircraft up to 600km and warships at ranges of around 400km. In addition, it has signal intelligence for advanced communications security and electronic warfare capabilities for protection.  Analysts refer to it as a fully-fledged flying HQ to direct military operations.