The A-100 is also known as the Izdeliye PM, and is planned to reinforce and then replace Russia's current fleet of Beriev A-50 AEW&C aircraft. Its development contract was signed in 2006 with the Vega Radio Engineering Corporation.[3] The aircraft is based on the improved Il-76MD-90A (Il-476), which is equipped with new PS-90A-76 turbofan engines that are 15% more powerful than the D-30KP used by the Il-76. The external shape of the A-100 will be similar to the A-50, with the main radar array housed in a rotating dome mounted on two struts above the fuselage. The new Vega Premier AESA radar in the dome will have electronic steering in elevation while azimuth is controlled by the rotation of the dome. The array will rotate once every 5 seconds, thus improving the radar's ability to track fast moving targets.[4] In addition to the new radar, the A-100 will have a new electronic warfare suite, a new navigation system, and new communication systems, including a satellite communication antenna.[3]
It can detect aerial targets more than 600 kilometres (370 mi) away and warships nearly 400 kilometres (250 mi) away.[5]
A flying laboratory, designated A-100LL and based on an A-50 airframe, is used to test the operation of the A-100's systems and help with their conception. It first flew on 21 April 2017.[3]
In April 2020, it was said by a source in the Russian military industry that Russia's Aerospace Forces will begin taking delivery of the new Beriev A-100 in 2024, to complement and eventually replace the existing Beriev A-50 and A-50U AEW planes in the Aerospace Forces’ inventory.[6]
In February 2022, The Drive claimed that sanctions placed on Russia had delayed the project.[7]
On 9 February 2022 A-100 made its first flight with a radar turned on.[8]
