Photo courtesy of the Russian Ministry of Defense
Russia’s A-100 has taken its first flight. Announced Saturday by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the flight took place at the Taganrog Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex.
“All aircraft systems — the engine management system, the power plant and the radar interface systems installed in the dome fuselage — have been operated in the regular mode and are ready for further stages of preliminary tests under the guidance of officers of the 335 military mission,” the ministry said.
The A-100, built for surveillance, is based on the IL-76MD-90A. The upgraded aircraft features a digital navigation system and a digital control system with a glass cockpit and a new dual-range radar with a phased array antenna, according to the ministry.
Russian Army General Sergei Shoigu said Nov. 1 that the program is on track and deliveries of the A-100 are set to start in 2020.