Today Beriev Aircraft Company has delivered the first serial modernized A-50U AWACS aircraft to the Russian air forces. The aircraft has been accepted by a crew from Russian air forces and it has performed a flight from Taganrog to the place of its deployment, the company reports. AEX.ru

Beriev Aircraft Company has started work on modernization of A-50 aircraft in cooperation with Vega concern in 2008. This work has been successfully completed in 2009.

The main thrust in modernization has been aimed at implementation of new element base of flight communication equipment. The duty stations of the crew members have been dramatically modernized. Instead of old equipment racks based on the electron ray tubes, the А-50U aircraft is equipped with LCD displays. The aircraft is fitted with a new communications system. In addition, A-50U has the rest-rooms for the crew, lunch room with domestic equipment and lavatory, the company noted.

Following the delivery of first A-50U, Beriev is carrying out modernization of the second A-50, which should be delivered to Russian air forces in 2012.

Today AWACS aircraft are one of the most important combat tools able to create an information field of detection and control over large combat area, to conduct reconnaissance, target detection and response coordination of all the branches of the armed forces, the company stated.

The results of all the military conflicts show that AWACS systems have become one of the key elements in achievement of superiority over the enemy.

That is why, along with modernization of A-50 aircraft, Beriev Aircraft Company is carrying out work on development of new aviation AEW system in cooperation with Vega concern for Russian air forces, Beriev Aircraft Company noted.