Specialists of Akhtubinsk State Proving Flying Center of the Russian Ministry of Defense will carry out testing of A-100 “Premier” AWACS aircraft in 2015, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the representative of the press-service of Russian Ministry of Defense on Air Forces, Colonel Igor Klimov.
“The most important vehicles to be tested in 2015 are: PAK FA, MiG-29 K/KUB developed for Russian navy, MiG-35, Il-112, Tu-142MRM, Il-22M, Il-114R, A-100, Tu-214R, Ka-60 and Mi-28NM helicopters as well as other weapons,” Klimov said.
A-100 “Premier” is the Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft derived from Il-76MD-90A powered by PS-90A-76 engines. The jet will be fitted with active phased antenna array. The first aircraft of the type should be delivered to Russian air forces in 2016. On November 21st 2014 Beriev Aircraft Company took delivery of the first Il-76MD-90A jet and started converting it into A-100 AWACS aircraft.
“In 2014 Chkalov State Flight Test Center carried out 132 tests (85 of them were flight tests). The specialists participated in testing of new, upgraded and advanced aircraft, for example, they took part in testing of PAK FA fighter carried out in Akhtubinsk,” Klimov added.
He noted that the most important vehicles tested in 2014 are: Su-35/35S “4++”-generation super-maneuverable multi-role fighters, MiG-31BM two-seat supersonic all-weather long-range fighter-interceptors, MiG-29SMT light fighters, Yak-130 operational trainers, Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft; Ka-52 Alligator, Mi-28N Night Hunter, Mi-35M and Ka-27M helicopters as well as other weapons.
The specialists of Chkalov State Flight Test Center are testing all the aircraft and helicopters as well as aviation equipment, communications and control systems operated by Russian armed forces. Since 2007 the number of tests carried out by the Test Center has been increasing by an average of 10% (year-on-year).