AWACS (Airborne Warning and Communications) is something a bit new to the aviation world. It was developed by the US using EC-121 Super Constellations during the Cold War to provide radar coverage in areas that were not able to have fixed facilities (such as over large sections of water in the Pacific). These aircraft were specifically used as early warning stations. Later, in Vietnam, these same aircraft, with their powerful APS-20 radar sets were used as airborne controllers, warning of North Vietnamese aircraft activity to US Strike groups.

The USN used this same radar in its E-1 'Willy Fudd' aircraft, and its SigInt EC-121s and EP-3 aircraft.

The USAF next developed the E-3 based on the Boeing 707 airframe and the US Navy developed the E-2 Hawkeye. These aircraft added more control capabilities in addition to being pure radar warning platforms. Though looking much like the first E-2 and E-3 aircraft, current planes are VERY different in their electronics and capabilities.

It would be natural that the Soviet Union would be interested in developing its own capabilities as it was quite doubtful that they'd be able to buy an E-3!

The first aircraft used to develop this sort of capability was the Tu-126, based on the Tu-114 airliner airframe, itself based on the Tu-95 Bear bomber. While it flew well enough, it still wasn't large enough to house all the sensor stations and the radar equipment. The A-50, based on the IL-76 cargo plane was what was chosen as it did have the room and carrying capabilities needed. This has been developed over the years and its capabilities have increased.

A similar set up was tried with the AN-71, which was an AN-72 with the rotodome atop the fin. Though it worked, it was also a bit small and not continued. The fourth type is based on the Ka-31 helicopter. This small system works well and thanks to its retractable antenna and landing gear, it is able to provide battle field coverage in addition to operating from aircraft carriers, something the larger transport-based AWACS planes cannot do.

Our friends Mr. Gordon and Mr Komissarov have done another fine volume in the Red Star series with a nice historical background on the system as well as each type. There are sections devoted to the different sub-variants as well as any operational use of the aircraft. There are also 'walk-around' sections with the sort of detail photos that modelers love. This is followed up by some great color images and some nice line drawings  and a couple of color profiles.

In all, an excellent book on a little-known aspect of Russian aviation and one that you'll find of great interest.

December 2005

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