North Korea Converts IL-76 Passenger Aircraft into Airborne Early Warning and Control System

North Korea Converts IL-76 Passenger Aircraft into Airborne Early Warning and Control System

Overview

North Korea is converting an Air Koryo Ilyushin Il-76 passenger aircraft into an airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) at Pyongyang International Airport, as reported by the US-based North Korea specialist media outlet 38 North on the 1st of this month. 38 North highlighted that upon completion, North Korea will have its first AEW&C aircraft. 

The outlet also emphasized that this conversion might be a new example of North Korea-Russia cooperation, noting that the Soviet A-50U AEW&C was itself a modified Il-76. The conversion is being carried out on one of the three Air Koryo IL-76 passenger planes stationed at Sunan Airport.

Progress of the Conversion Work

The aircraft was moved to the maintenance area last October, after which barriers were set up around the vicinity. The maintenance area is located in the middle of the runway, opposite the passenger terminal. The conversion began in November last year, starting with the upper fuselage right behind the wings, likely to install radar, antennas, and a rotating radome. These are equipment used for airborne early warning and control (AWACS) or airborne early warning (AEW). Images from the 15th of last month captured various devices and materials laid out near the radar base. The IL-76, currently undergoing conversion in Pyongyang, shows a radar support structure installed in the same position as that of the A-50U. The conversion started shortly after North Korea began supplying arms to Russia.

Specifications and Price of IL-76

The Ilyushin Il-76 is a versatile aircraft primarily used as a military transport and also as a passenger aircraft. Its main specifications are as follows:

• Length: 46.59 m
• Wingspan: 50.50 m
• Height: 14.76 m
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 210,000 kg
• Engines: 4 × Soloviev D-30KP turbofan engines
• Maximum Speed: 850 km/h
• Range: 4,200 km (with maximum payload)
• Price: Approximately $50 million (for the basic version)

Specifications of A-50U AEW&C

The Beriev A-50, developed during the Soviet era, is an AEW&C aircraft currently operated by Russia, India, Iraq, and Iran, among others. Its NATO codename is 'Mainstay.' The A-50U is an upgraded version of the A-50, with the following key specifications:

• Crew: 5 (plus 10 air traffic controllers)
• Length: 46.59 m
• Wingspan: 50.50 m
• Height: 14.76 m
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 190,000 kg
• Engines: 4 × Soloviev D-30KP turbofan engines
• Maximum Speed: 800 km/h
• Range: 7,500 km
• Detection Range: 650 km (airborne targets), 300 km (ground targets)
• Number of Targets Tracked: 300
• Mission Endurance: 9 hours

The A-50U was first delivered to the Russian military in 2011 and features a modernized AESA radar system called Shmel-2, replacing the original Shmel radar system. This upgrade significantly enhances detection and tracking performance, as well as mission endurance.

Conclusion

North Korea's conversion of Air Koryo's IL-76 passenger aircraft into an AEW&C system represents a new chapter in North Korea-Russia cooperation. Once successfully completed, this will mark North Korea's first AEW&C capability, potentially significantly enhancing the country's airborne warning and control capacity.

Keywords

North Korea, IL-76, AEW&C, A-50U, conversion work, 38 North, airborne warning, Air Koryo, North Korea-Russia cooperation, military enhancement