A-50 Mainstay vs E-3 Sentry AWACS

Russian airborne early warning and control aircraft, developed during the Cold War to extend radar coverage and coordinate air operations across vast distances.
Picture of A-50 Mainstay
Origin country 🇷🇺 Russia
Category Military Special Mission Aircraft
Manufacturer Beriev
First flight 19 December 1978
Year introduced 1985
Number produced 42 units
Average unit price $300 million
American airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft, principally used in NATO, UK, France, and Saudi Arabia since the Cold War.
Picture of E-3 Sentry AWACS
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Special Mission Aircraft
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 9 February 1972
Year introduced 1977
Number produced 68 units
Average unit price $270 million
Wing area 300.0 m² ◉
Wingspan 50.6 m â—‰
Height 14.8 m â—‰
Length 46.6 m â—‰
Maximum speed 850 km/h â—‰
Operational range 7,500 km â—‰
Service ceiling 15,500 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 190,000 kg â—‰
Empty weight 61,000 kg â—‰
Total thrust 4 x 12,000 kgf â—‰
3-view profile of A-50 Mainstay
Wing area 283.0 m² ◉
Wingspan 44.4 m â—‰
Height 12.6 m â—‰
Length 46.6 m â—‰
Maximum speed 853 km/h â—‰
Operational range 7,400 km â—‰
Service ceiling 10,668 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 147,417 kg â—‰
Empty weight 83,915 kg â—‰
Total thrust 4 x 9,752 kgf â—‰

Performance Radar Chart