First AEW Il-76 for India begins flight testing

[tigershark]

First AEW Il-76 for India begins flight testing
By Arie Egozi
The first of three Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft being modified for airborne early warning duty with the Indian air force has begun tests flights in Israel.
The other two Phalcon AEW Il-76s will start flying soon and India is considering purchasing three more.
The three aircraft were taken from Russia to Israel by israel Aerospace Industries for modification in a hangar at Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion international airport.


The early warning electronic subsystems were designed and manufactured by IAI subsidiary Elta Systems, and IAI also made the 11m (36ft) composite radomes in a one-piece design that is cheaper and lighter than multi-piece designs, and is claimed to reduce electrical interference by eliminating overlapping segments.

Source
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/09/224518/first-aew-il-76-for-india-begins-flight-testing.html