Work Continues on Apparent Airborne Early Warning System
Commercial satellite imagery indicates work to apparently convert an Air Koryo Ilyushin IL-76 into an airborne early warning platform is ongoing at Pyongyang’s main international airport.
If such a modification is completed, the aircraft would be the first platform of its type operated by the North Korean military, advancing its detection capabilities and supplementing ground-based radar. The work could also represent another step in DPRK-Russian cooperation, given its similarities to the Russian A-50U.
Conversion Timeline
The aircraft is one of three IL-76s carrying Air Koryo markings that has been based at Sunan Airport. Around October last year, it was moved to the maintenance area of the airport, and within days, a barrier was erected around it.
The maintenance area at Sunan International Airport is about halfway along the runway on the opposite side of the airfield to the passenger terminal. It houses two hangars and is home to several helicopters and small aircraft. Air Koryo jets are frequently visible in the area, but the barricade around the IL-76 is unusual.
In November last year, work began in an area on top of the fuselage, just behind the wings. While the exact nature of the work is impossible to verify from imagery alone, it appears that a radar pedestal is being installed that will support a rotator, antenna, and radome for Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) or Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system.
Imagery from July 15 shows the aircraft remains inside the fenced-off area at the maintenance facility. A platform is visible alongside the aircraft near the likely radar pedestal, and materials or equipment are arranged inside the area.
Comparable Systems
Converting an IL-76 into such an airborne platform was done in the Soviet Union in the 1970s by Beriev, which called the resulting aircraft the A-50. It was given the nickname “Mainstay“ by the National Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The aircraft was modernized in 2003 to come up with the A-50U.
Comparing the A-50U to the work going on in Pyongyang, the apparent radar supports on the North Korean IL-76 are in the same place as those on an A-50U.
It is unclear if the work is being done with the cooperation of Russian engineers or material, but it did begin shortly after North Korea reportedly began shipping arms to Russia.
North Korea’s Fleet
North Korea operates three IL-76s, all of which have carried Air Koryo markings in recent years. The aircraft carry out a relatively specialized function, transporting cargo around the country and, sometimes, are used to support the movement of Kim Jong Un.
They are frequently observed at Sunan Airport in satellite imagery, but they are rarely observed flying or making overseas trips.
One was observed at Wonsan-Kalma Airport on May 22 this year. One was also seen in Hanoi in 2019 and Beijing, Guangzhou and Dalian in 2018, as Kim Jong Un engaged in international diplomacy.