Ukrainian Defense Forces Destroyed the A-100LL Laboratory Aircraft

On the night of November 25, the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed an A-100LL flying laboratory in Taganrog using drones.

The Dnipro Osint Telegram channel published satellite images of the aftermath of the strike.

The photos also capture damage to hangars and the destroyed A-60 experimental aircraft, which carries laser weapons.

The first flight of the A-100LL took place on October 26, 2016. The aircraft was used for testing as part of the Vega Concern and Beriev TANK.

The A-100LL is based on the A-50 aircraft, which in turn is based on the IL-76MD and was used to test the onboard radio equipment of the future A-100 aircraft, including a new radar with an active phased array.

It is not a combat aircraft in the literal sense and is not intended for mass production. It is an experimental aircraft that was used exclusively for technology development.

The aircraft served as a transitional stage between the outdated A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and the new generation A-100 Premier.

The first complete prototype of the A-100 was based on the IL-76MD-90A, a production cargo aircraft.

All equipment from the experimental A-100LL was transferred to it.

The first flight took place on November 18, 2017, from the Taganrog Aircraft Plant airfield. And on February 10, 2022, the first flight of the A-100 aircraft took place with the onboard radio system already turned on.

In 2022, Russia faced a shortage of high-quality electronics for this aircraft, so it was planned to start mass production in 2024.

However, the A-100 project was frozen, and as of 2025, serial deliveries have not begun.