Ilyushin Il-20M Coot-A.

Technical Data

• Design

  The Ilyushin Il-20M features a classic high-wing monoplane design, inherited from the Il-18D airliner. The aircraft’s structure has been significantly modified to house a wide array of reconnaissance systems and sensors. Its fuselage includes a distinctive canoe-shaped ventral fairing that contains the Igla-1 side-looking airborne radar (SLAR), and its sides are fitted with bulges and blisters to accommodate optical cameras and various antenna arrays. The aircraft measures 36 meters in length, has a wingspan of 37.5 meters, and stands about 10.1 meters tall. It operates with a typical crew of 13 personnel, including five flight crew members and eight mission specialists who manage the onboard intelligence systems. Additional external features include sensor pods, protruding fairings for surveillance equipment, and multiple aerials optimized for wide-spectrum signal interception.

• Avionics and onboard equipment

  The Il-20M is equipped with a sophisticated suite of surveillance systems designed for a variety of reconnaissance roles. The primary radar system, the Igla-1 SLAR, allows the aircraft to scan large swathes of ground terrain from high altitudes, providing detailed imagery and detecting movement. Alongside this is the A-87P panoramic camera system, which delivers high-resolution visual intelligence. The aircraft also incorporates infrared imaging equipment for low-light or obscured-environment reconnaissance.

  For electronic intelligence gathering, the Il-20M utilizes several ELINT/COMINT systems such as the Vischnya, SRS-4 Romb, and Kvadrat-2. These systems intercept and analyze enemy radio communications, radar emissions, and other electronic signals across a wide frequency range. They are capable of geolocating emitters, identifying signal characteristics, and relaying this data to command centers. The aircraft also features advanced communication systems, including satellite uplinks, which enable real-time transmission of intelligence to ground stations.

• Engine

  The Ilyushin Il-20M is powered by four Ivchenko AI-20M turboprop engines, each producing 4,250 horsepower. These engines provide the Il-20M with robust long-range performance and stable cruising capabilities essential for extended surveillance operations. The Il-20M has a cruising speed of approximately 650 kilometers per hour and a top speed of around 685 kilometers per hour. Its maximum operational range reaches up to 4,300 kilometers, and it has a service ceiling of 10,000 meters, allowing it to conduct missions over vast distances while maintaining a high vantage point for intelligence gathering.

• Combat Use

  The Ilyushin Il-20M is not an armed aircraft; instead, its “combat” roles pertain to its non-kinetic contributions to warfare through intelligence and surveillance. It has been extensively used in various theaters of operation, notably during the Soviet-Afghan War, in Chechnya, over Ukraine, and in the Syrian conflict. In Syria, the Il-20M supported Russian air and ground forces by monitoring enemy communications, coordinating strike operations, and assessing battlefield conditions through radar and optical imagery.

  Its typical missions involve orbiting conflict zones or borders while scanning and recording electronic emissions from military installations, communication hubs, and enemy units. It is also used to monitor air defense systems, identify radar installations, and assess enemy movements. With its ability to transmit findings in real time, the Il-20M plays a vital role in command and control operations by enhancing situational awareness and supporting decision-making at the strategic level.