Russia’s Aerospace Force receives upgraded Il-76MD-90A and Il-76MD-M aircraft.

MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS-DEFENSE/. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of the Rostec state hi-tech corporation) has handed over upgraded Il-76MD-90A and Il-76MD-M aircraft to the military transport aviation of Russia’s Aerospace Force, the UAC press office said.

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 Il-76MD-90A. This heavy airlifter can transport 126 paratroopers with parachutes, 145 personnel in the single-deck version and 225 – in the double-deck (Picture source: Ilyushin)

“Another serial Il-76MD-90A produced by the Il-Aviastar Enterprise (part of UAC within Rostec) has been handed over to the Russian Defense Ministry. The aircraft will be delivered to an air unit of the Russian Aerospace Force’s military transport aviation… Also, the Ilyushin Company is modernizing Il-76MD planes being in service to the Il-76MD-M level. Another upgraded Il-76MD-M has been handed over to the customer. The plane has been delivered to one of the bases of the Russian Aerospace Force’s military transport aviation,” the press office said.

According to the press office, the upgraded Il-76MD-90A version was made of domestic components and furnished with Russian systems and equipment. The improvements have increased the range, flight safety, and the payload.

The upgraded Il-76MD-M will be able to perform tasks more effectively. “In particular, the accuracy of aircraft navigation and landing will increase, and the quality of radio communications will improve,” the press office said. The aircraft has been equipped with the latest avionics, including a navigation system, its lighting and aerial-delivery equipment, defensive and communications means have been also replaced. As the press office added, during the modernization of the Il-76MD-M, parts interchangeable with the Il-76MD-90A aircraft are partially used.

The Il-76 is a Soviet- and subsequently Russian-made medium turbojet transport aircraft of the military and civil aviation, one of the main transport aircraft of the USSR Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Force.

The Il-76MD-90A is a highly upgraded version of the Il-76MD powered by PS-90A-76 engines with a 10% lower fuel consumption, an extended flight range of up to 5,000 km with a payload of 52 tons against 4,000 km with a payload of 47 tons of the Il-76MD, as well as an expanded range of hardware and weapons. During the modernization, Il-76MD-M planes receive pieces of equipment integrated with the Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A.

Ilyushin Il-76MD-M (Picture source: Ilyushin)

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