Russian MoD to Receive Modernized Il-76MD-M Plane

The Russian Ministry of Defense will soon receive an upgraded Il-76MD-M transport aircraft.

“PJSC Ilyushin has completed the modernization of the next serial heavy military transport aircraft Il-76MD-M. In the near future the aircraft will be delivered to the customer of the Russian Ministry of Defense,” United Aircraft Corporation tweeted today.

Ilyushin signed a contract to upgrade Il-76MD to Il-76MD-M in 2013. The goal of the modernisation is to extend the service life of the aircraft by 15 years, equip them with latest navigation and communication systems, flight radio electronic equipment, as well as to replace the equipment which are no longer in production.

According to the company, lighting, airdropping, landing and utility-type equipment were also replaced. Electro-optical sighting system, which allows observation of the airdrop spots and operates both in infra-red and optical bands, were installed. During the modernisation, they partly used the components interchangeable with advanced IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft and IL-78M-90A refueller, production of which is situated in Ulyanovsk. In the course of the modernisation, D-30KP engines were modified.

The first modernized plane made its first flight in June 2017 and was delivered to the MoD in March 2018.