Russia’s UAC to Produce 18 New Il-76MD-90A Aircraft Annually

The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has manufactured six Il-76MD-90A airlifters in the current year, with plans to significantly escalate annual production to 18 aircraft.

UAC CEO Yury Slyusar emphasized the growing demand from the Defense Ministry for these strategic airlifters, citing the necessity for a substantial fleet in the upcoming years. "The Defense Ministry will need a huge number of the airlifters in the coming years. (We plan) to produce at least 18 aircraft in Ulyanovsk a year. This year we made six airlifters, but it is a success as the Ulyanovsk Aircraft Plant did not engage in serial production in the hard times," he was quoted as saying by.

In order to meet the ambitious production target, UAC intends to hire an additional 2,500 workers, demonstrating the scale and significance of the production program.

The Il-76MD-90A represents an upgraded version of the Il-76, known as "Candid" by NATO classification. The enhancements include a new navigational complex, automatic controls, and advanced communications to improve flight safety and airdrop precision. The latest modification is characterized by new equipment, featuring a glass cockpit, modern PS-90A-76 engines, a modified wing, and a reinforced chassis. The Il-76MD-90A offers a flying range of five thousand kilometers with a 52-ton payload.

Furthermore, the Il-76MD-90A(E), described as a profound modernization of the Il-76MD aircraft, boasts upgraded systems, more powerful engines, a modernized chassis, strengthened and lightened wings, and a "glass" cockpit with multifunctional screens. In addition to these improvements, the aircraft is equipped with a defense system.