IL-76MD-90A / IL-78M-90A

Prior versions of heavy military transport aircraft in the IL-76 family were produced at Tashkent Aircraft Plant. The IL company designed an upgraded version of the IL-76MD-90A with more powerful and efficient engines, new wings, reinforced landing gear, renovated avionics, and flight decks.

Pursuant to a Resolution by the Russian Government, production of the new version was assigned to Aviastar-SP aircraft company, which started preparations for their production capacity in 2009.
The roll-out of the first airplane took place in December 2011, and the first flight of IL-76MD-90A was completed on September 22, 2012. The airplane was piloted by a crew captained by Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation, Hero of Russia Nikolay Kuimov.

A tanker aircraft and an aircraft with a long-range radar detection and control system were also developed based on the new IL-76 version.

Il-76MD-90А

The aircraft is designed by the Ilyushin PJSC, the parent company of the transport aviation division of the United Aircraft Corporation. 

Currently, the plane is manufacturing the aircraft in cooperation with Russian component suppliers. As part of implementing the Il-76MD-90A program, the company has put into operation a final assembly production line, which reduces the laboriousness of the aircraft assembly, ensures high accuracy of mating elements of the aircraft. 

Il-78M-90А

The aircraft is designed by the Ilyushin PJSC, the parent company of the transport aviation division of the United Aircraft Corporation. 

Il-76MD-90А

The modernized version of Il-76MD-90A is made of domestically made components and fitted with Russian systems and equipment. The changes include a reinforced wing, new engines, a reinforced landing gear with a more energy intensive braking system, and new digital avionics with screen displays. Improvements made it possible to increase the aircraft’s efficiency, range and flight safety, as well as the payload carried. Il-76MD-90A allows to carry out most of the military airlift tasks at a qualitatively new level. 

If necessary, fire-extinguishing equipment can be installed on Il-76MD-90A, as well as medical modules for evacuation of wounded in emergencies. The aircraft can be re-equipped in the airfield conditions. 

It is possible to further effectively modernize the aircraft to create a family of special-purpose aircraft on its basis.

The aircraft is manufactured in cooperation with leading Russian systems and equipment manufacturers. Most components are supplied by enterprises of the Rostec State Corporation.

Il-78M-90А

Il-78M-90A is equipped with PS-90A-76 engines with an increased bypass ratio and takeoff thrust, an upgraded landing gear with a more energy intensive braking system, new digital avionics with on-screen display, which reduces the crew workload and improves flight safety.

As a result, the new aircraft will ensure the transfer of more fuel at greater distances, and the new unified outboard refueling units will reduce the aircraft refueling time in the air. Il-78M-90A is capable of refueling one heavy bomber or two front-line aviation fighters in the air. Simultaneous refueling of up to four aircraft is possible on the ground.

Convertibility is a distinctive feature of the new refueling aircraft. After removing the fuel equipment, it can be used as a military transport aircraft. Fire extinguishing equipment can be installed on Il-78M-90A or medical modules for evacuation of wounded in emergencies.

The aircraft can be re-equipped in the airfield conditions. The new refueling aircraft is manufactured in cooperation with leading Russian systems and equipment manufacturers. Most components are supplied by enterprises of the Rostec State Corporation.