The first serial-production Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) strategic transport aircraft has made its maiden flight, the Aviastar-SP production facility announced.
Aircraft 0104 flew for more than two hours at Aviastar-SP's Ulyanovsk aircraft factory, about 700 km east of Moscow.
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| First serial-production Il-76MD-90A |
The aircraft's engines, equipment, and general handling were evaluated during the flight.
Following further 'factory tests', the aircraft will be delivered to the Russian Air Force (Voyenno-Vozdushnyye Sily - VVS). The VVS is contracted to receive 39 of the upgraded Il-76MD-90A airlifters. It is understood to have a requirement for up to 100 of the upgraded tankers, as well as 38 Il-76MD-90A-derived Il-478 tankers.
Developed from the Soviet-era Il-76 'Candid', the Il-76MD-90A features a digital 'glass' cockpit as well as modernised flight, navigation, and communication systems.
Structural improvements include a modified wing and reinforced landing gear. The engines have also been updated.
These upgrades give the aircraft a 60-tonne payload (up from 40 tonnes for the baseline Il-76) and a 12% reduced fuel consumption, enabling the Il-76MD-90A to fly up to 8,500 km with a 20-tonne load or 4,100 km with a 50-tonne load.
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