https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-76
The Ilyushin Il-76 (NATO reporting name: Candid) is a multi-purpose four-engine
turbofan strategic airlifter designed by the Soviet Union's Ilyushin design
bureau. It was first planned as a commercial freighter in 1967, as a replacement
for the Antonov An-12. It was designed to deliver heavy machinery to remote,
poorly served areas. Military versions of the Il-76 have been widely used in
Europe, Asia and Africa, including use as an aerial refueling tanker or command
center.
The Il-76 has seen extensive service as a commercial freighter for
ramp-delivered cargo, especially for outsized or heavy items unable to be
otherwise carried. It has also been used as an emergency response transport for
civilian evacuations as well as for humanitarian aid and disaster relief around
the world. Because of its ability to operate from unpaved runways, it has been
useful in undeveloped areas. Specialized models have also been produced for
aerial firefighting and zero-G training.
The aircraft was first conceived by Ilyushin in 1967 to meet a requirement for a
freighter able to carry a payload of 40 tons (88,000 lb) over a range of 5,000
km (2,700 nmi; 3,100 mi) in less than six hours, able to operate from short and
unprepared airstrips, and capable of coping with the worst weather conditions
likely to be experienced in Siberia and the Soviet Union's Arctic regions. It
was intended to replace the An-12. Another intended version was a double-decked
250-passenger airliner but that project was cancelled. The Il-76 first flew on
March 1971.
Role
Strategic airlifter
National origin
Soviet Union / Russia
Manufacturer
Ilyushin
Built by
Tashkent Aviation Production Association
Aviastar
First flight
25 March 1971
Introduction
June 1974
Status
In production, in service
Primary users
Russian Air Force
Ukrainian Air Force
Indian Air Force
TransAVIAexport Airlines
Number built
960
Variants
Ilyushin Il-78
Beriev A-50
KJ-2000
First aircraft were delivered to the Soviet Air Force in June 1974. Next it
became the main Soviet strategic transport aircraft. From 1976 it was operated
by Aeroflot.
Between 1979 and 1991, the Soviet Air Force Il-76s made 14,700 flights into
Afghanistan, transporting 786,200 servicemen, and 315,800 tons of freight. The
Il-76 carried 89% of Soviet troops and 74% of the freight that was airlifted. As
Afghan rebels were unable to shoot down high-flying Il-76s, their tactics were
to try and damage it on takeoff or landing. Il-76s were often hit by
shoulder-launched Stinger and Strela heat-seeking missiles and large-calibre
machine gun fire, but because the strong airframes were able to take substantial
damage and still remain operational, the aircraft had a remarkably low attrition
rate during this period of conflict. Building on that experience, the bulk of
the Canadian Forces equipment into Afghanistan is flown in using civilian Il-76.
In 2006, the Russian Air Force had about 200 Il-76s. Civilian users in Russia
have 108.
On August 3, 1995, a Il-76 piloted by a Russian crew was forced down by a
Taliban fighter plane sparking the Airstan incident.
Specifications (Il-76TD-90)
General characteristics
Crew: 5
Payload: 42 tonnes (Il-76M), 48 tonnes (Il-76MD), 60 tonnes (Il-76MD-90A)
Length: 46.59 m (152 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 50.5 m (165 ft 8 in)
Height: 14.76 m (48 ft 5 in)
Empty weight: 92,500 kg (Il-76TD-90) (203,962 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 195,000 kg (Il-76) (429,975 lb (Il-76TD-90))
kgf each
Performance
Maximum speed: 900 km/h (490 kt, 560 mph) Mach 0.82 depending on altitude
Range: 5,000 km (2,700 nmi) for (Il-76MD-90A/TD-90VD) with 52 tonne payload;
4,000 km (Il-76M/T); 4,400 km (Il-76MD/TD), 4,200 km (Il-76MF/TF)
Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,700 ft)
(Il-76MD/TD))
Thrust/weight: (Il-76)
minimal landing run: 450 m with thrust reversal
Armament
Bombs: Some military models have 2 hardpoints under each outer wing capable of
supporting 500 kg bombs.
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