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World Defense & Security News - Russia
 
 
 
Russian Air Force to take delivery of three Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft in 2015
 
Aviastar-SP, one of the largest enterprises of Russia’s aircraft industry, will deliver a total of three latest Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) transport aircraft in 2015, the Russian online daily RIA Novosti reported with reference to Aviastar-SP CEO Sergey Dementyev.
     
Aviastar-SP, one of the largest enterprises of Russia’s aircraft industry, will deliver a total of three latest Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) transport aircraft in 2015, the Russian online daily RIA Novosti reported with reference to Aviastar-SP CEO Sergey Dementyev. Russia's Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) transport aircraft
     
A contract for delivery of 39 Il-76MD-90A aircraft to Russian Ministry of Defense was signed in 2012. However, Russia's Military-Transport Aviation (VTA) will only receive 30 Il-476 (Il-76MD-90A) transport aircraft by 2020 rather than the 39 originally planned, the service's commander told Russian media in early June. Under the contract the first jet of the type was delivered to the ministry in April 2015.

“Production of Il-76MD-90A is the enterprise’s top-priority project. In 2015 the plant delivered one jet of the type. Under the contract with the Ministry of Defense Aviastar will deliver two more Il-76MD-90A aircraft this year,” the enterprise’s press-service noted.

In late May Il-76MD-90A MSN 0105 was delivered from the Aviastar’s final assembly workshop to Spektr-Avia responsible for painting the jet. All the necessary aircraft systems and equipment were installed; the jet’s cockpit is fitted with state-of-the-art avionics. Leakage tests of the wing box and wing stub box have been successfully completed, the press-service noted.

“After the painting is complete, the ground tests of the new Il-76MD-90A will continue,” Aviastar reports. After that the jet will be delivered to the customer. Il-76MD-90A was derived from the proven Il-76 aircraft developed by Ilyushin Company”.

Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu said earlier that mass production of the new version of Il-76 aircraft is being carried out in Ulyanovsk “without any cooperation with foreign suppliers and partners”.

The latest navigation equipment, automatic control system, communications system and glass cockpit meet all the existing requirements for aircraft avionics and help improve the flight safety and precision of aircraft navigation. The replacement of D-30KP2 engines with more advanced PS-90A-76 ones, installation of upgraded wing and reinforced landing gear significantly expand the jet’s operational capabilities.

In February 2015 Ilyushin Company Deputy CEO Sergey Artyukhov said that a possibility of placing additional orders for Il-76MD-90A in the network of State Arms Program for 2015-2025 is being considered. He also said the Ilyushin Company views India and China as potential customers for Il-76MD-90A.