Il-76MF nears the end of certification program

Published: 5/11/1999

In an interview with Concise Aerospace, Mr Genrikh Novozhilov, general designer for Ilyushin, has confirmed that the Il-76MF cargo aircraft is nearing the end of its certification programs, both civil and military. The TAPO factory in Tashkent has four MFs in various stages of final assembly. Ilyushin is offering Il-76 users a major retrofit program, including the replacement of the Aviadvigatel D-30KP-2 engines with Perm PS-90As, so allowing the aircraft to meet ICAO noise regulations, and the installation of modern flight and navigation systems required for flights to western Europe and across the Atlantic. First flown in 1971 as a military transport aircraft, the Il-76 has sold extensively around the former Soviet bloc. The Russian air force alone has around 300 aircraft, of various variants, and the Indian air force operates 24. A large number of ‘white tail" (aircraft not designated for a customer) are currently waiting for customers at the TAPO plant. It may be assumed that this pool has been the source of the aircraft for upgrade.

Article ID: 507