IATA IL7ICAO IL76

Ilyushin IL76

Ilyushin

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Soviet-era heavy military and commercial freighter jet.

First flight

1971

Category

Wide-body jet

Seating

Primarily a freighter; limited passenger/troop configurations up to ~140

Range

5,000–6,700 km

Engines

Four Aviadvigatel/Soloviev D-30KP turbofans (or PS-90A-76 on later variants)

Status

In service

The Ilyushin IL-76 is a large, four-engine strategic airlifter designed in the Soviet Union during the late 1960s. Originally developed to meet Soviet Air Force requirements for a heavy-lift transport capable of operating from short or unprepared runways, it first flew in 1971 and entered service in 1974. It has since become one of the world's most widely operated heavy freighters. The aircraft features a high-mounted swept wing, four turbofan engines mounted in underwing pods, and a pressurized cargo hold with integral loading ramps. Its robust landing gear system, with multiple wheels spread across several bogies, allows operations from austere airstrips in remote or harsh environments. Beyond military airlift, the IL-76 has been widely used for commercial freight, humanitarian relief, firefighting (as the IL-76TD tanker variant), and special-mission roles. Numerous variants have been produced over decades, and an updated version, the IL-76MD-90A with PS-90A-76 engines, entered production in Russia to replace older models.

Notable operators

Major operators include the Russian Air Force, Volga-Dnepr Airlines, Silk Way Airlines, and various air forces and cargo carriers across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Notable facts

›First flew on 25 March 1971, piloted by Eduard Kuznetsov.
›Designed to replace the Antonov An-12 in Soviet military service.
›The IL-76 can carry payloads of up to approximately 47–50 tonnes depending on variant.
›Used extensively for humanitarian airlifts and disaster-relief operations worldwide.
›The modernized IL-76MD-90A variant entered Russian Air Force service in the 2010s with new engines and updated avionics.