Ilyushin Il-76 "Candid"........... ................................................Specifications
The Il-76 evolved primarily to
meet a military requirement.The aircraft is generally similar in concept to the
Lockheed C-141A StarLifter, but is slightly larger, more powerful and heavier.
lt employs a mechanised cargohandling system, a high-flotation undercarriage,
the main members of which comprise four individual units each of four
parallel-mounted wheels, and extensive high-lift devices to achieve short-field
performance. Designed to operate from short unprepared strips in Siberia and
other undeveloped areas of the Soviet Union as a high-performance heavy
freighter with a pressurized hold. The first Il-76 prototype for the Soviet air
force made its maiden flight on March 25, 1971. lt was immediately clear that in
the new type, destined for both military and civil use, the Russians had an
extremely useful aircraft, the positioning of the wing above the fuselage
ensuring a large and unobstructed freight compartment. Designed to be able to
carry a load of 40 000 kg (88 1841b) over a range of 5000 km (3107 miles) at a
speed of at least 833 km/h (518 mph), the Il-76 has achieved the first two
requirements comfortably, and failed to meet the third by only 33 km/h (20
mph).The prototype was shown in public at the Paris Air Show, with civil
markings and the Aeroflot insignia, in 1971. The Soviets subsequently reported
an Aeroflot order for 100, mainly for operation in Siberia and the
underdeveloped regions of the USSR, where it could use short, unprepared landing
strips. The aircraft was designed to be operated by a flight crew of four. The
establishment of no less than 24 world records för altitude with payload, and
for speed with payload, in July 1975 set the seal on the remarkable performance
of the I1-76. Among the Most important of the type's records are the lifting of
a 70121-kg (154588-1b) payload to 2000m (6562 ft), and an average speed of
857.66 km/h (533mph) with nine payloads between 30000kg (66 1381b) and 70 000 kg
(154 321 lb) over a closed circuit of 1000km (621 miles). Apart from its
excellent performance, the Il-76 also has first-class airfield performance.
Take-off distances of only 850m (2789 ft) have been quoted, although it is
uncertain if this reflects take-off at the maximum weight of 157000kg (3461201b)
or at a weight which has been reduced by the carriage of fuel for a short-haul
flight.The keys to the Il-76's performance are the engines and wings. The four
turbofan engines are Soloviev D-30KPs, each rated at 12 000 kg (26 455 Ib) st.
In its earlier D-30K form this engine is used on the Ilyushin Il-62M and the
re-engined Tupolev Tu-154A, but for use in the II-76 the special D-30KP has a
higher bypass ratio. The wings, which have a considerable anhedral angle, have
two-part double-slotted trailing-edge flaps between the fuselage and the
ailerons, with spoilers in front of the flaps, and leading-edge slats covering
nearly the whole of the wing's span. The combination of engines and high-lift
devices on a large wing ensure the notable short-field performance of the type.
A clamshell thrust-reverser is fitted to each engine to ensure that landing
distances are kept to an absolute Minimum. Under development is new a version
with CFM56 turbofans, each rated at 138.8 kN (31,200 Ib st); range increased 20
to 30 per cent; fuel burn decreased; noise reduced to comply with ICAO Ch 3
Appendix 16. The principle Il-76 versions are as follows:
II-76 A - The Initial basic military production version. (Nato code name Candid)
II-76T - The civil version with additional fuel tanks in the wing center-section,
heavier payload; larger rear clamshell doors, no armament.(Nato code name Candid
A)
II-76M - Has the same configuration as the T but for military; can carry 140
troops or 125 paratroops as an alternative to freight; has a rear gun turret (not
always fitted on export aircraft) containing two 23 mm twin-barrel GSh-23L guns;
small ECM fairings (optional on export aircraft) between center windows at front
of navigator's compartment, on each side of front fuselage, and each side of
rear fuselage; packs of ninety-six 50 mm IRCM flares on landing gear fairings
and/or on sides of rear fuselage of aircraft operating into combat areas. (Nato
code name Candid B)
Il-76TD - This version is an unarmed civil version; similar to the II-76T but
with strengthened wings and center-fuselage; improved Aviadvigatel D-30KP-2
turbofans, maximum T-O weight and payload increased; 10,000 kg (22,046 Ib)
additional fuel increases maximum fuel range by 648 n miles (1,200 km; 745 miles);
upgraded avionics; first idenfified when newly built SSSR-76467 passed through
Shannon Airport, Ireland, November 1982; fully operational July 1983; one
specially equipped with seats, soundproofing, buffet kitchen, toilet and working
facilities, to cany members of Antarcfic expeditions between Maputo, Mozambique,
and Molodozhnaya Station, Antarctica (proving flight February 1986 with 94
passengers, 14,000 kg; 30,865 Ib of scientific equipment, cargo and baggage
containers). (Nato code name Candid A)
Il-76MD - Military version of the TD.
Il-76MF- is s stretched military version with four Aviadvigatel PS-90AN
turbofans, each 156.9 kN (35,275 Ib st). Noise and emission characteristics
conform with ICAO standards. It has new flight and navigation equipment. The
cargo hold is lengthened by 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in) by two plugs, fore and aft of the
wings.Two were ordered in 1996 by the Rssian Forces.
Il-76TF - is a civil version of the Il-76MF and has been available since 1996.
Il-76MDP - is a firefighting conversion of the standard length Il-76 and was
demonstrated first in 1990; up to 44,000 kg (97,000 Ib) of water/fire retardant
in two cylindrical tanks in it's hold; with discharge, replenishment and
draining systems.
Il-76VPK - An airborne command post version of the Il-76MD.Design features
include a large canoe-shaped fairing above fuselage forward of wings, containing
satcom/IR equipment; a ventral canoe-shape radome and strakes; five small
antennae above center-section; other small antennae, and air intake scoops,
under front fuselage and at rear of main landing gear fairings; long and shallow
fairing forward of dorsal fin on each side at top of fuselage; large downward
inclined flat plate antenna on each side under tailcone; long pod-mounted probe
on pylon under each outer wing; nose glazing around navigator's compartment
deleted and flight deck rear side windows covered; downward-facing exhaust near
end of port landing gear fairing; partially retracted basket-drogue of what
appears to be a VLF trailing wire aerial under rear fuselage. Service
designation II-82.
Il-76 SKIP - An Airborne measuring and control station (AMCS), developed from
the Il-76MD for monitoring missile/rocket launches. Developed by Bevriev, as is
the A-50. As the A-50 it also has a large radar dish above the fuselage and is
very ofeten confused with this aircraft. Unlike the A-50 it retains the gunner's
station, cargo doors and standard navigator's glazed under nose. (Nato code name
Mainstay-C). The aircraft is also referred to as Bevriev Be 976. Only five have
been built.
Il-78 - flight refuelling tanker. (Nato code name Midas).
A-50 - AEW&C equipped monitoring aircraft with big circular Radar disk above the
fuselage, similar to the AWACS systems from boeing such as the E-3 (Nato code
name Mainstay).
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