UAC has announced its participation in the World Defense Show 2024 international exhibition in Saudi Arabia. In addition to a number of military aircraft - the Su-75 Checkmate fighter, MiG-35 and others - there will also be a modernized Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft.
UAC and its parent company Rostec have mentioned the new stage of modernization of the Il-76MD-90A more than once in recent months. Initially, it became known that the aircraft can now take off and land anywhere: not only on equipped and unequipped airfields, but also on concrete and unpaved runways, and in various climatic conditions. Later, it was reported that the Il-76MD-90A improved the accuracy of aircraft navigation, cargo airdrop, and the quality of radio communications.
Now, a more complete list of transformations has been published, which makes the modernized flagship Il-76MD-90A "fundamentally different from its predecessor." Among the changes:
- reinforced wing, made using new technologies;
- PS-90A-76 engines;
- modernized chassis with a more energy-intensive braking system;
- new digital avionics with screen display - "glass cockpit";
- update of more than 70% of aircraft systems and units;
- new UAC livery, recognizable.
UAC notes that "the aircraft is of great interest in the Gulf countries and the Middle East in general".
Il-76MD-90A is a deeply modernized version of the Il-76MD, which lifts more than 60 tons of payload. The aircraft is designed to transport paratroopers, military equipment and heavy cargo, and, if necessary, can be converted to transport the wounded and sick in an emergency.