The modernized Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft has received increased payload capacity and expanded operational capabilities, including in high temperatures and high-altitude regions. This was announced by Deputy Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Gennady Abramenkov at the Eastern Economic Forum.
Today, the service life of a significant portion of these aircraft [Il-76MD – editor's note] is gradually expiring, which opens up a significant market for us with our new modernized Il-76MD-90A machine.
The Il-76MD-90A is capable of carrying up to 60 tons of payload. For comparison, the basic Il-76MD had a maximum payload capacity of 48 tons, meaning the modernization provided an increase of 12 tons, or 25%. With a load of 52 tons, the aircraft can cover up to 5000 km, and its maximum takeoff weight reaches 210 tons.
The machine's capabilities were expanded, in part, due to a new power plant. The Il-76MD-90A is equipped with four PS-90A-76 engines, and also received a reinforced wing, reinforced landing gear, and updated onboard equipment. According to OAK, the aircraft develops a cruising speed of 750–780 km/h, and its cargo cabin has a length of 20 m, a width of 3.45 m, and a height of 3.4 m.
The ability to operate with poor airfield infrastructure is of particular importance for transport aviation. The landing gear design allows the Il-76MD-90A to use not only equipped airfields but also unpaved runways.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade also notes that the ramp, loading and unloading winches, and reinforced landing gear allow for the delivery of equipment and cargo to hard-to-reach areas and emergency zones, and, if necessary, for parachute cargo drops.
The need for such a machine is also related to the age of the existing Il-76 fleet: a significant portion of previously produced aircraft are gradually reaching the end of their service life.