The Russian Il-76MD-90A has successfully performed a takeoff and landing from the dirt runway for the first time.
As part of the testing program, the heavy transport aircraft Il-76MD-90A executed a successful landing and subsequent takeoff from a dirt runway. This aircraft is designed for the transportation and parachute landing of military equipment, personnel, and cargo.
The Il-76MD-90A is a modernized variant of the Il-76MD aircraft. It is equipped with more powerful PS-90A-76 engines, improving the takeoff, landing, and cruising characteristics of the aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft has updated landing gear with a high strength margin.
These along with several other enhancements enable the transport aircraft to operate on equipped and unequipped airfields, on both concrete and unpaved runways, in various climatic conditions.
The aircraft is manufactured using indigenous components and is produced by one of the enterprises of the United Aircraft Corporation, a part of Russia’s Rostec Corporation.
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
