IL-114LL / IL-114FK / PR
By 2017 the only operator of IL-114 in Russia was the Scientific Production Enterprise "Radar mms", which has been using the flying IL-114LL laboratory (board number 91003) since 2005 to test various radioelectronic systems of its development. The Il-114LL modification of the basic Il-114 aircraft was built by order of the Research and Production Enterprise "Radar MMS", St. Petersburg. In this regard, given the upcoming resumption of production of IL-114 in Russia and the prospects for its delivery to state customers in various special versions, more than 12 years of experience in operating IL-114LL by Radar mms can not but be of interest.
Externally, IL-114LL No. 91003 differs from the serial passenger and cargo modifications Il-114. Under the fuselage, a container is installed in the zone of the frames No. 11-16, in the front part of which the test small-size radar systems and complexes are attached. In addition, in the planes of docking of the wing consoles with the centroplane, there are nodes for fastening large-sized (the maximum length is about 8.7 m) conformal containers with other types of tested radioelectronic equipment. In front and behind the root zone of the wing there are influxes, which ensure optimal aerodynamic coupling of these containers with the carrier glider. In the zone of frames No.22 - 32, a conformal container of a radar of a circular view can be installed in the center of the lower surface of the fuselage. In addition, "on the back" and on the lower surface of the fuselage, as well as on the influx of additional antennas of radio systems. Also, horizontal pylons can be installed between the wing and the plumage to accommodate antennas. Another external difference of IL-114LL is the blister on the site of the first porthole porthole.
The IL-114FK is a military reconnaissance aircraft built to carry out electronic intelligence (ELINT), reconnaissance and cartographic missions. The IL-114PR is a defence version built to carry out signal intelligence (SIGINT) and airborne early warning (AEW) operations. During operation of the lab IL-114LL in NPP "Radar MMS" was, in practice, confirmed the feasibility of creating a platform for the IL-114 family of aircraft special aviation patrol aircraft, airborne command post aircraft, and aerial photography.
By 1996 Ilyushin was working on a heavily modified Il-114 derivative, the Il-114FK, as a replacement for the Antonov An-30 Clank and Ilyushin Il-20 Coot military utility aircraft. A prototype could be flown in 1997. The Russian air force operates some 30 Clanks in the aerial-cartography role, with the Coots being used for reconnaissance.
The Russian Defense Ministry plans to replace the legendary Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft with an aircraft based on the Il-114-300LL light passenger turboprop. The IL-20 is one of the oldest aircraft in the aviation fleet of Russian Air and Space Forces. These aircraft, adopted in service in 1969, are looking for radiation of electronic systems, as well as hidden objects of the enemy.
The Il-20 is working not only in military, but also in peacetime. During the Cold War in the Air Forces of the NATO countries the "twenties" received the nickname "true friend". They have been flying for almost 50 years in the areas of exercises, ship maneuvers, deploying air defense assets of the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance.
According to experts, the longevity IL-20 is associated with the unique flight characteristics of its base - the passenger IL-18. Although the upgrade was required for a long time, there was actually nothing to replace these machines before the appearance of Il-114-300.
The General Command of the Air and Space Forces is formulating tactical and technical requirements for a new reconnaissance aircraft based on the Il-114-300. It is expected that the work on the new machine will begin immediately after the new passenger plane rises into the air. By 2017 neither administratively nor technologically anything prevents us from preparing the production of IL-114. The first airplane is being made now at the pilot production of Ilyushin in Zhukovsky, and works were actively underway to carry out the tests in the future.
The Il-114-300 is a deeply modernized version of the passenger turboprop Il-114-100, which was developed in the 1980s and was produced at the Tashkent aircraft plant in 1990-1998. The updated version of the aircraft has received new engines TV7-117ST-01, a digital booth - instead of arrow devices in it now five liquid crystal displays, lightweight due to composites fuselage. This modern aircraft with fuel efficiency is 30% higher than its predecessor. Il-114-300 will produce a plant of the corporation "MiG" in the Moscow region of Lukhovitsy. The plan provides for the construction from 2021 to 2030 of at least 100 such vessels. Of these, 50 are for commercial air carriers, 35 are for government customers, and another 15 are for export. The main state customer is considered the Ministry of Defense.
The main feature of the IL-18 and the machines built on its basis is the ability to barrage for a long time. That is, to fly at very low speed at high altitude. In fact, when barracing, the airplane, as it were, hangs in the air for several hours, "an independent military expert Anton Lavrov told Izvestia. - This mode of flight ensures the most efficient operation of the on-board reconnaissance complex and other equipment. At the same time the IL-18 is capable of flying about 7 thousand km. Until recently, the aircraft with similar characteristics just was not in the line of the Russian aircraft industry. For example, the main problem of a more modern reconnaissance aircraft Tu-214R is precisely in its flight speed.
As experts noted, the IL-114-300 has not yet ascended into the air. But his "parent" Il-114-100 has good flying and technical characteristics. Therefore, the military can count on a worthy replacement for the veteran IL-20. Work on the IL-20M was started in 1968. Officially, the "twentieth" is a complex radio-electronic airplane, photo reconnaissance and radio interception. Externally from the traditional Il-18 "true friend" differs suspended under the fuselage gondola with onboard equipment, as well as square antennas in the bow of the car. The crew of the plane is five people. In addition to the pilots, there are operators of on-board reconnaissance systems aboard. For the convenience of long-term crew work, the IL-20 is equipped with a kitchen and rest areas. In 1969 the IL-20M was adopted for service. During the operation of the aircraft several times upgraded.
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