Aircraft
Upgraded Il-76MD-M Airlifter Makes First Flight in Russia
The Russian air force plans to acquire 40 of the four-engine airlifters, which are upgraded from in-service Il-76MDs.
Ilyushin provided this photograph of the upgraded Il-76MD-M airlifter, which recently accomplished its first flight.
Ilyushin provided this photograph of the upgraded Il-76MD-M airlifter, which recently accomplished its first flight.

Russian aircraft manufacturer Ilyushin conducted the first flight of an upgraded Il-76MD-M airlifter on February 28. Chief test pilot Nikolai Kuimov headed the design bureau’s crew for the flight, which was uneventful.