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Ilyushin IL-80 (Maxdome)

1992 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

The Ilyushin IL-80/IL-86VKP (NATO codename "Maxdome") is a four-engine IL-86 wide-body airliner designed for use as an Airborne Command Post (ACP) / Command & Control Aircraft (C2). With the development of the IL-86 in the early to mid 1970s, this mature airframe was selected for further development of the flight command post aircraft, resulting in the "Maxdome" offshoot. The first flight took place on March 5, 1987, with a modified IL-86 aircraft, followed by delivery in 1988. The launch of the service was inevitably derailed by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, leading to its official launch in 1992.

The newly formed Russian Air Force has only acquired four aircraft in total, and this aging fleet is still in service today (2019).

The main purpose of this IL-86 branch is to support the actions of the Russian government in the event of a total war (i.e. nuclear war). As such, the platform is designed to crowd out senior Russian personnel (including state leaders) by providing a sort of "flight command" while assessing and responding to the situation on the ground.

In this way, the operational purpose of the IL-80 is similar to the American Boeing E-4B "Advanced Airborne Command Post" brought by Boeing in 1974, and these four prototypes are built on the framework of the classic Boeing 747 model. "Jumbo Jet" airliner.

A key distinguishing feature of the Maxdome is the rectangular protrusion seen above (and aft) the flight deck along the fuselage topline. This includes a robust satellite communications (SATCOM) fit.

There is also a series of antennae extending from the flight deck to the midship along the top line. A fuel probe is installed in the nose area to keep the aircraft in the air for long periods of time (via mid-air refueling).

Four IL-80 aircraft in the Russian Air Force inventory (although only three are believed to be in operation) are operated by the 8th Special Aviation Division at Chkalovsky Airfield.

The Maxdome series will be replaced by an updated design, which will be developed on the IL-96 (IL-96-400) frame. The IL-96 airliner is more modern and offers enhanced capabilities.