The Ilyushin Il-112/Il-212 (Russian: Ил-112) is a high-wing light military transport aircraft being developed by Ilyushin Aviation Complex (JSC IL) for air landing and airdrop of military air cargoes, equipment and personnel. The aircraft is manufactured by Voronezh Aircraft Production Association in Voronezh.[5][unreliable source?] In October 2023, according to a source inside the Russian industrial-military complex, it was reported that the Il-112 project will be redesigned and renamed into the Ilyushin Il-212,[6] the main difference being that now the aircraft will be equipped with turbofan instead of turboprop.[7]

Il-112
An Il-112 during flight testing in March 2021
General information
TypeLight military transport
National originRussia
DesignerIlyushin
Built byVoronezh Aircraft Production Association
StatusIn development[1]
Primary userRussian Aerospace Forces
Number built2 Il-112V prototypes, only 1 flew[2]
History
Introduction date2023 (planned)[3]
First flight30 March 2019[4]

Development

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Model of Il-112V at 2009 MAKS

Work began on the Il-112 project in 1994, for both civil and military roles, including as a 40-seat airliner and cargo versions with a rear loading ramp to replace the Antonov An-26.[8] The project was announced at the 1995 Paris Air Show where a model was exhibited.[9] The military transport version, the Il-112V, was entered into a Russian Ministry of Defence competition to replace the Antonov An-26, the Yakovlev Yak-40 and the Let L-410 in Russian service, being evaluated against designs from Sukhoi (the Su-80) and Mikoyan (the MiG-110).[10][11] The Il-112 was ordered into full development on 8 April 2003, with the type planned to enter service in 2008. It was required to carry a cargo of 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) over a distance of 3,000 km (1,600 nmi; 1,900 mi).[9] A market of up to 120 aircraft for the Russian military and 120 civil sales was estimated in 2004.[11]

In May 2010, with the funds allocated for development exhausted and no sign of a prototype, the Russian Defence Ministry cancelled the development contract,[9] and in May 2011 decided to purchase seven Antonov An-140T cargo aircraft[12] produced by Aviakor in Samara, Russia.

On October 16, 2012, Dmitry Rogozin, in India at the meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation, said that "Russia intends to offer India's involvement in the production of Il-112. We have brought to mind, to establish the technical documentation of the project is the development of the aircraft Ilyushin KB. And we're going to, among other projects, to offer India to take part in this project."[citation needed]

In January 2013 it was announced that in late December, the Main Commander of the Russian Air Force presented to the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu the case for a resumption of the Il-112 project.[13] On 24 June 2013 it was reported that the Il-112 is considered as a replacement for the Antonov An-26 and Antonov An-32 in export,[14] and on 26 June, that the Ilyushin Design Bureau sent JSC Klimov a request for the establishment of a new turboprop engine.[15] In August 2013, the general designer of Ilyushin, Viktor Livanov, citing the First Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov, confirmed that work on the aircraft has been resumed.[1] A new contract was signed by Sergey Shoygu, the Russian Minister of Defence, on 14 November 2014. Flight tests were to begin in 2017 and production in 2019. The performance requirements were considerably reduced, with the aircraft now required to carry 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) of cargo over a distance of 1,200 km (650 nmi; 750 mi).[9]

On 10 August 2015, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced that the first production-standard Ilyushin Il-112V transport aircraft is set to roll off the line at Voronezh Aircraft Production Plant (Russian acronym VASO) in the first half of 2017.[16] Yury Borisov, a Russian deputy minister of defense, said the aircraft is also scheduled to make its first flight in 2017.[17] On 2 November 2015, Yuri Slyusar, president of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced that the Il-112V will make its maiden flight in July 2017.[18]

On 20 June 2016, Andrey Kapustin the managing director of Aviastar-SP, said that the Ulyanovsk-based aircraft-maker will produce elements for the second experimental Il-112 prototype before the end of 2016. On 11 November 2016, Russia's Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET) announced that it is developing a new on-board defense system (ODS) for the Ilyushin Il-112V. The ODS is based on the President-S ODS that is designed to protect aircraft from being hit by anti-aircraft missiles and artillery. The defense system is currently installed on the Ka-52, Mi-28 and Mi-26 helicopters.[19]

On 3 February 2017, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin reiterated that the first flight of the developmental aircraft of the Il-112 will be around the middle of 2017.[20] On 20 June 2017, Ilyushin Chief Designer Nikolai Talikov stated that the first flight will most likely be rescheduled to beginning of 2018.[21]

On 18 January 2018, the first prototype of the IL-112V was shown at the Voronezh Joint Stock Aircraft Manufacturing Company (VASO). It has two improved Klimov TV7-117ST turboprop engines, with 2,610 kW (3,500 hp) each, each powering six-bladed AV-112 constant-speed reversible pitch propellers. It is fitted with a monolithic, single-piece wing. The aircraft is 25.15 m long, with a height of 8.89 m and a wing span of 27.6 m.[22]

Russian unmanned air system developer Kronstadt Group partnered with Ilyushin to develop an autonomous aircraft demonstrator based on the Il-112. Emerged after the bankruptcy of the Transas Group, St. Petersburg-based Kronstadt is developing the medium-sized Orion UAV, unveiled at the July 2017 MAKS air show.[23]

In July 2023, it was reported by RIA Novosti that the initial turboprop Il-112 project had changed.[24] Instead, Ilyushin will develop a variant of the aircraft with turbojet, named Ilyushin Il-212, which will be designed on the basis of the Il-112. The Il-212 will retain the fuselage, onboard equipment, and avionics from its predecessor. However, the new aircraft will receive Russian-made jet engines PD-8, a derivative of the PD-14 engine. In addition, it will be equipped with updated landing gear, a new fuel system, and a new hydraulic system.[25]

Design

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The aircraft was designed to operate in adverse weather conditions and is expected to meet all current ICAO noise and emissions requirements.

The Il-112 has similar weights and dimensions to the An-26 it is intended to replace but differs by having a notably larger cabin cross-section, allowing it to accommodate 44 armed soldiers instead of 38. Thanks to the engine's reduced specific fuel consumption, which is down by 38 percent, the Il-112 has twice the ferry range, at 5,200 km (2,808 nm). The crew is reduced from six to two thanks to modern avionics and onboard equipment.[26]

The Il-112V is equipped with the avionics combining the entire equipment complexes and systems into an integrated complex – the onboard equipment integrated complex. All aviation information as well as information on the operation of aircraft systems is displayed on six LCD monitors (digital cockpit).[citation needed]

Operational history

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The first prototype of the Il-112V was rolled out on 27 November 2018. It is intended for performance and flight handling trials.[27] Taxi trials had begun by the end of December 2018.[28]

The aircraft performed its first flight on 30 March 2019,[4] after which it was grounded for modifications to reduce its weight. The first prototype had weight reductions of 800 kg (1,800 lb) applied, while the second and third flying examples are expected to be 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) lighter still.[29] Runway repairs at VASO's airfield delayed further flight testing, which did not resume until 30 March 2021.[30]

In October 2020, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov had announced that the two flying prototype aircraft would be delivered to the Defense Ministry in 2021, and that the first serial production units should arrive to the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2023.[31] This never happened as the first flying prototype crashed and the second flying prototype was never fully completed.

Il-212

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In the Summer of 2023 at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, it was announced that the project would move forward as the Il-212.[32][33] The modified aircraft will replace the turboprop Klimov TV7-117S engines with turbojet PD-8 engines, which are a derated variant of the Aviadvigatel PD-14.[32][33] However, additional changes will include new fuel and hydraulic systems as well as different landing gear, all resulting in an aircraft with increased payload.[32][33] Certification of the PD-8 was originally expected in 2023.[34] As of mid-2024, the engine manufacturer was implementing a strategy of using a computer model of the PD-8 for testing in order to reduce the number of required real engine tests, so as to accelerate PD-8 certification.[35]

Accidents and incidents

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On 17 August 2021, the only flying prototype Il-112V (RF-41400) suffered a fire in the right engine and crashed near Kubinka Airfield. All three crew on board were killed, including test-pilots: Nikolai Kuimov, Hero of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Komarov, Honored Test Pilot.[36][37][38]

Variants

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Il-112V
Military variant (cancelled)
Il-112T
Civil variant (cancelled)
Il-212
New variant of the aircraft with PD-8 jet engines, an updated landing gear, and new fuel and hydraulic systems.[39]

Specifications

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Data from Ilyushin[40]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb); 44 passengers
  • Length: 24.15 m (79 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 27.6 m (90 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 8.89 m (29 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 65 m2 (700 sq ft)
  • Max takeoff weight: 21,000 kg (46,297 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 7,200 L (1,600 imp gal; 1,900 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Klimov TV7-117ST turboprop, 2,610 kW (3,500 hp) each
  • Propellers: 6-bladed constant-speed reversible pitch propellers

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 450 km/h (280 mph, 240 kn) to 500 km/h (310 mph; 270 kn)
  • Range: 2,400 km (1,500 mi, 1,300 nmi) with 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) load; 1,700 km (1,100 mi; 920 nmi) with max load
  • Service ceiling: 7,600 m (24,900 ft)

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ a b "Минобороны возобновило разработку проекта самолета Ил-112" [Defense Ministry Resumed the Drafting of the Il-112] (in Russian). Lenta.ru. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Flight trials of the Il-112V". 5 October 2020.
  3. ^ "First serial Ilyushin Il-112V aircraft to be delivered in 2023". Archived from the original on 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  4. ^ a b "New Russian aircraft successfully completes its first test flight". TASS. 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Ilyushin IL-112T, Russia". Aerospace-Technology.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  6. ^ "Powerful and light: Details about the new military transport aircraft Il-212 become known".
  7. ^ "IL-112V aircraft will receive PD-8 engine – RuAviation". 19 July 2023.
  8. ^ Gordon, Komissarov & Komissarov 2004, pp. 367–368
  9. ^ a b c d Butowski, Piotr (June 2021). "Ilyushin: a weighty problem". Air International. Vol. 100, no. 6. p. 22. ISSN 0306-5634.
  10. ^ Gordon, Komissarov & Komissarov 2004, p. 368
  11. ^ a b Jackson 2004, p. 392
  12. ^ "Российская армия отказалась от ИЛ-112 в пользу грузового АН-140" [The Russian Army Refused the Il-112 in Favor of the Cargo An-140] (in Russian). sd.net.ua. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  13. ^ Михайлов, Алексей; Бальбуров, Дмитрий (10 January 2013). "Военные просят возобновить создание Ил-112" [The Military Is Asked to Resume the Creation of Il-112] (in Russian). Izvestia. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  14. ^ "Военные подобрали два варианта замены транспортников Ан-26" [Military Picked up Two Versions of the An-26 Transport Replacement] (in Russian). Lenta.ru. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  15. ^ "ОАО "Климов" создаст двигатель для Ил-112В" [JSC "Klimov" will drive for the Il-112V] (in Russian). VPK News. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  16. ^ Jennings, Gareth (10 August 2015). "First production-standard Il-112V transport aircraft to be built in 2017". London: Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 13 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  17. ^ Bora, Kukil (26 March 2015). "Russia's New Military Transport Plane, Ilyushin Il-112, To Make First Flight In 2017". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  18. ^ Karnozov, Vladimir (2 November 2015). "UAC Sets First Flight Date For Il-112 Airlifter". AINonline. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  19. ^ "New Russian IL-112B Military Transport To Get 'Missile Proof' Defence System". Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  20. ^ "Russia reveals export ambitions for MiG-35". FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  21. ^ "Russia's new military transport plane to perform its debut flight in 2018". TASS (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  22. ^ "First prototype of Russian IL-112V airlifter emerges". 18 January 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  23. ^ Stephen Trimble (11 June 2018). "Ilyushin partners with Russian company on large transport UAV". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  24. ^ "IL-112V aircraft will receive PD-8 engine – RuAviation". 19 July 2023.
  25. ^ "Powerful and light: Details about the new military transport aircraft Il-212 become known".
  26. ^ [1] Archived 2018-10-24 at the Wayback Machine, Russia Discontinues An-148 Production in Favor of Il-112. by Vladimir Karnozov - October 21, 2018, 4:36 AM
  27. ^ Butowski, Piotr (28 November 2018). "Russian Il-112V transport aircraft rolled out". IHS Jane's. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  28. ^ "Il-112V undergoes taxi trials ahead of first flight". Flightglobal. 29 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  29. ^ Butowski, Piotr (December 2020). "Russian Review: Lighter Il-112V ready to fly again". Air International. Vol. 99, no. 6. p. 24. ISSN 0306-5634.
  30. ^ Allport, Dave (May 2021). "Ilyushin Il-112V resumes flight testing". Air International. Vol. 100, no. 5. p. 11. ISSN 0306-5634.
  31. ^ "First serial Ilyushin Il-112V aircraft to be delivered in 2023". 8 October 2020.
  32. ^ a b c "Powerful and light: details about the new military transport aircraft Il-212 become known". www1.ru, October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  33. ^ a b c "IL-112V aircraft will receive PD-8 engine". RuAviation, July 19, 2023. 19 July 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  34. ^ "Rostec continues working in the PD-8 engine and it may power the Beriev BE-200". Ismael Awad-Risk, Aviacionline, January 2, 2022. February 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  35. ^ "Digital twin will speed up certification of the PD-8 engine". RuAviation, May 7, 2024. 7 May 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  36. ^ "Крушение Ил-112В в Подмосковье" [The crash of the Il-112V in the suburbs.] (in Russian). Tass. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  37. ^ "Ilyushin IL-112V prototype catches fire and plummets into the ground during test flight". 17 August 2021.
  38. ^ Accident description for 41400 at the Aviation Safety Network
  39. ^ "Powerful and light: Details about the new military transport aircraft Il-212 become known".
  40. ^ "Ил-112В" [Il-112V] (in Russian). Ilyushin. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  • Gordon, Yefim; Komissarov, Dmitry; Komissarov, Sergey (2004). OKB Ilyushin: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-187-3.
  • Jackson, Paul, ed. (2004). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2004–2005. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2614-2.
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