The Ilyushin IL-106 "Slon" (translating to "Elephant") is a planned super-heavy-lift, strategic-level jet-powered military transport for service with the Russian Air Force. The service seeks an all-modern replacement for its aging fleet of Cold War-era Antonov An-124 "Ruslan" airlifters of which the Air Force currently operates. Twelve remain in active status (2020) while a further fourteen of these massive aircraft are held in reserve. Modernization has kept the active fleet viable for the new battlefield.
An-124 platforms were built in the Soviet Union by Antonov when Ukraine fell under the Soviet banner. Today, Russia is at war with its neighbor after its invasion, and subsequent takeover, of Crimea. The Ilyushin concern of Russia, with its storied history in large aircraft, has been tasked with a replacement design to succeed the An-124.
At present, there remains little information related to the ongoing IL-106 project. The design is intended to carry upwards of 180 tons of cargo in a large internal hold. For power, 4 x Aviadvigatel PD-35 non-afterburning engines have been selected which will provide the completed form with a maximum speed of 530 miles-per-hour out to a range of 4,350 miles.
The project originally emerged under the PAK TA designation but has since evolved to become PAK VTA. ("Prospective Aviation Complex of Military Transport Aircraft"). The IL-106, once used for a potential Ilyushin passenger airliner, has been resurrected for the new transport.
As it stands, the prototype is expected to begin construction in 2020 and a first-flight is tentatively scheduled for no later than 2026. Service entry is estimated to be 2028 or later.
This article will be updated as new information allows. Structural values on this page are estimates on the part of the author.
Specifications
Year: 2026
Status In-Development
Crew 5
[ 0 Units ] : Ilyushin OKB - Russia
Russia (probable)
- Transport
- X-Plane / Developmental
Length:
229.66 ft (70 m)
Width:
246.06 ft (75 m)
Height:
68.90 ft (21 m)
(Showcased structural dimension values pertain to the Ilyushin IL-106 production model)
Empty Weight:
396,832 lb (180,000 kg)
MTOW:
881,849 lb (400,000 kg)
(Diff: +485,017lb)
(Showcased weight values pertain to the Ilyushin IL-106 production model)
4 x Aviadvigatel PD-35 non-afterburning turbofan engines developing up to 34,000lb of thrust.
(Showcased powerplant information pertains to the Ilyushin IL-106 production model)
Max Speed:
528 mph (850 kph; 459 kts)
Max Range:
4,350 miles (7,000 km; 3,780 nm)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the Ilyushin IL-106 production model; Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)
None. up to 180 tons of internally-held cargo.
(Showcased armament details pertain to the Ilyushin IL-106 production model)
IL-106 ("Slon"/ "Elephant") - Base Project Designation.
PAK VTA - Program Designation.
* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.
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Russia (probable)
