The Ilyushin IL-20 is the militarized form of the base Soviet-era IL-18 "Coot" quad-turboprop passenger hauler. The original IL-18 design saw a first-flight on July 4th, 1957 and production was handled by Moscow Machinery Plant No. 30 to which at least 678 examples were ultimately delivered for various civilian- and military-minded tasks worldwide. Production spanned from 1957 until 1985. The Ilyushin IL-38 is an offshoot of the IL-18 design.
The IL-20 recorded a first-flight in March of 1968.
The IL-20 (also the IL-18D-36 "Bizon") was eventually developed into the primary IL-20M ("Coot-A") variant serving in the ELectronic signals INTelligence (ELINT) role. These are aircraft equipped with special mission systems for the intelligence-gathering role to better serve ground commanders and accompanying aircraft. Crews and systems analyze various captured signals and can help the attacking side better understand, and neutralize, an opponent's defense network. With the neutralization of such a network, the attacking side can operate with near-impunity over contested battlefields.
Beyond this, all other lines and function of the IL-18 have been retained. Four engines power the type (the engines mounted over the wing mainplanes). The mainplanes sit low to either side of the fuselage and the tail utilizes a conventional single-finned arrangement with low-set horizontal planes. A wheeled, retractable tricycle undercarriage is used for ground-running. With the same inherent power from the 4 x Ivchenko AI-20M turboprop engines, the aircraft has excellent range for its class - a much needed quality for an on-station aircraft in the ELINT role.
Key physical features of the IL-20 not seen in a typical IL-18 is the long radar array (side-looking) mounted ventrally (under the belly of the aircraft) and dorsal and fuselage-side-mounted blisters signifying sensors and the like.
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September 2018 - An Ilyushin IL-20 was accidentally show down by Syrian air defenses in actions related to the Syrian Civil War (all hands were lost). Russian authorities blamed Israel, claiming Israeli warplanes used the Russian aircraft as a shield against the Syrian air-defense missiles.
SPECIAL-MISSION: AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING
Specially-equipped platform providing over-battlefield Command and Control (C2) capability for allied aerial elements.
117.8 ft (35.90 meters) Length
123.0 ft (37.50 meters) Width/Span
33.5 ft (10.20 meters) Height
77,162 lb (35,000 kilograms) Empty Weight
143,300 lb (65,000 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.
Low-Mounted
Mainplanes are low-mounted along the sides of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
4 x Ivchenko AI-20M turboprop engines developing 4,250 horsepower and driving four-bladed propeller units. Propulsion
IL-20 "Coot-A" - Base Series Designation.
IL-20M (IL-18D-36 "Bizon") - Militarized IL-18; equipped for ELINT role with ventral side-looking radar and various antenna and sensor outcroppings about the fuselage.
IL-20RT - Four telemetry and communications relay aircraft modified for the Soviet space program during the Cold War period.
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
18
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 500mph
Lo: 250mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (419mph).
Graph average of 375 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (10)
10
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
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Similar
Developments of similar form and function or related to the Ilyushin IL-20 (Coot-A)...
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