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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Il-76 Aircraft: Indian Air Force - cockpit & crew station [Photographs]

Soviet designed Ilyushin Il-76 aircrafts are the heaviest lift class of aircrafts operated by the Indian Air force [IAF]. Capable of lifting around 50 tonnes, excluding its empty weight, these aircrafts were inducted into the IAF fleet in 1985. The IAF currently operates around 14 of these [Il-76MD]1. In addition, it also operates 7 mid-air re-fuelling tanker variants of this aircraft [Il-78MKI], along with 2 Israeli Phalcon Radar mounted on top of an-76 each to create an AWACS. Another such AWAC system is expected to be inducted soon. These are some hi-re images showing the cockpit & an aircrew station view of the aircraft. The pictures were taken when a contingent of the Indian Air Force visited the U.S.A in 2008 to take part in their multi-national Red Flag exercises, held every three-four months.

 

Click on the images to view a larger-sized image

Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force [IAF]

Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force [IAF]

Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force [IAF]

Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force [IAF]

Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force [IAF]

In 2013, again, the Indian Air Force has announced plans of flying in to the U.S to take part in these exercises. These exercises are widely considered to simulate one of the most realistic aerial warfare scenarios, testing the skills of the participants to the hilt.

C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift cargo aircraft. India is to buy upto 16 of these from the Boeing Corporation for the Indian Air Force

To replace these Soviet-era vintage aircrafts, India has contracted the Boeing Corporation to supply 10 of the much-higher lift capacity [~77 tonnes] C-17 Globemaster III aircrafts, with an option to acquire 6 more. Deliveries of these American aircrafts is expected to begin from 2013.

Godspeed

all images via www.af.mil

1 - 3 more Il-76 are operated by Indian spy agencies