Ilyushin Il-80
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The Ilyushin Il-80 (NATO reporting name: Maxdome) is a Russian airborne command post.
A modified Ilyushin Il-86, the Il-80 is meant to be used as a command center for Russian officials such as the President, in the event of nuclear war. Its role is similar to that of the Boeing E-4B. The Il-80 has no external windows (save those in the cockpit). A dorsal dome similar to that of the E-4B is believed to house advanced satellite communications equipment. The aircraft features a trailing wire antenna mounted in the lower aft fuselage for very low frequency (VLF) radio transmission & reception.
The Il-80 was believed to have flown for the first time in the summer of 1985, with the first completed model flying on March 5, 1987. It was first reported publicly by Western observers in 1992.
External links
References
- Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd edition, 1999. ISBN 0004722124
- Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999-2000, 2000. ISBN 1857532457
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