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| Four Il-80s and a pair of Il-76SKs at Chaklovsky airfield |
Moscow - Russia was recently reported to have received two new type of command and control aircraft in a program called Zveno-3C in October 2020. Two Ilyushin Il-96VKP Airborne Command (VKP) aircraft, built from the Ilyushin Il-96-400M aircraft, in Voronezh Aircraft Production Company (VASO).
The two new Russian aircraft are projected to replace the Ilyushin Il-80 airborne command and control aircraft, also dubbed the Doomsday plane. Three of the four existing Il-80s remain operational and their base is at Chkalovsky Air Base outside Moscow.
Using the new Il-96-400M airframe, the Il-96VKP command post will have better technical characteristics and a longer range. The Il-96VKP aircraft are capable of refueling in the air with the help of tanker aircraft.
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| The Russia’s new Doomsday plane to be based on Il-96-400M |