The IL-76М, IL-76MD and IL-76MF medium-range military transport aircraft are intended to drop paratroopers, carry troop forces, combat equipment and armament airlift vital cargoes for troops, and also transport the wounded and sick. The onboard equipment ensures executing airlift/paradrop missions in the daytime and at night in VFR and IFR weather conditions and in hostile air defense opposition environment. The crew cabin, cargo hold and rear compartment are pressurized. The wing leading and trailing edges are equipped with high-lift devices comprising deflectable five-section leading-edge slats, triple-slotted trailing-edge extension flaps, ailerons, spoilers and air brakes.

The IL-76MD (civil version IL-76TD) differs from the IL-76М in an increased flight range and takeoff weight.

The IL-76MD aircraft on board equipment comprises a flight control and aiming/navigation complex, radio communications facilities, airdrop-ping/cargo-handling equipment and individual protection means. The flight control and aiming/navigation complex consists of a compass system, ground surveillance radar, central digital computer, automatic monitoring system, automatic flight control system, short-range radio navigation and landing system, IFF transponder and ground collision warning system.

The radio communications facilities comprise: a SW radio station, a survival radio set an intercom system, voice warning equipment, and a taperecorder.

The airdropping/cargo-handling equipment is intended to airdrop paratroopers, load (unload), arrange and tie-down combat equipment and cargoes. It comprises telpher, roller conveyor, mooring/rigging, parachute and ambulance equipment. The aircraft is equipped with protection means, comprising a radar illumination warning station, an IR-decoy dispenser, IR fLare cartridges, a chaff dispenser and two guns provided with a fire control radar. Aerial bombs or radio beacons can be suspended from outboard racks.

The IL-76MF (civil version IL-76TF) is a derivative of the II-76MD aircraft and differs from the latter in a cargo hold lengthened by 6.6 m, upgraded aiming and navigation complex and new PS-90-A turbofan engines. These turbofans feature a decreased specific fuel consumption rate (0.58 -0.6 kg/kgf-h as against 0.69 featured by the former engines) and meet the ICAO requirements for engine noise and emission levels. The high engine thrust enhances aircraft performance in hot-climate and high-level airfield conditions.

Provision is made for firefighting versions of the 11-76.

For this purpose, the aircraft can be furnished with firefighting equipment including two tanks for fire extin-guishant fluid with a total capacity of 44,000 litres.

The extinguishant can be discharged at an airspeed of 270 - 300 km/h for 6-7 s. In so doing, the aircraft can cover an area of 500 x 100 m with an extinguishant concentration of 1.5-2 I per 1 m2 of the ground surface.

The time required to re-equip the IL-76MD (IL-76TD) into the firefighting version is 2.5-3 h.

The 11-76 family aircraft with the takeoff weight of up to 160 t can be operated from unpaved runways.