NPP Polet (part of United Aircraft Corporation) is developing a third-generation flying command post, TASS reports with reference to NPP Polet CEO Alexander Komyakov.

“Development of the new third-generation aircraft is in progress, however, it is too early to discuss dates and characteristics,” he said at MAKS-2015 airshow. According to him, recently the enterprise has completed state testing of a second-generation flying command post. Deliveries of such aircraft to the armed forces should be started next year.

“Its major advantage is survivability. An enemy may destroy ground facilities with known coordinates, but it is much harder to destroy a flying command post, because it is constantly changing its position. Americans call such vehicles “doomsday aircraft”. Objective of these aircraft is to establish communication networks under severe conditions, when there are no required ground facilities or they are destroyed,” Komyakov said.

Il-80 flying command post derived from Il-86 aircraft was developed in USSR. A total of four vehicles of the type were manufactured; they are still in operation.