The first prototype of the modernized heavy military transport aircraft IL-76MD-M performed its first flight as part of the state joint testing stage, S.V. Ilyushin holds with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. This is reported by Ilyushin Aviation Complex.
  
The flight, which lasted more than six hours in the Moscow region of Zhukovsky. The aircraft was piloted by a joint crew of the test pilots of the Ilyushin Aviation Complex and the State Flight Test Center of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The commander of the crew was honored test pilot of the Russian Federation Dmitry Komarov.

"The beginning of the stage of state joint testing is a very important event for us. The modernization of the Il-76MD aircraft, which have proved their reliability, will allow them to extend their service in military transport aviation, increase combat effectiveness, and prepare for a mass transfer to the new Il-76MD-90A", said Ilyushin's general director, Alexei Rogozin.

IL-76MD-M - a project for the modernization of Il-76MD aircraft, developed by the Ilyushin Aviation Complex in accordance with the tactical and technical task approved by the Air and Space Forces of the Russian Defense Ministry in order to modernize the fleet of heavy military transport aircraft Il-76MD, as well as Il-78 and Il-78M fuel tankers.
  
"A contract was signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Ilyushin Aviation Complex for the modernization of the first batch of military transport aircraft of the Russian Il-76MD military aircraft to the level of Il-76MD-M. According to the modernization project, a new airborne navigation complex, replaced lighting, landing and transportation and household equipment, as well as defense and communications equipment .In the nose part there is an optico-electronic sighting system that works both in the infrared range and in the optical In the course of modernization, the units with IL-76MD-90A and IL-78M-90A refueling unit were standardized, the service life of the aircraft was increased, and in turn, the state joint tests of the Il-76MD-90A aircraft are scheduled to be completed in 2019. In fact already today the aircraft is in the troops and is being operated at the same time as the tests", the company recalled.