| Il-102 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ilyushin Il-102 on display | |
| Role | Ground-attack aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Ilyushin |
| First flight | 25 September 1982 |
| Status | Prototype |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed from | Ilyushin Il-40 |
The Ilyushin Il-102 was a Soviet experimental jet-powered ground-attack aircraft designed by Ilyushin. Once described as the "most gorgeously ugly combat jet ever," [1] this aircraft was never chosen for production, being surpassed by the Su-25. Only a few development prototypes were built.
In 1967, the Soviet Air Forces drew up a specification for a jet-powered shturmovik or armoured ground attack aircraft. While Sukhoi designed an all-new single seat aircraft, the Su-25, Ilyushin proposed a modified version of their Il-40 of 1953 under the designation Il-42, which, unlike the Sukhoi, was a two-seat aircraft with a remotely-controlled rear gun turret. The design was rejected by the Soviet Air Forces, but Ilyushin decided to continue in-house development regardless, renaming the programme Il-102. [2]
The Il-102 first prototype flew on 25 September 1982, with a second airframe built for static tests, and carried out 250 test flights until it was grounded in 1984 when the engine life expired. [3]
The Il-102 was a low-winged monoplane with moderately swept (30 degrees) wings, powered by two Klimov RD-33I turbofans (non-afterburning versions of the engines that power the Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter). It was highly unusual for its time in having a rear gun turret, something not seen in ground-attack aircraft since the World War II Il-2 Shturmovik and Il-10, the Il-102's spiritual ancestors, controlled remotely by a gunner sitting in a cockpit above the trailing edge of the wing. The crew cockpits, engines and fuel tanks were armoured to protect against ground fire.[ citation needed ]
Although development was abandoned in 1984, the prototype Il-102 was publicly unveiled at the 1992 Mosaeroshow air show at Zhukovsky, being claimed to be available for export. [4]
As of 2005, the prototype No. 10201 was placed on display at the Gromov Flight Research Institute.[ citation needed ]
Data from The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995 [5]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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