The Zveno-3C Aircraft, Russia's New Doomsday Plane That Will Replace the Ilyushin Il-80

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.

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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.

The Russia’s new Doomsday plane to be based on Il-96-400M