T first picture of the new Il-76 engine testbed is shown here. The aircraft was modified from a former Russian Il-76SKIP/Be-976 missile tracking aircraft (serial # RA-76456). The modification including the removal of the radar system took place in 2004 at the LII Flight Research Institute and the aircraft was handed over to China in mid-2005. The inner engine on the port side has been converted into an engine testbed, an arrangement similar to Russian Il-76LL engine testbed variant. Two large wingtip pods were retained which now might house engine monitoring instrument. Two small pods of unknown purpose (camera?) can be seen attached to the rear fuselage. The IL-76 engine testbed (serial # 76456/760) has entered the service with CFTE, replacing the old Tu-16 engine testbed. The aircraft is expected to be used for testing the new WS-10 series turbofan engines.
Last Updated 4/8/09