Naval Air: August 19, 2001

Archives

The first updated IL-38N Russian "May" maritime patrol aircraft has started flight testing. Mays have been flying since the 1960s, but this is a new variant with new sensors and different flight handling characteristics. The new sensors have yet to be fitted but the housings for them have been. The distinctive under-nose radome remains, but will now mount the new Novella radar. The old tail boom Magnetic Anomaly Detector remains, but will be controlled by more powerful computers. A new box-like structure is mounted over the forward fuselage; this will contain an electronic eavesdropping antenna. A FLIR (infrared) systems is mounted in a small turret under the nose. These changes will turn the IL-38 from an anti-submarine plane to a true maritime patrol aircraft, capable of coastal patrol, electronic recon, search-and-rescue, and attacking surface warships. Western intelligence reports that 57 IL-38s were built with 36 still in service, but a Russian salesman at an air show insists that 50 of this type are still flying (plus five owned by India) and that most will be upgraded into IL-38Ns.Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close