Feature
The Gromov Flight-Test Research Institute at Zhukovsky near Moscow has ordered an upgrade of one of its Il-76MD transports (c/n 5209) for hypersonic research. The main contractor is the Ilyshin company; the contract value is RUB 192.5 million. The upgrade will enable the test bed to carry a hypersonic test vehicle on the underwing pylon originally used for the No.2 engine and have a strengthened wing structure. Test is thought to include drop tests of a hypersonic vehicle.
