Piotr Butowski

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Everything you need to know about the Ilyushin Il-76

The Ilyushin Il-76 has been the most important transport aircraft in the Russian Air Force inventory since the 1970s. Production has restarted after a two-decade hiatus on an updated version of a type that has also served as a tanker, early warning platform and civilian freighter, among other duties. Piotr Butowski examines the type’s history.

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The story behind the massive Antonov An-124

Named Ruslan by the Russians and Ukrainians and Condor by NATO, the Antonov An-124 is the world’s heaviest series-made military transport aircraft as well as being used by a number of civilian companies.  In the March 2016 issue of Aviation News, Piotr Butowski profiled this giant heavy hauler

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Tupolev Tu-144 - all you need to know

Piotr Butowski reveals the story behind the Soviets’ legendary supersonic airliner that challenged Concorde

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Su-57 in Focus: 'Felon' on the Loose!

Russia’s next-gen fighter, the Sukhoi Su-57, looks as dangerous as its nickname would suggest. We chart the long gestation period preceding its unveiling in December 2020

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Return of the Blackjack

The Tupolev Tu-160 is the world’s largest combat aircraft and the fastest bomber in operational service, but was only built in small numbers. The Russian Air Force is modernising its existing fleet and returning the type to production, as Aviation News explains

Russian Candids assist in Italy

Russian military specialists and equipment were transported to Italy to assist in the fight against the coronavirus on March 22-23.

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Yak-40: The USSR’s regional jet

The Yak-40 brought jet travel to the remoter parts of the Soviet Union...

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Special Report: 'Felon' Down

The first series production Su-57 ‘Felon’ crashed last December shortly before it was to have been handed over to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) for initial military evaluation.

Rollout for Il-114-300

Russian aerospace expert Piotr Butowski reports on some of the latest developments from the country’s aircraft industries...

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NATO’S Last Fitters

While the Su-22 swing-wing strike aircraft may be obsolescent by today’s standards, 35 years ago it provided Poland with a technological leap comparable only with its subsequent purchase of F-16 fighters.