Ilyushin Il-102
| Industry | Aerospace, defense |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1933 |
| Headquarters | Moscow , Soviet Union |
| Products | Aircraft |
The Ilyushin Il-102 represents a Soviet experimental jet-driven ground-attack aircraft developed by the Ilyushin design bureau. This model was ultimately not selected for mass production, losing out to the Su-25. Only a limited number of prototypes were constructed.
Design and development
In 1967, the Soviet Air Forces issued requirements for a jet-powered shturmovik, an armored aircraft intended for close air support missions. While Sukhoi responded with an entirely new single-seat design—the Su-25—Ilyushin opted to upgrade their earlier 1953 Il-40 design, naming this project Il-42. Unlike the Sukhoi approach, this was a two-seat configuration featuring a remotely operated rear gun turret. Although the Soviet Air Forces rejected this proposal, Ilyushin proceeded with internal development and rebranded the program as Il-102.
The first Il-102 prototype took to the skies on 25 September 1982. A second airframe was produced for static testing purposes. The aircraft completed approximately 250 test sorties before being grounded in 1984 due to engine life limitations.
The Il-102 featured a low-wing monoplane layout with moderately swept wings at an angle of 30 degrees. It was powered by two non-afterburning Klimov RD-33 turbofan engines, derivatives of those installed on the Mikoyan MiG-29. A distinctive characteristic for its era was the inclusion of a rear gun turret—a feature absent in ground-attack aircraft since World War II-era models such as the Il-2 Shturmovik and Il-10, from which it drew conceptual lineage. This turret was remotely controlled by a gunner positioned in a cockpit located above the wing’s trailing edge. The crew compartments, engines, and fuel tanks were armored to enhance survivability against ground-based fire.
Although development ceased in 1984, the Il-102 prototype was publicly exhibited at the 1992 Mosaeroshow held at Zhukovsky, where it was presented as potentially available for export.
By 2005, the prototype bearing serial number 10201 was on display at the Gromov Flight Research Institute.
Specifications
See also
Notes
Bibliography
- "Ilyushin Il-102: Aborted jet shturmovik". World Air Power Journal, Volume 17 Summer 1994. London:Aerospace Publishing, 1994. ISBN 1-874023-43-3. pp. 24–29.
- Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London:Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
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