The modernized and substantially redesigned Il-114-300 turboprop aircraft is a significant improvement over the original Il-114, which was developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The primary modifications pertain to the engine, aerodynamics, control systems, and cockpit equipment, which significantly enhance the aircraft’s technical capabilities and flight characteristics, as well as the comfort of the personnel and passengers.
One of the main enhancements is replacing the engines with the more fuel-efficient and powerful TV7-117ST-01 turboprops, each providing 2,900 hp. These turboprops outperform their foreign counterparts in terms of technical performance. This upgrade has resulted in a reduced fuel consumption of approximately 560 kg per hour and an improved thrust-to-weight ratio, in conjunction with the installation of new six-blade scimitar-shaped AV112-114 propellers with a thrust capacity of up to 4 tons. The Il-114-300 is capable of operating on runways as short as 1,400 meters, including airfields with unpaved surfaces, as a result of the updated engines and propellers. This change is particularly important for the purpose of serving remote regions of Russia.
The aircraft’s aerodynamics have also been enhanced: the dihedral angle of the wing was altered, resulting in a shorter takeoff run and a slower landing. The design’s increased utilization of contemporary composite materials enhances the aircraft’s reliability and lightness. In the pilot’s cabin, a new digital flight and navigation complex (“glass cockpit”) has been implemented to improve the ergonomics, ease of control, and situational awareness of the personnel during flights in challenging weather and climatic conditions.
The interior of the passenger compartment has been redesigned to meet the most recent ergonomic and comfort standards. A more expansive layout optimizes the utilization of the aircraft’s internal capacity and enhances the passenger experience during flights. In the future, a new anti-icing system will further enhance the Il-114-300’s operational capabilities in northern and Arctic regions.
Historically, the Il-114 is a reincarnation of a Soviet project that was never put into large-scale production as a result of the USSR’s collapse and the economic crisis of the 1990s. Production disruptions and a lack of state support extended the predecessor’s test period. The present project has been entirely relocated to Russia to guarantee its independence from foreign components and technologies. This decision is of strategic significance in light of the cessation of Western aircraft deliveries.
The Il-114-300 is positioned as an optimal successor for outdated aircraft, including the An-24, ATR-42/72, Bombardier Q-300, and CRJ-100/200, on short-haul domestic routes. It is designed to operate in hard-to-reach and severe climatic areas of Russia, including the Arctic territories. It has the capability to operate independently from small airfields, thereby enhancing the accessibility of transportation to inaccessible regions.
The Il-114 aircraft was initially intended to be manufactured at the Tashkent Mechanical Plant, which was located outside of Russia. Nevertheless, the Il-114-300’s production was entirely relocated within Russia, demonstrating the aircraft’s strategic importance in the current industrial and geopolitical environment.
Production of the Il-114-300 has been localized at the Russian factories of the original equipment manufacturer, specifically the RAC MiG facility in Lukhovitsy near Moscow and the Sokol Aircraft Building Plant in Nizhny Novgorod. The deliberate effort to regain independence from foreign technology and components is evident in the decision to return production to Russia, particularly in light of the cessation of Western aircraft deliveries.
This relocation is also a component of the overarching initiative to strengthen and expand Russia’s aviation sector domestically, thereby guaranteeing that supply chains are entirely under national control and enhancing self-sufficiency. The modification also enables the production readiness and serial manufacturing of the aircraft, with the objective of producing approximately 12 planes annually beginning in 2026–2027.
Plans for production involve the completion of aircraft certification by the conclusion of 2025 and the commencement of serial deliveries to consumers in August 2026. Consequently, the Il-114-300 revitalizes Soviet aviation traditions and enhances Russian regional aviation to a new level of technical equipment and self-sufficiency, a critical factor in the current geopolitical landscape. Additionally, the project has the potential for significant transformation, including the development of specialized modifications like maritime reconnaissance aircraft that are equipped with contemporary intelligence systems.
In conclusion, the primary modifications from the previous Il-114 version include the implementation of contemporary materials and manufacturing technologies, enhanced aerodynamics, new avionics, an ergonomic cockpit, and a comfortable passenger compartment, in addition to the implementation of more powerful and fuel-efficient engines. These enhancements make the Il-114-300 a competitive, dependable, and efficient aircraft that aims to meet Russia’s transportation needs for the foreseeable future.
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