The
Ilyushin Il-76 (
NATO reporting name:
Candid) is a multi-purpose four-engine
turbofan strategic airlifter designed by the
Ilyushin design bureau. It was first planned as a commercial freighter in 1967, as a replacement for the
Antonov An-12. It was designed for delivering heavy machinery to remote, poorly served areas of the USSR. Military versions of the Il-76 have seen widespread use in Europe, Asia and Africa, including use as an
airborne refueling tanker or as a command center.