Il-20 Coot-A

The Ilyushin Il-20M (NATO reporting name "Coot-A") is a four-engine turboprop COMINT/ELINT surveillance-reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Il-18D. The aircraft first flew on 21 March 1968, and completed its test cycle in 1969. It was manufactured until 1974 at Moscow State Aircraft Plant No. 30 "Znamya Truda." NATO forces first observed the aircraft in 1978.

Design

The Il-20M is powered by four Ivchenko AI-20M turboprop engines, each generating 3,169 kW. It has a length of 35.9 meters, a wingspan of 37.42 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 64,000 kg. It has a cruise speed of 620 km/h, a maximum speed of 675 km/h at an altitude of 8,000 meters, and a range of 6,200 km. The typical flight crew consists of five personnel, with an additional chief of the onboard intelligence complex and six radio-technical system operators in the cabin. Specialized sensors include the Igla-1 side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) housed in an under-fuselage cigar-shaped pod, an A-87P camera, and the Vischnia, SRS-4 Romb, and Kwadrat-2 ELINT systems. Antennas on the fuselage, including two satellite communication antennas on the upper fuselage, transmit intelligence data to ground commands in near real time.

Operational History

In the Soviet military, Il-20s were not used by air reconnaissance units but were directly attached to the headquarters of the fleet or district. The aircraft performed border reconnaissance flights and participated in military exercises. Over time, some aging airframes were converted into cargo and passenger transports. The Il-20M operated frequently over European waters during the Cold War and was deployed to Syria in 2015. On 17 September 2018, an Il-20M was shot down by Syrian air defenses over the Mediterranean Sea during an Israeli air operation, resulting in 15 fatalities. Between 2013 and 2025, the aircraft was involved in numerous intercept encounters with NATO and allied aircraft over the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Estonian airspace, and the Alaskan defense zone, often flying with its transponder deactivated and without submitting flight plans.

Variants

• Il-20M: A COMINT and ELINT surveillance-reconnaissance variant developed from the Il-18D and equipped with specialized electronic intelligence systems.
• Il-22PP: An electronic jamming variant developed from the Il-22M that Russia claims can jam AWACS and Patriot systems while blocking counter-jamming measures.