Ilyushin Il-46

The Ilyushin Il‑46 was a Soviet tactical bomber conceived in the late 1940s as a successor to the successful Il‑38 series. Development began in 1949 under the direction of the Ilyushin design bureau, aiming to replace the aging Il‑4 and to meet the Air Force’s demand for higher speed, longer range, and a greater payload. The prototype first flew on 3 December 1950, showcasing a sleek, low‑wing monoplane layout with twin Ivchenko AI‑26 turboprop engines driving four‑blade propellers. Its all‑metal stressed‑skin construction incorporated a pressurized cabin, remotely controlled defensive gun turrets, and a modern navigation suite that included radio‑beacon landing aids. The Il‑46 could carry up to 2,500 kg of bombs or a mix of rockets and torpedoes, and its maximum speed of 780 km/h at altitude gave it a decisive edge over earlier piston‑engine bombers. Although flight tests confirmed excellent handling and respectable endurance, the program was cancelled in 1952 when jet‑powered designs such as the Il‑28 demonstrated superior performance. Nonetheless, the Il‑46 provided valuable experience in high‑speed turboprop aerodynamics and contributed to the rapid evolution of Soviet bomber technology during the early Cold War.

Ilyushin

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