Irkut-2M

The Irkut‑2M is a twin‑engine, low‑wing transport aircraft developed by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant in the early 1970s as a modernized version of the earlier Irkut‑2. Designed to replace aging Soviet cargo and passenger types, the program began in 1972 and the prototype flew for the first time on 14 May 1975. Production ran from 1977 to 1984, with a total of 96 units delivered to regional airlines, the Soviet Air Force, and several Eastern‑bloc civilian operators.

Key features of the Irkut‑2M include upgraded Ivchenko AI‑24 turboprop engines delivering 2,400 kW each, a reinforced aluminum alloy fuselage capable of carrying up to 25 metric tons of cargo or 70 passengers, and a fully retractable tricycle landing gear suited for unpaved airfields. The aircraft incorporates a pressurized cabin, advanced navigation avionics for the era, and a rear loading ramp that speeds ground handling operations.

Its significance lies in bridging the gap between short‑range Soviet transports and larger Western counterparts. By offering higher payload, better fuel efficiency, and improved reliability, the Irkut‑2M expanded regional connectivity across the vast Soviet territory and set the stage for later Irkut designs such as the An‑124 and modern Il‑96 derivatives.