Power to the aircraft was from 2 x Klimov RD-33I turbofan engines developing 11,465lb of thrust each. These also powered another crucial Soviet Cold War player - the Mikoyan MiG-29 "Fulcrum" lightweight fighter.
Proposed armament became 1 x 30mm GSh-30-2 cannon fitted externally under the fuselage in a fixed-forward-firing installation. The rear gun emplacement was given 2 x 23mm GSh-23L cannons in a trainable mounting providing traversal and elevation for the gunner. Beyond these conventional weapons, internal bays were located within wing element to provide housing for six bombs total (three bombs per wing bay). Beyond this, ordnance would be fitted across eight external hardpoints with six featured under each wing and two under fuselage-centerline. On paper, this made the Il-102 a very well-armed attack platform by any measure.
As finalized, specifications for the aircraft went on to include a length of 17.5 meters, a wingspan of 16.9 meters, and a height of 5 meters. Empty eight was 28,000lb against a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 48,500lb.
Ilyushin first flew their Il-102 on September 25th, 1982 but the attack contract had gone to Sukhoi for their Su-25 submission (it was introduced into service during July 1981). A second airframe followed but this was reserved solely for static testing and never went airborne. In flight testing, the Il-102 revealed a maximum speed of 590 miles per hour with a ferry range out to 1865 miles. Combat range was up to 435 miles.
The original, flyable example went on to complete some 250 flights before 1984 at which point development was finally concluded by the company. The Il-102 was revived in 1992 when it was displayed at the Mosaeroshow International Air Show for possible export sale - there were no takers. This example found a permanent home as a display piece at the Gromov Flight Research Institute and formally concluded the Il-102 attacker story - destined never to reach the level of stardom that its forefather had attained some decades earlier.
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