Overview

The Ilyushin Il-28 (NATO reporting name: "Beagle") was the Soviet Union's first successful jet-powered tactical bomber, entering service in 1950. Designed by Sergei Ilyushin's design bureau, it served as a front-line strike aircraft, reconnaissance platform, and torpedo bomber across Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet client states.

Historical context

Developed in response to the U.S. B-45 Tornado and influenced by captured German jet technology, the Il-28 represented the Soviet Air Force's transition from propeller-driven bombers to jet-powered tactical aviation. First flight occurred in July 1948, with production beginning in 1949.

The aircraft saw widespread deployment during the Cold War era, participating in conflicts including the Suez Crisis (1956), Six-Day War (1967), and various regional conflicts through the 1980s.

Specifications

Commonly cited specifications:

  • Crew: 3 (pilot, navigator/bombardier, rear gunner)
  • Length: 17.65 m (57 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 21.45 m (70 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 6.70 m (22 ft)
  • Empty weight: Approximately 12,890 kg (28,417 lb)
  • Maximum takeoff weight: 21,200 kg (46,738 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Klimov VK-1 turbojets, 26.5 kN (5,950 lbf) thrust each

Performance:

  • Maximum speed: 902 km/h (560 mph, 487 kn) at 4,500 m
  • Combat radius: 1,100 km (684 mi) with 1,000 kg bomb load
  • Service ceiling: 12,300 m (40,355 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 15 m/s (2,950 ft/min)

Armament:

  • Bombs: Up to 3,000 kg (6,614 lb) internal bomb bay
  • Defensive guns: 2 × 23 mm NR-23 cannons (fixed forward), 2 × 23 mm NR-23 in tail turret
  • Alternative loads: Torpedoes, naval mines, or reconnaissance equipment

Variants and designations

Production variants

Il-28 (base model): Standard tactical bomber

Il-28R: Photo-reconnaissance variant with camera equipment replacing bomb bay

Il-28T: Naval torpedo bomber for Soviet Naval Aviation

Il-28U "Mascot": Two-seat trainer with second cockpit replacing bomb bay

Il-28N: Nuclear weapons delivery variant with strengthened structure

Export designations

H-5 (China): Licensed production at Harbin, designation è½°-5 (Hong-5)

B-228: Czechoslovak designation for Il-28

Experimental variants

Il-28ZA: Aerial tanker prototype

Il-28LL: Flying testbed for engine development

Operational deployment

Service timeline

  • 1950-1954: Initial deployment with Soviet frontal aviation units
  • 1955-1965: Peak operational period across Warsaw Pact
  • 1966-1980: Gradual retirement from Soviet service, continued use by client states
  • 1981-1990s: Final operators (Afghanistan, North Korea, Egypt) retire aircraft

Notable operators

Warsaw Pact: Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Romania, Bulgaria

Middle East: Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan

Asia: China (H-5 production), North Korea, North Vietnam

Africa: Algeria, Somalia, Nigeria

Technical characteristics

Design features

Straight-wing configuration: High-mounted straight wings for stable bombing platform

Tricycle landing gear: Unusual for Soviet aircraft of the era, improved runway operations

Glazed nose: Navigator/bombardier station with excellent forward visibility

Tail turret: Remotely controlled defensive armament with periscopic sight

Operational considerations

Advantages:

  • Reliable and easy to maintain
  • Good short-field performance
  • Effective defensive armament for era
  • Simple systems suitable for less-developed air forces

Limitations:

  • Subsonic speed made it vulnerable to jet fighters by 1960s
  • Limited range for strategic missions
  • Tail turret obsolete against missile-armed interceptors

Related equipment

Related sections

Technical glossary

Frontal aviation : Soviet tactical air forces supporting ground operations (as opposed to strategic bombers)

VK-1 turbojet : Klimov-designed engine based on Rolls-Royce Nene, standard powerplant for early Soviet jets

Tactical bomber : Aircraft designed for battlefield interdiction and close air support rather than strategic targets

NATO reporting name : Western designation system (Birds = bombers, thus "Beagle")

NR-23 cannon : Nudelman-Rikhter 23mm autocannon, standard defensive armament