The Ilyushin Design Bureau is one of the most venerable names in Russian aviation, a company that has forged a legacy of building some of the world's most durable and hard-working cargo aircraft. From the classic Il-76 "Candid"—the classic wide-body transport that has flown everything from mechanized divisions to large wildfires, to the specialized tankers and maritime patrol variants that support global operations, Ilyushin's aircraft are built for the toughest environments. These machines are characterized by their rugged landing gear, high-mounted wings, and the ability to operate from unpaved airfields in the most extreme weather conditions. Since the dawn of the jet age, Ilyushin has been the essential bridge that connects the vast reaches of the world's largest nation and its allies.