Ilyushin Il-18 Il-20M

The Il-20M is the Il-18D adapted for signals and communications intelligence. It first flew on 21 March 1968 and completed its test cycle in 1969; it was built at Moscow State Aircraft Plant No. 30 «Znamya Truda» until 1974. NATO first observed it in 1978 and assigned it the reporting name Coot-A.

Unlike other Soviet reconnaissance types, Il-20s were not assigned to air reconnaissance units but attached directly to fleet or military district headquarters. They flew surveillance sorties along border strips and took part in exercises; the airframes that outlived their ageing mission equipment were converted into cargo and personnel transports. The type was a regular presence over European waters during the Cold War. A modernised version with improved radar, radio and optical-electronic reconnaissance equipment entered service in July 2020 to provide secure targeting for the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile system. On 17 September 2018 an Il-20M was shot down in error near Latakia, Syria, with fifteen people on board.