The aircraft is designed to evacuate the country's top military leadership during a threatened period and simultaneously control the armed forces in a conflict of any degree of intensity, including a full-scale nuclear war. Equipped with communications, life support systems, a powerful power plant. Can work completely autonomously. The crew includes system operators and combat control officers. Detailed information on this aircraft is a state secret.
Externally, it differs from its prototype Il-80 by the presence of a large overhead compartment in the forward fuselage, in which various electronic equipment is placed. There are no windows, on the wing there are additional pylons with electrical equipment. Two of the four aircraft have an aerial refueling boom.
IL-80 is not equipped with weapons. Aircraft protection is provided by fighter escort aircraft
