Historical Note

The experimental IL-28Sh emerged in the context of the Soviet Air Force's development of dedicated fighter-bomber aviation. The Ilyushin Design Bureau set out to create an analogue of the Su-7B, but with a considerably larger weapons load. Additional armament was initially planned for the bomb bay; however, due to the detrimental effect on the airframe's structural integrity, this approach was abandoned in favor of twelve underwing hardpoints.

Flight testing of the experimental attack aircraft began in the autumn of 1967. Test pilots assessed its capabilities positively, but Air Force command remained unsatisfied: inadequate armor protection for the crew and critical systems, combined with standard ejection equipment that could not guarantee safe bailout at extremely low altitudes, led to the project's cancellation. Plans to convert 70 IL-28s into the attack variant were subsequently scrapped.

IL-28Sh (Rank IX)

Brief Analysis

• Strengths: Excellent armament – forward-firing cannons, a versatile suspended weapons load of up to 3 tonnes across cannon and attack configurations, decent speed, and a highly effective tail turret.
• Weaknesses: Very poor maneuverability.
• Role in battle: A highly flexible platform capable of operating as a high-speed bomber, a jet attack aircraft, or a heavy fighter with powerful cannon armament.

In battle

The IL-28Sh ("Sh" = Shturmovik; attacker) – represents an attempt to expand the IL-28 bomber's capabilities through the addition of underwing hardpoints. Alongside the functional bomb bay, the aircraft can now carry a substantial strike payload of bombs, rockets, and cannon pods beneath the wings.

In battle, the IL-28Sh's bomber heritage makes itself felt in both dynamics and maneuverability. Speed is decent, but most jet fighters can still run it down – a fact worth keeping in mind when choosing tactics, as turning engagements are firmly contraindicated. The most reliable way to deal with a pursuer is the tail turret, armed with a pair of 23 mm cannons.

The armament is where the IL-28Sh truly distinguishes itself. It carries up to three tonnes of payload: bombs ranging from 100 to 3,000 kg, unguided rockets of various sizes, and suspended cannon pods with 23 mm guns – complementing the forward-firing pair of 23 mm cannons already mounted on the aircraft.

In a high-speed bomber configuration, the IL-28Sh excels at destroying bases. Loaded with lighter bombs and rockets in an attack role, it can sweep away AI vehicles and light ground targets with ease. With cannon pods fitted alongside the forward cannons and tail turret, the aircraft becomes a formidable threat to enemy aviation.

The key principle for effective use of the IL-28Sh is energy retention. Flying in a straight line at maximum available speed is almost always preferable – a smooth, wide turn for a new attack pass is far more efficient than bleeding energy through tight maneuvering over ground targets.

The B-57B Canberra arrives in War Thunder Mobile in the next major update!

Premium ♠IL-28Sh♠︎ (Rank IX)

The Premium variant is an extra aircraft for your roster! The premium warplane maintains the same performance as the standard variant, though it comes in a unique camouflage. With this premium warplane you’ll be able to enjoy faster Silver Lion and Research Point gains, and earn some Golden Eagles in your battles.

If you’re lucky enough to unlock both the premium and the standard variants, you will be able to use them both in the same battle!

* Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still a work in progress and may change upon release.

The IL-28Sh (Rank IX) arrives in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) in the “Launch Protocol” seasonal update.