Ilyushin Il-78

The Soviet Union's first dedicated tanker aircraft were variants of preexisting bombers, like the Tupolev Tu-16 and Myasishchev M-4. Their performance was deemed insufficient, especially so since new bomber models were slated to enter service (the Tupolev Tu-22M and the Tupolev Tu-160). In 1968, the development of a new tanker began, based on the Ilyushin Il-76. Its performance was insufficient for use as a tanker: it could only transfer less than 10 tonnes of fuel to other aircraft. Instead of the basic Il-76, the improved Il-76MD version was chosen as the basis for the new tanker, named Il-78, owing to its higher fuel capacity. The Il-78 tanker was developed and designed in the Ilyushin Aviation Complex in the Soviet Union. The Il-78 made its first flight on 26 June 1983, and entered service in June 1987. Meanwhile, work on a version with a higher fuel capacity began. This version, the Il-78M, first flew on 7 March 1987. In total, 32 Il-78s, 13 Il-78Ms and a single Il-78E (a version exported to Libya) were built at the Tashkent Aviation Production Association, from 1984 to 1993. Taking the Il-76MD as its basis, the Il-78 airframe retains its general configuration. The tail turret is removed, and an air refuelling operator is situated in the rear gunner's position. Three aerial refueling pods are added: one under each wing, and one fixed to the rear fuselage. The basic Il-78 use three UPAZ-1 pods, while the Il-78M uses two UPAZ-1s under the wings, and one UPAZ-1M on the rear fuselage (the UPAZ-1M has a superior fuel transfer rate). The underwing pods are used to refuel tactical aircraft, while the fuselage pod is used for heavier aircraft. The Il-78 uses the probe-and-drogue refueling method. The Il-78 can transfer fuel from its internal tanks, and two removable tanks located in the cargo hold. The Il-78M has three fixed tanks in its cargo hold. The basic Il-78 can transfer a maximum of 57.7 tonnes of fuel (internal tanks only) or 85.7 tonnes with the additional tanks, while the Il-78M can transfer 105.7 tonnes. ==Variants==

;Il-78: Original production version based on the Il-76MD. With the additional fuel tanks removed, the Il-78 can serve as a regular cargo aircraft. ;Il-78-2: Modernization of Il-78/78M aircraft, using same parts as used in newly produced Il-78M-90A and Il-76MD-90A variants, to enhance service life from 30 to 40 years. The cockpit equipment is modernised, and flare launchers are installed. The aircraft have three UPAZ-1M air refuelling pods. Il-78E : Export version of the Il-78. One example built for Libya. ;Il-78M-90A (Il-478): An upgraded variant based on the Il-76MD-90A. First prototype was rolled out on 29 November 2017, and performed its maiden flight on 25 January 2018. On December 12, 2020, an order for 10 Il-78M-90As was signed, with the serial production starting in 2021.: ;IL-78MK-90A: The latest export version based on Il-78M-90A being marketed by Rosoboronexport. Refueling capability ==Operators==

with a Tu-95MS during the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on 9 May 2009 fighter planes IL-78 landing refuelling from an Ilyushin Il-78 during exercise Konkan Shakti 21 Ilyushin Il-78 Current operators ; • Algerian Air Force – six Il-78s bought from Ukraine in 1998, delivered between 1998 and 2003 after servicing in Russia. ; • Chinese Air Force – three Il-78s ordered from Ukraine in 2011, delivered between 2014 and 2016 after overhauls. These aircraft are fitted with UPAZ-1 pods. • 43rd Center for Combat Application and Training of Aircrew for Long Range Aviation – Dyagilevo (air base), Ryazan Oblast • 203rd Guards Air Refueling Regiment Former operators ; • National Air Force of Angola – one ordered from Ukraine in 2001. Refueling equipment was removed and the aircraft rebuilt into an Il-76TD before it was sent to Angola in 2003. • 409th Aviation Regiment of tanker aircraft ; • Ukrainian Air Force – inherited 20 Il-78s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. At least three were converted to transport aircraft for Busol Airlines by 1995. • 106th Heavy Bomber Aviation Division – Pryluky Air Base, Chernihiv Oblast ; • An Il-78 of the Ukrainian Air Force was bought by North American Tactical Aviation Inc (NATA) in 2005, and flown to the United States in July 2006 for use in air refueling operations contracted to the United States military. It passed into Air Support Systems LLC ownership and got an American civilian registration N78GF. It was then mothballed at the North Texas Regional Airport for two and a half years. In 2009, it left the airport with a Ukrainian crew hired by NATA and was heading to the Wittman Regional Airport, Wisconsin, to refuel before flying to Pakistan for phase aircraft maintenance. However, it was diverted to the Sawyer International Airport, Michigan, where it remains grounded. In 2010, the aircraft was repossessed by the Bank of Utah Trustee and in 2019 sold to Meridican Inc, an international consulting firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The aircraft was to receive a cockpit upgrade for international operations in 2018. It was undergoing engineering changes in 2022 to upgrade its air-to-air refueling pods, hose and drogue system to a Western-manufactured system that is compatible with US Navy and NATO. ==Specifications (Il-78M)==