The Ilyushin Il-78 (NATO reporting name Midas) is a Soviet/Russian four-engined aerial refueling tanker based on the Il-76 strategic airlifter.

Design and development

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

Refueling capability

Operators

Current operators

Former operators

Specifications (Il-78M)