Ilyushin Il-78


The Ilyushin Il-78 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. 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 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 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 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-78M: The Il-78M entered service in 1987 as a dedicated tanker equipped with three permanent fuselage tanks, a higher gross weight of 210 tonnes, and no cargo door or cargo handling equipment. The cargo ramp is retained but non-functional. Total fuel capacity is 138 tonnes, of which 105.7 tonnes is transferable.
;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. The first modernized aircraft was rolled out on 25 August 2019.
Il-78E
;Il-78MKI: Export version for India. Six aircraft were ordered in 2002, built at the Tashkent Aviation Production Association plant using unfinished airframes. Uses Cobham Mk.32B air refuelling pods, which allow to refuel both Russian-built and Western aircraft.
;Il-78MP: Multi-role aerial refuelling tanker/transport aircraft, with removable fuel tanks in cargo hold and three UPAZ-1 refuelling pods, for the Pakistan Air Force.
;Il-78M-90A : 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

Current operators