Voronezh Aircraft Production Association
Ilyushin Il-78 Midas
VASO in English, ВАСО Ilyushin Il-78 Midas
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| An Il-78M of the Russian Air Force | |
| Role | Aerial refueling tanker |
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| National origin | Soviet UnionRussia |
| Manufacturer | Ilyushin |
| First flight | 26 June 1983 |
| Introduction | 1984 (Il-78) |
| Status | In service and production |
| Primary users | Soviet Air Forces (historical) Russian Aerospace Forces Ukrainian Air Force (historical) Indian Air Force |
| Produced | 1984–present |
| Number built | 53 |
| Developed from | Ilyushin Il-76 |
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History Voronezh Aircraft Production Association
Ilyushin Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tanker
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 Ilyushin Il-78 (Russian: Илью́шин Ил-78; NATO reporting name Midas) is a Soviet/Russian four-engined aerial refueling tanker based on the Il-76 strategic airlifter
Design
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.
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Variants
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- 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 (303,600 lb), of which 105.7 tonnes (232,540 lb) 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
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Voronezh Aircraft Production Association
Ilyushin Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tanker
Voronezh Aircraft Production Association
Ilyushin Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tanker
General Info
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- Crew: six
- Capacity: Max 100,000 kg payload (T-6 military jet fuel)
- Length: 46.59 m (152 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 50.5 m (165 ft 8 in)
- Height: 14.76 m (48 ft 5 in)
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Powerplant
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- Special equipment: 3 x UPAZ-1M 'Sakhalin', (Unifitsirovaniy Podvesnoy Agregat Zaprahvki;— standardised suspended refuelling unit), refuelling pods; Two on pylons under the outer wings, and the third on the port side of the rear fuselage.
- Fuel transfer rate: 900 to 2,200 liters/min
- Powerplant: 4 × Aviadvigatel D-30 KP turbofan engines, 118 kN (27,000 lbf) thrust each
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Performance
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- Maximum speed: 850 km/h
- Range: 7,300 km
- Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
- Thrust/weight: 0.23
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Links to Youtube & Others
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.
IIyushin IIl-78 Midas
The Il-78 can transfer fuel from its internal tanks, and two removable tanks located in the cargo hold.
Youtube Link
Russian Aerospace Forces – 19 Il-78/78Ms in service as of 2019. 43rd Center for Combat Application and Training of Aircrew for Long Range Aviation – Dyagilevo (air base), Ryazan Oblast 203rd Guards Air Refueling Regiment.
Read more in Voronezh Aircraft Production Association IIyushin
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