Ilyushin Il-78 Midas Aerial Refueling Tanker

Tanker Aircraft July 28, 2020

Ilyushin Il-78 Midas Aerial Refueling Tanker

Efran Syah       Comment   

(David Bracci — Flight Line Images)

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

(Dmitry Terekhov)

The Il-78 tanker was developed and designed in the Ilyushin Aviation Complex in Russia. The main reason behind its development was an expansion of the transferable fuel load of an earlier version of tanker, the Il-76.

(Aleksandr Markin)

The maiden flight of Il-78 took place on 26 June 1983 and the aircraft entered into service in 1984. About 53 aircraft are currently operational worldwide.

(Nikolay Pominov)

The Il-78 aircraft has been developed on the basis of the Il-76MD and is designed to refuel in the air long-range aircraft and frontline aviation during day time and nighttime, and in conditions of poor visibility, in order to widen their operational range.

(Andrey Rakul)

The cargo compartment contains two fuel tanks. With the help of three unified suspended-type refueling devices (UPAZ) installed under outer wing panels and in the aft part of the fuselage, the transmission of fuel from fuselage tanks and wing boxes is possible.

(Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

The Il-78 may be used for transporting fuel to the maneuvering airfield and refueling aircrafton the ground. The Il-78 transfers fuel solely through deployment of the probe-and-drogue refueling method. The Il-78 aircraft can refuel a maximum of four planes simultaneously on the ground.

(Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

The Il-78 has a total transferable fuel load of 85,720 kg (188,980 lb), which includes 28,000 kg (62,000 lb) from a pair of 18,230-litre (4,010 imp gal; 4,820 US gal) tanks in the freight hold. In comparison, the Il-76 has a capacity of only 10,000 kg (22,000 lb).

(via thamlevan.violet.vn)

The Il-78 can fly at a maximum speed of 850 km/h. The range and service ceiling of the aircraft are 7,300 km and 12,000 m respectively. The aircraft weighs around 72,000 kg and the maximum take-off weight is 210,000 kg.

(Vortaxg)

If necessary, the aircraft can be refitted under field conditions as a transportation plane for carrying military personnel, equipment, cargo and ill/wounded people.

(Kirill Naumenko)

Variants

• Il-78. The original production.
• Il-78T. Alternative designation for Il-78 due to retention of all cargo handling equipment and convertible freight hold.
• Il-78M. The Il-78M equipped with three permanent fuselage tanks, a higher gross weight of 210 tonnes, and no cargo door or cargo handling equipment.
• Il-78M2. Modernization of Il-78/78M
• Il-78M-90A. An upgraded variant based on the Il-76MD-90A.
• Il-78ME. Export version of Il-78M.
• Il-78MKI. Customized variant of the Il-78ME for the Indian Air Force.
• Il-78MP. Multi-role aerial refuelling tanker/transport aircraft, with removable fuel tanks in cargo hold and UPAZ refuelling pods, for the Pakistan and Chinese Air Force.

(via airwar.ru)

Operators

• Algerian Air Force – 4 Il-78
• Angolan Air Force – 1 Il-78
• Chinese Air Force – 3 Il-78MP
• Indian Air Force – 6 Il-78MKI
• Libyan Air Force – 1 Il-78E
• Pakistan Air Force – 4 Il-78MP
• Russian Air Force – 19 Il-78/78M.

Former operators

• Soviet Air Forces
• Ukrainian Air Force
• United States.

(Gleb Osokin - Russian AviaPhoto Team)

Specifications (Il-78M)

• Crew: 6
• Capacity: Max 100,000 kg payload
• Length: 46.59 m (152 ft 10 in)
• Wingspan: 50.5 m (165 ft 8 in)
• Height: 14.76 m (48 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 300 m2 (3,200 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 72,000 kg (158,733 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 210,000 kg (462,971 lb)
• Special equipment: 3 x UPAZ-1M 'Sakhalin', 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
• Maximum speed: 850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn)
• Range: 7,300 km (4,500 mi, 3,900 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
• Thrust/weight: 0.23
• Calendar operating life: 35 years
• Number of flights: 6,000 hours
• Number of flight:  8,000 hours

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Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Military Aerial Refueling Aircraft

Tanker Aircraft July 18, 2020

Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Military Aerial Refueling Aircraft

Efran Syah       Comment   

A KC-135 Stratotanker flies in the Thunder Over Louisville air show in Louisville, Ky., April 21, 2018. (USAF photo by Lt. Col. Dale Greer)

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft that was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, alongside the Boeing 707 airliner.

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 916th Air Refueling Wing takes off at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 19, 2018. (USAF photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

The KC-135 Stratotanker's primary mission is to refuel long-range bombers. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft.

A KC-135 Stratotanker descends before landing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., Jan. 18, 2018. (USAF photo by Airman 1st Class Erin McClellan)

The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 4, 2015. (USAF photo/Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

The KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1957; it is one of six military fixed-wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator.

Fourteen KC-135 Stratotankers line up during a simulated alert call March 24, 2016, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. (USAF photos/Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury)

The KC-135 is supplemented by the larger KC-10. Studies have concluded that many of the aircraft could be flown until 2030, although maintenance costs have greatly increased. The KC-135 is to be partially replaced by the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, 91st Air Refueling Squadron, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. (USAF photo by Master Sgt Keith Reed)

The KC-135R has four turbofan engines, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, which power it to takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds (146,300 kg).

A 128th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker approaches Honolulu Airport for a landing Jan. 17, 2020, during exercise Sentry Aloha 20-1. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker's flying boom, the KC-135's primary fuel transfer method. A special shuttlecock-shaped drogue, attached to and trailing behind the flying boom, may be used to refuel aircraft fitted with probes.

This apparatus is significantly more unforgiving of pilot error in the receiving aircraft than conventional trailing hose arrangements; an aircraft so fitted is also incapable of refueling by the normal flying boom method until the attachment is removed. A boom operator stationed in the rear of the aircraft controls the boom while lying prone.

A KC-135 Stratotanker arrives at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. (USAF photo/Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Sawyer)

A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds (38,000 kg) of cargo.

F-16 Fighting Falcons conduct aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker during a training sortie Sept. 9, 2015, over the U.K. (USAF photo/Tech. Sgt. Jason Robertson)

The KC-135 can climb at the rate of 1,490 m a minute. The maximum and cruise speed of the aircraft are 933 km/h and 852 km/h respectively. The range is 2,419 km. The ferry range and service ceiling of are 17,766 km and 15,200 m.

The aircraft weighs around 44,663 kg and the maximum take-off weight is 146,300 kg.

A KC-135 Stratotanker taxis through the wash rack, also known as a bird bath, after a mission Aug. 18, 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Young)

Some KC-135 aircraft have been configured for other missions such as reconnaissance and as a flying command post.

A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels F-22 Raptors over the Atlantic Ocean, April 12, 2018. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

In order to expand the KC-135's capabilities and improve its reliability, the aircraft has undergone a number of avionics upgrades. Among these was the Pacer-CRAG program (compass, radar and GPS) which ran from 1999 to 2002 and modified all the aircraft in the inventory to eliminate the Navigator position from the flight crew. The fuel management system was also replaced.

Two KC-135R Stratotankers refueled seven F/A-18 Hornets from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration team Sept. 26, 2018. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Massey)

Specifications KC-135R

• Manufacturer: Boeing Aircraft Company
• Designation: KC-135
• Crew: 3 (pilot, co-pilot and boom operator; some KC-135 missions require the addition of a navigator)
• Capacity: up to 80 passengers / 83,000 lb (37,648 kg)
• Length: 136 ft 3 in (41.53 m)
• Wingspan: 130 ft 10 in (39.88 m)
• Height: 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m)
• Wing area: 2,433 sq ft (226.0 m2)
• Airfoil: root: BAC 310/311/312 ; tip: BAC 313
• Empty weight: 98,392 lb (44,630 kg)
• Operating empty weight: 124,000 lb (56,245 kg)
• Gross weight: 297,000 lb (134,717 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 322,500 lb (146,284 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 200,000 lb (90,718 kg)
• Powerplant: 4 × CFM International F108-CF-100 turbofan engines, 21,600 lbf (96.2 kN) thrust each
• Maximum speed: 504 kn (Mach 0.9, 580 mph, 933 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 460.5 kn (529.9 mph, 852.8 km/h) at 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
• Range: 1,303.5 nmi (1,500.0 mi, 2,414.1 km) with 150,000 lb (68,039 kg) of transferable fuel
• Ferry range: 9,572 nmi (11,015 mi, 17,727 km)
• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
• Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (25 m/s)
• Armament: none

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