The IL-78MKI is a modified version of the IL-78M that is outfitted with Israeli fuel-transfer equipment. The Indian Air Force (IAF) sent out these aircraft, which can refuel six to eight Sukhoi Su-30MKIs at once. On January 11, 2003, the version had its first flight.
IL-78 Midas Air-to-Air Refueling Aircraft
Ilyushin’s IL-78 air-to-air refueling tanker is a four-engine aircraft used primarily for in-flight refueling. The four-engine tanker Ilyushin IL-78 air-to-air refueling tanker aircraft is primarily used for in-flight refueling. Its predecessor, the IL-76, served as a model for its design and development. It is known by the NATO reporting name Midas. The IL-78 made its first flight on June 26, 1983, and it went into service the following year. There are currently 53 operating aircraft worldwide.
The maximum simultaneous refueling capacity for IL-78 aircraft is four aircraft. It can also be utilized as a military transport plane to drop off and pick up crew members and supplies from the air. Variants of the IL-78 airborne refueling tanker
Also read: List Of Air-To-Air Refuelling Aircrafts Of Indian Armed Forces
Other Variants of IL-78
There are five different types of IL-78: IL-78T, IL-78M, IL-78ME, IL-78MKI, and IL-78MP. The IL-78T is a different model of the IL-78 that is primarily utilized to carry all cargo handling gear and convertible cargo. The IL-78M is a dedicated tanker aircraft with a different configuration that can only be used for refueling missions and cannot be converted into a transport aircraft. There are three fixed fuselage tanks on board. The IL-78first M’s flight occurred on March 7th, 1987.
IL 78 in the IAF
The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order for six IL-78s in 2003. The first refueling aircraft equipped with Israeli-made aerial refueling pods were delivered to IAF in March 2003. The IL-78 has a total fuel-carrying capacity of 110,000kg. The deliveries to IAF were completed in 2004. The aircraft has been deployed at the Agra Air Force Base in India.
Development
IL-76 is the source of IL-78. To suit the needs of the Russian Air Force, it was created by the Ilyushin Aviation Complex in Russia. The aircraft was created in 1982 as a component of the tanker project to improve the transferable fuel load of the IL-76. The IL-78 can provide fuel at a rate of 900 to 2,200 liters per minute and was designed as a three-point air-to-air probe and drogue tanker aircraft.
Also read: All Aircrafts Of Indian Air Force [UPDATED LIST]
In comparison to the IL-76’s transferable fuel load of 10,000kg, the IL-78’s two removable 18,230l fuel tanks installed in the freight hold allow for a transferable load of 85,720kg (188,584lb) with hold tanks and 57,720kg (126,984lb) without hold tanks.
The IL-78MK is a refueling tanker aircraft that may be converted that was based on the IL-78M. Using conventional refueling tubes that extend from the cargo hold, the IL-78MK can simultaneously refuel three different types of aircraft in the air or four different aircraft on the ground.
From IL-78MK, the IL-78MK-90 is derived. The PS-90A-76 turbofan engine that powers it allows for an 850 km/h cruise speed. The IL-78MK-90’s takeoff and landing distances are 1,550 meters and 40 meters, respectively.
Avionics of IL-78 MKI
The IL-78’s avionics include a ground surveillance radar, an automatic monitoring (AMS) and automatic flight control system, a short-haul radio navigation and landing system, an identification friend or foe transponder (IFF), an optical/infrared aiming sight, and a ground collision warning system (GCWS).
Distance measurement equipment (DME), dual very-high-frequency (VHF) navigation and communication, and an X-band color weather radar are additional avionics added to the aircraft.
IL-78’s Cockpit
The IL-78 includes a glass cockpit with five seats for the flight engineer, two pilots, and a communication officer. The flight engineer’s seat is located just behind the two pilots’ seats in the cockpit. The communication officer is supposed to sit on the flight engineer’s outer corner. The navigator’s chair is located on the deck below the glass nose.
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