Ilyushin Il-78
Military
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The Il-78 aerial refueling tanker of 1983 adapted the Il-76 transport for fuel delivery missions supporting extended flight operations. Its six-crew configuration managed pilot, co-pilot, navigator, engineer, and tanker system operators, while 50.5-metre span and 7300-kilometre range enabled worldwide deployment. The 850 km/h speed matched fighter escort requirements.
Specifications
- Role
- Aerial refueling tanker
- Origin
- Soviet Union ; Russia
- Crew
- 6
- Engines
- 4
- First flight
- 1983
- Length
- 46.6 m
- Wingspan
- 50.5 m
- Max speed
- 850 km/h
- Range
- 7,300 km