Ilyushin Il-78

Ilyushin Il-78

Company type	Military aerial refueling tanker aircraft
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1983
Headquarters	Soviet Union / Russia
Products	Aerial refueling tanker aircraft

"Il-78" redirects here. For the road, see Illinois Route 78.

The Ilyushin Il-78 (Russian: Илью́шин Ил-78), known by NATO as Midas, is a four-engine aerial refueling tanker originating from the Soviet Union and Russia. It is derived from the strategic airlifter Ilyushin Il-76.

Design and development

File:Ryazan - Dyagilevo. Russia Air Force - Ilyushin Il-78.jpg

Il-78 tankers assigned to the 203rd Guards Air Refuelling Regiment

Initially, the Soviet Union relied on modified bombers such as the Tupolev Tu-16 and Myasishchev M-4 to fulfill tanker roles. However, these aircraft did not meet performance expectations, especially with newer bombers like the Tupolev Tu-22M and Tupolev Tu-160 entering service. In 1968, development commenced on a dedicated tanker based on the Ilyushin Il-76. The original Il-76 model proved inadequate for refueling purposes, capable of transferring under 10 tonnes of fuel. Consequently, the enhanced Il-76MD variant was selected as the foundation for the new tanker, designated Il-78, due to its increased fuel capacity. The design and engineering took place at the Ilyushin Aviation Complex in the Soviet Union. The Il-78 conducted its maiden flight on 26 June 1983 and was introduced into service by June 1987. Concurrently, efforts began on a higher-capacity version, the Il-78M, which first flew on 7 March 1987. Between 1984 and 1993, production at the Tashkent Aviation Production Association yielded 32 Il-78s, 13 Il-78Ms, and one export variant, the Il-78E, delivered to Libya.

Structurally based on the Il-76MD airframe, the Il-78 retains much of its predecessor’s design but eliminates the tail turret to accommodate an air refueling operator in that position. It is equipped with three refueling pods: one mounted beneath each wing and a third fixed to the rear fuselage. The standard Il-78 employs three UPAZ-1 pods, whereas the Il-78M features two UPAZ-1 pods underwing and an upgraded UPAZ-1M pod on the rear fuselage, which offers a higher fuel transfer rate. The underwing pods primarily serve tactical aircraft refueling needs, while the fuselage pod is intended for larger aircraft. Utilizing a probe-and-drogue system, the Il-78 can distribute fuel from its internal tanks along with two detachable tanks stored in the cargo bay. In contrast, the Il-78M carries three permanent tanks within its cargo compartment. Fuel transfer capacity for the basic Il-78 reaches up to 57.7 tonnes using internal tanks alone or up to 85.7 tonnes when including additional tanks; meanwhile, the Il-78M can offload as much as 105.7 tonnes of fuel.

Variants

Il-78

This is the initial production model derived from the Il-76MD. When the supplementary fuel tanks are removed, the Il-78 functions as a standard cargo aircraft.

Il-78M

Introduced in 1987, the Il-78M serves exclusively as a tanker. It features three fixed fuselage fuel tanks, an increased maximum takeoff weight of 210 tonnes, and lacks both a cargo door and cargo handling systems. Although the cargo ramp remains present, it is non-operational. Its total fuel capacity reaches 138 tonnes (303,600 lb), with 105.7 tonnes (232,540 lb) available for transfer.

Il-78-2

This variant represents an upgrade of the Il-78/78M models, incorporating components identical to those used in the newly manufactured Il-78M-90A and Il-76MD-90A versions. The modernization extends the aircraft’s operational lifespan from 30 to 40 years. Upgrades include updated cockpit avionics and installation of flare dispensers. The aircraft are equipped with three UPAZ-1M air refuelling pods. The first unit of this modernized series was unveiled on 25 August 2019.

Il-78M-90A (Il-478)

This advanced model is based on the Il-76MD-90A platform. The prototype was first revealed on 29 November 2017, and completed its maiden flight on 25 January 2018. On December 12, 2020, a contract for ten Il-78M-90A tankers was finalized, with serial production commencing in 2021.

Il-78E

This is the export variant of the Il-78, with a single unit constructed for Libya.

Il-78MKI

Designed for export to India, this version had six units ordered in 2002. They were assembled at the Tashkent Aviation Production Association facility using incomplete airframes. It employs Cobham Mk.32B air refuelling pods capable of servicing both Russian and Western aircraft.

Il-78MP

Serving as a multi-role aerial refuelling tanker and transport aircraft for the Pakistan Air Force, this model features removable fuel tanks within the cargo bay and is fitted with three UPAZ-1 refuelling pods.

IL-78MK-90A

The most recent export model actively promoted by Rosoboronexport.

Refueling Capacity

Transferable fuel quantity in tonnes

Range	Il-78	Il-78M
1000 km	42	74
2000 km	24	56
3000 km	15	40

Operators

File:Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia in 2009.jpg

An Ilyushin Il-78 performing aerial refueling on a Tu-95MS during the 2008 Moscow Victory Day Parade held in Moscow on 9 May 2009

File:Ilyushin Il-78MKI (RK-3452).jpg

Indian Air Force Ilyushin Il-78 conducting mid-air refueling for two Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters

File:Ilyushin IL-78 (R09-001) Pakistan Air Force.jpg

A Pakistan Air Force IL-78 on approach for landing

File:Su-30 MKI doing in-flight refuelling from Ilyushin Il-78 of Indian Air Force during Konkan Shakti 21.jpg

Sukhoi Su-30MKI receiving fuel from an Ilyushin Il-78 during the Konkan Shakti 21 exercise

Main article: List of Ilyushin Il-76 operators

File:RK-3452 Ilyushin IL-78MKI Indian AF 78 Sqdn. (2993322560).jpg

An Ilyushin Il-78 operated by the Indian Air Force

Active Operators

Template:ALG

• Algerian Air Force – Acquired six Il-78 aircraft from Ukraine in 1998, with deliveries occurring between 1998 and 2003 following refurbishment in Russia. As of 2017, four Il-78s remain operational within the Algerian Air Force.

Template:CHN

• Chinese Air Force – Procured three Il-78s from Ukraine in 2011; these were delivered between 2014 and 2016 after undergoing extensive overhauls. The fleet is equipped with UPAZ-1 refueling pods.

Template:IND

• Indian Air Force – Received six Il-78MKI tankers during 2003 and 2004, currently operated by No. 78 Squadron IAF based at Agra Airport.

Template:PAK

• Pakistan Air Force – Ordered four Il-78 units from Ukrainian surplus inventories in 2006, outfitted with detachable fuel tanks and UPAZ refueling pods. These aircraft were delivered between 2009 and 2011 after refurbishment at the Mykolaiv repair facility and designated as Il-78MP.Template:Fix/category
  • Operated by No. 10 Squadron "Bulls"

Template:RUS

• Russian Aerospace Forces – Maintains a fleet of nineteen Il-78/Il-78M aircraft as of 2019.
  • Assigned to the 43rd Center for Combat Application and Training of Aircrew for Long Range Aviation at Dyagilevo (air base), Ryazan Oblast
  • Also operated by the 203rd Guards Air Refueling Regiment

Former operators

Template:ANG

• National Air Force of Angola – procured one unit from Ukraine in 2001. Prior to delivery in 2003, the aircraft's refueling apparatus was removed and it was converted into an Il-76TD. The aircraft was dismantled in 2014.

Template:Country data Libya

• Libyan Air Force – acquired a single Il-78E in 1989. It was destroyed during an assault on Mitiga International Airport in 2015.

Template:USSR

• Soviet Air Forces – following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, their aircraft were allocated to the Russian and Ukrainian Air Forces.
  • 106th Heavy Bomber Aviation Division – based at Uzyn Air Base, located in Kyiv Oblast, Ukrainian SSR
  • 409th Aviation Regiment of tanker aircraft

Template:UKR

• Ukrainian Air Force – inherited a fleet of 20 Il-78s after the Soviet Union's collapse. By 1995, at least three were modified into transport variants for use by Busol Airlines.
  • 106th Heavy Bomber Aviation Division – stationed at Pryluky Air Base, Chernihiv Oblast

Template:USA

• In 2005, North American Tactical Aviation Inc (NATA) purchased an Il-78 from the Ukrainian Air Force, which was flown to the United States in July 2006 for air refueling missions under contract with the US military. The aircraft was later transferred to Air Support Systems LLC and registered as N78GF under American civil aviation authorities. It remained inactive at North Texas Regional Airport for approximately two and a half years. In 2009, with a Ukrainian crew employed by NATA, it departed for Wittman Regional Airport, Wisconsin, intending to refuel before proceeding to Pakistan for maintenance but was rerouted to Sawyer International Airport, Michigan, where it has since remained grounded. The Bank of Utah Trustee repossessed the aircraft in 2010, and it was sold in 2019 to Meridican Inc, a global consulting company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Plans were made for a cockpit modernization to support international operations in 2018. As of 2022, engineering modifications were underway to replace its air-to-air refueling pods and hose-and-drogue system with Western-made equipment compatible with US Navy and NATO standards.Template:Fix/category

External links

• Il-78 at aviation.ru
• Museum of 203 regiment (in Russian)
• Role of IL-78 strategic tanker in Pakistan Air Force www.PAFwallpapers.com Archived 2014-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
• IL-78MKI Midas at indian military database