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Further Reading

Il-78 MIDAS

In addition to the Candid, other versions of the aircraft include the A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning platform, and the Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tanker. The Il-78 'Midas' is an air-to-air refuelling development of the Il-76, built to replace Myasishchev 'Bison' tankers. Service entry was in 1987.

The Il-78 airplane, created on the basis of the Il-76 airplane, is designated for inflight refueling of airplanes of various purposes. The Midas is a three-point tanker probe and drogue based on (or converted from) the airframe of the Il-76MD military freighter, carrying a maximum payload of 48,000 kg. This new aerial-refueling tanker aircraft began development in the early 1980s. When deployed, the new tanker supported tactical and strategic aircraft and significantly improved the ability of Soviet aircraft to conduct longer range operations.

Fitted with three Severin/UPAZ PAE external refueling units, one under each wing (which are reportedly sometimes removed on missions involving only a single receiver aircraft) and one mounted on the port side of the rear fuselage, the Il-78 is a three (or sometimes two) point air-to-air probe and drogue tanker aircraft capable of delivering fuel at a rate of 900 to 2,200 liters/min.

Internally the Il-78 has a pair of enormous cylindrical, pallet-mounted fuel tanks in the cargo hold, together containing 35 tonnes of the aircraft's 100-tonne total transferable fuel load. The refueling process is monitored by an observer occupying the former tail gunner's position and controlled from the flight engineer's station in the cockpit. Receiver/tanker rendezvous is facilitated by a simple homing radar housed behind a broad flat aft-facing radome located forward of the standard rear loading ramp.

The former Soviet Union's only operational Il-78M regiment was based in Ukraine, which retained the aircraft after independence. Only a handful remained in Russian hands.

The IL-78MK (convertible) refueling tanker was developed based on the IL-78M aircraft. The IL-78MK is designed for the in-flight refueling of up to three aircraft of various types. The aircraft can be refueled in the air by day or night in the appropriate conditions of visibility. On the ground the airplane is capable of refueling of up to four airplanes simultaneously. The airplane can be reequipped on site in operational conditions and then operate as a military transport aircraft for airdrop and air landing of cargoes and personnel.

The IL-78MK-90 is a further version powered by more powerful PS-90A-76 turbofans, each rated at 35,000-lb, providing a maximum combined thrust of 140,000-lb at takeoff. The Il-78MK-90 adds two tons to the payload up to 50 tons and increases the cruise speed from 750 kph to 850 kph compared with the D-30KP powered Il-78MK. The landing run distance is shortened by 40 meters and can take off in 1,550 meters compared to 2,200 meters for the same aircraft powered by D-30KP engines.

In March 2002 it was reported that a contract for the delivery to India of three Il-78 tankers was signed by the Tashkent Aviation Production Association (TAPO). Negotiations continued with China for the delivery of four Il-78 tanker airplanes under the aegis of Rosoboronehksport. In all approximately 45 Il-78 tankers were produced at TAPO. The cost of one airplane with delivery for export is estimated approximately at 25-35 million dollars.

According to a 2005 contract between Rosoboronexport and China's Defense Ministry, worth $1.5 billion, Russia was supposed to deliver 34 Il-76 Candid medium-range military transport aircraft and four Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tankers. The first deliveries under the contract were due to begin in 2007, but in 2006, Uzbekistan's Tashkent Chkalov Aircraft Association, the manufacturer of the aircraft, refused to sign a production contract with Rosoboronexport at the contract price. As a result, the agreement was delayed, and Beijing suspended negotiations on this and several other military contracts with Russia.

Since then, the Tashkent-based company has become part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, and the planes will now be assembled at an aircraft manufacturing plant in Ulyanovsk in central Russia, the official said. In September 2008 it was reported that Russia will continue negotiations on a contract to deliver 34 transport planes and four aerial tankers to China earlier frozen due to a disagreement over prices. "We are returning to the contract and renegotiating the price of these planes," Mikhail Zavaliy, a Rosoboronexport official told reporters at an air show in the Krasnodar Region.

During the exercises from January 28 to February 2, 2008, Russian pilots practiced reconnaissance, missile and bomb strikes on mock adversary naval force, and will fly simulated air combat and air patrolling missions. A total of 40 aircraft, including Tu-160 Blackjacks, Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3 Backfire C strategic bombers, Il-78 Midas aerial tankers, A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning aircraft MiG-31 Foxhound long-range interceptors and Su-27 Flanker frontline fighter aircraft participated in the drills. The aircraft flew somet 40 training sorties during the exercise.

On 13 February 2008 Russia's Air Force announced the launch of a tactical exercise involving long-range aviation in "northern latitudes" to rehearse interoperability in air patrol missions. "The active phase of the tactical exercise has started under the command of long-range aviation commander Maj. Gen. Pavel Androsov," the Armed Forces command said in a press release. It did not say exactly where the exercise was being conducted or whether it was in Russia or outside its borders. The drill, including one heavy-bomber regiment, practiced midair refueling, flights over uncharted terrain and in difficult weather conditions, as well as landings on off-base, alternate airfields. Over 20 Tu-95 (Bear) strategic bombers and Il-78 (Midas) four-engine aerial refueling tankers participated in the exercise.