Ilyushin IL-78 (Midas)

History of Ilyushin IL-78 (Midas)

The Russian military has been loyal to its Ilyushin IL-76 (NATO codename "Candid") family of four-engine jets for many years. The series first flew in 1971 and debuted in June 1974 as a strategic transport aircraft to help Soviet troops advance their interests around the world.

Some 960 airframes were eventually completed, many of which were exported to allied and former nationssome serving the civilian market as jetliners, while others were modernized into more powerful military forms. In the 1970s, a modification of the type for aerial refueling was considered as a tanker, which resulted in the IL-78 "Midas" in 1984. The first flight took place on June 26, 1983.

The type is still in service and died today (2014) in production with a total of 53 completed.

IL-78 originated from the Soviet initiative in the late 1960s to produce derivatives of the IL-76 family of tankers, but much of the work to bring the new system to fruition took place in the late 1970s, thanks to the ever-emerging An evolution of the IL-76 airframe. The IL-76 lost cargo transport and management hardware during conversion and was equipped with three refueling stations to serve three hold/follow aircraft simultaneously. The aircraft uses the proven "hose and cone" three-point delivery system, with one fuel delivery location under each wing and one fuel delivery location under the tail.

Trials on modified IL-76MD airframes were conducted in 1977, and these trials subsequently led to certification trials that continued into the early 1980s. The first delivery took place in 1984 and official service began in 1987 - to replace the obsolete inventory of the Mya-4 "Bison" tanker. With a crew of seven, the IL-76's rear tail gun positions were replaced by observer positions.

In addition, ranging radars and formation lights were installed on the cargo door ramps so that aircraft approaching the receiver could see especially during nighttime refueling exercises.

IL-78M model features include a top speed of 530 mph and a range of up to 4,535 miles. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 39,350 feet. Propulsion is provided by four Aviadvigatel (Soloviev) D-30 KP series turbofan engines, each with a thrust of 26,700 pounds.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 "Foxhound" interceptor, the Ilyushin IL-62 "Classic" airliner and the Tupolev Tu-154 "Careless" airliner all contain variants of this engine.

From March to April 2014, the Chinese Air Force procured three IL-78MDs to enhance its long-range strategic capabilities. This move is also in line with the long-term development of indigenous strategic bombers currently being designed for the PLA.

The IL-78MD was modified in Ukraine with Russian equipment. The PLA also relies on a fleet of 26 H-6U tankers - aerial refueling versions of the local Xi'an H-6 strategic bomber. The bomber itself was based on the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 bomber of the early 1950s.

The IL-78M-90A is the most advanced development version of the IL-78 series. It began flight testing in December 2018, including upgrades such as new wings with additional fuel cells and Perm PS-90A-76 series engines (the same as the IL-76-90A transport aircraft).

The engine provides better fuel efficiency and higher power, resulting in improved performance figures (MTOW, takeoff roll, etc...).

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