Flying Tankers: Russian IL-78s Can Now do 3 Concurrent Mid-air Refueling Operations
Russian renewed IL-78 flying tankers can do 3 concurrent mid-air refueling operations. Units of the Central military district have started the training on the modern vehicles in the Perm region. Tasks include keeping the distance of just 20 meters in total darkness.
Kirill Bortnikov reports from the board of the plane. Last preparations at the Sokol airfield. The pilots are to practice the most difficult maneuver: mid-air refueling of a plane. IL-78 is the only type of flying tankers in service of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The pilots have given it a lovesome name: "a flying cow". It is capable of refueling of 2 or even 3 fighters mid-air at a time. Inside this giant, almost all free space is taken by these 3 orange fuel tanks. Each of them carries 18 tons of kerosene. Plus, there are fuel tanks in the wing panels too.
The flying tanker carries over 115 tons of kerosene in total. When fully loaded, IL-78 is capable of refueling more than 10 planes mid-air. Shortly after the takeoff, the flying tanker meets fighters on the patrol route. And that's when the most dangerous, responsible and at the same time precise work begins. Right now we are in the tail unit. This is the workplace of the operator, where using a special equipment and also visually the process of docking is controlled. It all happens at a height of 5,000 meters and at a record distance: less than 20 meters between the fighter and the tanker, while the speed is almost 600 kph.
Evgeny Ushakov, air detachment commander: "Usually, during long-distance flights, we approach the tanker with the final fuel reserve, which allows continuing the flight if refueled. Otherwise, a decision must be made quickly and clearly to land at a reserve airfield."
The experienced pilots perform this maneuver at the first attempt, while the young pilots often take several attempts. The process is also observed from the ground, at the command post.
A serviceman: "First, bearing angle 25, distance 70".
Not everyone is allowed to perform this sophisticated maneuver, only those pilots, who have several hundreds of flying hours and completed a special training. The top performance is refueling at night. The basics are the same, but it's several times more difficult to perform docking in reduced visibility. And this grants a lot of strategic advantages: without additional landing, flying squadrons can cross continents in a matter of hours. That's why for the long-range aviation the mid-air refueling is a vital piloting maneuver, which is diligently practiced day and night.
Kirill Bortnikov, Dmitry Komov, Elena Galeeva, Vesti, the Perm Region.