Il-78 (according to NATO codification: Midas) is a Soviet tanker aircraft. It was created on the basis of the Il-76MD aircraft and is intended for air refueling of military aircraft. Equipped with a hose-cone air filling system. Currently, this is the only specialized type of tanker aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force. It can also be used as a military transport aircraft (lost this ability in the Il-78M modification).
On January 25, 2018, the Il-78M-90A aircraft assembled at the Aviastar-SP plant in Ulyanovsk made its first flight. This modification does not have a refueling operator's aft cockpit, the D-30KP engines were replaced by PS-90A-76 engines with an increased bypass ratio and increased takeoff thrust, the specific fuel consumption is lower, which made it possible to increase the range and take more fuel for refueling aircraft. The possibility of converting into a military transport aircraft is provided.
