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The joining of the wing and the fuselage of the first Ilyushin Il-78M-90A tanker aircraft for the Russian Air Force at Aviastar SP's facility in Ulyanovsk on 28 October Source: United Aircraft Corporation
Russia's new Il-78M-90A air-to-air refuelling (AAR) aircraft is nearing completion, images released by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) indicate.
The prototype, also known as the Il-478, was shown having its wing and fuselage joined at the Aviastar SP plant in Ulyanovsk. The aircraft is an extension of the Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) transport aircraft programme for the Russian Aerospace Forces.
According to UAC the Il-78M-90A is fitted with the same PS-90A-76 as the Il-76MD-90A, which it states offers a 12-14% reduction in fuel consumption over the D-30KP engines of the original Il-78 'Midas' tanker. It also features two additional fuel tanks to increase the fuel capacity of the tanker over the earlier model. The Il-78M-90A also likely shares the same aerostructure and avionics improvements as the Il-76MD-90A, although this was not specified by UAC.
Construction of the prototype aircraft at the Aviastar SP began in February under a development contract from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD). Reports indicate that its first flight will occur in 2016, after which a production contract for the type will be placed. UAC stated in 2013 it was hoping for an order of 31 new Il-78-type tanker aircraft from the Russian MoD.
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Aviastar nears completion of Russia's new Il-78M-90A tanker - IHS Jane's 360
