Crews of Su-24M all-weather bombers practiced refueling under polar night conditions in the Far North. This was reported by the press service of the Northern Fleet.
Pilots of the mixed aviation corps of the Northern Fleet performed one of the complex elements of flight training. The Su-24M approached and docked using refueling cones with an Il-75 tanker aircraft.
The refueling was successful. It significantly extends the range and time the bomber can stay in the air, the fleet's press service explained.
About Il-78
The tanker aircraft was created on the basis of the Il-76MD military transport aircraft. The Il-78 can simultaneously refuel several aircraft. It has been in operation since 1985. It is the only aircraft with such functionality in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.