Naval aviation crews of the Baltic Fleet conducted night flights with aerial refueling. Pilots of Su-30SM, Su-30SM2 and Su-24M bombers performed a "docking" with an Il-78 air tanker in complete darkness.
The peculiarity of night refueling is that the fuel hose is extended to its maximum length to increase the safe distance. But a problem arises - then it is subject to more abrupt fluctuations.
Everything is perceived differently in the dark. I am required to maintain speed and altitude in an exemplary, perfectly even manner. Any fluctuation, any jerk - and it will be several times more difficult for the pilot of a combat aircraft to get into the cone. My task is to be a stable platform from which they can safely dock.
It should be noted that aerial refueling greatly expands combat capabilities - aviation goes further from basing, patrols longer and, if necessary, relocates without landing.
In total, more than 10 aircraft of the mixed air regiment were involved in the exercise. The crews worked individually and in pairs.