The Soviet Il-78 tanker refueled long-range anti-submarine Tu-142s of the Northern Fleet's aviation corps. The operation took place over the Barents Sea and neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean. This was reported by the press service of the Northern Fleet.
The press service explained that refueling is a complex element of flight training. The pilots of the Tu-142 approached the Il-78, made contact with the cone sensor, and then maintained the required distance for a long time. Air refueling is carried out at an altitude of about 5 thousand meters and a speed of about 500 km/h.
The crews of the long-range anti-submarine aviation of the Northern Fleet have confirmed their readiness to perform tasks as intended in any weather conditions and at any distance from the base airfield.
Receiving fuel directly in the air expands the combat capabilities of the Tu-142. This is important for patrolling the Arctic zone, where the length of routes is thousands of kilometers, the press service summarized.
The Tu-142 was developed at the Tupolev Design Bureau on the basis of the Tu-95RTs. The anti-submarine aircraft made its first flight in 1968, and since 1972 it has been operated by the Naval Aviation of the USSR Navy. Production was established at factories in Taganrog and Samara. From 1968 to 1994, about 100 Tu-142s were produced.
Characteristics of the Tu-142:
- Length — 51.55 m
- Wingspan — 50.2 m
- Maximum take-off weight — 185 t
- Engine — NK-12
- Cruising speed — 720 km/h
- Practical ceiling height — 13,500 m
- Combat radius — 5,200 km
