Footage has appeared online showing the in-flight refueling of a Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-160 strategic bomber. The video shows the refueling probe of the missile carrier receiving fuel through a hose connected to an Il-78.
The Il-78 and Il-78M aerial tankers, which are in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces, are developed based on the Il-76MD military transport aircraft.
The modified Il-78 can transport up to 126 tons of fuel in its internal and fuselage tanks.
Independent aviation expert Alexey Zakharov stated that China is interested in the Il-78 aerial tankers. According to his information, as part of an export contract, Ulyanovsk "Aviastar" could reach a production rate of up to eight tankers per year, which has never happened before.
"Perviy Tekhnicheskiy" previously detailed how many Tu-160 bombers are in service with Russia and what missiles the "White Swan" carries.