Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the aerial refueling tankers category.
01 / Overview
Il-78
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1985–
Quantity
53
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS · COLD WAR
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the aerial refueling tankers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Flight1983
- Service Entry Year1984
- Crew6
- Primary RoleAerial refueling tanker
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypeAviadvigatel D-30 KP
- Number of Engines4
- Thrust (each)130
▣Performance3MOD.3
- Cruise Speed800 km/h
- Top Speed850 km/h
- Service Ceiling12,000 m
◇Cargo & Capacity1MOD.1
◆Aerial Refueling3MOD.3
- Aerial TankerYes
- Fuel Offload Capacity105,700 kg
- Refueling Method (boom/drogue)probe-and-drogue
▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
- Length46.59 m
- Wingspan50.5 m
- Height14.76 m
- Empty Weight72 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight210 kg
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built53
- Variants7
▲Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1984
- Operational StatusIn service and production
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1985Production started
- 1987Entered service
41
years in service
53
units produced
17
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS RANKING Aerial Refueling Tankers · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
13AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS3COLD WAR · AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS306RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS6PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAerial Refueling Tankerscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
Aerial tanker: military aircraft equipped to refuel other aircraft in flight using a system of hoses or booms.
A hinged rear fuselage section on military transport aircraft that lowers to enable direct loading/unloading of cargo or vehicles from the aircraft's tail.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources