Posted on 12/21/2009 10:33:48 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Pakistan gets its first air-to-air refueling tanker
Posted by David A. Fulghum at 12/21/2009 3:17 PM CST
Here’s another Christmas present for the Pentagon. The first of four Ilyushin Il-78MP tanker/cargo aircraft was delivered to Pakistan Dec. 19. Pictured here is the aircraft during aircrew and aircraft trials in Ukraine in Oct. The aircraft were modified from surplus Ukranian aircraft stocks.
Credit: Jenyk, Ukrainian Spotter's Site. Click here to see all 11 photos.
Also pictured is one of a small number of Pakistani Mirages modified with an in-air refueling probe.
The tanker can refuel two aircraft in the air or four on the ground. The Il-78MP has upgraded PS-90 engines and Russian-designed UPAZ refueling pods on each wing outboard of the engines.
“...or four on the ground...”
Why would anyone want to refuel an aircraft on the ground from another aircraft, wouldn’t it be easier with a truck?
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