Russia’s first new-build Ilyushin II-78M- 90A tanker aircraft was rolled out of the factory at Ulyanovsk on November 30. Flight testing, originally scheduled to begin in early 2017 has slipped to 2018. The new tanker is based on the Il-76M-90A transport and uses the same PS-90A-76 turbofan engines. The maximum fuel load of 91 tonnes in its internal fuel system can be increased by a further 36 tonnes by the addition of an auxiliary tank carried in the cargo bay. It is equipped with two underwing and one tail-mounted UPAZ-1M hoseand- drogue systems, each capable of transferring 3,000 litres (792 US gallons) of fuel per minute. The Russian Air Force expects to procure 31 of the type.
The Beriev A100 airborne early warning and control system aircraft, which also uses the Il-76M-90A airframe, made its first flight at Beriev’s Taganrog facility on November 18. Intended to replace Russia’s A-50 Mainstay, the A-100 retains the basic rotodome-equipped configuration of its predecessor. The A-100 is equipped with a Vega Radio Electronic Corporation Premier mission system including an active electronically scanned array radar in elevation, with a 600km (324 nautical miles) range. David C Isby
