Aircraft
Russia’s New Aerial Tanker Emerges
The Il-78M-90A was rolled out at the Aviastar-SP plant in Ulyanovsk.
The Russian air force is expected to order 30 new Il-78M-90A refueling aircraft to supplement or replace earlier Il-78M tankers as seen here. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)
The Russian air force is expected to order 30 new Il-78M-90A refueling aircraft to supplement or replace earlier Il-78M tankers as seen here. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has rolled out the first Il-78M-90A air tanker, based on the Il-76M-90A upgraded version of the strategic airlifter. The event took place on November 29 at the Aviastar-SP plant in Ulyanovsk. Aviastar has already delivered three Il-76M-90As airlifters to the Russian Air and Space Force (VKS) out of 39 on order and ahead of the expected official induction of the type in 2019.