Il-78 Midas vs KC-135 Stratotanker
| Soviet aerial refueling tanker, developed in the 1980s, widely involved in strategic, long-range force projection missions. | |
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| Origin country | 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Military Special Mission Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Ilyushin |
| First flight | 26 June 1983 |
| Year introduced | 1984 |
| Number produced | 53 units |
| Average unit price | $-- million |
| American refueling aircraft, deployed during Cold War, Desert Storm and ongoing operations worldwide for mid-air refueling missions. | |
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| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Military Special Mission Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| First flight | 31 August 1956 |
| Year introduced | 1957 |
| Number produced | 803 units |
| Average unit price | $39 million |
| Wing area | 300.0 m² ◉ |
| Wingspan | 50.5 m â—‰ |
| Height | 14.8 m â—‰ |
| Length | 46.6 m â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | 850 km/h â—‰ |
| Operational range | -- km |
| Service ceiling | 12,000 m â—‰ |
| Max. takeoff weight | 210,000 kg â—‰ |
| Empty weight | 72,000 kg â—‰ |
| Total thrust | 4 x 12,020 kgf â—‰ |
| Wing area | 226.0 m² ◉ |
| Wingspan | 39.9 m â—‰ |
| Height | 12.7 m â—‰ |
| Length | 41.5 m â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | 933 km/h â—‰ |
| Operational range | 2,400 km |
| Service ceiling | 15,240 m â—‰ |
| Max. takeoff weight | 146,283 kg â—‰ |
| Empty weight | 44,663 kg â—‰ |
| Total thrust | 4 x 9,813 kgf â—‰ |
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Performance Radar Chart
Photo of Il-78 Midas by Konstantin Tyurpeko.