Il-78 Midas vs KC-135 Stratotanker

Soviet aerial refueling tanker, developed in the 1980s, widely involved in strategic, long-range force projection missions.
Picture of Il-78 Midas
Origin country 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Military Special Mission Aircrafts
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.
Picture of KC-135 Stratotanker
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Special Mission Aircrafts
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
Height 14.8 m
Length 46.6 m
Maximum speed 850 km/h
Operational range -- km
Service ceiling 12,000 m
Max. takeoff weight 210,000 kg
Empty weight 72,000 kg
Total thrust 4 x 12,020 kgf
Wing area 226.0 m²
Wingspan 39.9 m
Height 12.7 m
Length 41.5 m
Maximum speed 933 km/h
Operational range 2,400 km
Service ceiling 15,240 m
Max. takeoff weight 146,283 kg
Empty weight 44,663 kg
Total thrust 4 x 9,813 kgf
3-view profile of KC-135 Stratotanker

Performance Radar Chart

Photo of Il-78 Midas by Konstantin Tyurpeko.