Mid-Air Refueling

Tactical Air Defense Services, Inc. will provide mid-air refueling services for its contracted clients as well as its own training missions by utilizing the only Iluyshin 78 refueling tankers in North America. The IL-78 is a superior cargo/tanker aircraft that is capable of refueling three aircraft simultaneously during flight in contrast to other air refueler tankers such as the Boeing 707-300 which can refuel only one aircraft at a time. This establishes TADS as having access to one of the most efficient aerial refueling tankers in the world.

Mid-air refueling capabilities optimize an aircraft’s resource utilization by eliminating its need to land for refueling. Typically, a fighter plane that can fly for four hours can extend its flying time indefinitely by refueling in mid air. This increases the planes’ combat reach, limited only by pilot endurance, which is crucial for long range missions. This improved aircraft utilization and efficiency significantly improves the attractiveness and viability of the full spectrum of TADS’ combat training programs.