Tue, May 19, 2009
Once again, here's a company that's gonna win most bragging
contests... as they have recently gotten FAA Approval to operate a
massive Ilyushin aerial refueling tanker/firefighter. Tactical Air
Defense Services, a military defense contractor in the selective
business of offering air combat training, ground-threat support,
mid-air refueling, aerial fire-fighting, and specialty aerial
services to a number of US and Foreign clients has informed ANN
that they have earned a C of A for their Ilyushin IL-78 Mid-Air
Refueling Supertanker. That, just doesn't happen every
day.
Tactical Air Defense Services' Ilyushin IL-78, which they report
is under 'exclusive lease to the Company,' is the only IL-78
operational in the United States. The Ilyushin IL-78 is capable of
refueling at an airspeed exceeding 400 knots, while delivering fuel
to three aircraft simultaneously. The Company intends to provide
its IL-78 to the US and Foreign Militaries for refueling during air
combat training sessions and for contract refueling of military
squadrons (Quantity discounts at Oshkosh, maybe? -- Ed.).
The Ilyushin IL-78 is reportedly the largest aircraft ever
'designed' for aerial fire-fighting, and carries an 18,000 gallon
payload of liquid or fire-retardant. It has the ability to deliver
its payload with precision and at surprisingly slow air-speeds.
TADS hopes to offer the IL-78 to State and Federal Agencies to
combat the increasing threat of wildfires that have caused so much
devastation in California, Texas, and other parts of the United
States in recent years. Mark Daniels, CEO of Tactical Air Defense
Services, Inc., states, “We are pleased to have received a
certificate of airworthiness from the FAA for our Ilyushin IL-78
Supertanker. Tactical Air Defense Services has achieved a
historic milestone by becoming the first commercial company to
successfully bring a Russian IL-78 aircraft into the United
States.
“The interest in our IL-78 that we are receiving from both
government and private entities is significant, and we are
currently pursuing a number of service contracts for both mid-air
refueling and aerial fire-fighting services, and we believe that a
contract will be forthcoming in the near future."
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