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." 

FMI: www.tads-usa.com