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Scramble 469
expected to commence flight trials shortly, several months
behind schedule. To receive a new aerial tanker the Russian
MoD had ordered two Il-96-400TZ aircraft by PJSC United
Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) and two Il-78M-90A by Illy-
ushin Aviation Complex. It had been expected the first design
who passed the tests would receive the order for the con-
struction of the additional thirty aircraft. The difference in
specification between the two designs are: the Il-95-400TZ
was supposed to transport sixty-five tons of fuel (Il-78M forty
tons) over a distance up to 3500 km (Il-78M 3000 km). PJSC-
UAC used two Il-96-400T freighter aircraft (RA-96101 and
RA-96103) for the conversion to Il-96-400TZ. The aerial refu-
eling system to be used was the same as used on the current
fleet of Il-78, the Zvezda UPAZ-1. The Russian MoD did not
agree with this proposal and cancelled the order. In addi-
tion to procurement of brand-new Il-78M-90As, the Russian
defense ministry has ordered the modification of in-service
Il-78M air tankers to extend their service life and provide a
higher fuel transfer rate. The first of these was handed over
to Ilyushin for this work earlier in the year.
The initial contract with the industry to convert an Il-96-400T
freighter into an air tanker was signed in 2013, paving the
way for a second contract in 2015 for airframe. This aircraft
had been started as a fifth commercial freighter for Polet Air-
lines, which operated the type in 2009-2013, before its col-
lapse. A pair of the former Polet aircraft were converted into
special VIP/control jets in 2014-2016. The other two aircraft
previously earmarked for the air tanker conversion are now
being considered for work in frame of the ongoing Il-96-400M
415-seat passenger jet development effort. Between six and
ten of these are expected to be delivered to the Russian
defense ministry and other governmental agencies. At the
same time, the ministry continues funding work on develop-
ment of next-generation control aircraft to replace the aging
Il-80 (Il-86PU) fleet.
Spain
LEZG = Zaragoza
Ejército del Aire (AF)
A400M
TK.23-03/31-23 Airbus Military #10076, f/n coded 076 feb18
EF-18M
C.15-38/15-25 std LEZG ex Ala 15 667/A543 apr18
This Hornet was reported as chained to the tarmac and
lacking several parts. Its actual status is unclear.
EF2000
C.16-72/14-30 Ala 14 #10147, new with unit SS053 may18
Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra (AR)
AS532UL
HT.27-10/ET-658 BHELMA IV ex BHELMA III 2516 may18
HT.27-14/ET-662 BHELMA IV ex BHELMA III may18
HT.27-18/ET-601 BHELMA IV ex BHELMA III 2726 may18
Armada (NY)
SH-60F
HT.23-14/01-1015 Eslla 010 #10014, f/n ops 70-1691 may18
Sweden
Flygvapnet (AF)
On 15 May 2018, Saab Sk37E Viggen 37809/SE-DXO marked as
F15-61 took to the skies again. The dual seat Viggen belongs
to the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) Historic Flight since
her last operational flight on 4 September 2007. It was kept
in airworthy condition and stored at Såtenäs, home of F7
Skaraborgs flygflottilj.
Switzerland
Schweizer Luftwaffe (AF)
SA316B
V-218 to Angola ex Armasuisse 1392 mar14
Thanks to Dirk-Jan de Ridder we can show you the looks of the new Croatian OH-58D Kiowa. During his visit on 11 April 2018, Kiowas 331 and
322 gathered in formation over the Zrmanja canyon, near homebase Zadar.
