The Indian Air Force's 'eye-in-the-sky' the Embraer Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C), today received a shot in the arm that will further its ability to carry out prolonged surveillance mission. The Air Force, for the first time, carried out mid-air re-fueling of the Embraer AEW&C using the mighty Ilyushin Il-78 (IL-78), a tanker aircraft. The Air Force pilots carrying out today's exercise used what is known as the 'probe and drogue' air-to-air refueling technique. Videos shared on Twitter by news agency ANI and other defence journalists showed a sight to behold, as the two Air Force jets matched their speed and flew alongside while a pipe extending from the IL-78 refuelled the Embraer AEW&C. The Embraer jet was modified to install the Indian AEW&C system, and the combination was inducted into the Indian Air Force earlier this year.

Source: India Today November 30, 2017 09:22 UTC