Antonov An-72/74

  • CountryUkraine
  • TypeSTOL capable freight and utility transport
  • PowerplantsTwo 63.7kN (14,330lb) ZMKB Progress D36 turbofans.
  • PerformanceAn-72 - Max speed 705km/h (380kt), cruising speed range 550 to 600km/h (295 to 325kt). Service ceiling 35,000ft. Range with max fuel and reserves 4800km (2590nm), with a 7500kg (16,535lb) payload 2000km (1080nm). An-74 - Speeds similar. Range with reserves and a 10,000kg (22,025lb) payload 1150km (620nm), or with a 1500kg (3310lb) payload 5300km (2860nm).
  • WeightsEmpty 19,050kg, max takeoff (from a 1800m/5900ft runway) 34,500kg (76,060lb). Max takeoff from a 600-800m (1970-2630ft) runway 27,500kg (60,625lb).
  • DimentionsWing span 31.89m (104ft 8in), length 28.07m (92ft 1in), height 8.65m (28ft 5in). Wing area 98.6m2 (1062sq ft).
  • CapacityFlightcrew of three (two pilots and a flight engineer) for the An-72. An-74 also has provision for a radio operator. Main cabin designed primarily for freight, in which role it can carry a payload of 10 tonnes (22,045lb) including four UAK2.5 containers, or four 2.5 tonne (5510lb) PAV2.5 pallets. An-72 can seat 68 on removable seats, while the An-74 when configured for combi passenger/freight tasks can carry eight support crew.
  • ProductionProduction totals more than 160, mostly for military customers. Most built in Ukraine but production transferred to Omsk in Russia in 1993. Around 30 An-72s and 6 An-74s were in commercial use in 1998.

The A 72 was planned as a substitution for the A 26 strategic transport for the Soviet aviation based armed forces, however variations are being used as business tankers.

The primary of five flying A 72 models flew shockingly on August 31 1977, despite the fact that it was not until much later in December 1985 that the first of eight widely amended preproduction A 72s flew. Included in this preseries cluster were two A 74s, contrasting from the A 72s in their capacity to work in brutal climate conditions in polar districts. Generation of the A 72/74 family proceeds.

Renditions of the A 72/74 family (NATO codename `coaler') incorporate the A 72 base model with stretched out wings and fuselage contrasted with the models, the A 72s VIP transport and A 72p oceanic watch air ship.

Renditions of the A 74 incorporate the A 74a, the base A 74 model emphasizing the broadened nose radome, the A 74t vessel, the A 74tk, 74tk100 and 74tk200 convertible traveler/tanker models, and the A 74p200d VIP transport.

The most huge outline peculiarity of the A 72 and A 74 is the utilization of the Coanda impact to enhance STOL execution, which uses motor fumes gasses blown over the wing's upper surface to help lift. Different gimmicks incorporate multi opened folds, back stacking slope and multi unit arriving rigging equipped for operations from ill-equipped strips.

Pictures of Antonov An-72/74