Antonov An-72
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| An-72 / An-74 | |
|---|---|
 Ukrainian An-72 at the Farnborough Air Show. |
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| Type | Military transport |
| Manufacturer | Antonov |
| Maiden flight | 22 December 1977 |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary user | Aeroflot |
| Number built | 200 |
| Variants | Antonov An-71 |
The Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name Coaler) is a transport aircraft developed in the former Soviet Union. It was designed as a STOL transport and intended as a replacement for the Antonov An-26, but variants have found success as commercial freighters.
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[edit] Design and development
The An-72 first flew on 22 December 1977. Produced in tandem with the An-72, the Antonov An-74 variant adds the ability to operate in harsh weather conditions in polar regions. Other An-72 versions include the An-72S VIP transport and An-72P maritime patrol aircraft.
An unusual design feature of the An-72 and An-74 is the use of the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, utilizing engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift. The first flight was made in August 31, 1977, but it was only in the 1980s that production started. The power plant used is ZMKB Progress D36. The An-72 bears a resemblance to an earlier aircraft, the Boeing YC-14, which also used overwing engines and the Coandă effect.
The An-72 is often called cheburashka by Russians because with its large intake ducts located close to the fuselage, it resembles a popular animated creature in Russian cartoons.
Price for a new built An-74 in 2006 is quoted as being $17-20 million.[citation needed]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Civil operators
In August 2006 a total of 51 Antonov An-72 and Antonov An-74 aircraft remain in airline service. Major operators include Badr Airlines (3), Air Armenia (3), Enimex (5), Gazpromavia (12), and Shar Ink (8). Some 17 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.[1]
[edit] Military Operators
- Egyptian Air Force - 3(6 more on order)
- IRGC AF - 12 (An-74TK-200)
- Ukrainian Air Force - 26
[edit] Specifications (An-72P)
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Capacity: 32-68 passengers
- Length: 26.58 m (87 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 25.83 m (84 ft 9 in)
- Height: 8.24 m (27 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 98.62 m² (1,062 ft²)
- Empty weight: 7,500 kg (16,500 lb)
- Loaded weight: 19,050 kg (42,000 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 33,000 kg (72,750 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Lotarev D-36 turbofans, 63.7 kN (14,300 lbf) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 705 km/h (380 knots, 440 mph)
- Cruise speed: 600 km/h (320 knots, 370 mph) at 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
- Range: 4,800 km (2,980 mi)
- Service ceiling 11,800 m (38,700 ft)
Armament
- Guns: 1× 23 mm (0.905 in) gun pod
- Rockets: 1× UB-23M rocket launcher under each wing
- Bombs: 4× 100 kg (220 lb) bombs carried internally
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ Flight International, 3-9 October 2006
[edit] External links
- An-74TK-200 modification at KSAMC site
- An-74TK-300 modification at KSAMC site
- AN-74TK modification at Antonov's site
- AN-74T modification at Antonov's site
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