Antonov An-72
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| An-72 "Coaler" | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Ukrainian An-72 at the Farnborough Air Show. | |
| Type | Military transport |
| Manufacturer | Antonov |
| Maiden flight | 22 December 1977 |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary user | Aeroflot |
| Number built | 200 |
| Variants | Antonov An-71 Antonov An-74 |
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. 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 experimental Boeing YC-14. Boeing may introduce the An-72 as a new option for the United States Army's pending Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) competition. Were Boeing to offer it, the An-72 would be the only turbofan-powered aircraft in the competition.
The An-72 is often called cheburashka by Russians because with its large intake ducts located close to the fuselage, it resembles Cheburashka, a very popular animated creature in Russian cartoons.
[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] 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 (38,715 ft)
Armament
- Guns: 1× 23 mm (.905 in) gun pod
- Rockets: 1× UB-23M rocket launcher under each wing
- Bombs: 4× 100 kg (220 lb) bombs carried internally
[edit] References
- ^ Flight International, 3-9 October 2006
[edit] External links
http://www.polyot.su/ http://www.antonov.com
[edit] Related content
Related development
- Antonov An-71
- Antonov An-74
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
An-38 - An-70 - An-71 - An-72 - An-74 - An-88 - An-124
Related lists
See also
Airliners: An-74 · An-140 · An-148 · An-174 · An-180 · An-218
Transports: A-7 · OKA-38 · An-2 · An-3 · An-4 · An-8 · An-10 · An-12 · An-14 · An-22 · An-24 · An-26 · An-28 · An-30 · An-32 · An-38 · An-70 · An-72 · An-124 · An-225
Reconnaissance/Surveillance: An-6 · An-71 · An-88 - Experimental: A-40 · SKV - ? An-204
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
