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AN-132

The Antonov state enterprise (Kiev), a Ukrainian aircraft designer, will help Saudi Arabia to develop and organize production of a Saudi version of the AN-32 multipurpose aircraft - AN-132 with a load carrying capacity of 9.2 tons. The cockpit will also be redesigned, using navigation equipment manufactured in the United States. Other elements of the aircraft will also be redesigned to increase its capabilities. The owner of the intellectual property rights and design sketches for the new An-132, according to the agreement, will be Saudi Arabia.

The AN-132 is based on the Antonov An-32 'Cline' transport aircraft, featuring a number of westernised systems on the aircraft. The AN-132 is a modern version of the military transport plane AN-32, with modern engines and electronics that would make it more fuel-efficient and able to take off and land in various environments.

The AN-132 is the result of cooperation with Ukraine and would see 80 planes produced, partially in the former Soviet nation.Antonov projects a potential market for the aircraft of 200 units between 2018 and 2025. Engine deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2016, with first fight of the AN-132 in 2016.

The Saudis selected the Ukrainian An-32 multi-purpose aircraft with a load capacity of up to 7.5 tons after analyzing the international market of light transport aircraft for military and civilian use to meet the needs of Saudi Arabia for transportation of goods, personnel, soldiers, paratroopers, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, maritime patrol, and other military and civilian tasks.

The program of the AN-132 light multipurpose aircraft of a new generation is realized by ANTONOV Company together with KACST, King Abdulaziz City Science and Technology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The AN-132, intended for operation on short- and medium-haul routes, will perform various missions on cargo transportation and implement different layouts of the aircraft cargo cabin. The AN-132 will have cruising speed up to 500 km/h, cruising flight altitude up to 9000 m, payload up to 9.2 t.

The AN-132 is an optimal decision for replacement of the AN-32 light transports operated in different regions of the world. The new aircraft will have all the best characteristics of its predecessor. In particular, it will be effectively operated under hot climate and in mountain terrain, from/to different airdromes. It will be reliable and flexible in operation. The AN-132 will differ with better technical and economical, operational characteristics: payload increased by 23 percent, flight range increased in 2.75 times while carrying 6 t of cargo, high fuel efficiency, low noise and emission level. AN-132 will have two-member �glass� cockpit, avionics and equipment meeting the modern standards. Airborne loading/unloading equipment, APU will provide its autonomous operation at poor-equipped airfields.

The aircraft is created according to the contract with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Simultaneously with construction of the aircraft demonstrator, ANTONOV signed an Agreement with Taqnia Aeronautics company, which was selected by Saudi party as production and marketing partner on organization of cooperative series manufacturing of the aircraft. This partnership is an expansion of a current agreement between KACST and Antonov to develop and manufacture AN-132 planes. KACST would own 50 percent of the intellectual property.

On February 21, 2016, Mykhaylo Gvozdov, President of ANTONOV Company, and Ali Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, CEO of Taqnia Aeronautics Co., signed Agreement on cooperation for establishment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of aircraft manufacturing complex and AN-132 production in cooperation with ANTONOV Company. The signing ceremony was held at AFED-2016 in presence of Mr. Mohammed Al-Ayish, Assistant Secretary of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Highness Prince Turki bin Saud Mohammed A.Al-Saud and other officials of the KSA. This Agreement sets certain plans as for delivery, organization of operation, after-sale support of Antonov aircraft of the AN-132, AN-148 families and AN-178. It also concerns further joint works on organization of cooperative production of the AN-132 in KSA.

In April 2016 Antonov Company completed major assembly of the AN-132D aircraft-demonstrator. The tail unit was mounted on the aircraft. So, the airframe of the aircraft has been assembled: fuselage, wing and tail unit have been joined. PW150A engines of Pratt & Whitney Canada were to be delivered in April. Cooperation agreement of the AN-132 program was signed with this company in October 2015.

This new military transport aircraft manufactured locally would be tested in 2017 after 18 months of development and design. This is according to Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

This coincides with Saudi Arabia signing five agreements with several companies affiliated with the Saudi Company for Development and Technical Investments, which is completely owned by the Public Investment Fund. The agreements were signed with leading technology and manufacturing companies to establish five companies specializing in military and civil industries, satellite and radar production, and clean energy. Prince Turki said two of the five agreements would see the manufacture of Black Hawk and Antonov aircraft, which would see a significant transfer of technology, and the production of these planes in the Kingdom.

A Saudi company combining Technical Space Company and US Digital Globe was been set up to manufacture and market a number of small satellites for space photography. KACST aimed to develop and manufacture six satellites. Another deal was signed with Aselsan Turkish company to develop and manufacture radars and electro-visual devices in the Kingdom. The pact included training of staff. The company would provide maintenance and development services to the military and security sectors.

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announced 20 October 2015 it would be participating in Ukrainian airframe OEM Antonov new AN-132D DEMO aircraft, part of its new generation of light, multi-purpose airplanes Program . The long term potential for the program is estimated to be in the order of 400 PW150A engines. The AN-132D is to be developed by Antonov with participation from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). P&WC is a division of United Technologies Corp.

The announcement was made at the European Regions Airline Association�s 35th Annual General Assembly. �We are delighted to have been selected by Antonov to power its AN-132D aircraft,� says Richard Dussault, Vice President, Marketing, P&WC. �The PW150A engine is part of the PW100 family of engines, proven workhorses known for their durability and dependability. This is an exciting, high-potential program for both Antonov and P&WC and we look forward to fully developing that potential.�

The PW100 engine family offers the lowest fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the regional turboprop market and incorporates the latest, proven advanced technologies. Ranging in power from 1,800 shp to more than 5,000 shp, PW100 engines are available in 38 models, offering unsurpassed flexibility and capability for a variety of applications. PW100 engines power aircraft in service with 500+ operators in 130+ countries. More than 8,000 PW100/150 engines have been produced since the family entered service in 1984, accumulating more than 165 million flying hours. PW100 engines have demonstrated their versatility in powering aircraft applications spanning regional airlines, coastal surveillance, firefighting and cargo transport.