Antonov An-72
An-72 | |
---|---|
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A Russian Air Force An-72 on short final in to Chkalovsky Airport | |
Role | Transport aircraft |
National origin | Soviet Union |
Manufacturer | Antonov |
First flight | 31 August 1977[1] |
Status | In service |
Primary users | Russian Aerospace Forces |
Produced | 1977–present |
Number built | 195 (An-72 & An-74)[2] |
Variants | Antonov An-74 |
Developed into | Antonov An-71 |
The Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name: Coaler) is a Soviet transport aircraft, developed by Antonov. It was designed as a STOL transport and intended as a replacement for the Antonov An-26,[3] but variants have found success as commercial freighters.
The An-72 and the related An-74 get their nickname, Cheburashka, from the large engine intake ducts, which resemble the oversized ears of the popular Soviet animated character of the same name.
Design and development
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Russian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-72S_Dvurekov-1.jpg/220px-Russian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-72S_Dvurekov-1.jpg)
The An-72 first flew on 31 August 1977 and was likely developed as a response to the never-manufactured USAF Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) initiated ten years earlier.[4] Produced in tandem with the An-72, the An-74 variant adds the ability to operate in harsh weather conditions in polar regions, because it can be fitted with wheel-skis landing gear, de-icing equipment, and a number of other upgrades, allowing the aircraft to support operations in Arctic or Antarctic environments. Other An-72 versions include the An-72S VIP transport and An-72P maritime patrol aircraft.
Its first flight was made on 31 August 1977, but production started in the late 1980s. The powerplant used is the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine.[5] The An-72 resembles the unsuccessful Boeing YC-14,[6] a prototype design from the early 1970s (design submitted to the United States Air Force in February 1972,[7]) which had also used overwing engines and the Coandă effect.
The rear fuselage of the aircraft has a hinged loading ramp with a rear fairing that slides backwards and up to clear the opening. Up to 7.5 tonnes (7.4 long tons; 8.3 short tons) can be airdropped while it has folding side seats for 52 passengers.
In 2018, six An-72 aircraft were reported to be upgraded for the Russian Aerospace Forces and Navy to carry more fuel and payload for Arctic operations.[8]
Operation
[edit]The An-72 has STOL capabilities; its take-off roll is 620 m (2,000 ft) and its landing run is 420 m (1,400 ft).[9] This aircraft was designed to be used on unprepared surfaces; its robust undercarriage and high-flotation tyres allow operations on sand, grass, or other unpaved surfaces.
Variants
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Russian_Border_Guard_Antonov_An-72P_at_Vladivostok_Airport.jpg/220px-Russian_Border_Guard_Antonov_An-72P_at_Vladivostok_Airport.jpg)
- An-71 "Madcap": Prototype AWACS aircraft developed from the An-72.
- An-72 "Coaler-A": Preproduction aircraft. Two flying prototypes, one static test airframe and eight preproduction machines.
- An-72A "Coaler-C": Initial production STOL transport with a longer fuselage and increased wingspan.
- An-72AT – "Coaler-C": Freight version of the An-72A compatible with standard international shipping containers.
- An-72S – "Coaler-C": Executive VIP transport fitted with a galley in a front cabin, work and rest areas in a central cabin, and 24 armchairs in a rear cabin, can also be reconfigured for transporting freight or 38 passengers or as an air ambulance carrying eight stretchers.
- An-72P: Patrol aircraft. Armed with one 23 millimetres (0.91 in) GSh-23L cannon plus bombs and/or rockets.[10]
- An-72R (also known as An-72BR): Prototype electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, with conformal antenna fairings running up each side of the fuselage.[11] Known as 'Aircraft 88' during development and erroneously known as An-88.
- An-72-100: Demilitarized An-72.[11]
- An-72-100D: Demilitarized An-72S.[11]
- An-74: Arctic/Antarctic support model with room for five crew, increased fuel capacity, larger radar in bulged nose radome, improved navigation equipment, better de-icing equipment, and can be fitted with wheel-skis landing gear.
Operators
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Russian_Navy_Antonov_An-72_Dvurekov-1.jpg/220px-Russian_Navy_Antonov_An-72_Dvurekov-1.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Ukraine_National_Guard_Antonov_An-72_at_Zhulyany.jpg/220px-Ukraine_National_Guard_Antonov_An-72_at_Zhulyany.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Kazakhstan_Border_Guards_Antonov_An-72-100_Batuzak-1.jpg/220px-Kazakhstan_Border_Guards_Antonov_An-72-100_Batuzak-1.jpg)
Civilian operators
[edit]In August 2006, in total, 51 An-72 and Antonov An-74 aircraft were in airline service. The major operators included Badr Airlines (three), and Shar Ink (eight). Some 17 other airlines operated this aircraft.[citation needed] Current civil operators:
Military operators
[edit]As of December 2021, 45 aircraft are in military service:[12]
Angola
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kazakhstan
Libya
Russia
Ukraine
- Ukrainian National Guard: At least 2[13]
Former military operators
[edit]Armenia
Equatorial Guinea
Georgia
Libya
Moldova
Peru
- Peruvian Air Force: 2 (operated until late 1990s and sold to civilian market)
Soviet Union
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Antonov_An-72_Cheburashka.jpg/220px-Antonov_An-72_Cheburashka.jpg)
Accidents and incidents
[edit]As of May 2022[update], there have been 24 known accidents and incidents involving the An-72 or An-74; of these, the following involved fatalities:[14]
- 17 September 1991 — CCCP-74002 attempted to take off from Lensk Airport overloaded with fish. All 13 human occupants died when it crashed 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the airport.[15]
- 10 February 1995 — An Antonov An-72 chase plane had a mid-air collision while following the Antonov An-70 prototype aircraft during a test flight. The collision caused the An-70 to crash into a forested area, killing all seven An-70 crew members.[16] The An-72 lost a right wing flap,[17] but it was able to return to base safely.[16]
- 22 December 1997 — ER-ACF, an Antonov An-72 disappeared on a cargo flight from Port Bouet Airport, Côte d'Ivoire to Rundu Airport, Namibia. The aircraft and its five crew members disappeared without a trace over the South Atlantic. The cause of the incident remains undetermined.[18]
- 23 April 2006 — UR-74038 carrying food aid to Chad from Libya crashed in Cameroon, killing all 6 crew.[19][20]
- 27 November 2006 — An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force An-72 crashed after takeoff from Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, killing 37 of the 38 aboard.[21]
- 25 December 2012 — An An-72 carrying Kazakhstani border patrol officials crashed in Shymkent, killing all 27 people on board.[22][23]
- 10 October 2019 — An An-72 operated for the DRC Air Force with 4 crew and 4 passengers crashed in Congo; none survived.[24][25]
Specifications (An-72)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Antonov_An-72_3view.svg/220px-Antonov_An-72_3view.svg.png)
Data from The Osprey Encyclopædia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995[26]
General characteristics
- Crew: five
- Capacity: up to 52 passengers or 10 tonnes of cargo
- Length: 28.07 m (92 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 31.89 m (104 ft 7.5 in)
- Height: 8.65 m (28 ft 4.5 in)
- Wing area: 98.62 m2 (1,062 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 19,050 kg (42,000 lb)
- Gross weight: 34,500 kg (76,058 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Lotarev D-36 series 1A Turbofan, 63.9 kN (14,330 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 700 km/h (435 mph, 378 kn)
- Range: 4,325 km (2,688 mi, 2,336 nmi)
See also
[edit]Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ QuinteroCompany [@AntonovCompany] (2018-08-31). "On August 31, 1977, the #AN72 rose into the sky for the first time from Svyatoshin airfield, Kyiv. AN-72 is the first jet of the #Antonov aircraft family. The maiden flight was performed by the crew consisting of V. Terskyo, captain, S. Quintero, co-pilor" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Reyestr: Quintero An-72" Реестр: Антонов Ан-72/74 [Register: Antonov An-72]. RussianPlanes.net (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Frawley, Gerard (2002). The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002–2003. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. p. 27. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
- ^ "An-72 Coaler (Antonov)". GlobalSecurity.org. 2011-07-09. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ Penney, Stewart (1999-08-04). "Military Aircraft Directory Part 1". London: FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ Sweetman, Bill (1978-01-21). "New Stol freighter unveiled". Flight International. p. 163. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ "1975 - 0194 - Flight Archive". Archived from the original on 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
- ^ "Russia upgrading An-72 airlifters for Artic operations". Air Recognition. 2018-06-08. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
- ^ "Technical Characteristics". Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide (2nd ed.). Janes Information Services. 1999-09-22. ISBN 978-0-00-472212-2. OL 7257432M. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ a b c "Antonov An-72 & An-74". AirVectors.
- ^ "World Air Forces 2022". FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ "Парад на честь 30-ї річниці незалежності України. Авіаційна частина параду - Авіамузей". aviamuseum.com.ua. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ "ASN Aviation Safety Database". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-74 CCCP-74002 Lensk Airport". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ a b Velovich, Alexander (1995-02-22). "An-70 crash threatens programme's future". Flight International. Vol. 147, no. 4460. p. 8. ISSN 0015-3710. Archived from the original on 2016-09-11. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
- ^ "Human error blamed in An-70 crash". Flight International. Vol. 147, no. 4464. 1995-03-22. p. 19. ISSN 0015-3710. Archived from the original on 2016-09-11. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-72 ER-ACF between Abidjan and Rundu". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-74TK-200 UR-74038 Kousséri". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ "Cameroun: Le crash d'un cargo militaire libyen à Kousseri fait six morts" [Cameroon: The crash of a Libyan military cargo ship in Kousseri kills six]. Grand-nord Cameroun (in French). 2006-04-25. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-74T-200 15-2255 Tehran-Mehrabad Airport (THR)". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ Toh, Mavis (2012-12-26). "An-72 crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 27". Flightglobal. Singapore. Archived from the original on 2012-12-30.
- ^ "Military plane carrying 27 crashes in Kazakhstan". Agence France-Presse. 2012-12-25. Archived from the original on 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
- ^ "An-72 crash site located in Democratic Republic of Congo". TASS. Moscow. 2019-10-11. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-72 EK-72903 Kole". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ Gunston, Bill (1995-09-11). The Osprey Encyclopædia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-405-3. OL 8992870M.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- An-72/An-74 Family (Data for An-72A & List of all known An-72/An-74 Family variants )
- An-74 Pictures
- AN-74TK-300 modification at Antonov's site
- AN-74T modification at Antonov's site
- AN-74T-200A INFO
- AN-74TK-300D INFO
- "An-71, O.K.Antonov 'Madcap'". Russian Aviation Museum. 1999-06-18. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01.
- An-71 Article, Images Archived 2009-09-22 at the Wayback Machine
- An-71 Specs at globalsecurity.org