Engineering:Antonov An-72

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Short description: Transport aircraft by Antonov
An-72
Russian Air Force - Antonov An-72.jpg
A Russian Air Force An-72 on short final in to Chkalovsky Airport
Role Transport aircraft
National origin Soviet Union/Ukraine
Manufacturer Antonov
Status In service
Primary users Russian Aerospace Forces
  • Russian Navy
  • Angolan Air Force
Produced 1977–present
Number built 195 (An-72 & An-74)[1]
Variants Antonov An-74
Developed into Antonov An-71

The Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name: Coaler) is a Soviet/Ukraine transport aircraft, developed by Antonov. It was designed as an STOL transport and intended as a replacement for the Antonov An-26,[2] 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

An unusual design feature of the An-72 is the use of the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, using engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift.

The An-72 first flew on Template:Date2 and was likely developed as a response to the never-manufactured USAF Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) initiated ten years earlier.[3] 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 Template:Date2, but production started in the late 1980s. The powerplant used is the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine.[4] The An-72 resembles the unsuccessful Boeing YC-14,[5] a prototype design from the early 1970s (design submitted to the United States Air Force in February 1972,[6]) 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.[7]

Operation

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).[8] 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

Russian Border Guard An-72P at Vladivostok Airport
  • 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.[9]
  • An-72R (also known as An-72BR): Prototype electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, with conformal antenna fairings running up each side of the fuselage.[10] Known as 'Aircraft 88' during development and erroneously known as An-88.
  • An-72-100: Demilitarized An-72.[10]
  • An-72-100D: Demilitarized An-72S.[10]
  • 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

A Russian Navy An-72 showing the front view that resembles 'Cheburashka'.
Ukraine National Guard An-72 at Zhulyany Airport
Kazakhstan Border Guard Antonov An-72-100

Civilian operators

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:

  •  Ukraine
    • Motor Sich Airlines: 1

Military operators

As of December 2021, 45 aircraft are in military service:[11]

Former military operators

Accidents and incidents

(As of May 2022), there have been 24 known accidents and incidents involving the An-72 or An-74; of these, the following involved fatalities:[13]

  • Template:Date2 — 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.[14]
  • Template:Date2 — 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.[15] The An-72 lost a right wing flap,[16] but it was able to return to base safely.[15]
  • Template:Date2 — 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.[17]
  • Template:Date2 — UR-74038 carrying food aid to Chad from Libya crashed in Cameroon, killing all 6 crew.[18][19]
  • Template:Date2 — An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force An-72 crashed after takeoff from Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, killing 37 of the 38 aboard.[20]
  • Template:Date2 — An An-72 carrying Kazakhstani border patrol officials crashed in Shymkent, killing all 27 people on board.[21][22]
  • Template:Date2 — An An-72 operated for the Air Force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 4 crew and 4 passengers crashed in Congo; none survived.[23][24]

Specifications (An-72)

Antonov An-72 3view.svg

Data from The Osprey Encyclopædia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995[25]

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

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Reyestr: Quintero An-72" (in ru). http://russianplanes.net/planelist/Antonov/An-72/74. 
  2. ↑ Frawley, Gerard (2002). The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002–2003. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. pp. 27. ISBN 1-875671-55-2. 
  3. ↑ "An-72 Coaler (Antonov)" (in en-US). 2011-07-09. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/an-72.htm. 
  4. ↑ Penney, Stewart (1999-08-04). "Military Aircraft Directory Part 1" (in en-GB). London: FlightGlobal. https://www.flightglobal.com/military-aircraft-directory-part-1/27923.article. 
  5. ↑ Sweetman, Bill (1978-01-21). "New Stol freighter unveiled" (in en-GB). Flight International: 163. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1978/1978%20-%200107.html. Retrieved 2022-05-27. 
  6. ↑ "1975 - 0194 - Flight Archive". https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%200194.html. 
  7. ↑ "Russia upgrading An-72 airlifters for Artic operations" (in en-US). Air Recognition. 2018-06-08. http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2018/june/4326-russia-upgrading-an-72-airlifters-for-artic-operations.html. Retrieved 2018-06-10. 
  8. ↑ "Technical Characteristics" (in en). http://www.m9.com.ua/en/vs/passenger/an-74/characteristics.html. 
  9. ↑ (in en-GB) Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide (2nd ed.). Janes Information Services. 1999-09-22. ISBN 978-000-4722-12-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=ipivQgAACAAJ. Retrieved 2022-05-27. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Antonov An-72 & An-74". http://www.airvectors.net/avan72.html. 
  11. ↑ "World Air Forces 2022" (in en-US). https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/26019/waf/. 
  12. ↑ "Парад на честь 30-ї річниці незалежності України. Авіаційна частина параду - Авіамузей". https://aviamuseum.com.ua/en/news/news/museum-news/1029-parade-in-honor-of-the-30th-anniversary-of-ukraines-independence-aviation-component. Retrieved 15 April 2023. 
  13. ↑ "ASN Aviation Safety Database" (in en). https://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?sorteer=casualties,datekey&kind=%&cat=%&page=1&field=typecode&var=04A%. 
  14. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-74 CCCP-74002 Lensk Airport" (in en). https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19910917-3. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Velovich, Alexander (1995-02-22). "An-70 crash threatens programme's future". Flight International 147 (4460): 8. ISSN 0015-3710. https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1995/1995%20-%200385.html. Retrieved 2016-09-12. 
  16. ↑ "Human error blamed in An-70 crash". Flight International 147 (4464): 19. 1995-03-22. ISSN 0015-3710. https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1995/1995%20-%200704.html. Retrieved 2016-09-12. 
  17. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-72 ER-ACF between Abidjan and Rundu". http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19971222-1. 
  18. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-74TK-200 UR-74038 Kousséri" (in en). https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20060423-0. 
  19. ↑ "Cameroun: Le crash d'un cargo militaire libyen à Kousseri fait six morts" (in fr). 2006-04-25. http://nordcameroun.canalblog.com/archives/2006/04/25/1763815.html. 
  20. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-74T-200 15-2255 Tehran-Mehrabad Airport (THR)" (in en). https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20061127-0. 
  21. ↑ Toh, Mavis (2012-12-26). "An-72 crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 27". Flightglobal (Singapore). http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/an-72-crashes-in-kazakhstan-killing-27-380530/. 
  22. ↑ "Military plane carrying 27 crashes in Kazakhstan". 2012-12-25. https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g8Le2EXtf2MH7MU7Z38cQTXwj1gQ?docId=CNG.1a962f08fb17905ad4726d7afedc5cd8.e1. 
  23. ↑ "An-72 crash site located in Democratic Republic of Congo" (in en). Moscow. 2019-10-11. https://tass.com/emergencies/1082785. 
  24. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An-72 EK-72903 Kole" (in en). https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20191010-0. 
  25. ↑ Gunston, Bill (1995-09-11). The Osprey Encyclopædia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-8553-2405-3. https://ospreypublishing.com/the-osprey-encyclopedia-of-russian-aircraft-1875-1995-hb. 

External links



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