Antonov An-225 Mriya

Antonov An-225 Mriya

 

Role:                                Outsize cargo freight aircraft

National Origin:                Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR)

Design Group:                  Antonov

Built by:                           Antonov Serial Production Plant

First Flight:                       21 December 1988

Last Flight:                       05 February 2022

Status :                            Destroyed

on 27 February, a press release by Ukroboronprom confirmed that the An-225 was destroyed. Ukroboronprom said that they planned to rebuild the plane at the Russians' expense. The statement said: "The restoration is estimated to take over 3 billion USD and over five years. Our task is to ensure that these costs are covered by the Russian Federation, which has caused Intentional damage to Ukraine's Aviation and the Air Cargo sector. The Ukrainian Government also said that it would be rebuilt.

Produced:                        1985

Number Built:                   1

Developed from:               Antonov An-124

Developed into:                Antonov AKS

Primary User:                   Antonov Airlines

Specifications

General Characteristics:

Crew:                               6

Capacity:                         253.820 tons (559,580 lb)

Length:                            84 m (275 ft 7 in)

Wingspan:                        88.4 m (290 ft 0 in)

Height:                            18.1 m (59 ft 5 in)

Wing Area:                       905 m2 (9,740 sq ft)

Aspect Ratio:                    8.6

Empty Weight:                  285,000 kg (628,317 lb)

Max Takeoff Weight:         640,000 kg (1,410,958 lb)

Fuel capacity:                  300,000 kg (660,000 lb)

Cargo Hold:                      Volume 1,300 m3 (46,000 cu ft), 43.35 m (142.2 ft) Long × 6.4 m (21 ft)

Wide × 4.4 m (14 ft) tall

Powerplant:                     6 × Progress D-18T Turbofans, 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) Thrust each

Performance:

Maximum Speed:              850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn)

Cruise Speed:                   800 km/h (500 mph, 430 kn)

Range:                             15,400 km (9,600 mi, 8,300 nmi) with maximum fuel; range with 200 tonnes payload: 4,000 km (2,500 mi)

Service Ceiling:                11,000 m (36,000 ft)

Wing Loading:                  662.9 kg/m2 (135.8 lb/sq ft)

Thrust/Weight:                0.234

The Antonov An-225 Mriya (Ukrainian: Антонов Ан-225 Мрія, lit. ''DREAM' or 'INSPIRATION''; NATO Reporting Name: Cossack) was a Strategic Airlift Cargo Aircraft Designed in the Year1980 by the Antonov Design Bureau in Soviet Ukraine. It was originally developed as an Enlargement of the Antonov An-124 to Transport Buran-Class Orbiters and only one example was ever completed. After successfully fulfilling its Military Missions, the Aircraft was Mothballed for eight years. It was then Refurbished and Reintroduced into Commercial Operation with Antonov Airlines, carrying oversized payloads. While a Second Airframe with a Slightly Different Configuration was partially built, construction was halted more than once due to a lack of funding and interest. This second aircraft was last brought up to 60–70% completion in 2009.

 With a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tons (705 short tons), the An-225 held Several Records, including Heaviest Aircraft ever Built and Largest Wingspan of any Aircraft in Operational Service. The Mriya attracted a high degree of Public Interest, Attaining a Global following due to its Size and its Uniqueness. People Frequently Visited Airports to see its Scheduled Arrivals and Departures.

The most Noticeable and probably most Famous, technological Feature of the AN-225 Mriya is its engines. AN225 has six engines and 32 wheels to support its huge wingspan of 290 feet. AN225 is bigger than the A380. 

The An-225 was destroyed in the Battle of Antonov Airport during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Source: google; wikipedia; Aircharter;