Antonov AN-225 The Largest Cargo Aircraft In The World

Antonov An-225 Mriya

This is one cool airplane.  Its the Antonov An-225 Mriya, the largest and heaviest fixed-wing aircraft in the world. Its maximum takeoff weight is 1,323,000 lb and it will fly 9,570 miles non stop.

The Antonov An-225 was designed for the Soviet space program as a replacement for the Myasishchev VM-T. Able to airlift the Energia rocket’s boosters and the Buran space shuttle, its mission and objectives are almost identical to that of the United States’ Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

The An-225 first flew on 21 December 1988. The aircraft was on static display at the Paris Air Show in 1989 and it flew during the public days at the Farnborough air show in 1990. Two aircraft were ordered, but only one An-225 (tail number UR-82060) was finished. It used to be commercially available for carrying ultra-heavy and oversize freight, up to 250,000 kg (550,000 lb) internally, or 200,000 kg (440,000 lb) on the upper fuselage. Cargo on the upper fuselage can be 70 metres (230 ft) long.

A second An-225 was partially built during the late 1980s for the Soviet space program. The second An-225 included a rear cargo door and a redesigned tail with a single vertical stabilizer. It was planned to be more effective for cargo transportation. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the cancellation of the Buran space program, the lone operational An-225 was placed in storage in 1994. The six Ivchenko Progress engines were removed for use on An-124s, and the second uncompleted An-225 airframe was also stored. The first An-225 was later re-engined and put into service.

By 2000, it had become apparent of the need for additional An-225 capacity, the decision was made in September 2006 to complete the second An-225. The second airframe was scheduled for completion around 2008, then delayed. By August 2009, the aircraft had not been completed and work had been abandoned.

General characteristics

• Crew: 6
• Payload: 250,000 kg (550,000 lb)
• Door dimensions: 440 x 640 cm (14.4 x 21 ft)
• Length: 84 m (275.6 ft)
• Wingspan: 88.4 m (290 ft 2 in)
• Height: 18.1 m (59.3 ft)
• Wing area: 905 m² (9,743.7 ft²)
• Cargo Volume: 1,300 m³ (46,000 cu ft))
• Empty weight: 285,000 kg (628,315 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 640,000 kg (1,323,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 6× ZMKB Progress D-18 turbofans, 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) each
• Takeoff run: 3,500 m (11,500 ft) with maximum payload

Performance

• Maximum speed: 850 km/h (460 knots, 530 mph)
• Cruise speed: 800 km/h (430 knots, 500 mph)
• Range:
  • With maximum fuel: 15,400 km (9,570 mi)
  • With maximum payload: 4,000 km (2,500 mi))
• Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,100 ft)
• Wing loading: 662.9 kg/m² (135.5 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.234