Tag Archives: ANTONOV

Air Force

Maiden flight

ANTONOV Airlines’ new multipurpose aircraft, the AN-132D, took to the skies for its maiden flight on March 31, 2017, from the company’s airfield in Kiev, Ukraine.

ANTONOV AN-132 makes first flight
ANTONOV AN-132 makes first flight

The first prototype of the new aircraft flew for 1 hour and 50 minutes captained by ANTONOV test pilot 1st class, Victor Goncharov, accompanied by test pilot General Mohammed Ayash of the Taqnia Aeronautics Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, co-piloted by ANTONOV test pilot, 2nd class, Bohdan Zagoruyko. Volodymyr Nesterenko, a leading ANTONOV test flight engineer, was also on board the flight, which was escorted by a new AN-178 jet transport.

The AN-132 programme is being developed following a contract with a customer from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in close cooperation with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Тaqnia Aeronautics Co. Leading suppliers of the global aircraft industry are involved in the project.

The AN-132D was met by Piotr Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, and the aircraft creators at the ANTONOV Company’s flight test base. The head of the state thanked the participants of the programme and said in particular: «I am proud of my compatriots, thousands of employees of ANTONOV Company and other enterprises of Ukraine, who have worked and will do a lot to launch series production of this aircraft. But today the important event was happened – our aircraft rose into the sky. I saw the aircraft landing. It was well done»!

Oleksandr Kotsiuba, President of ANTONOV, congratulated colleagues and partners on the successful completion of this stage of the programme’s development.

According to him, the next important step will be the presentation of the AN-132D in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which will be conducted after the completion of more aircraft tests.

In his turn Dr. Khaled Abdullah Alhussain, Director of National Aerospace Technology Center of King Abdulaziz City Science and Technology, emphasized importance of AN-132 for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He expressed confidence, that the sky of his country will meet this aircraft hospitably and will become a native for it.

The AN-132 multipurpose turboprop aircraft is intended for operation on short and medium-haul routes.

The new aircraft will perform various tasks including the transportation of raw materials, mail and other cargo, including bulk cargo, ULDs and light self-propelled and non-self-propelled vehicles weighing up to 9.2 tonnes.

The aircraft will also be deployed for emergencies, including civilian and casualty evacuation from disaster areas and airdropping paratroop rescue teams.

Air Force

AN-132D demonstrator

On December 20, 2016, rollout ceremony of the AN-132D aircraft-demonstrator, the first prototype of a new AN-132D multipurpose transport, was held. It will take a proper place in the line of the world-known ANTONOV transport aircraft.

ANTONOV Company completed construction of a new AN-132D aircraft
ANTONOV Company completed construction of a new AN-132D aircraft

Programme of the AN-132D creation is realized in accordance with the contract with the customer from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), in close cooperation with King Abdulaziz City Science and Technology (KACST) and Тaqnia Aeronautics Co. Enterprises of aircraft industry of Ukraine and leading suppliers of world aviation industry are involved in the project. In this programme ANTONOV Company represents Ukraine as an integrator of international cooperation, holder of high technologies.

Paying high attention to this event on the international level, the officials took part in the rollout ceremony, including: Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, and His Highness, Prince of KSA Turki Saud Mohammed Al Saud, representatives of governments of both countries, deputies of Ukraine, representatives of diplomatic missions of different countries.

The President of Ukraine gave a command to roll out the aircraft.

In his speech at the ceremony, Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, thanked ANTONOV’s team for conscientious works and said in particular: «This event is a result of productive, energetic work of ANTONOV Company and dozens of other enterprises of aircraft industry of Ukraine. This is our joint victory! AN-132D is a real international project. For the first time so many leading company of the world aviation field take part in development of the multipurpose transport aircraft. We are obliged to our partners from Canada, Great Britain, USA, Germany, France and other countries, which participate in creation of this new competitive aircraft. So, on the AN-132D platform we gathered cluster the best companies of the world aviation industry».

The AN-132D rollout ceremony was conducted under presence of heads of the companies-partners, including Doctor Khaled Abdullah Alhussain, Director of National Aerospace Technology Center of KACST, and Major General (retired) Ali M. Alghamdi, Chief executive officer (CEO) of Тaqnia Aeronautics Co.

The photos were given by Administration of the President of Ukraine
The photos were given by Administration of the President of Ukraine
Air Force

Completing assembly

According to Unian news agency, Ukraine’s state-owned enterprise Antonov, the only Ukrainian designer and manufacturer of cargo and passenger planes, completes the work on the assembly of the first An-132 aircraft.

The first An-132D twin turboprop transport aircraft on the Antonov final assembly line (Antonov photo)
The first An-132D twin turboprop transport aircraft on the Antonov final assembly line (Antonov photo)

Photos have been published on Facebook, confirming that the plane is almost ready: its fuselage has been fully assembled, as well as wings and engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada have been installed. As UNIAN reported earlier, the aircraft will be rolled out from a hangar in December.

Oleksandr Khokhlov, the director of the An-132 program and deputy chief designer at Antonov, earlier said in an interview with UNIAN that in the framework of the contract with the Arabian KACST, the company plans to send the first aircraft An-132 to the customer, Saudi Arabia, in the first quarter of 2017.

State-owned Antonov is the manufacturer of cargo and passenger aircraft, as well as special purpose aircraft. Among the company’s most recognized projects are the An-32, An-148, An-158, An-74, An-124, An-70 and An-225.

Saudi Arabia has ordered 30 of these aircraft, some of which will be assembled locally (Antonov photo)
Saudi Arabia has ordered 30 of these aircraft, some of which will be assembled locally (Antonov photo)
Air Force

Assembly of the AN-132

ANTONOV Company has 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.

The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26
The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26

PW150A engines of Pratt & Whitney Canada to be delivered in April. Cooperation agreement of the AN-132 programme was signed with this company in October 2015.

The programme 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 270 knots/311 mph/500 km/h, cruising flight altitude up to 29,528 feet/9,000 m, payload up to 20,282.5 lbs/9.2 t.

 

Air Force

New Transports

On December 29, 2015, ANTONOV Company completed assembly of a fuselage for the second experimental AN-178 medium transport aircraft and aggregates of a fuselage for the first AN-132 demonstrator light transport aircraft. Ceremony of roll out of the AN-178 fuselage and AN-132 nose part was held in one of the ANTONOV’s assembly shops. Congratulating the collective on this result, Mykhaylo Gvozdov, Head of ANTONOV Company, said in particular: «These works were performed in strict compliance with a schedule. So, we are meeting our engagements in relation to our partners and fixed terms of these programmes development».

The completed fuselage of the second AN-178 transport aircraft (right) is partly hidden by the fuselage of the first AN-132 demonstrator at ANTONOV’s main assembly plant in Ukraine (ANTONOV photo)
The completed fuselage of the second AN-178 transport aircraft (right) is partly hidden by the fuselage of the first AN-132 demonstrator at ANTONOV’s main assembly plant in Ukraine (ANTONOV photo)

In the ANTONOV Company’s history the year of 2015 is the year of new ANTONOV transport aircraft. The enterprise completed the AN-178 prototype and began the flight test programme. Demonstration of the AN-178 at the biggest air shows in Paris and Dubai attracted attention of many potential customers. Till present, firm orders for 40 such airplanes were received.

Agreement as for joint realization of the AN-132 programme was reached with KACST – King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). This aircraft can be most efficiently operated under conditions of Saudi Arabia and other countries of the region. Besides, Memorandums concerning interactions on promotion of the aircraft of various purposes of the AN-148, AN-158, AN-132 and AN-178 families were signed.

In 2015, AN-70 military Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) transport was adopted by Armed Forces of Ukraine. The special tests programme was begun.

ANTONOV met its commitments on delivery of six passenger regional AN-158 jets to «Cubana de Aviacion», Cuba.

According to Mykhaylo Gvozdov, «Our collective has a lot of work ahead! First of all, it is necessary to decide important problems of import replacement, enter into new markets, establishment of powerful system of the ANTONOV aircraft after-sale support. I wish you a Happy New Year, health, peace, mutual understanding and new achievements»!

In 2016, ANTONOV Company will celebrate two important events: 110th anniversary of Oleg Antonov’s birthday and 70th anniversary since the enterprise foundation. ANTONOV team addressed Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, with proposal to announce the year 2016 as the ANTONOV’s year in Ukraine.

Construction of the AN-132 new multipurpose transport is being launched
Construction of the AN-132 new multipurpose transport is being launched

 

AN-132D

The AN-132 – intended for short- and medium-haul routes – will have varied use and can be outfitted with a variety of cabin configurations. The aircraft will have a maximum cruising speed of 500 kilometers per hour and a maximum cruising altitude of 9,000 meters with a maximum payload of 9.2 tonnes. Antonov projects a potential market for the aircraft of 200 units between 2018 and 2025. AN-132D maiden flight is expected to be ready for demonstration late 2016.

 

Air Force

30 AN-178 to Saudi

On December 17, 2015, ANTONOV Company and «ТAQNIA AERONAUTICS», Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed the «Memorandum of Understanding». This document confirms the parties’ intention to deliver 30 multipurpose AN-178 aircraft to Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).

The Antonov An-178 will equip the Royal Saudi Air Force
The Antonov An-178 will equip the Royal Saudi Air Force

According to Retired Major General Ali Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, President of «ТAQNIA AERONAUTICS», «Signing of this Memorandum is the next significant step in development of our cooperation. We have signed the documents on interaction within the programme of the AN-132 new transport and further promotion of the AN-148 special-purpose versions. We choose the AN-178 taking into account good characteristics of this aircraft. Its price and low operational costs are important advantages of this aircraft in comparison with other airplanes of this class. Besides, we will realize joint marketing policy on promotion of the AN-178 into the markets of other countries of Middle East. In the future we plan cooperative production of this aircraft».

Oleksandr Kotsiuba, First Vice President of ANTONOV Company, said: «This event became one more confirmation of mutual aspiration of Ukraine and Saudi Arabia in development of strategic partnership in the field of aircraft industry. Signing of this Memorandum verifies that the AN-178 is a modern, reliable and effective airplane, which is requested by customers. We are obliged to our partners and ready to fulfill our obligations in accordance with the signed agreements».

Saudi Arabia plans to assemble it under license and to procure other Antonov medium twin-engined transports, such as the An-132 and the An-148
Saudi Arabia plans to assemble it under license and to procure other Antonov medium twin-engined transports, such as the An-132 and the An-148

 

Characteristics

Crew 4
Length 32.95 m/108.1 feet
Wingspan 28.84 m/94.62 feet
Height 10.14 m/33.27 feet
Wing area 87.32 m2/939.9 feet2
Maximum payload 18 tonnes/39,683 lbs
Cargo hold measuring (including ramp) 16.65 m/54.63 feet
Cargo hold measuring (excluding ramp) 12.85 m/42.16 feet
Cargo width at the floor 2.75 m/9 feet
Cargo height 2.75 m/9 feet
Cargo floor area 40 m2/430.5 feet2
Cargo hold volume 125 m3/ 4,414.3 feet3
Powerplant 2 × Progress D-436-148FM Turbofan
Cruise speed 445 knots/512 mph/824 km/h
Service ceiling 12,200 m/40,026 feet
Range 2,970 NM/3,417.5 miles/5,500 km
Range fully loaded 540 NM/621 miles/1,000 km

 

The maiden flight of the new AN-178 transport aircraft in the capital Kiev

Air Force

AN will be powered

On October 15, 2015, ANTONOV Company included into UKROBORONPROM State Concern and Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) signed the contract on equipment of AN-132D DEMO aircraft with engines. According to the contract terms, two PW150A engines will be delivered in April 2016. AN-132D maiden flight is expected to be ready for demonstration late 2016.

Construction of the AN-132 new multipurpose transport is being launched
Construction of the AN-132 new multipurpose transport is being launched

The programme of AN-132 light multi-purpose airplane is realized by ANTONOV Company with participation from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Oleksandr Kotsiuba, the First Vice President of ANTONOV Company, said: «This event is significant for both the AN-132 programme and aircraft industry of Ukraine as a whole. The global market demand for the AN-132 is estimated as many as 200 units from 2018 to 2025. We are reaching the new level of international partnership and quality of our aircraft. The engine is the airplane’s heart, and we are confident in reliability of the new ANTONOV transport».

«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 long-term potential for the programme is estimated to be in the order of 400 PW150A engines.

The AN-132 – intended for short- and medium-haul routes – will have varied use and can be outfitted with a variety of cabin configurations. The aircraft will have a maximum cruising speed of 500 kilometers per hour and a maximum cruising altitude of 9,000 meters with a maximum payload of 9.2 tonnes. Antonov projects a potential market for the aircraft of 200 units between 2018 and 2025.

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.

As a total, more than 20 enterprises of aircraft industry of Ukraine are included into UKROBORONPROM State Concern. Basing on results of effective activity of enterprises of UKROBORONPROM State Concern, the Government of Ukraine took decision to pass ANTONOV Company, Kharkiv State Aircraft Manufacturing Company and SE «Plant 410 of Civil Aviation» under the Concern’s management.

Richard Dussault (left) and Frederic Lefebvre in flight simulator of the AN-148
Richard Dussault (left) and Frederic Lefebvre in flight simulator of the AN-148
Air Force

Maiden flight

On May 7, 2015, the AN-178 new transport, created by ANTONOV in cooperation with partners from 15 countries, performed maiden flight.

Being a representative of the family of regional aircraft, already known worldwide, the AN-178 is also being considered as a basic platform for designing of a number of modifications of civil and military destinations
Being a representative of the family of regional aircraft, already known worldwide, the AN-178 is also being considered as a basic platform for designing of a number of modifications of civil and military destinations

The first 1-hour duration flight performed a crew of ANTONOV test pilots, composed of: Andrii Spasibo, test pilot of the 1st class – the crew captain, Sergii Troshyn, test pilot of the 1st class, Hero of Ukraine – the 2nd pilot, Mykola Sydorenko, leading test engineer. After landing in Kyiv-Antonov airport (Gostomel) the crew reported on a successful flight task realization to Dmytro Kiva, President – General Designer.

According to Jane’s Defence Weekly, no specific details relating to the flight were revealed, neither were the timelines for the remainder of the flight test process or production plans for prospective military customers.

First revealed in February 2010, the twinjet An-178 is intended to replace the An-12 «Cub», the An-26 «Curl», and An-32 «Cline» airlifters. The An-178 is, in essence, an An-158 regional jet with a rear-loading ramp (the two types share a number of components, including the front fuselage and cockpit, and nosewheel leg).

While the AN-178 designing, requests of both commercial airlines and military aircraft operators including Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Ukraine were taken in account
While the AN-178 designing, requests of both commercial airlines and military aircraft operators including Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Ukraine were taken in account

The AN-178 with km fuel consumption practically equal to the AN-12 will have essentially higher productivity owing to cruising speed increased on 35%. Besides, the new aircraft will be able to be operated at the altitudes of up to 12,200 m/40,026 feet, while the AN-12 cruising speed is limited by 8,500 m/27,887 feet. One of the most important advantages of the AN-178 over AN-12 is its correspondence to modern standards of airworthiness, and to perspective demands taking into account further aircraft development.

The unique feature of the AN-178 is ability to carry all the types of the existing packaged freights (containerized and palletized ones), including high capacity 1C containers (sea container) with lateral sizes of 2.44×2.44 m/8×8 feet. This makes it an indispensable transport to provide logistic support in commercial operation and in armed forces, as well as operations under emergency situations. As all ANTONOV aircraft, the AN-178 inherits such necessary for military transport aircraft qualities as basing on poor equipped, unpaved airfields, autonomy, high reliability and vitality.

Decision as for start of the AN-178 program was taken basing on estimation of the world market demands
Decision as for start of the AN-178 program was taken basing on estimation of the world market demands

 

Characteristics

Crew 4
Length 32.95 m/108.1 feet
Wingspan 28.84 m/94.62 feet
Height 10.14 m/33.27 feet
Wing area 87.32 m2/939.9 feet2
Maximum payload 18 tonnes/39,683 lbs
Cargo hold measuring (including ramp) 16.65 m/54.63 feet
Cargo hold measuring (excluding ramp) 12.85 m/42.16 feet
Cargo width at the floor 2.75 m/9 feet
Cargo height 2.75 m/9 feet
Cargo floor area 40 m2/430.5 feet2
Cargo hold volume 125 m3/ 4,414.3 feet3
Powerplant 2 × Progress D-436-148FM Turbofan
Cruise speed 445 knots/512 mph/824 km/h
Service ceiling 12,200 m/40,026 feet
Range 2,970 NM/3,417.5 miles/5,500 km
Range fully loaded 540 NM/621 miles/1,000 km

The AN-178, created on the basis of wide ANTONOV experience in the field of transport aircraft design in combination with the newest aviation technologies in the world, is the further development of the AN-148/AN-158 family of regional jets of different purposes

The AN-178, created on the basis of wide ANTONOV experience in the field of transport aircraft design in combination with the newest aviation technologies in the world, is the further development of the AN-148/AN-158 family of regional jets of different purposes

 

Ukrainian state-run aircraft manufacturer ANTONOV on May 7, 2015 held the maiden flight of its new AN-178 transport aircraft in the capital Kiev, marking another step towards replacing the nation’s aging transport aircraft

 

Air Force

Ready for the tests

ANTONOV State Company sincerely welcomes its partners on the program of the AN-178 new transport creation with finalization of an important stage – construction of this aircraft first prototype and its transmission to start the certification tests program.

Several foreign aircraft operators have already expressed their interest in use of the AN-178
Several foreign aircraft operators have already expressed their interest in use of the AN-178

The AN-178, created on the basis of wide ANTONOV experience in the field of transport aircraft design in combination with the newest aviation technologies in the world, is the further development of the AN-148/AN-158 family of regional jets of different purposes. Until present, there was not ramp transport aircraft in the family, i.e. the class that is core for ANTONOV and where the enterprise’s experience is recognized all over the world. The AN-178 refers to this class. With creating this aircraft, ANTONOV made one more important step toward realization of the enterprise development formula:

  • To develop what the market needs;
  • To develop with minimum expenses;
  • To develop families of aircraft;
  • To support and maintain own product within its full lifetime.

Decision as for start of the AN-178 program was taken basing on estimation of the world market demands. While the AN-178 designing, requests of both commercial airlines and military aircraft operators including Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Ukraine were taken in account. As a result, while the aircraft creation a replacement of the AN-12 medium four turboprop-powered transport at higher technical level was defined to be the priority task. Overall more than 1,400 AN-12 were produced. These aircraft are still widespread in CIS countries, Africa and Asia. Besides, the AN-178 is suggested as a replacement for the C-160 European twin turboprop-powered transport for customers focused on the Western aircraft (214 aircraft were assembled).

D-436-148FM mid-flight engines to be installed on the AN-178 are further development of a power plant, applied on the AN-148 and AN-158
D-436-148FM mid-flight engines to be installed on the AN-178 are further development of a power plant, applied on the AN-148 and AN-158

The AN-178 with km fuel consumption practically equal to the AN-12 will have essentially higher productivity owing to cruising speed increased on 35%. Besides, the new aircraft will be able to be operated at the altitudes of up to 12,200 m/40,026 feet, while the AN-12 cruising speed is limited by 8,500 m/27,887 feet. One of the most important advantages of the AN-178 over AN-12 is its correspondence to modern standards of airworthiness, and to perspective demands taking into account further aircraft development.

The unique feature of the AN-178 is ability to carry all the types of the existing packaged freights (containerized and palletized ones), including high capacity 1C containers (sea container) with lateral sizes of 2.44×2.44 m/8×8 feet. This makes it an indispensable transport to provide logistic support in commercial operation and in armed forces, as well as operations under emergency situations. As all ANTONOV aircraft, the AN-178 inherits such necessary for military transport aircraft qualities as basing on poor equipped, unpaved airfields, autonomy, high reliability and vitality.

Being a representative of the family of regional aircraft, already known worldwide, the AN-178 is also being considered as a basic platform for designing of a number of modifications of civil and military destinations. This development is possible not only in direction of development of functionally different variants and modifications, but also by the way of setting units, systems and equipment of alternative designers on it. This let extend potential aircraft market and maximally adapt it to unique customers’ requirements.

One more important component to influence market attractiveness of the new product is existence of a flight simulator for training flight crews
One more important component to influence market attractiveness of the new product is existence of a flight simulator for training flight crews

 

Characteristics

Crew 4
Length 32.95 m/108.1 feet
Wingspan 28.84 m/94.62 feet
Height 10.14 m/33.27 feet
Wing area 87.32 m2/939.9 feet2
Powerplant 2 × Progress D-436-148FM Turbofan
Cruise speed 432 knots/497 mph/800 km/h
Service ceiling 12,200 m/40,026 feet
Range 2,970 NM/3,417.5 miles/5,500 km
Pilots for AN-178 will be trained in the Flight Crews Training of ANTONOV Company
Pilots for AN-178 will be trained in the Flight Crews Training of ANTONOV Company