First An-178 prototype reaches final assembly

Photo:Antonov First prototype of the Antonov AN−178 medium transport plane has reached final assembly stage following completion of fusel...

Photo:Antonov

First prototype of the Antonov AN−178 medium transport plane has reached final assembly stage following completion of fuselage jig assembly on July 29.

The final assembly consists joining of main airframe units (wing, empennage, pylons, nacelles, etc.), installation of aircraft systems, development of aircraft equipment and preparation of the aircraft to its first flight and beginning of certification tests.

Photo:Antonov

The An-178 frieghter is designed to replace the current four engined turboprop medium aircraft like the Soviet era An-12 and C-160 Tansals with twin jets. Having close fuel consumption by the hour, twin jets provides much higher efficiency owing to higher cruising speed, Antonov says.

The An−178 is a development of the An-148 and An-158 passenger aircraft family, which can carry from 68 to 99 passengers.

The An-178 will carry out missions like logistic support to troops, airdropping, resupply, delivery of equipment and engines.

It is designed to carry cargo weighing up to 18 tons and can operate from unpaved and semi prepared runways.

An-178 can carry all the type of the existing packaged freights (containerized and palletized ones), including high−capacity containers 1C (sea containers).

This is the first paperless design effort by Antonov, based on PLM environment of NX/TeamCenter electronic annotated 3D models, which saved time and labour.