Antonov rolled out the first flight test prototype of the AN-178 medium lift airlifter on April 15.
Antonov rolled out the first flight test prototype of the AN-178 medium lift airlifter on April 15.
The transport aircraft based on the AN-158 airliner, has a maximum payload capacity of 18 tons and a maximum range of 4000 km.
The aircraft is designed to replace the ageing AN-12 medium turboprop transport plane, of which more than 1400 were produced and still in widespread use by CIS countries, Africa and Asia. Besides, the AN-178 is suggested as a replacement to the European C-160 Transal turboprop.
The AN-178 features the usual high-wing transport aircraft design with moderately swept wing, winglets and a T-tail. The airframe is made of aluminium alloys and composite materials. The fuselage is semi- monocoque with a circular cross-section.
The retractable landing gear consists of two main wheel bogies and a single nose wheel. The flight control system is dual duplex fly-by-wire system. It is powered by two Ivchenko Progress D-436-148FM turbofan engines, mounted on pylons under the wings.
Antonov is also building a second AN−178, to be used for performing complex strength and fatigue tests.
Besides, the new aircraft will be able to be operated at the altitudes of up to 12.2 km, while the AN-12 cruising speed is limited by 8.5 km.
The most important feature of the AN−178 is possibility to transport of all packaged cargoes existing in the world, including large−sized 1C maritime containers. This makes the aircraft an irreplaceable transport for logistic support in commercial operation and in conditions of emergency situations.
Development of this family started in 2004 with creation of the AN-148-100 regional passenger jet. Today it consists of 8 aircraft that are certified and serially produced. This is a row of regional passenger aircraft: the AN-148-100A/B/E, AN148-200, AN-158, aircraft with English cockpit and special purpose variants: the AN-148100EA VIP and the AN-148100EM ambulance. The AN-148-300 with increased flight range is now being designed.
