Antonov An-70

The Antonov An-70 is a next-generation four-engine medium-distance transport aircraft, and the first large aircraft to be powered by propfan engines. Developed by Ukraine's Antonov design bureau to replace the obsolete An-12 military transport, work on the An-70 began in Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

The maiden flight of the first prototype took place on December 16, 1994 in Kiev, Ukraine.


Technology
Fully fly-by-wire, the An-70 features a glass cockpit with all electronic instruments, and uses composite materials throughout. Powered by four propfans — Progress D-27 engines, each turning a pair of contra-rotating scimitar propellers — it can reach ninety percent efficiency in cruise at jet speeds.

Specifications (An-70)

General characteristics

Crew: 3-5
Capacity: 300 troops or 206 wounded
Payload: 47 tonnes (2.25g) (103,620 lb (2.25g)) of cargo
Length: 40.7 m (133 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 44.06 m (144 ft 7 in)
Height: 16.38 m (53 ft 9 in)
Empty weight: 66,230 kg (146,000 lb)
Loaded weight: 108,860 kg (240,000 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 145,000 kg (2.25g) (319,725 lb (2.25g))
Powerplant: 4× Progress D-27 propfans, 10,350 kW (14,000 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 780 km/h (420 knots, 485 mph)
Range: 6,600 km (3,600 nm, 4,100 mi) with 20 tonnes of cargo
Ferry range: 8,000 km (4,320 nm, 4,970 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (40,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 24.9 m/s (4,900 ft/min)