Antonov An-74

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An-74
Antonov-An-74.jpg
Antonov Airlines An-74T at Gostomel Airport, Ukraine.
Role Military transport
National origin Soviet Union
Ukraine
Manufacturer Antonov
First flight November 1983
Introduction 1983
Status Operational
Primary users Russian Air Force
Egyptian Air Force
Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Produced 1986–present
Number built 195 (An-72 & An-74)[1]
Developed from Antonov An-72

The Antonov An-74 (NATO reporting name Coaler) is a Soviet/Ukrainian transport aircraft, developed by Antonov. It is a variant of the An-72.

The An-72 and An-74 get their nickname, Cheburashka, from the large engine intake ducts, which resemble the oversized ears of the popular Soviet animated character of the same name.

Design and development

The An-74 was initially an upgrade of the An-72 test aircraft, intended to be used in the Arctic and Antarctica; and had the designation An-72A "Arctic".[2] The aircraft's main purpose is to deliver cargo, equipment and personnel over short- and medium-range routes in any climatic conditions ranging from −60 °C to +45 °C and at any latitude, including the North Pole, and high altitudes. It can operate to and from low grade airstrips such as concrete, pebble, ice and snow aerodromes.

Produced in tandem with the An-72, the An-74 can be fitted with wheel-ski landing gear, de-icing equipment and a number of other upgrades allowing the aircraft to support operations in Arctic or Antarctic environments.

An unusual design feature of the An-74 (as well as An-72) is the use of the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, utilizing engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift. The power plant used is the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine. The An-74 bears a resemblance to the Boeing YC-14, a prototype design from the early 1970s which had also used overwing engines and the Coandă effect.

The rear fuselage of the aircraft has a hinged loading ramp with a rear fairing that slides backwards and up to clear the opening. The An-74 has a payload of 7.5 tons including up to 10 passengers in the cargo version, or up to 52 seats in the passenger version; operating ceiling of 10,100 metres (33,100 ft) and cruising speed of 550 to 700 kilometres per hour (300 to 380 kn). The aircraft may also be used for highly specialized operations:

  • pilotage and vessel escort;
  • establishing and servicing of drifting stations;
  • research operations in Arctic or Antarctic regions;
  • visual ice patrol;
  • fishery reconnaissance.

Total production

Total Production[3] 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
76 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 15 2 6 10
1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983
6 15 0 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 2

Operational history

As of January 1, 2006, 23 out of 30 aircraft registered in Russia were in operation.

Variants

An-74 deceleration during landing with thrust reversers in deployed position
  • An-74: Arctic/Antarctic support model with room for five crew, increased fuel capacity, larger radar in bulged nose radome, improved navigation equipment, better de-icing equipment, and can be fitted with wheel-skis landing gear.
  • An-74A: Passenger or freighter model.
  • An-74MP: Marine Patrol version. Can transport 44 soldiers, 22 para-troops, 16 stretchers with medical staff, or 10 tonnes of cargo.
  • An-74T: Freighter version equipped with an internal winch, roller equipment, and cargo mooring points, can also be fitted with static lines for paratroops or dropping air cargo.
  • An-74T-100: Variant of the An-74T fitted with a navigator station.
  • An-74D
  • An-74-100: Variant of the An-74T fitted with a navigator station
  • An-74-200: Military transport based on the An-74T
  • An-74TK: Convertible passenger/cargo model that can be equipped for up to 52 passengers, all cargo, or a mix of the two.
  • An-74TK-100: Variant of the An-74TK fitted with a navigator station.
  • An-74TK-200: Variant of the An-74TK configured for only two flight crew
  • An-74TK-200C: Cargo variant of An-74TK-200
  • An-74T-200: Military Transport aircraft
  • An-74T-200A: Military Transport aircraft[4][5]
  • An-74TK-300: An-74TK model primarily for civil customers with more fuel efficient engines on conventional underwing pylons that gives up the STOL capabilities of earlier models in favor of lower operating cost and higher speed, also incorporates improved avionics and passenger comfort features
  • An-74TK-300D: An An-74 with engines fitted underneath the wings [6][7]
  • An-74-400: Proposed stretch model of the An-74TK-300 with a fuselage insert to extend length by 26 ft (8 m), also would be equipped with uprated engines.

Operators

Civilian

Antonov Airlines An-74 at Gostomel Airport (Antonov airport)
 Russia
 Ukraine

Military

 Egypt
An An-74TK-200 of the Iranian IRGC
 Iran
 Laos

Notable accidents and incidents

Specifications

Data from The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995

General characteristics

  • Crew: 5 (captain, first officer, navigator, flight engineer, loadmaster)
  • Capacity: up to 52 passengers
  • Length: 28.07 m (92 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 31.89 m (104 ft 7½ in)
  • Height: 8.65 m (28 ft 4½ in)
  • Wing area: 98.62 m2 (1,062 ft2)
  • Empty weight: 19,050 kg (42,000 lb)
  • Gross weight: 34,500 kg (76,058 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lotarev D-36 series 1A, 63.9 kN (14,330 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 700 km/h (435 mph)
  • Cruising speed: 550 / 600 km/h (342 / 373 mph)
  • Range: 4,325 km (2,688 miles)
  • Service ceiling: 10,100 m (33,136 ft)

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

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  3. http://russianplanes.net/regsearch/?search=%D0%90%D0%9D-74&setyp=&sefactory=&airline=&airline2=&status=&status2=&therearephotos=&date=
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  8. http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/laos/laos-af-aircraft.htm#colt[unreliable source?]
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  11. Accident description for 15-2255 at the Aviation Safety Network
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External links