Anything new with the World’s Largest Aircraft ?
There was some talk of its revival in this 1998 article ( http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRheft/FRH9808/FR9808a.htm )
When the Buran program was stopped after only one unmanned spaceflight, Mrija’s primary function had gone. The disintegration of the Soviet Union did the rest – there simply was no need for the aircraft any more. The completed An-225 was finally returned to Antonov, and parked at Kiew. Since money was desperately short, it was even used to supply spares for engines.
If the British freight charter specialist Air Foyle has his way, the world’s heaviest aircraft will soon be rescued. Market research has been carried out together wit Antonov, and one is currently trying to raise interest with potential users, in order to get the An-225 airborne once again.
Possibilities for deployment have already been found. Plenty of customers are to be found in the USA. According to Bruce Bird, Director of the Charter Division of Air Foyle, parts of launchers like the Delta and Atlas could be transported in the An-225. LockheedÕs planned Venture Star could be transported on its back. Additionally the Mrija could serve as a launch platform for the X-34B. Furthermore big sections of aircraft could be transported in it. The completely assembled fuselage of a Boeing 737 can be fitted in the hold.
According to Bird the super performance can be had a super price. Only 160 million US dollars are required to make the plane fit for flying again, to assemble a second aircraft with components that are already available, and to construct a third Mrija. This is only a little bit more than is needed for the purchase of just one Boeing 747, and less than the price of a C-17 Globemaster III.
Bird reckons, that the first Mrija can be airborne in about six months, once the investors have come forward. However, before it is ready for action, the test program for the Russian certification will have to be completed. One would need approx. 100 hours for this. It is envisaged, that a FAA-Certification will also be needed, if the aircraft is to be used in the USA. The assembly of the second An-225 will take about twelve months, the third will take two years.
Another 2003 link ( http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/extreme_machines/1280771.html )reads
The first hint that the investment might pay off came on Jan. 2, 2002. The plane took off from Stuttgart, Germany, on its first commercial flight, hauling 216,000 prepared meals for American military personnel in the Persian Gulf. “Bookings range from general cargo to items of over 200 tons and pieces that would only fit on the roof,” says a spokesman for Air Foyle HeavyLift, the company that hopes to put the An-225 into regular service.
There is an outside chance that an An-225 will play a role in the Russian space program, as a flying first stage of the proposed MAKS Space Plane (click), which could fly as early as 2006.
This one ( http://k26.com/buran/Future/An-225_Dream/antonov_an-225_dream.html ) reads :
The 250-tonnes capacity An-225 is expected to become available for use from mid 2001, and will join Antonov Airlines’ existing fleet of eight An-124s.
The superheavy An-225 Mriya (Dream), has now been fitted with new safety systems, navigation and communication equipment. Designers have said they are also reinforcing the aircraft’s fuselage so that the bay can accommodate very heavy cargo.
The An-225 has been equipped with a new cockpit and passenger cabin, new ventilation and lighting, Savenko said. The engines were designed and produced at the country’s leading Motor Sich engine maker.
Any news if any of this materialised ? Is any of it even under consideration now ?
Surely there can be some use for it. I mean check out its stats. Monsterous to say the least.
[PHP]
Official Name: An-225, Mriya
Wingspan: 290 ft.
Length: 275 ft. 7 in.
Height: 59 ft. 8-1/2 in.
Cargo Hold: Length: 141 ft.;
Width: 21 ft.;
Height: 14 ft. 5-1/4 in.
Engines: 6 ZMKB Progress Lotarev D-18T turbofans x 51,590 lb. of thrust each
Crew: 7
Max Takeoff Weight: 1,322,750 lb.
Max Payload: 551,150 lb.
Cruising Speed: 497 mph
Max Speed: 528 mph
Range With Max Payload: 2813 miles
Range With Max Fuel: 9625 miles
The prototype made its first flight on 21 December 1988, and in March 1989 setup no fewer than 106 world and class records in one flight from Kiev, at a maximum take-off weight in excess of 500000kg (1.100,000lb). [/PHP]
Russia is making some impressive $$$ lately. With some Chinese/Indian/European funding, cant the mighty Buran space shuttle, the Energia rockets and the An-225 be revived ? The Buran was clearly better than the American shuttles and there is no reason it cant be again. Ditto for the Energia.
Also, there was a second An-225 whose building was in progress before the USSR went bankrupt. Any info on that one ?
Hopefully it will be revived and not end up as a Mrija.
^An-225 chartered by the US Army to deliver food and supplies for the US troops in Germany
The second one is said to be in building :
Detailed plan >> http://www.buran.ru/images/jpg/an225.jpg
Cool Buran cutaway >> http://www.buran.ru/images/jpg/kks.jpg
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February 3, 2006 at 6:20 pm