An - 225 is the most cargo-lifting aircraft in the world.

An - 225

An-225 aircrafttoday, is the largest aircraft for the transport of goods in the world, both in terms of dimensions and in terms of carrying capacity (payload).

The history of the creation of the An-225 aircraft

The space program at Baikonur in 1970-1980 required the creation of an air transport vehicle for transporting structures of considerable weight and size. Initially, the task of transporting some of the space objects was solved by the VM-T "Atlant" aircraft, but it could take on board cargo weighing up to 50 tons, modification projects for this aircraft were created, but the maximum payload was 200 tons.
In the late 70s, the design bureau. Antonov (Ukraine) was tasked to develop a fundamentally new aircraft with the highest possible payload.
The An-124 transport aircraft was taken as the basis. The design bureau managed to create a unique aircraft with a carrying capacity of 250 tons.
On December 21, 1988, the AN-225 made its first flight. It was shown to the world community at the Le Bourget air show in 1989.

In 1980, the construction of the second An-225 aircraft began, but in 1994 it was stopped.
Currently, this is the only vehicle that can carry out transcontinental transportation of oversized cargo.

Photo of the 2nd unfinished aircraft AN-225:

According to statements in the press by the head of the OKB. Antonov, about $300,000,000 is needed to complete the construction of the second AN-225 aircraft

Appointment of the An-225 aircraft

The main purpose of the aircraft was to deliver space shuttles to an altitude of up to 11,000 meters, thereby replacing the first upper stages. The mass of the shuttle (Buran), according to calculations, was up to 60. The shuttle was fixed at the top above the aircraft on the fuselage. I must say that this is why the keel of the aircraft is double. For this, the Buran space shuttle and a number of Energia booster components were created. Currently, the aircraft is used to transport oversized and massive cargo by air in various parts of the world.

Aircraft specifications:

Release year 1988
- load capacity 225 t.
- wingspan 88.4 meters
- aircraft length 84 meters
- height 18.1 meters
- cruising speed 800 km/h
- maximum speed 850 km / h
- flight range 15,400 km.
- flight range with a maximum load of 4500 km.
- service ceiling 10,000 m.
- the weight of the empty aircraft is 250 tons.
— maximum takeoff weight 640 t.
- capacity of fuel tanks 300 tons.
- crew of 7 people

The cargo compartment has the following dimensions: length 43 meters, width 6.4 meters, height 4.4 meters.
The cargo compartment is sealed.
Above the cargo compartment, there is a cabin for passengers, accommodating 70 people.

In 2000, the An-225 aircraft underwent modernization, navigation equipment was installed that meets international safety standards.