The Antonov An-225 Mriya is a strategic airlift cargo aircraft that was designed by the Antonov Design Bureau in the Ukrainian SSR within the Soviet Union during the 1980s.
The Antonov An-225 was designed to airlift the Energia rocket’s boosters and the Buran-class orbiters for the Soviet space program.
The aircraft was on static display at the Paris Air Show in 1989, and it flew during the public days at the Farnborough Air Show in 1990. Two aircraft were ordered, but only one An-225, (registration CCCP-82060, later UR-82060) was finished.
| Role | Outsize cargo freight aircraft |
|---|---|
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Design group | Antonov |
| Built by | Antonov Serial Production Plant |
| First flight | 21 December 1988 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Antonov Airlines |
| Produced | 1985 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Antonov An-124 |
Specifications (An-225 Mriya)
General characteristics
- Crew: 6
- Length: 84 m (275 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 88.4 m (290 ft 0 in)
- Height: 18.1 m (59 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 905 m2 (9,740 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 8.6
- Empty weight: 285,000 kg (628,317 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 640,000 kg (1,410,958 lb)
- Fuel capacity: more than 300,000 kg (661,000 lb)
- Cargo hold: volume 1,300 m3 (46,000 cu ft), 43.35 m (142.2 ft) long × 6.4 m (21 ft) wide × 4.4 m (14 ft) tall
- Powerplant: 6 × Progress D-18T turbofans, 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn)
- Cruise speed: 800 km/h (500 mph, 430 kn)
- Range: 15,400 km (9,600 mi, 8,300 nmi) with maximum fuel; range with 200 tonnes payload: 4,000 km (2,500 mi)
- Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
- Wing loading: 662.9 kg/m2 (135.8 lb/sq ft)
- Thrust/weight: 0.234
Photos Rob Vogelaar
