<< Back
  

Antonov An-72 & An-74 "Coaler"
Aircraft
Antonov An-72 & An-74
NATO Reporting Name
Coaler
Type
Twin-jet freighter
Crew
3
Unit Cost
US$ 17 - 20 million
Primary User
Aeroflot
Number built
200
Click here for all pictures of the An-74 currently available

Antonov An-72 & An-74 Program Milestones
Maiden Flight
August 31, 1977
Introduction
Unknown
First User
Aeroflot


Antonov An-72 & An-74 Aircraft Dimensions
Wing Span
104 feet 7.5 inch (31.89 m)
Wing Aspect Ratio
10.3
Length
92 feet 1.25 feet (28.07 m)
Fuselage Width (Max)
10 feet 2 inch (3.10 m)
Height
28 feet 4.25 inch (8.65 m)
Wing Area
1,060.6 sq ft

Antonov An-72 & An-74 Weights
Empty Weight (An-72)
42,000 lb (19,050 kg)
Empty Weight (An-74T-200)
48,105 lb (21,820 kg)
MTOW (An-72)
60,625 lb (27,500 kg)
MTOW (An-74T-200)
80,468 lb (36,500 lb )
MLAW (An-72 & An-74T-200)
72,750 lb (33,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity (An-72)
28,550 lb (12,950 kg)
Fuel Capacity (An-74T-200)
29,100 lb (13,200 kg)
Max Payload (An-72)
22,045 lb (10,000 kg)
Max Payload (An-74T-200)
16,535 lb (7,500 kg)

Antonov An-72 & An-74
Click for a large image...
Click for a large image...
Antonov An-74

Antonov An-72 & An-74 Powerplants
2 x ZMKB D-36
14,330 lbf (63.74 kN)



Antonov An-72 & An-74 Performance
Service Ceiling (An-72)
35,100 ft (10,700 m)
Service Ceiling (An-74T-200)
33,140 ft (10,100 m)
Max Design Speed (An-72)
380 kt (705 km/h)
Max Design Speed (An-74T-200)
377 kt (700 km/h)
Range
2,980 mi (4,800 km)

Antonov An-72 & An-74 "Coaler" General Information
The Antonov An-72 was developed in the former Soviet Union primarily as a replacement for the older generation An-26 turboprop aircraft in service with the Soviet Air Force. The An-72 flew for the first time on August 31, 1977, and was designed as a Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. The first pre-production aircraft numbered two flying prototypes, one static test airframe and eight pre-production aircraft. It was until December 1985 before the later pre-produced aircraft flew. It also included two An-74 airframes which differs from the An-72 in that it has the ability to operate in harsh weather conditions in polar regions.

Antonov An-74
Antonov An-74
Antonov An-72
Click for a large image
Click for a large image
Click for a large image

Various versions of the An-72 have been produced which include the An-72, An-72A, An-72AT, An-72S and An-74. The An-72 or "Coaler-A" model comprizes all pre-production aircraft including those that flew in 1985. The An-72A was the main production version with an increased fuselage length and wing span. The specialized cargo carrying version, the An-72AT, is equipped with accomodation for standard containers or pallets. A VIP transport was designated the An-72S and is fitted with three cabins separated by bulkheads.

The most significant design feature incorporated in the An-72/74 are its two turbofan engines mounted above the wing. In this manner, engine efflux is blown over the top surface of the wing. With the large multi-slotted flaps deployed the jet efflux is deflected downward, thus boosting lift force. This way of lift enlarging is known as the "Coanda" effect. Besides having STOL capability the aircraft is tailored to operate from unprepared airfields made possible by its low pressure multi-wheel landing gear.
Antonov An-72 & An-74 Design
As mentioned before, the Antonov An-72 / 74 is primarily designed for STOL operations and as a direct replacement for the Antonov An-26. General characteristics of the aircraft include a high-wing config, T-tail, with an upswept rear fuselage for freight access. The ejection of exhaust efflux over the upper wing surface and down over large multislotted flaps gives a considerable increase in lift as well as avoiding foreign object ingestion. Furthermore, low-pressure tyres and a multiwheel landing gear makes operation from unprepared airstrips possible.

Flight Controls

The An-72 / 74 is fitted with a conventional assisted flight control system. It includes power-actuated ailerons, with two tabs in the port aileron, one double-hinged rudder, with a tab in the lower portion of the two-section aft panel. During normal, high-speed flight, only the lower rear rudder segment is used while both are being operated in low-speed flight. The forward segment is actuated automatically in order to offset any thrust asymmetry. The elevators are horn-balanced and mechanically actuated. High lift devices include hydraulically actuated full-span wing leading-edge flaps outboard of each nacelle, trailing-edge double-slotted flaps in the exhaust efflux, and triple-slotted trailing-edge flaps between each nacelle and outer wing portion. Four-section spoilers are located forward of the triple-slotted flaps; two outer sections on each side are raised before landing while the remainder are opened automatically on touchdown by sensors actuated by weight on the main landing gear.

Structure

All metal, multispar wings are mounted above the fuselage. The fuselage is of the semi-moncoque type, with a rear loading door, a tapered fairing forward of the T-tail fin, blended into an ogival rear fairing.

Powerplant

The aircraft is powered by two ZMKB Progress/Ivchenko D-36 high-bypass ratio turbofan engines, each capable of producing 14,330 pounds of thrust. Both engines are fitted with thrust reversers.

Accomodation

The aircraft is flown by a crew of three, consisting of a pilot and co-pilot side by side on the flight deck together with a flight navigator. Cockpit windows are heated by the aircraft internal electrical system and are equipped with windscreen wipers. The An-72 has folding seat along the sidewalls of the cabin and removable central seats for a total of 68 passengers. It can carry 57 parachutists, and has provision for 24 stretcher patients, 12 seated casualties and an attendant in ambulance configuration. The Antonov An-74 can carry eight mission staff in combi role, together with tables and bunks. Another visual characteristic of the aircraft are the bulged windows on the port side of the aircraft for both the navigator and hydrologist.

Systems

The An-72 / 74 is fitted with an air conditioning system with independant temperature control in the flight deck and main cabin areas; used mainly to refrigerate perishable goods when carried in the main cabin. Hydraulic system powers the landing gear, flaps and rear cargo ramp while the electrical system powers all auxiliary systems, flight deck equipment, lighting and mobile hoist. A de-icing system is installed for the leading-edges of the wings, tail unit (including the tailplane slat), engine air intakes and cockpit windows. Provision is made for a TA-12 APU in the starboard landing gear fairing which can be used to heat the cabin in cold ambient temperatures. Furthermore, servicing personnel can gain access to major electric, hydraulic and air conditioning components without stepping outside.

Avionics

The aircraft is equipped with navigation and weather radar located in the nose section. It has a Doppler-based automatic navigation system, linked to the onboard computer. The Antonov An-74 has enhanced avionics compared to the An-72 and includes GPS, GPWS and TCAS 2000. Twin Head-Up-Displays which were under development by 2003.