ANTONOV Company worked out technical requirements to authorized maintenance centers of Antonov aircraft

Aiming to provide effective after−sale support of Antonov aircraft, the enterprise began the programme of establishment of authorized maintenance centers in Latin America, Asia and Africa. The main task is provision of ANTONOV aircraft technical support in the regions through the single maintenance center.    

ANTONOV Company worked out technical requirements to authorized maintenance and service centers of Antonov aircraft.  A Company partner must have Certificates on performance of all the periodic maintenance checks (including maximum – up to 1800 flight hours) issued by Civil Aviation Departments and licenced staff. Availability of a hangar, mechanical facilities to repair the aircraft, laboratories to perform maximum checks of maintenance, ground and test equipment, spare parts warehouse as well as operation and maintenance publications is the main list of requirements to establish cooperation of ANTONOV Company with a new partner.

The company’s experience in the Antonov aircraft operation and availability of own center for the technical personnel training in accordance with requirements of Civil Aviation Department provide a potential partner with additional advantage in the tender.   

2015 is a year of ANTONOV’s new transports

ANTONOV Company completed assembly of a fuselage for the second experimental AN−178 medium transport aircraft and aggregates of a fuselage for the first AN−132 demonstrator light transport aircraft. Ceremony of roll out of the AN−178 fuselage and AN−132 nose part was held in one of the ANTONOV’s assembly shops. Congratulating the collective on this result, Mykhaylo Gvozdov, Head of ANTONOV Company, said in particular: “these works were performed in strict compliance with a schedule. So, we are meeting our engagements in relation to our partners and fixed terms of these programmes development”.

In the ANTONOV Company’s history the year of 2015 is the year of new Antonov transport aircraft. The enterprise completed the AN−178 prototype and began the flight test programme. Demonstration of the AN−178 at the biggest air shows in Paris and Dubai attracted attention of many potential customers. Till present, firm orders for 40 such airplanes were received.

Agreement as for joint realization of the AN−132 programme was reached with KACST – King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). This aircraft can be most efficiently operated under conditions of Saudi Arabia and other countries of the region. Besides, Memorandums concerning interactions on promotion of the aircraft of various purposes of the AN−148, AN−158, AN−132 and AN−178 families were signed.

In 2015, AN−70 military STOL transport was adopted by Armed Forces of Ukraine. The special tests programme was begun.

ANTONOV met its commitments on delivery of six passenger regional AN−158 jets to «Cubana de Aviacion», Cuba.

According to Mykhaylo Gvozdov, «Our collective has a lot of work ahead! First of all, it is necessary to decide important problems of import replacement, enter into new markets, establishment of powerful system of the Antonov aircraft after−sale support. I wish you a Happy New Year, health, peace, mutual understanding and new achievements!”

In 2016, ANTONOV Company will celebrate two important events: 110th anniversary of Oleg Antonov’s birthday and 70th anniversary since the enterprise foundation. ANTONOV team addressed Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, with proposal to announce the year 2016 as the ANTONOV’s year in Ukraine.

THE 8TH BATCH OF THE UPGRADED AN−32 WAS PASSED TO INDIAN AF

On November 19, 2015, five modernized AN−32RE light military transports were passed to Indian Air Force. It was a final batch completing works on overhaul, modernization and service life extension of 40 airplanes. According to the contract’s terms, the 8th batch of the aircraft was modernized at SE Plant 410 of Civil Aviation with active participation of ANTONOV Company, the aircraft designer, and more than 20 other enterprises.

In accordance with the contract, 65 AN−32s have to be overhauled and reequipped into the AN−32RE model at BRD−1 plant of Indian AF in Kanpur with participation of Ukrainian enterprises. Till present, two airplanes were upgraded at this plant. Nowadays, Indian specialists are working on four such airplanes.

 For information: 

 The contract on repair and modernization of 105 AN−32s of Indian AF between Ukraine and India was signed on June 15, 2009. State Self−Supporting Foreign Trade Company SPETSTECHNOEXPORT, subsidiary of UKROBORONPROM State Concern, was selected as the main contractor from Ukrainian party. ANTONOV Company, SE Plant 410 of Civil Aviation, which also included into UKROBORONPROM State Concern, became the subcontractors. 

AN−32 light transport was developed by ANTONOV Company on the order of Indian AF. It can be operated in various climatic conditions including hot climate (up to +55oC) and owing to high thrust−to−weight ratio it is capable of operation from/to the elevated airfields (up to 4500 m above sea level) with difficult approaches. Often AN−32s are the only aircraft able to provide connection between mountain settlements and big cities. The AN−32 deliveries were started in 1984.

The decision on the AN−32 modernization was taken because of lack of the proper replacement. Owing to high manoeuvrability and reliability the AN−32 was called as “Silver horse” in India.

New modification of the AN−32 was developed at ANTONOV Company. It was designated as AN−32RE (i.e. reequipped).  While upgrading, the airplanes are fitted with up−to−date equipment providing higher level of flight safety, including air collision avoidance system, ground proximity warning system, satellite navigation system, distance measuring equipment, upgraded radio altimeters, new radar with two multifunctional indicators, new oxygen system and improved seats for crew members. The aircraft payload is increased up to 7.5 t.

At Dubai Air Show ANTONOV will present four modern programs, while two of them for the first time there

ANTONOV Company will present four modern programs at Dubai Air Show – 2015, which is one of the biggest aerospace exhibitions, to be held within a period from the 8th to the 12th of November 2015.

The AN−178 transport will be presented at Dubai for the first time. This new aircraft developed to replace the famous AN−12 can be effectively operated under conditions of Near East and Africa.  

The second program−debutant is a project of light multipurpose aircraft of a new generation AN−132. It is realized by ANTONOV Company in cooperation with partners from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under participation of the world leading aviation companies.   

To perform various tasks of the aircraft operators in the region, airplanes of the AN−148 and AN−158 jets family can be used. In particular, the aircraft line to carry between 65 and 99 passengers is proposed. VIP passengers can comfortable travel over the distances up to 7000 km on the AN−148−100EA.  

Advanced maritime patrol AN−148−300MP is intended for maritime patrol and resistance to trespassers, electromagnetic radiation and communication facilities intelligence, pollution response role, SAR missions.

AN−148−100EM can be used to react to the emergency situations. The layout of the airplane includes ambulance compartment where installation of 2 to 6 specialized medical modules is foreseen to provide medical assistance to the injured persons.

«Participation in Dubai Air Show has a special significance for ANTONOV Company.  This is one of the biggest presentation possibility to address our partners and potential customers. Market of Near East and Africa is among our main priorities», − said Mykhaylo Gvozdov, Acting President, head of delegation of ANTONOV Company.

 

NEW ANTONOV AIRCRAFT WILL BE POWERED BY PRATT&WHITNEY CANADA

On October 15, 2015, ANTONOV Company included into UKROBORONPROM State Concern and Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) signed the contract on equipment of AN−132D DEMO aircraft with engines. According to the contract terms, two PW150A engines will be delivered in April 2016. AN−132D maiden flight is expected to be  ready for demonstration  late 2016.

The programme of AN−132 light multi−purpose airplane is realized by ANTONOV Company with participation from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Oleksandr Kotsiuba, the First Vice President of ANTONOV Company, said: “This event is significant for both the AN−132 programme and aircraft industry of Ukraine as a whole. The global market demand for the AN−132 is estimated as many as 200 units between 2018 to 2025. We are reaching the new level of international  partnership and quality of our aircraft. The engine is the airplane’s heart, and we are confident in reliability of the new ANTONOV transport”.

“We are delighted to have been selected by ANTONOV to power its AN−132D aircraft,” says Richard Dussault, Vice President, Marketing, P&WC. “The PW150A engine is part of the PW100 family of engines, proven workhorses known for their durability and dependability. This is an exciting, high−potential program for both Antonov and P&WC and we look forward to fully developing that potential.”The long term potential for the programme is estimated to be in the order of 400 PW150A engines.

The AN−132 – intended for short− and medium−haul routes – will have varied use and can be outfitted with a variety of cabin configurations. The aircraft will have a maximum cruising speed of 500 kilometers per hour and a maximum cruising altitude of 9,000 meters with a maximum payload of 9.2 tonnes. Antonov projects a potential market for the aircraft of 200 units between 2018 and 2025.

The PW100 engine family offers the lowest fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the regional turboprop market and incorporates the latest, proven advanced technologies. Ranging in power from 1,800 shp to more than 5,000 shp, PW100 engines are available in 38 models, offering unsurpassed flexibility and capability for a variety of applications. PW100 engines power aircraft in service with 500+ operators in 130+ countries. More than 8,000 PW100/150 engines have been produced since the family entered service in 1984, accumulating more than 165 million flying hours. PW100 engines have demonstrated their versatility in powering aircraft applications spanning regional airlines, coastal surveillance, firefighting and cargo transport.

As a total, more than 20 enterprises of aircraft industry of Ukraine are included into UKROBORONPROM State Concern. Basing on results of effective activity of enterprises of UKROBORONPROM State Concern, the Government of Ukraine took decision to pass ANTONOV Company, Kharkiv State Aircraft Manufacturing Company and SE “Plant 410 of Civil Aviation” under the Concern’s management.

Within special flight tests the AN−70 successfully overpassed a distance more than 13,000 km

From 22 to 26 September 2015, the AN−70 short takeoff and landing military transport performed an international flight and carried a military cargo within evaluation of transport capacity and widening the operational conditions.

From the Kyiv−Antonov airport, the aircraft flew to Bangui, Central African Republic. This flight endured 9 hours 2 minutes. In Bangui, the AN−70 took on board a cargo weighting 23.6 tons. After that, the aircraft landed in Ndjamena, the Republic of Chad. According to Viktor Goncharov, test pilot of ANTONOV, the crew captain, "from Ndjamena airport we took off under a temperature of +33 Celsius degrees with a take−off weight close to the maximum. The aircraft confirmed designed data of the take off parameters including length of the runway distance. AN−70 also showed good climb rate“. After 6−hour flight, the AN−70 arrived to the place of the cargo destination – to Istres, France. The aircraft returned to the Kyiv−Antonov airport with intermediate stop in Leipzig, Germany.

In this expedition AN−70 was in the air more than 20 hours, flew over 13,600 km. Throughout the route the aircraft demonstrated its high flying, take off and landing characteristics as well as low fuel consumption. On−board handling equipment was tested under actual operating conditions. All the tasks were performed successfully.

RUSLAN HAS SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED A ROLLS−ROYCE’s REQUEST

The biggest series transport aircraft AN−124−100 Ruslan has performed a milestone, cross−channel flight to deliver the highest−thrust production engine Rolls−Royce Trent XWB−97 from Britain to France.

This transport operation became a next page in list of the unique transportations performed by Ruslan. Rolls−Royce Trent XWB−97 is a new oversized and the highest−thrust jet the manufacturer has ever made. Ruslan carried the engine manufactured in Derby facility, from East Midlands airport to the Airbus testing facility in Toulouse.

On the customer's request, it was particularly important that this mission was completed on time, as the Trent XWB−97 engine that was being transported is the first of its kind that will actually take flight, on an Airbus A380 flying test bed.

“ANTONOV will construct twenty five airplanes annually”, – Mykhaylo Gvozdov

In the nearest future, ANTONOV plans to reach the saling of 25 new airplanes annually. Mykhaylo Gvozdov, Acting President of ANTONOV Company, said about this in interview to “Golos Ukrainy” (“Voice of Ukraine”) newspaper.

 “Renewal of the enterprise’s production facilities and change of methods of analyzes and forecast of the world aviation market will provide construction of 25 airplanes a year”, – assured head of the enterprise.

 According to Mykhaylo Gvozdov, list of the enterprise’s the primary tasks includes expansion of the airplanes production, arrange of their sales, entrance into the new markets and provision of the ANTONOV Aircraft operation worldwide. These are the first steps towards fulfillment of the task given by President of Ukraine to assign work to this large aviation enterprise and to bring it to the new world level.

 “We have a high potential. The developed Design Bureau is ready to work. ANTONOV’s team is powerful 13−thousand collective, high−skilled specialists, who can realize the most difficult tasks, produce the hi−technical production”, – added the enterprise’s head.

 Let’s remind, that recently ANTONOV was included into UKROBORONPROM Concern. Mykhaylo Gvozdov commissioned to provide the enterprise’s effective work and to return the aircraft industry of Ukraine to the leading world positions.

 

Ukraine will construct an aviation plant in Saudi Arabia

On June 16, within Le Bourget – 2015 ANTONOV Company signed an agreement on participation in designing and construction of an aviation plant in Saudi Arabia. The plant is supposed to have modern equipment, letting implement the newest aviation technologies.
This agreement is pentalateral. The partners on the program are the following companies: Taqnia (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Aviation Technologies, Altis Holding (Ukraine) and Broetje−Automation (Germany).
According to reached arrangements, the AN−132 light transport will be the first aircraft, construction of which is planning to be preformed at new aviation complex.

The first AN−132 prototype is planned to be constructed in a year and a half

On June 16 at Le Bourget – 2015 Air Show, a work meeting dedicated to realization of the program of the AN−132 light transport concerning installation of engines and equipment on it was held in the ANTONOV’s Company chalet. Representatives of ANTONOV Company, KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology) and Taqnia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pratt&Whitney Canada, GEAviation, United Kingdom participated in the meeting.

During negotiations the further interaction within the AN−132 program was discussed. This program started on April 2015, when a contract between KACST and ANTONOV Company was signed. As Dr. Khaled A.Alhussan, Director of Space and Aeronautics Research Institute, KACST, noted, according to present plans the AN−132 prototype should be constructed in a year and a half.

ANTONOV presents two debutants at the Paris air show

At this year's Paris Air Show to be held within June 15−21, ANTONOV presents two advanced programs in the transport segment.

The first one is the AN−178 new multipurpose transport. Having performed its maiden flight on May 7, 2015 this freighter has already successfully performed a series of tests with total duration of about 40 hours.

The unique feature of the AN−178, which has a payload of 18 t, is its ability to carry all existing types of packaged freights (both containerized and palletized), including 2.44 x 2.44−m 1C high−capacity sea containers. This makes the aircraft an effective transport for logistics support and for operations in emergency situations. In keeping with the best characteristics of Antonov aircraft, the AN−178 can operate from any runway, including runways with artificial pavement, unpaved airfields, and alpine airdromes.

The aircraft operators from different countries expressed their interests in use of both civil and military versions of the AN−178. The market demand in such aircraft is estimated up to 1100 aircraft until 2035.

The second program−debutant is design of the AN−132 new−generation light multipurpose transport. It is intended for carrying various cargoes weighing over 9 t on short− and medium−haul routes. The AN−132 is an optimal decision for replacement of the AN−32 and AN−26 world−known aircraft, and other transports of such type, lifetime of which is coming to an end.

This project will be realized jointly with partners from Saudi Arabia with participation of leading aviation companies from different countries worldwide, including Pratt&Whitney Canada, General Electric, Honeywell, Liebherr, and Hamilton Sundstrand.

According to the preliminary estimations, about 900 airplanes of AN−132 type are demanded in the market.

At Le Bourget – 2015 representatives of ANTONOV Company will conduct a number of meetings and negotiations on development of these and other modern programs of ANTONOV to promote Ukrainian aviation production to the world market and to extend international cooperation.

Within Le Bourget – 2015 ANTONOV Company invites representatives of mass media to visit:

Comment on modernization of the AN−32 of Indian Air Forces

On 2009, a contract on modernization of 105 AN−32 light transport was concluded between Ministry of Defense of India and SpetsTechnoExport.

Till present, works on 35 aircraft were completed and they have been already sent to Indian Air Forces. Five aircraft now are in assembly shops of 410 Civil Aviation Plant, and ANTONOV Company didn’t accept and didn’t send these aircraft.

Thus, information about involvement of ANTONOV in the loss of five AN−32, distributed by mass media, is untrue

Maximus Air LLC is going to acquire civil variant of the AN−178

Dmytro Kiva, President – General Designer of ANTONOV Company, and Mohamed Al Qassimi, Director of Maximus Air LLC, signed MoU that confirms intentions of both companies to develop mutually beneficial cooperation.

Existing interaction on technical support of Ruslan AN−124−100 transport that belongs to Maximus airline will be developed. In particular, in direction of creating joint technical support base of AN aircraft and providing services on air carriages of large−size and outsized cargos.

Maximus Air LLC confirmed its interest in acquisition of the AN−178 transport in civil variant of ANTONOV production. Parties will take proper actions in this direction during March−April of current year. Companies also agreed to joint efforts in promotion of the AN aircraft to the market of UAE, countries of Middle East and North Africa, having noted that those aircraft met requirements of those regions operators in the best possible way.

As Mohamed Al Qassimi noted, “Since 2011, when ANTONOV was developed as united enterprise, Maximus level of trust to ANTONOV has been risen. This became the base letting us go together in direction of expanding our cooperation”

ANTONOV Companyis the leading enterprise of Ukraine, realizing the full circle of creation of modern aircraft – from preproject scientific researches to construction, testing, certification, serial production and aftersale support. ANTONOV aircraft carry passengers and cargoes from 2,5 to 250 t, extinguish the fire, explore minerals, deliver humanitarian cargoes and evacuate injured, work fields and forests, perform various tasks of both civil and military organizations of 75 countries of the world.

Maximus Air LLC today is the largest all−cargo airline in UAE, specializing in wet leasing aircraft and transportation of oursized air cargo to countries of Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. The air carrier’s fleet consists of 8 aircraft, including one ANTONOV AN−124−100, two Illyushin IL−76TD and five Airbus A300−600RP2F.

ANTONOV is going to pass two aircraft to the customers

In February ANTONOV plans to pass another AN−158 serial regional passenger jet to Cubana de Aviacion Cuban airlines. Today a group of specialists of the company came to ANTONOV for acceptance of a new aircraft which will become the sixth in the fleet of the air carrier.
Besides, a group of Korean specialists who came to the Company for acceptance of the second AN−148 works at ANTONOV. For today the work on acceptance of documentation has been completed and acceptance works have been started. In the middle of the month it is planned to pass the aircraft to Korean customer.

AN−70 adopted by Armed Forces of Ukraine

On January 22, 2015, handing of the Order of Ministry of Defense of Ukraine about adoption of the AN−70 military STOL transport by Armed Forces of Ukraine took place at ANTONOV Company. In the enclosure to the order the AN−70 is noted as a transport aircraft of Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is intended for aerial delivery, air transportation of troops and tangible assets, provision of maneuvers and troop’s activity and decisions of special tasks.

Decision about adoption was taken basing on results of tests on the program of Joint State Tests of the AN−70. The act on those results was approved on June 11, 2014. As Mr. Pakholchenko, leading test pilot of State scientific test centre of Armed Forces of Ukraine, noted: “The AN−70 is easy to be piloted at all difficult flight areas, including short take−off and landing. Optimal ergonomic decisions, applied in the crew cockpit, allow teaching an average pilot flying rather easy. The aircraft forgives pilot lots of things, fixing some of his errors, and differs with high reliability. The AN−70 is the best aircraft I used to pilot!”

Mr. Kiva, President – General Designer of the ANTONOV Company, noted that before final stage of Joint State Tests were works on deep modernization of the AN−70 board equipment and power plant. As a result the AN−70 saved advantages over analogous aircraft, including A 400M European aircraft.

Adoption of the AN−70 allows starting up this aircraft serial production and developing its different modifications. Antonov

ANTONOV will perform maintenance of the AN−124−100 of Maximus Air

On January 19, 2015, the AN−124−100 Ruslan heavy transport, series No. 0303, of Maximus Air (UAE) arrived to the Kyiv – Antonov airport. Specialists of ANTONOV Company will perform the next form of this aircraft periodical maintenance. Necessary works are planned to be done within a month.

ANTONOV Company works in a close cooperation with Maximus Air, providing it with the
AN−124−100 operation maintenance. We would remind that efficiency and quality of work of the enterprise’s team were appreciated by Mohamed Al Qassimi, General Director of the aircraft company−owner, and R. Abd Alrazak Wamhed, Director of the Airlines. Particularly, they noted: “We think that the splendid level of cooperation between our companies clearly demonstrates that ANTONOV provides an extraordinarily level of customer support and we are very pleased to be enjoying such standards of cooperation, especially in such trying times”.

ANTONOV Company is planning to extend interaction with the customer in direction of further modernization of the Ruslan by replacing its several elements of equipment with modern ones.

The AN−178 is energized

The ANTONOV Company has performed an important stage of construction of the first prototype of AN−178 new transport – the aircraft is energized. Ground aircraft tests are allowed to be started. 77 systems of the aircraft will pass the test. This stage of tests is planned to be completed in March 2015, before the aircraft roll out from the workshop.

The AN−178 is intended to effectively perform all main tasks of transport aircraft, including material and technical support, carrying of patients, transportation of vehicles, delivery of equipment and engines. The most important feature of the AN−178 is ability to carry all the type of the existing packaged freights (containerized and palletized ones), including high−capacity 1C containers (sea containers). This makes it an indispensable transport to provide logistic support in both commercial and military segments, as well as operations under emergency situations.

The AN−178 is suggested as a replacement of the AN−12 medium four−engine turboprop transport at higher technical level. All in all, more then 1400 AN−12 were produced. These aircraft are still widespread in the countries of CIS, Africa and Asia. The AN−178 is suggested to replace the C−160 European two−engine turboprop transport for customers who were orientated to the Western aircraft (214 aircraft were delivered).

Construction of the first prototype and start of the aircraft tests are planned to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.

 

New unique transportations of Ruslan

Ruslans that belong to ANTONOV Airlines continue performing a list of transported non−standard cargoes. Each of such transportations needs detailed preparations that confirm efficiency of close interaction between operators and aircraft developers.
At the end of September, the AN−124−100 delivered European experimental spacecraft IXV from Amsterdam (Holland) to French Cayenne (France). During the flight special temperature regime and tension in a cargo cabin was necessary to be kept.

A representative of Customer, THALES ALENIA SPACE French company noted: ‘Transportation was performed strictly according to schedule and met all the conditions. As always everything was efficiently organized’.
One more unique cargo Ruslan transported from Nantes (France) to Beijing (China). On its board the aircraft transported a mechanized dragon, a symbol of ‘horse−dragon spirit’. The dragon will participate in a China festival in a sign of 50−years anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China. This unique model, 12 m of height and 46 t of weight, was constructed in France by La Machine Company. Articulated binds in the dragon’s construction let it make different movements, throw out flame and emit streams of smoke. Movable dragon’s running part is made of steel and is decorated with wood. Eight operators are located inside the dragon to control it. The prototype is mounted on transport vehicle that let move with definite speed.

Specialists from the department of the ANTONOV Airlines cargo planning in close interaction with French engineers developed special technology of load/unload this unique cargo with the total mass of 55 t in Ruslan. Preparation to transportation lasted 3 months
Press−service of the ANTONOV Company

Fuselage jig assembly of the first AN−178 transport is completed

 

On July 29, 2014 a fuselage jig assembly of the first AN−178 new medium transport was completed. Since this moment works on the aircraft final assembly are starting at the enterprise – i.e. joining of main airframe units (wing, empennage, pylons, nacelles, etc.), installation of aircraft systems, development of aircraft equipment and preparation of the aircraft to its first flight and beginning of certification tests. This projects’ feature is that paperless technology of design and items’ manufacture, based on development in modern PLM environment of NX/TeamCenter electronic annotated 3D models, was firstly applied in its full capacity at the ANTONOV Company. Owing to this, time and laboriousness of design, launch in production and the first prototype manufacturing were considerably reduced.

The AN−178 is the further development of the AN−148 and AN−158 family, basing aircraft of which are intended to carry from 68 to 99 passengers. They acquired good reputation while being operated in various climatic and weather conditions, on unpaved and high−altitude airfields.

 The AN−178 creation is based on researches of market requirements. Modern tendency of development of ramp military aircraft is replacement of four−engined turboprop medium aircraft with twin−jets. Having close fuel consumption by the hour, twin−jets provides much higher efficiency owing to higher cruising speed. According to Dmytro Kiva, President – General Designer: “The AN−178 is our future! We create this aircraft, putting in it wide experience of elder generation of Antonov’s workers with the newest technologies, that our youth successfully assimilate and implement. The project is financed with costs, earned by our collective. We are sure, that the AN−178 will take a good place among transport aircraft of the world. Besides, it will be able to replace famous AN−12 (more 1400 airplanes were produced) and C−160 (more 200 airplanes)”.

The AN−178 will effectively perform all main tasks of military transport aircraft, such as logistic support of troops, carrying and airdropping of cargoes and little military divisions, transportation of injured, light equipment, delivery of equipment and engines. Besides, unique feature of the AN−178 is ability to carry all the type of the existing packaged freights (containerized and palletized ones), including high−capacity containers 1C (sea containers). This makes it an indispensable transport to provide logistic support in both commercial and military segments, as well as operations under emergency situations.



Olexandr Kulyk, Chairman of Sviatoshyn District State Administration in Kyiv, congratulated the Antonov’s collective with execution of significant part of the AN−178 program: “The AN−178 is right what our economics and country need. Here are working places and the most innovative technologies. I would like to thank Antonov for its help, given to the district, city, Ukraine. I am sure, together we will win!”

New AN−158 is getting ready to fly to Cuba

Till the end of the year ANTONOV is going to transfer one more AN−158 and AN−148 to Cuba.

The next AN−158 serial regional jet passenger (with registration No.СU−T1715 ) in 97 seats layout has already been built. Now the aircraft passes the flight production tests program. Till the end of this month it is planned to be delivered to the operator – Cubana de Aviacion. This aircraft will become the fifth AN−158 in the fleet of the Cuban airline. For July 1, its predecessors total flight time equals to more than 3800 hours, they performed more than 2200 commercial flights on regional routes of Caribbean countries. Flights to Canada, Columbia and Mexico are planned to be open.