Antonov has completed fuselage assembly of the first An-178, a freighter variant of the An-148 and An-158 regional jet.
The aircraft is set to undergo mating of the wings, empennage and engine pylons.
Antonov expects the An-178 to replace older types including the popular An-12.
“We are certain that the An-178 will take a favourable position among the world’s transport aircraft,” says outgoing president and general designer Dmitri Kiva.
It says the twin-engined jet will be able to serve the commercial and military markets, offering transport of pallet and container freight as well as troop carriage, logistics support and air-drop capabilities.
Kiva has been succeeded in the head role at Antonov following the appointment of Sergei Merenkov, says the Ukrainian industrial policy ministry.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
