Antonov has modified the flight-control system on its An-70 propfan military transport, as a result of the fatal crash of the first aircraft. The second prototype was rolled out at the end of December 1996
Piotr Balabuyev, Antonov general designer, says that some of the safety-critical elements of the flight-control system which were fin-mounted in the first prototype have been relocated. The chase aircraft, an An-72 Coaler, collided with the first prototype's vertical stabiliser in February 1995.
After the crash, Antonov used the second airframe -in manufacture for its originally intended use as the ground-test fatigue rig - for the second prototype. The aircraft could be flown in March.
The programme, which had its genesis in the former Soviet Union as a replacement for the Antonov An-12 Cub, has been hit by funding difficulties. Russia and Ukraine agreed to support the programme, with the former providing 80% of the financing and the latter 20%.
The Russian air force appears to remain interested in the programme, with Yuriy Klishin, the deputy commander-in-chief for acquisition, in attendance at the roll-out ceremony.
This interest, however, has not translated into adequate financing. Antonov has been investing its own money in the programme. This has been gained mostly by operating the An-124 Ruslan heavy cargo aircraft on the international commercial market.
Source: Flight International
