Antonov prepares to flight-test second An-70 prototype

ANTONOV IS PLANNING to fly the second prototype of the An-70 transport aircraft in November, according to engine manufacturer ZMKB Progress. The first aircraft crashed in 1995.

Two of the four D-27 propfans for the aircraft have been delivered. The third engine will be delivered at the end of this month and the fourth is under test.

Oleg Muravchenko, a senior designer with Progress, says: "Some 70% of the test project on the D-27 is complete." He admits that "financial difficulties" have delayed the project. Despite this, an engine will be submitted for state-certification testing in 1997.

Muravchenko adds that in addition to working on the four-engine An-70, Antonov is also looking at a twin-engined commercial-cargo variant.

Source: Flight International