Antonov, in conjunction with Air Foyle, has put together a proposal to re-activate the giant An-225 Myria cargo aircraft to satisfy outsize cargo demands that require an aircraft larger than the An-124 Ruslan.
Bruce Bird, director of the charter division of An-124 leasing specialist Air Foyle, has been working with the Antonov design bureau on the proposal, which could see a fleet of up to three An-225s entering operation.
Antonov began production of two An-225s before the break-up of the Soviet Union, primarily to transport the Russian "Buran" space shuttle orbiter. One An-225 was completed and flown, but has been in storage for about two and a half years and has been cannibalised, while the major components for the second are complete but disassembled at the Antonov plant in Kiev. The Russian certification programme was about 80% complete when flying ceased. Bird says that about 100h of testing remains to complete the programme.
Effectively a stretched, six-engined derivative of the An-124, equipped with an increased-span wing and redesigned tail, the An-225 can carry its 250,000kg payload either internally or externally, said Bird, speaking at the conference. "An external payload can be carried [above the fuselage] in a 70m-long by 8m wide container. Studies have also looked at a 39m by 10m load." Bird estimates that, for around $160 million, the first aircraft could be restored to flight condition, the second aircraft completed, the certification programme finished and a third aircraft built.
He added that the prime market for the aircraft will be the carriage of heavy industrial cargos which are beyond the An-124's capabilities. "The market research is being carried out. Next we have to put together a business plan and locate the required investment."
According to Bird, an approach to Air Foyle was made by Boeing about the possibility of transporting large subassemblies between its Wichita and Seattle factories as a way of coping with its production ramp up. Bird said that in a single mission, the An-225 could transport the nose of a 747, 767 and 777 in an external container, as well a complete 737 fuselage in the hold.
He added that it would take six months from go-ahead to get the first An-225 flying, and a year to complete the second aircraft, while two years will be needed to produce the new third aircraft.
Source: Flight International
