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The Antonov An-70 is a medium-range transport aircraft developed by the Soviet/Ukrainian company Antonov in the late 1980s. It is powered by four propfan engines, which are a hybrid of propeller and jet engines, offering high speed and fuel efficiency. The An-70 is the first large aircraft to fly with propfan engines only.

The An-70 was designed to replace the Antonov An-12, a turboprop transport aircraft used by the Soviet Air Force and civil operators. The An-70 has a larger payload and range, as well as better performance in hot and high conditions. The An-70 can carry up to 47 tonnes of cargo or 300 passengers, and can operate from short and unpaved runways. The An-70 can also perform aerial delivery of cargo and paratroopers.

The An-70 made its first flight in 1994, but its development was delayed by several technical and political issues, such as engine problems, funding shortages, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The An-70 was initially a joint project between Russia and Ukraine, but their cooperation was strained by disputes over ownership, financing, and production. The An-70 was also involved in two accidents, one in 1995 and another in 2001, which resulted in the loss of two prototypes.

The An-70 has not entered full-scale production yet, and only two prototypes remain operational. The Ukrainian Air Force has ordered 10 An-70s, while the Russian Air Force has cancelled its order of 60 An-70s in favor of the Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A. The An-70 has also been offered for export to several countries, such as China, India, Iran, and Turkey.

The Antonov An-70 is a remarkable aircraft that showcases the engineering and innovation of Antonov. It is a modern and efficient transport aircraft that can perform various missions in challenging environments.

General characteristics

• Crew: 3–4 flight crew (two pilots and flight engineer (optional navigator)) + loadmasters and cargo attendants
• Capacity: 300 troops or 206 stretcher cases / 47,000 kg (103,617 lb) max payload
• Length: 40.73 m (133 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 44.06 m (144 ft 7 in)
• Height: 16.38 m (53 ft 9 in)
• Airfoil: TsAGI P-202
• Empty weight: 66,230 kg (146,012 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 145,000 kg (319,670 lb)
• Powerplant: 4 × Progress D-27 propfan, 10,350 kW (13,880 hp) each
• Propellers: 14-bladed Aerosyla Stupino SV-27, 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) diameter contra-rotating propeller (8-bladed forward; 6-bladed rear)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 780 km/h (480 mph, 420 kn)
• Cruise speed: 750 km/h (470 mph, 400 kn) at 9,100–11,000 m (29,856–36,089 ft)

800 km/h (500 mph; 430 kn) max

• Stall speed: 113 km/h (70 mph, 61 kn)
• Range: 1,350 km (840 mi, 730 nmi) with 47,000 kg (103,617 lb) payload from 1,800 m (5,906 ft) runway

3,800 km (2,400 mi; 2,100 nmi) with 38,000 kg (83,776 lb) payload from 1,800 m (5,906 ft) runway

5,000 km (3,100 mi; 2,700 nmi) with 30,000 kg (66,139 lb) payload from 1,800 m (5,906 ft) runway

7,400 km (4,600 mi; 4,000 nmi) with 20,000 kg (44,092 lb) payload from 1,800 m (5,906 ft) runway

8,000 km (5,000 mi; 4,300 nmi) with maximum fuel from 1,800 m (5,906 ft) runway

(STOL operations with reduced range)

• Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 24.9 m/s (4,900 ft/min)
• Power/mass: 0.316 kW/kg (0.192 hp/lb) max
• Take-off field length: 1,800 m (5,906 ft)
• Landing field length: 2,000 m (6,562 ft)
• Take-off run STOL 30,000 kg (66,139 lb) payload: 600 m (1,969 ft)
• Take-off run STOL 35,000 kg (77,162 lb) payload: 915 m (3,002 ft)