The Antonov An-70 is a next-generation four-engine medium-distance transport aircraft, and the first large aircraft to be powered by propfan engines. Developed by Ukraine's Antonov design bureau to replace the obsolete An-12 military transport, work on the An-70 began in the early 1990s.
The maiden flight of the first prototype took place on December 16, 1994 in Kiev, Ukraine.
Fully fly-by-wire, the An-70 features a glass cockpit with all electronic instruments, and uses composite materials throughout. It is powered by four Progress D-27 propfan engines, each turning a pair of contra-rotating Scimitar propeller, reaching ninety percent efficiency in cruise at jet speeds.
General characteristics
* Crew: 3-5
* Capacity: 300 troops or 206 wounded
* Payload: 47 tonnes (2.25g) (103,620 lb (2.25g)) of cargo
* Length: 40.7 m (133 ft 6 in)
* Wingspan: 44.06 m (144 ft 7 in)
* Height: 16.38 m (53 ft 9 in)
* Empty weight: 66,230 kg (146,000 lb)
* Loaded weight: 108,860 kg (240,000 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 145,000 kg (2.25g) (319,725 lb (2.25g))
* Powerplant: 4× Progress D-27 propfans, 10,350 kW (14,000 hp) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 780 km/h (420 knots, 485 mph)
* Range: 6,600 km (3,600 nm, 4,100 mi) with 20 tonnes of cargo
* Ferry range: 8,000 km (4,320 nm, 4,970 mi)
* Service ceiling 12,000 m (40,000 ft)
* Rate of climb: 24.9 m/s (4,900 ft/min)