AN-124 Ruslan Heavy Transport: Modern Development

     The AN-124-100 commerce aircraft is developed on the basis of AN-124 “Ruslan” heavy military transport aircraft which is the biggest heavylifter in the world. It is intended for transportation heavy and oversized cargo, various special technique. In 1992, ANTONOV ASTC obtained the Type Certificate on the AN-124-100.

     There is a double-deck fuselage layout. There are the cockpit, the relief crew compartment and the cargo attendants’ cabin at the upper deck. The lower deck is a pressurized cargo compartment. Construction and dimensions of the forward and rear cargo doors closed with ramps ensure quick and easy loading/unloading operations. The airborne cargo handling system allows perform the loading/unloading without the aid of the ground equipment. The multi-wheel landing gear of a high rough-field capacity, availability of two APU and mechanization of loading provide the independent aircraft operation from the poorly equipped airfields. Simplicity, reliability and safety of the aircraft operation are ensured by the redundancy and computerization of its systems.

     The aircraft unique cargo capacity and high performance have been proved during the commercial operation opened a new segment of the market: transportation of oversized and extra-heavy cargo. The AN-124 has been used to deliver 90 t hydraulic turbines, the Liebherr large dimension truck crane, the USA Euclid mine truck, the fuselage of the Tu-204 passenger aircraft, the 109 t locomotive, the General Electric GE90 aircraft engines, various combat vehicles, the Lynx anti-submarine helicopters, the spaceship in capsule and other unique cargo. And transportation of the 135,2 t electric generator of the Siemens Company that entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the heaviest cargo single piece ever carried by air.

     Aircraft corresponds to the Part III, Appendix 16, of the ICAO regulations as to the noise level. The works on provision the III (minus 5DcB) and IV Chapter performance are kept. The AN-124 fully meets also requirements as to emission of the aviation engines, accuracy of piloting, flights under conditions of short vertical separation spacing, etc.

     The modification of the АN-124-100М-150 aircraft has been developed by ANTONOV ASTC. It includes the main components of the АN-124-100 program development:

• payload increased from 120 t to 150 t;
• take-off weight increased from 392 t to 402 t;
• flight range increased, including the cargo of 120 t: from 4650 km to 5400 km;
• aircraft assigned service life is up to 24000 flight hours; the works on its extension up to 45 000 flight hours/10 000 flights/40 years service life are being performed;
• the new PO-500 schedule of maintenance was introduced (maintenance every 500 flight hours);
• airborne equipment providing loading-unloading operations of single piece of cargo up to 40 t weight;
• fuselage structure had been forced to provide airlift of single piece of cargo up to 150 t weight;
• Navigation System and radar had been updated;
• digital antiskid braking system allowing to reduce landing distance up to 30% had been installed;
• crew was reduced from 6 to 4 members, and the comfort level of the crew rest cabin was improved;
• military oxygen equipment had been exchanged with the civil one;
• enforced wheels and tires had been installed;
• new devices of engine control were installed;
• modernized systems of reverse control and engine vibrostate monitoring were developed;
• the СРППЗ-2000 ground proximity warning system was installed;
• A826 inertial navigation system was upgraded;
• Enhanced observation (EHS) was applied;
• Mail Minimum Equipment List was developed and now being implemented

     Zaporozhye IVCHENKO-PROGRESS Engine Design Bureau (Ukraine) had carried out development work to improve reliability, gas-dynamic stability, and service life of the Д-18T engine series 3. The development of Д-18Т more modern engine series 4 is being performed

     The large volume of work is waiting for Ruslan in the world market of air transportations of the oversized and super heavy cargo. The experts foresee increase of the volume of the market about three times that will reach $US 1.4 billion before 2017 and $US 2.3 billion before 2030. That is why carriers will need up to several dozens of new Ruslans soon. In connection with it Ukraine and Russia signed “Solution about priority measures on renewal of serial production and step-by-step modernization of AN124-100 aircraft at enterprises of Russian Federation and Ukraine”.

     Consideration and coordination of ‘Technical requirements on AN-124-100V-150 aircraft with improved customer qualities’, which will be proposed for serial production, are coming to an end.

     Technical requirements for avionic upgrate were developed and agreed with airlines.

     In March 2006 use of Ruslans within the SALIS programme started. Aircraft of ANTONOV AIRLINES and Volga-Dnepr group companies are involved in this programme performance. Two these largest operators of Ruslans participate in the programme as equals.

     According to the signed Contract two AN-124-100 are constantly based in Leipzig Halle airport. Another 4 machines are being given on request. The AN-124-100 will perform strategic transportations in the interests of EC and NATO within the period of up to 2012.