The AN-225 Mriya Super Heavy Transport

     This unique transport air lifter was designed and constructed in 1984/1988.

     The aircraft has been created to perform the following missions:

• transportation of the wide-range of cargo (large-sized, heavy, long-sized) with total weight up to 250 t.;
• intracontinental non-stop airlift of cargoes of 180-200 t. weight;
• intercontinental airlift of cargoes with weight up to 150 t.;
• transportation of a heavy large-sized single pieces with weight up to 200 t on the outside of the fuselage;
• as the basis for the aerospace systems.

     The aircraft obtains the spacious cargo compartment that allows to carry a variety of cargoes inside. For instance

• sixteen standard aeronautical containers of UAC-10 type, of 10 t. each;
• 50 auto cars;
• single piece of cargoes up to 200 t (turbines, generators, dump trucks - Belaz, Kamatsu, Euclid, etc.).

     The dimensions of the cargo compartment are: length - 43 m, width - 6.4 m and height - 4.4 m. The cargo compartment is pressurized that extend the aircraft transport capabilities. The airborne cargo handling equipment and also the design of the forward cargo door with a ramp ensure the quick and easy loading/unloading operations. The aircraft is capable to transport the unique cargoes outside the fuselage which dimensions do not allow to place them at the other land-base vehicles and aircraft. There is an appropriate load securement system to attach these cargoes to the fuselage.

     Nowadays AN-225 aircraft is performing the commercial flights being in the staff of the ANTONOV ASTC aircraft division named ANTONOV AIRLINES. The design work is conducted now to use the aircraft as a flying launch system for the future aerospace systems. One of the most advanced projects is the MAKS joint Russian/Ukrainian multi-purpose aerospace system.

     When using the aircraft as the launcher for the space vehicles it will be fitted with the equipment required for the prelaunch preparation of the aerospace systems. Implementation of these projects will permit the considerable reducing the cost of the payloads orbital injections.

     The AN-225 Mriya obtains the high degree of succession and unification as to its systems, assemblies, units and elements of the airframe, the powerplant and equipment with the certificated AN-124-100 aircraft.

     The Interstate Aviation Committee Air Register (IAC AR) and UKRAVIATRANS have issued the Certificate of Type to the AN-225 Mriya on May 23, 2001.