AviationGeeks.com - Antonov An-22

Photo copyright: Gerard Helmer

Name: An-22

Manufacturer: Antonov

Status: Few remain in service

First flight: 27th of February, 1965

Entered service: 1969

Number built: 68

Currently operating: Unknown

Unit Cost: Unknown

The Antonov An-22 was designed for the Soviet Army to transport tankers and missile launchers and was the largest aircraft in the world at the time. The An-32 first appeared at the Paris Air Show in 1965. It was designed to be able to take off from unpaved and shorter runways than other aircrafts in the same category. To be able to take off at shorter runways the aircraft was equipped four Kuznetsov NK-12 engine, each equipped with 2, 4 blade counter-rotating propellers and large trailing edge and double slotted flaps. The lending gears were heavily rigged and the tire pressure could be regulated from the cockpit. In its early years, the An-22 set several payload world records.

Photo copyright: Maksomov Maxim

Photo used with permission of author

Crew: 5-6

Capacity: 29 passengers

Length: 57.9 meters (190 feet)

Height: 12.5 meters (41 feet)

Wingspan: 64.4 meters (211 feet)

Max take-off weight: 250,000 kg (551,000 lb)

Empty weight: 114,000 kg (251,330 lb)

Photo copyright: Fencer-1

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Powerplant

Type: Kuznetsov NK-12

Horsepower: 11,030 kW (15,000 shp)

Performance

Max speed: 11,030 kW (15,000 shp)

Range: with max payload 5,000 km (2,700 nm, 3,100 mi)

Ceiling: 8,000 m (26,240 ft)

Photo copyright: Karl Nixon

Photo used with permission from author

Antonov Design Bureau created two different models of the An-22, in addition to the three prototypes that were built. Antonov built 37 aircrafts before they came out with the improved An-22A. The An-22A had an improved start system, modified avionics, and radio and navigation system. Total of 28 An-22A were built.

The An-22 has only been operated by the Soviet and the Russian Army, Antonov Airlines and Air Sofia in Bulgaria. 

Photo copyright: Igor Bubin

Photo used with permission from author

Photo copyright: Igor Bubin

Photo used with permission from author