newstodate.aero
Aug 21, 2009 (newstodate): Not everyone can have his service life extended - but aircraft can.
Russia's Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute and the State Civil Aviation Research Institute have now extended the designed service life of the bulky freighter Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan from 25 to 45 years.
The Ruslan freighter can now operate for 50,000 flight hours, or 10,000 flights, corresponding to 45 years.
At the same time, work is underway for resumption by Antonov of production of the new generation Ruslan from 2012.
A total of 56 AN-124 Ruslan aircraft have so far been built, and 40 are still in service with military and commercial operators.
Russia's Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute and the State Civil Aviation Research Institute have now extended the designed service life of the bulky freighter Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan from 25 to 45 years.
The Ruslan freighter can now operate for 50,000 flight hours, or 10,000 flights, corresponding to 45 years.
At the same time, work is underway for resumption by Antonov of production of the new generation Ruslan from 2012.
A total of 56 AN-124 Ruslan aircraft have so far been built, and 40 are still in service with military and commercial operators.