newstodate.aero
Aug 18, 2014 (newstodate): Plans for a revival of production of the AN-124 Ruslan freighter have again been dropped after several attempts to update the project to new standards.
The latest project was a cooperation set up in May 2013 between Ukranian Antonov and the Russian United Aircraft Corporation, and the new version, AN-124-100M-150, would be designed to a capacity to lift 150 tonnes of off-size shipments, compared to the existing model's 120 tonnes of payload.
Other features of the new version would be new engines, new cockpit, and the aircraft would be manned by a crew comprising only four people- two pilots and two load masters.
Plans were to build up to 60 of the aircraft till 2020, including 10 new units for Russia's Ministry of Defense in addition to upgrading of another batch of 22, 40 aircraft for the Volga-Dnepr Group and seven for Polet Airlines.
Later in 2013, the Russian Ministry of Defense however dropped its interest in the modernized AN-124 aircraft, preferring instead other military freighter programs - and the current rift between Russia and Ukraine has now lifted the Ruslan freighter plans off the agenda, probably for good.
The latest project was a cooperation set up in May 2013 between Ukranian Antonov and the Russian United Aircraft Corporation, and the new version, AN-124-100M-150, would be designed to a capacity to lift 150 tonnes of off-size shipments, compared to the existing model's 120 tonnes of payload.
Other features of the new version would be new engines, new cockpit, and the aircraft would be manned by a crew comprising only four people- two pilots and two load masters.
Plans were to build up to 60 of the aircraft till 2020, including 10 new units for Russia's Ministry of Defense in addition to upgrading of another batch of 22, 40 aircraft for the Volga-Dnepr Group and seven for Polet Airlines.
Later in 2013, the Russian Ministry of Defense however dropped its interest in the modernized AN-124 aircraft, preferring instead other military freighter programs - and the current rift between Russia and Ukraine has now lifted the Ruslan freighter plans off the agenda, probably for good.