Antonov An-72/74 Coaler

Summary

Category	Transport aircraft
Origin country	🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
First flight	22 December 1977
Year of introduction	1985
Number produced	195 units
Average unit price	$25 million

Description

The Antonov An-72 and its improved version, the An-74, were tactical transport aircraft produced by the Soviet aerospace manufacturer Antonov. Until the 1970s, Soviet tactical transport was mainly carried out by propeller-driven aircraft. The introduction of the Antonov An-72, powered by jet engines, attracted a lot of attention. Its unique design also captivated observers.

The Antonov An-72, known as the Coaler by NATO, is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft with a slight backward sweep and a T-tail. It was designed to perform tactical transport missions in various weather conditions and on difficult terrains. It features a robust landing gear with independent wheeled legs, allowing it to land on rough terrain. The engines are installed on the wing to reduce the risk of foreign object ingestion. The aircraft has a rear door and ramp for cargo unloading. The cargo hold can accommodate up to 7.5 tonnes of cargo or 52 passengers. It is also equipped with lateral airfoils to reduce turbulence near the tail and enable the airdrop of paratroopers or cargo.

The An-72 entered series production in 1985 in Kharkov, Ukraine, but production in Russia was limited starting from 1993. Approximately 200 units of the An-72/74 were produced. The An-74, an improved version of the An-72, was developed for operations in Arctic regions and offers enhanced performance compared to its predecessor. It features modern avionics and increased cargo carrying capacity.

Despite limited production, the An-72/74 continues to be considered a versatile and cost-effective aircraft, providing performance suited for tactical transport missions. Its lower purchase price compared to its competitors makes it an attractive option for many countries.

Main variants: - An-71: nicknamed AWACSki, which was intended to equip Soviet aircraft carriers but was ultimately replaced by the abandoned Yakovlev Yak-44. It was equipped with a Kvant radar with a range of 360 kilometers, mounted on a rotodome, an additional engine in the fuselage, and three radar operators. Three prototypes were built. - An-72: the base version, also known as An-72A. - An-72P: variant used by Russian and Ukrainian border guards, equipped with a GSh-23 23mm cannon in an underbelly pod and pylons under the wings for bombs or rockets. Specifically dedicated to patrol and search and rescue operations. - An-74: improved version of the An-72, initially developed for polar conditions; serves as the basis for many export sub-variants. - An-74TK-100/200: mixed transport version, able to carry 52 passengers and/or 10 tonnes of cargo, operated by a crew of 2 to 4 people. - An-74T-200: enhanced transport version, initially developed for Egypt.

Technical specifications

Version: An-74
Crew	5 members
Operational range	4800 km (2983 mi)
Maximum speed	700 km/h (435 mph)
Wing area	98.6 m² (1061.5 sqft)
Wingspan	31.9 m (104.6 ft)
Height	8.7 m (28.4 ft)
Length	28.1 m (92.1 ft)
Service ceiling	11600 m (38058 ft)
Empty weight	19000 kg (41888 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	34800 kg (76721 lbs)
Powerplant	2 × turbofans Ivchenko-Progress D-36 delivering 8385 kW