우크라이나의 초대형 수송기 An-225 Mriya (dream)는 운용비부족으로 장시간 계류하다가 2000년부터 재정비후 수송업무를 시작했습니다. 현재는 Antonov와 영국 Air Foyle가 합동으로 운영하며 최대 250톤의 막대한 적재능력을 발휘하여 수송업무를 하고 있습니다. 현재 단 두대만이 존재하고 있습니다.
캐나다는 파키스탄의 구호활동에 이수송기를 임차하여 40대의 차량과 화물 340톤을 수송하였다고 합니다.
사진은 캐나다에서 구호물자를 적재하고 이륙하는 모습입니다.

제원및 설명

Currently the world's largest airplane, the An-225 Mriya (dream) is an enlarged version of the An-124. The original purpose of the An-225 was to ferry large components used in the Soviet space program. These duties were formerly performed by a modified M-4 Molot bomber, but this aircraft did not have the payload capabilities required by the rocketry developments of the 1980s. As a result, Antonov was called upon to develop a new aircraft capable of carrying the Buran space shuttle, components of the Energiya rocket, or other large cargos required by the construction and mining industries.
To minimize the development effort, Antonov used the existing An-124 as a starting point but lengthened the fuselage, increased the wingspan, added two additional engines, and redesigned the tail with twin vertical tailfins. The rear cargo doors were also removed, although the An-225 retains a nose door. The greater weight of the An-225 also required four additional pairs of main landing gear tires.

Following the first flight in 1988, the An-225 set 106 world records in just one flight, and the appearance of the An-225 with the Buran attached made quite a stir at the Paris air show in 1989. However, the abandonment of the Buran program after the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the grounding of the sole An-225.

The An-225 remained in storage in Ukraine for many years until 2000. At that time, Antonov spent $20 million to upgrade the aircraft with new avionics and other modern equipment. The updated An-225 entered service in 2001 as a commercial transport for heavy and oversized freight. The plane is operated jointly by Antonov and the British firm Air Foyle.

Construction of a second An-225 had also begun during the 1980s but was stopped in 1994. Should operations with the existing An-225 prove profitable enough, it is possible that the second aircraft could be completed for service, though it seems unlikely.

Last modified 10 August 2005

HISTORY:
First Flight (An-225) 21 December 1988, (An-225 with Buran) 13 May 1989
Service Entry originally 1989, returned to service in 2001

CREW: six: pilot, co-pilot, four cabin crew
PASSENGERS: 70
ESTIMATED COST: $300 million [2005$]
AIRFOIL SECTIONS: Wing Root unknown supercritical Wing Tip , unknown supercritical

DIMENSIONS:
Length 275.58 ft (84.00 m)
Wingspan 290.00 ft (88.40 m)
Height 59.67 ft (18.20 m)
Wing Area 9,742 ft2 (905.00 m2)
Canard Area not applicable
WEIGHTS: Empty 628,315 lb (285,000 kg) ,Typical Load unknown
Max Takeoff 1,322,750 lb (600,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity 661,375 lb (300,000 kg)
Max Payload internal: 440,925 lb (200,000 kg), external: 551,150 lb (250,000 kg)
PROPULSION: Powerplant six Lotarev D-18T turbofans , Thrust 309,540 lb (1,377 kN)
PERFORMANCE: Max Level Speed at altitude: 530 mph (850 km/h)
at sea level: unknown cruise speed: 495 mph (800 km/h)
Initial Climb Rate unknown
Service Ceiling unknown
Range typical: 2,430 nm (4,500 km), ferry: 8,310 nm (15,400 km)
g-Limits unknown

KNOWN VARIANTS:
An-224 Original designation for the An-225 except it retained the rear cargo door of the An-124; not built
An-225 Heavy transport designed to ferry the Buran space shuttle and components of the Energia rocket; 1 built
An-225-100 New designation for the An-225 after being modernized in 2000 with updated communications gear, navigation equipment, a collision avoidance system, and noise reduction features for use as a heavy commercial transport; 1 converted
An-325 Proposal for an enlarged variant of the An-225 with an additional engine mounted on each inboard pylon and able to carry an increased payload, proposed primarily as a possible launch platform for Russian or foreign space vehicles; not built

KNOWN OPERATORS:
Civil Antonov Airlines
Military Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Voyenno Vozdushniye Sili (Soviet Air Force)