The Antonov state enterprise (Kiev) will present the project for the new An-178 transport aircraft with a carrying capacity of up to 18 tons at the 2014 Farnborough International Air Show, which will take place outside London from July 14 to 20, the Interfax Ukraine news agency reported, citing the press service of the enterprise.
Prospects for expanding cooperation with European partners on the new An-178 program will be one of the topics during talks involving the Antonov state enterprise’s delegation led by its president and chief designer Dmytro Kiva.
According to the aircraft’s developer, the implementation of the An-178 program takes account of the needs on the world market for military transport equipment equipped with ramps. One of the key trends is replacement of four-engine turboprop transport aircraft with twin-engine jet transport aircraft, which have better performance on similar hourly fuel consumption because they have a 40% higher cruising speed.
The An-178 is designed to provide logistical support to troops, parachute small numbers of troops and cargo onto platforms, evacuate the wounded and light equipment, and deliver equipment and engines.
The An-178 is capable of carrying all the types packaged cargoes (containers or pallets) currently existing in the world. Like all Antonov aircraft, the new transport aircraft can be based at all types of aerodromes, and it is self-sustaining and has a high level of reliability and tolerance to battle damage, the enterprise said.
According to the Antonov state enterprise, the market demand for An-178 aircraft is estimated at 200 until the year 2032. The maiden flight of the new aircraft is scheduled for early 2015.
In addition to the An-178, the An-70 military transport aircraft, the An-124-100 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft, and the new-generation An-148/158 regional jet airliner will be presented at the 2014 Farnborough International Air Show.
