Antonov An-22 A Venerable Giant

摘要

A number of giant airlifters, including the Antonov An-124 Ruslan and An-225 Myria (Dream), have been designed by the Experimental Design Bureau (OKB) founded by Oleg K Antonov, known today as the Antonov ANTK (Scientific Technological Aviation Complex). These huge turbofan-powered aircraft were preceded by a mammoth turboprop freighter, the An-22 Antheus. This article traces the history of this pioneer among Antonov's super-heavy aircraft. Initial studies into super-heavy military transports began in 1958 and were based on the use of the NK-12M (MV) turboprops delivering 15,000hp (11,190kW). A number of projects were undertaken, which eventually led to the An-22. Work started with the twin-engined An-20, which the OKB first developed into the four-engined An-20A, and finally into the VT-22 military airlifter project of 1960 which, at an all-up weight of 167 tons (170 tonnes), was designed to have a cruising speed of 351kts (650km/h), and a practical range of 1,892nm (3,500km) with a load of 49 tons (50 tonnes). The VT-22 project served as the basis for creating a heavy assault transport aircraft, which was eventually known as the An-22 Antheus. Approval for work to begin on the new aircraft, known internally as izdeliye (Article) 100, was officially sanctioned on October 13, 1960.