Antonov 225 "Mriya"

The biggest aircraft in the world

The Antonov An-225 "Mriya" (NATO code name "Cossack") is a strategic airlift transport airplaine originally designed for the Soviet space program. Its purpose was to carry Energiya rocket's boosters and the space shuttle Buran. "Mriya" means "dream" in ukrainian.

The An-225 was designed by Antonov, based in Kiyv, Ukraine (formerly in the USSR) and is an extension of the An-124, which was the biggest plane in the world until the An-225 was built.

The An-225 first flew on December 21st, 1988. Only a single An-225 is currently in service. It is use for carrying ultra heavy and oversize freight. Antonov began the construction of a second An-225 for the Soviet space program but it shall be finished only this year. The construction of further An-225 will depend on the demand for such oversize cargolifters.

The An-225 is the biggest and the heaviest airplane in the world, bigger than the Airbus A380. It was on display at the Paris Air Show in June 2001; despite promises it is not displayed this year because of a last minute change of Antonov's CEO.

The An-225 is currently owned by Antonov Airlines, a subsidiary of the Antonov group, established in 1946 by the engineer with the same name.

• Engines: six ZMKB Progress-Lotarev D18T turbofans of 229kN thrust each
• Maximum take-off weght: 600,000kg
• Maximum load: between 250,000 and 275,000kg
• Wingspan: 88.4m (80m for the A380)
• Lenght: 84m (73m for the A380)
• Maximum speed: 850km/h
• Range with maximum load: 4,500km
• Range with maximum fuel: 15,500km
• Crew: seven

An-225 carrying the Buran Soviet space shuttle (photograph by NASA)

Copyright (c) 2005 by Michel Zacharz