An-72 (Coaler) Russian Transport Aircraft
Twin-Engine Utility Aircraft
Other
Basic Information
Name
An-72 (Coaler) Russian Transport Aircraft
Designation
—
Alternate Designation
—
Equipment Type
Twin-Engine Utility Aircraft
Manufacturer
Antonov
Date of Introduction
1977
Description
The AN-72 is a light short takeoff and landing jet transport airplane intended for operations on non-equipped airstrips 600 m long. Powerful wing high-lift devices and improved thrust-to-weight ratio ensure the airplane’s short takeoff and landing capability. The engines installed above the wing upper surface provide lift augmentation at takeoff and landing owing to the wing and wing center section flaps upper surface blowing with the engine exhaust jets (Coanda effect). The AN-72 was serially manufactured at the Kharkiv Aircraft Manufacturing Company where 114 airplanes of this type were built between 1984 and 1992.
Air & Air Defense Specifications
Crew
4
Engine
Turbofan (6514 hp)
Range
4325.0 km
Payload Capacity
10000 kg
Variants
An-72
Coaler-A, Pre-production aircraft. A total of eight were built, plus two flying prototypes and one static test airframe.
An-72A
Coaler-C was an initial production aircraft.
An-72AT
A freighter version. It is compatible with standard international shipping containers.
An-72P
Maritime patrol aircraft. Its main role is to patrol sea cost. It is armed with 23-mm twin-barrel cannon and has underwing hardpoints for pods with unoperated rockets or 100 kg bombs. It can transport 22 paratroopers, or alternatively cargo with a maximum weight of 5 t. The first An-72P aircraft was constructed somewhere between 1983 and 1986.
An-72PS
Search and rescue aircraft.
An-72S
VIP transport. Its production commenced in 1987.
An-72G
A civilian freighter aircraft. It was approved for production in 1993.
An-71
NATO: Madcap. It was an airborne early warning aircraft. It is based on the An-72. It made its first flight in 1975. Only 3 prototypes were built before the program was cancelled.
An-74
A version of the An-72, that can operate in polar regions of Arctic and Antarctica. Originally this aircraft had the designation An-74A Arktika. Modifications have been made for operation in harsh weather conditions. It could operate from low grade airstrips, such as concrete, pebble, ice and snow. It had better de-icing equipment, carried more fuel and could be fitted with wheel-skis landing gear, and some other equipment, that allowed the aircraft to operate in extreme Arctic conditions. Its maximum payload capacity was 7 500 kg. The first two aircraft were completed in 1983. Since its introduction numerous versions of this aircraft appeared. The An-74 was produced alongside the An-72. Its production still continues in Ukraine. As of 2016 a total of 76 were built, including variants. These are used both by military and civil operators.
System
Alternate Designation(s)
An-72; NATO: Coaler-A; Nickname: Cheburashka
Type
Transport Aircraft
Manufacturer
Antonov
Crew
4 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer)
Passengers
52 ea
Number of Engines
2 ea
Number of Hard Points
INA
Payload Capacity
10,000 kg
Loading Ramp
The An-72 has a hinged loading ramp at the rear.
Landing Gear
Tricycle retractable
Note
The An-72 has a very unusual layout. Engines are located above the wing and are blowing over the flaps. Such design boosts lift. As a result the aircraft has 20% more lift power and improved short take-off and landing performance.
Dimensions
Length
28.07 m
Height
8.65 m
Width (Wing Span)
31.89 m
Wing Area
98.62 m sq
Cabin Length
10.50 m
Cabin Height
2.20 m
Cabin Width
2.15 m
Maximum Payload
10,000 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight
34,500 kg
Automotive
Engine Name
2 x Lotarev D-36
Engine Type
Turbofan
Engine Power
6,514 kg) static thrust
Maximum Range
4,325 km
Maximum Cruise Speed
705 km/h
Normal Cruise Speed
550 km/h
Approach Speed
180 km/h
Ceiling
10,700 m
Takeoff Roll
1,170 m to 10.7 m at 34,500 kg
Communications
HF Radio
1 x "Arlekin" DA HR Radio
VHF Radio
2 x VHF Radios
Main Weapon System
Note
There are no weapons mounted on the An-72 (Coaler-A) Russian Transport Aircraft.
Protection
Stealth Properties
None
Heat Signature Reduction
No
Add on Armor
No
EW Counter Measures
INA
Chaffs/Flares
INA
Details
Country of Origin
Russia
Category
Fixed Wing Aircraft
Air > Fixed Wing Aircraft
Filter Label
A
Classification
Domain
Air & Air Defense
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
28.07 m
Width
31.89 m
Height
8.65 m
Weight
34500 kg
Operators (7)
Russia
Ukraine
Angola
Equatorial Guinea
Kazakhstan
Libya
Sudan
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