Ruslan planes are the largest in the world

After the planes Ruslan in 1985 and 1986 were exhibited at the traditional international Paris air show, it became clear how much Soviet designers had advanced far in the creation of superheavy liners.

The serial versions of this high-profile have 405 tons of take-off mass and cruising speed - up to 850 km / h.

The Ruslan planes, which are considered to be the largest representatives of military transport aviation around the world, were developed in the OKB im. Antonova in Ukraine. The maximum range of their flights is sixteen and a half thousand kilometers.

To provide the AN-124 with the highest possible speed, the designers first created a thick enough swept wing with a flatter upper "shackle". Aerodynamic perfection, which is considered one of the main characteristics of this liner, was obtained due to careful development of the tail fuselage, fairings of the chassis and wing fenders.

Long-distance heavy military and transport aircraft Ruslan were originally intended for the transport of troops, standard armored vehicles and armament, as well as for parachute landing of cargo. They can transport ballistic missiles, tanks and other heavy military equipment.

The Ruslan planes were created using not only the most advanced technologies, but also composite materials. The complex of equipment, on-board automatic control systems for the technical state of the systems, two power auxiliaries, electric generators and turbopumps are designed to ensure autonomy in the operation of the high-level plan.

A few words about engines

The engines equipped with the Ruslan aircraft are able both for separate launch and, if necessary, simultaneous. In addition to manual control, each of them is equipped with an electronic system, using which the crew has the ability to approach the landing in both automatic and semiautomatic modes even in very bad weather.

To reduce the loss of aerodynamics during balancing, the An-124 Ruslan aircraft is assembled in the rear range of alignments. For this, all the possibilities of modern automation and electronics were used.

With the help of the automated loading of the steering wheel, friction was virtually eliminated when the elevator was operated. This allows the crew to accurately record its predetermined balancing position and fly all over the flight with one hand.

The developers paid much attention and convenience in the transportation of goods. Ruslan planes are loaded quickly and conveniently. They can transport bridge structures and long-length farms, small river vessels and drilling equipment.

The An-124 cargo cabin has a length of thirty-six and a half, and a width of almost seven meters.

Self-propelled vehicles enter the front, and are unloaded through the rear hatches. For stationary cargoes, a ten-ton bridge crane is used on board. It is interesting that when using such a system, the cargo plane Ruslan performs squats, which specialists jokingly call the "elephant dance".

According to the tradition already established in the Antonov design bureau, the safety of the An-124 flight became the most important task. Therefore, Ruslan planes have such power structures and propulsion system that they can continue to take off when one fails, a horizontal flight of two engines, and a landing without a motor.